and then in Germany and Australia the rating boards think its okay to cut game content and remove gore etc in games made for adults. (stupid world)

I don't know about that, even a child can get access to mature games without their parents knowing. As I said my outlet was my neighbor until my parents found out and pretty much a couple people in the neighborhood stopped us from going to that kids house. Just saying, my parents would've taken the game from me unless it was from Nintendo. Everyone has their different experience. My old friend grew up just like you in a way where his parents were very liberal about that.

That is kind of true, my little cousin always says he wants to play games like me. But doesn't actually know what games I like to play and gets surpraised when I show him something like Zelda or Pokemon. Or when I let him try something like Mass Effect or Red Dead. He just says they're boring because he doesn't know how to play them yet.

I've heard chicks hype up those games, not generally male consumers but anything can happen. I've seen businessmen and people you wouldn't normally expect to game come into Gamestop to pick up COD.

Aren't certain games banned in Germany?

The key for me is communication. Many parents seem to not want to talk to their kids. My kids are not afraid to ask, but we also have discussions on the content so they understand why i am saying yes or no. The problem is that many parents dont even want the conversation and just get them the game to keep them quiet and out of the way....while i get particular games so we can play it in co-op :)

What's surprising I find is finding out from my kids what their friends are playing and that their parents have little or no interest in what it is. I guess that's the benefit being a gamer since being a kid and growing up with games.

GTAIII didn't have nudity, nor drug dealing.  It's not even the fact that it's M rated.  It's the reason for which it has that rating.  The only time you even went in doors in GTA III was when you werebeing briefed on a mission. GTA V is on a whole different level.  Not remotely compairable.

     Yeah.... I just stopped giving a damn about CoD after MW2. 

Exactly, you are at a clear and direct advantage by being educated about games. Most parents don't give a damn about videogames, they just either want their kids to be happy or to shut up about games like COD or GTA. Most girls I date don't really like gaming, but hopefully I like one who at least has a passing interesting (lol). I want my kids to have both parents be educated because videogames are a major hobby my life.

I was playing 18+ games when I was a kid so I won't be a hypocrite when I have my kids. In fact I'm more worried about people who are so shocked and moved by it or people who won't allow a 15-16 year old play a 18+ game.