but my mom can't seem to see anything but the big "M"
[sarcasm]Well, you have to remember that next year you get the magical brain/personality upgrade that instantly and fully moves you from the "can't handle this" to the "can handle this" part of humanity. Also, it is important to know that every person and every game is identical to all others, in all respects.[/sarcasm]
Yeah, arbitrary age limits are arbitrary.
Fortunately my parents were more of the opinion that both people and games should be judged by their indivual maturity/merits. (Then again, at the time I was mostly interested in turn-based strategy games, so I doubt they felt a great need for concern.
)