To convince your parents to let you play Undertale, focus on demonstrating maturity, explaining the game's positive aspects, and potentially offering to earn the game or demonstrate responsible gameplay. Highlight the game's narrative depth, unique mechanics, and lack of excessive violence.
Here's a more detailed approach:
1. Choose the Right Time and Approach:
Timing is crucial: Don't ask when they're stressed or busy. Choose a calm moment when you can have a relaxed conversation.
Be respectful and mature: Frame your request as a thoughtful discussion, not a demand.
2. Highlight the Positive Aspects of Undertale:
Narrative and characters:
Explain the engaging story, well-developed characters, and meaningful themes of the game.
Unique gameplay:
Emphasize the ability to choose between fighting and sparing monsters, and how this impacts the story.
Age-appropriateness:
If your parents are concerned about violence, point out that Undertale allows for a pacifist playthrough where no one is harmed.
Educational value:
Discuss how the game can improve problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence.
3. Address Potential Concerns:
Violence:
If they are concerned about violence, explain that Undertale offers a unique "Mercy" system where players can choose to avoid combat.
Time commitment:
Offer to play in moderation and demonstrate that it won't interfere with your schoolwork or other responsibilities.
Maturity:
Explain that you understand the game's themes and complexities and can handle the content responsibly.
4. Demonstrate Responsibility:
Offer to earn it:
Suggest doing extra chores, helping with errands, or finding a part-time job to earn the money for the game.
Propose a trial period:
Ask for a trial period where you can play the game under specific conditions (e.g., limited time on weekends) and demonstrate responsible gameplay.
Show them the game:
Offer to play the game with them, demonstrating the pacifist route and explaining the story as you go.
5. Be Prepared to Discuss:
Common Sense Media:
Research the Common Sense Media rating for Undertale, which provides insights into the game's content and suitability.
Parental guides:
Find and share parental guides from websites like IMDb that discuss the game's content in more detail.
Other opinions:
Be prepared to discuss the game's themes and mechanics with your parents and answer any questions they may have.