What qualifies as a "mature" game?

[F0X]

NintendoPie said:

F0X said:

I agree, so it's time to switch directions. Mature content directed at a mature audience counts as a mature game. I won't doubt that. However, as I was just saying there are games like Metroid that aren't M-rated, but are directed at a mature audience (well, that's what Reggie said at E3 2010). What do you make of this? Can a game that isn't M-rated exist solely to appease an older audience? Moreover, does a game have to have M-rated content to appeal solely to an older audience?

Yes.

No.

But if the definition of a mature game depends on who should be allowed to play it (that is what you've said), would that rule out non M-rated games altogether? Because a game that doesn't have much, if any, mature content could be played by younger, less mature players... even if they are not the target audience. Or do you see my point of view- that a "mature" game is not so easily defined?