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How to stop kids from playing Grand Theft Auto IV on your Xbox 360
So now that I have my copy of GTA IV for Xbox 360 I am concerned that my kitties could be playing it when I am not around to give them the proper moral guidance. So as a Public Service Anouncement I am going to set a parental rating limit on my Xbox 360 and show you all how it's done so you can do it for your little ones.
Oh no! We can't have them playing GTA!
Just click over to the right to the System tab and then down to Family Settings.
Select Console Controls and then Game Ratings
Then we need to set a Pass Code, so go down to the brilliantly titled "Set Pass Code" tab.
Pick the highest level that you want your little ones playing. Since my kitties are not that hardcore they are going to stick to E rated games. I do worry about the level of sex, violence and hairballs that they are exposed to.
Enter a pass code using the directional pad or buttons, I am going with the first part of the "Konami Code", That's "Up Up Down Down"
Then set a pass code reset answer in case you ever forget it. I went with "Scramble" since it is an early Konami game that I used to play on my Colecovision.
Then when anyone using the Xbox tries to play a Xbox 360 game, game demo, Xbox Live Arcade game or Xbox one game that is past the E rating that you set it will ask for the pass code.
If the correct pass code is not entered then the game will not start.
There not they don't have to make a federal case out of it, You get to enjoy GTA IV and the wee ones little brains are saved from video game induced decay.
Additional I would suggest keeping your M-Rated games in a seperate folder and not keeping it in the same place as the E rated games.
Talk to your kids and explain that you trust them but you need them to be responsable partners. Being responsable is a part of the privilege of owning a video game system. Back in my days we had a Colecovision and we had to walk ten miles in the snow to buy these things called "Cartridges".
Don't let Jack Thompson, lazy tabloid media and glory hogging pias politicians muck things up.
I remember watching Senator Joe Lieberman and is friends call Nintendo and Sega before congress because of Mortal Kombat and Night Trap. Since the video game industry and video game fans have worked very hard to create a fair rating system for games and it is your responsibility as a gamer to keep it working and that means giving a darn and caring what your kids are playing with.
Jake at May 1, 2008 
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Comments
It's up, up, down, down, you fool!!
Posted by: BBQ at May 1, 2008 5:58 AM
My method of keeping my kids from playing GTA IV? Telling them they can't, and verifying they DON'T. Granted, my sons are 5 & 7, but still. I am also making sure I won't play when they can watch. Yes, the have played Halo 3. But call me crazy - they KNOW video games aren't real, and I'd much rather they not pick up the language and general "attitude" of the GTA games. Even Crackdown I let them watch, as you are "the good guy" in Crackdown.
Plus, use the Family Timer! Even if my sons DID manage to throw in GTA IV, they wouldn't get that much time in.
Posted by: Deezul AwT at May 1, 2008 7:57 PM
Excellent writeup :) I only hope people actually search about how to help "protect" their kids instead of just blaming the breakdown of morality on games.
Posted by: Devindra at May 5, 2008 4:57 PM
