Quote:

A Gamestop store in South Dallas is breaking corporate policy by refusing to sell games to school kids who can't prove they're doing well at school. Managed by Brandon Scott, he's got a store rule that unless an adult can verify that a child is getting good grades at school he won't sell a game to them. Any game. Even Pony Friends.

I'm probably going to get in trouble for this, but to me it's worth it, because the kids understand that somebody cares.

Brandon, your heart's in the right place, but the kids won't think somebody cares. They'll think you're being a total ass. Especially if they're not bright kids , and all they want to do is buy a videogame from your videogame store.

http://www.wiichat.com/nintendo-wii-chat/37127-gamestop-manager-wont-sell-games-stupid-kids.html

It's nice to see someone who cares that kids learn. But you're in the business to sell games, and anyone with money should be able to get a game. If their parents don't care, and they aren't getting any extra attention at school, then not having a video game isn't going to do squat. And what of those kids who do try, and even go to special ed to get extra help, and their brains just don't get it and they get Cs and Ds? Are they to be punished for having a learning disorder?

This is kind of dumb. All I did was sit around and play video games throughout my school career, and I had no problems getting Bs and As (with the occasional C sprinkled in there. Rarely). If I was denied a video game when I went to buy one, is my next thought gonna be, "Hmm, maybe I'll go do some homework and studying instead"? NO WAY. I'll go play other video games I have, or find something else I liked doing.

It's up to a parent to structure their kids' lives, not some guy standing behind a counter.

Thank God someone cares. Video games and internet have created a generation of social *******.

Thank God someone cares. Video games and internet have created a generation of social *******.

True, but video games has been around for as long as I can remember, and I don't remember anyone getting a bad grade over Super Mario Bros. or Ms. Pac Man.

The blame belongs to the 'new' generation of parents, who is sadly, my generation, who rather be the kid's friend rather than parent. Today's parent (SOME) are weak and don't know how to raise their kids because some are kids(13,14) themselves.

meenee hed!

And what of those kids who do try, and even go to special ed to get extra help, and their brains just don't get it and they get Cs and Ds? Are they to be punished for having a learning disorder?
exactly. that's how i was through most of school. with ADD i couldn't focus, it didn't matter what i tried to do to pay attention and learn the material, or how hard i tried it. i'd always get C's and D's (and F's if i was a little careless) in subjects that required the focusing that my brain simply couldn't manage, and there was nothing i could do about it.

who the hell do those people think they are? offering a small bonus for good grades would be nice, but punishing them for bad grades is unfair. it's a stupid idea anyway, people are just going to buy their games at competitor stores.

exactly. that's how i was through most of school. with ADD i couldn't focus, it didn't matter what i tried to do to pay attention and learn the material, or how hard i tried it. i'd always get C's and D's (and F's if i was a little careless) in subjects that required the focusing that my brain simply couldn't manage, and there was nothing i could do about it.

who the hell do those people think they are? offering a small bonus for good grades would be nice, but punishing them for bad grades is unfair. it's a stupid idea anyway, people are just going to buy their games at competitor stores.

You are 100% right!

There are kids struggling to get A's and B's, and no, the kids aren't lazy. I'm a little tired with society labeling these kids as failures.

I seriously think these kids won't be heartbroken that there were turned away from buying a video game, it's called getting at a competitor store, an older brother or sister getting for them, or just go to a friend's house. Kids usually move on.

I smell publicity stunt

Seriously this guy is in the business to make money. where do these kids get the $ for the games?? thier parents more often than not.

So what if the parent goes in by themselves, is he going to ask them for their kids grades? Unlikely

I think this is just a stunt to get his name in the news

I smell publicity stunt

Seriously this guy is in the business to make money. where do these kids get the $ for the games?? thier parents more often than not.

So what if the parent goes in by themselves, is he going to ask them for their kids grades? Unlikely

I think this is just a stunt to get his name in the news

:lol:

True, but video games has been around for as long as I can remember, and I don't remember anyone getting a bad grade over Super Mario Bros. or Ms. Pac Man.

The blame belongs to the 'new' generation of parents, who is sadly, my generation, who rather be the kid's friend rather than parent. Today's parent (SOME) are weak and don't know how to raise their kids because some are kids(13,14) themselves.

You have a point about today's parents. But comparing Super Mario Bros. and Ms. PacMan to modern video games?! 80's games aren't even in the same league anymore--video games are a whole different monster now.

I wonder about the legalities involved but, I think its a good policy that should be enforced elsewhere....on the other hand, if kid's parents gave a crap about what their kids did these days, such measures would be moot!

http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/localnews/news8/stories/wfaa070914_lj_brady2.d3cb9c35.html

GameStop manager suspended after 'games for grades' policy

06:26 PM CDT on Friday, September 14, 2007

By JEFF BRADY / WFAA-TV


It may be 'game-over' for a local video game store manager we told you about this week.

Brandon Scott says he started a unique new policy in his store to promote good grades in school but now his employer has sent him to detention for speaking out of turn.

Scott says he's been suspended by GameStop in the wake of his unconventional "games for grades" policy at an Oak Cliff store.

"This is a socially acceptable, responsible thing to do," Scott says.

On his own, Scott decided to stop selling video games to any school-age customer unless an adult would vouch for the student's good grades.

"These kids, they are our future, especially if you sell products to kids," he said.

GameStop declined an on-camera interview but stated in an e-mail: "GameStop is learning about and evaluating Mr. Scott's concept. As always, GameStop maintains its corporate commitment to assisting parents and other consumers in making informed choices."

Scott's story was picked up online and by CNN.

Yesterday afternoon, he did a live national interview.

Online blog and web comments have been largely negative but the community support has been overwhelmingly positive.

"Everyone needs a good education and I totally support him because my rules at home are: You don't make the grade, you don't play," said parent Kenisha Jones.

"It's just one store setting a standard for the community, and it shouldn't have been a problem," said Raquel Brown.

Scott says he's unsure whether his suspension was due to the unorthodox policy, or because he spoke to the media.

But says he remains committed to making a difference, regardless of the label.

"I wouldn't say rebel, but I can be rebellious. I can fight for what I believe in," he said.

haha.

Meh, I think it's the parent's decision whether or not their children should get a game - why should a Gamestop manager be playing the role of a parent?

Where are the parents in all of this ? this guy was doing their job. If you see your kids stuggling then pull them off the PCs take their cell phones and take their games so that they can use their minds.

That's great but now let's work on getting kids away from the video games and computers and let them try...playing...outside! Fresh air, exercise and some sunshine will not make you melt ;).

That's ridiculous. Some games if they aren't the killing kind like Grand theft auto can be educational. I think deciding on when kids can play the games should be left up to the parents. As far as what that store manager is doing, it sounds like a great way to lose some money in his business.

You have a point about today's parents. But comparing Super Mario Bros. and Ms. PacMan to modern video games?! 80's games aren't even in the same league anymore--video games are a whole different monster now.

Reason i'm comparing is because video games are video games no matter what decade. Hell, games are games! You talk about video games are a whole different monster, well guess what? Around 25 years ago Dungeons and Dragons were in the same ball game. Have you ever met a person who was addicted to that stupid game? Ms. Pac Man is another game that people used to get addicted to along with handheld games in the '90's. There were monster type games in the eighties just like today, it's no different except for the lazy parenting of today.

You have a point about today's parents. But comparing Super Mario Bros. and Ms. PacMan to modern video games?! 80's games aren't even in the same league anymore--video games are a whole different monster now.
They are both distracting though. Doesn't matter how complex the game is; the kid is still doing that instead of something else.

That's ridiculous. Some games if they aren't the killing kind like Grand theft auto can be educational.

Not educational?? You must be kidding. Playing GTA, I learned that you can kill a hooker with a fire extinguisher.

If that isn't a valuable life lesson, I don't know what is.

They are both distracting though. Doesn't matter how complex the game is; the kid is still doing that instead of something else.

Excatly! I knew a kid who was so mesmerized by his handheld game seventeen years ago and all he was playing was Super Mario Bros. I mean, the kid acted like no one existed around him!

Another game that was distracting back then was Tetris! Boy, that game had everyone in a frenzy.

And don't forget "Pac Man Fever!"

Do you guys mind if I feature some of your posts in a blog article I'm going to write?

Do you guys mind if I feature some of your posts in a blog article I'm going to write?

I know I wouldn't mind.:)

Do you guys mind if I feature some of your posts in a blog article I'm going to write?
i wouldn't mind.

Excatly! I knew a kid who was so mesmerized by his handheld game seventeen years ago and all he was playing was Super Mario Bros. I mean, the kid acted like no one existed around him!

Another game that was distracting back then was Tetris! Boy, that game had everyone in a frenzy.

And don't forget "Pac Man Fever!"
Tetris was addicting. I had that for Game Boy (the old one with NO COLOR!) and I played that for hours.

Tetris was addicting. I had that for Game Boy (the old one with NO COLOR!) and I played that for hours.

:lol: Man was that game addicting. It got so addicting that my little cousin started following the tile patterns on floors and celings. He used to bring hisgame boy to church and play tetris during the sermon. My Aunt slapped him upside the head but my Uncle was following along with the game.

:lol: Man was that game addicting. It got so addicting that my little cousin started following the tile patterns on floors and celings. He used to bring hisgame boy to church and play tetris during the sermon. My Aunt slapped him upside the head but my Uncle was following along with the game.
:lol:

I'd hear the theme song in my sleep.

Tetris was addicting. I had that for Game Boy (the old one with NO COLOR!) and I played that for hours.Haha, I never really saw the appeal in Tetris.

He shouldn't be playing the role of the parent. It's none of his ****ing business what the kids grades are.