Former 1UP Editor Tells Parents 'What They Play'

[Doctor Setebos]

The Wired Game|Life blog is reporting (http://blog.wired.com/games/2007/11/1ups-davison-la.html) on former 1UP games editor John Davidson's new website venture, called 'What They Play (http://www.whattheyplay.com/)', aimed at helping parents understand those confusing "video games" Timmy's playing while locked up in his bedroom for hours on end.What makes What They Play different from other parent-centric sites like Gamerdad (http://www.gamerdad.com/) is that WTP isn't offering any opinions. "We're not reviewing stuff at all," explains Davison. "There's nothing qualitative in any of our coverage. The goal with all of our product write-ups is just to describe the game experience and put the ESRB rating in some context."

To that end, WTP provides screen shots and video so that parents can actually see the game in action, as well as detailing the specific elements in the game that generated the rating. For example, WTP explains that the "Blood" that helped earn Portal a T rating "is the player's own, seen when crushed, zapped, or shot by the environment's defenses."

[Itchyeyes]

Very interesting concept

[Lord_Don]

It's a good idea but do you think raging-fundie-soccer-mom actually uses the internet and will be able to find the site?

[brokenFUN]

John FTW. I never knew how good of a writer he was.

[Itchyeyes]

It's a good idea but do you think raging-fundie-soccer-mom actually uses the internet and will be able to find the site?
Do I think raging-fundie-soccer-mom actually uses the internet? Absolutely

Do I think they'll actually find the site? That's a bit more gray. However, I think they're a lot more likely to find a site like this, that clearly has their best interests at heart, than they are to find other websites out there that cater solely to gamers.

[Doctor Setebos]

Their site search could use some work. I did a search for Wii games for kids age 5. And this is the list I get (http://www.whattheyplay.com/search/?q=&console=Wii&genre=All+Genres&age=5&esrb=All+ESRB). I'm sure my 5-year-old would love to play some Scarface, the Godfather, or some Manhunt 2. :rolleyes:

[Matthias]

It's a good idea but do you think raging-fundie-soccer-mom actually uses the internet and will be able to find the site?

I think if it (or something similar and even more guaranteed to be nonbiased) is picked up by the industry and publicized correctly, parents will be able to find it. And to be honest, the raging soccer moms are the ones who have been ignoring the ESRB ratings from the start, no matter how many ads are displayed on tv, in mags, and at stores and rentals shops... but the industry has to at least show that it's doing all it can to inform parents. The parents themselves have to make that final step in one form or another.

[Reirue]

I followed the link and read through a few, and I have to say I kind of like this idea.
They seem to be pretty fair about describing the content, and hopefully this will give parents a better idea of what a game contains, as they certainly go into more detail then the traditional "Intense violence" or "strong language".

[LilAbner]

As a parent of a gamer and being a gamer myself, I love this idea. I hope it doesn't fade away into dotcom obscurity a la Gamers.com.

[Blog]

Their site search could use some work. I did a search for Wii games for kids age 5. And this is the list I get (http://www.whattheyplay.com/search/?q=&console=Wii&genre=All+Genres&age=5&esrb=All+ESRB). I'm sure my 5-year-old would love to play some Scarface, the Godfather, or some Manhunt 2. :rolleyes:And this is the list you get (http://www.whattheyplay.com/search/?q=&console=Wii&genre=All+Genres&age=5&esrb=Everyone) if you don't spoof the search engine by telling it you let your kids play AO games. :rolleyes:

Remember to look at all the menu options folks. They might be important.

[Heretic Machine]

I read through a couple. Seems pretty much okay.

[Doctor Setebos]

And this is the list you get (http://www.whattheyplay.com/search/?q=&console=Wii&genre=All+Genres&age=5&esrb=Everyone) if you don't spoof the search engine by telling it you let your kids play AO games. :rolleyes:

Remember to look at all the menu options folks. They might be important.I didn't do anything like that. I selected the options presented to me in the search selection criteria, and this is the URL string result.

The problem appears to be, if parents don't understand the ESRB ratings system, and they enter in an age for their kids (such as I entered "5" for my son), it defaults to bringing in ALL titles, regardless of ESRB rating. Why ask for your kid's age if you aren't going to use the information in the search criteria? :confused: That's only going to confuse the average mom or dad that doesn't understand how the ESRB ratings work.

[Itchyeyes]

I didn't do anything like that. I selected the options presented to me in the search selection criteria, and this is the URL string result.

The problem appears to be, if parents don't understand the ESRB ratings system, and they enter in an age for their kids (such as I entered "5" for my son), it defaults to bringing in ALL titles, regardless of ESRB rating. Why ask for your kid's age if you aren't going to use the information in the search criteria? :confused: That's only going to confuse the average mom or dad that doesn't understand how the ESRB ratings work.
It seems that they have a rating system specific to the site where readers can vote for what age a game suitable for and they present the average, or something like that. I imagine that the age group in the search area is referencing those ratings, but since the site is new not all games have a rating yet and it's including them in the search.

[Wraith]

When I put in Xbox 360, Role Playing, All Ages, Mature (max rating), it only gives me mature titles (Two Worlds, Oblivion, Mass Effect). But when I put it to All ESRB, it gives me both Teen and Mature titles.

If I put in age 15 and Mature, it doesn't show me those Mature RPGs, but at 17 it does.

[mkelehan]

The website doesn't work very well, granted, but I think this is a great idea.

[ElPresidente]

If a parent is too lazy to involve themselves in their child's hobbies then I'm going to be cynical and say visiting this site will prove just as difficult for them.

We don't need sites like this. We need parents who look at the freaking ESRB ratings (or whatever ones your country uses. OFLC FTW :P) and take an interest in what their children are doing. Growing up my parents knew what games I was playing and would never buy me games they considered as inappropriate as presents.

[LostToys]

When I put in Xbox 360, Role Playing, All Ages, Mature (max rating), it only gives me mature titles (Two Worlds, Oblivion, Mass Effect). But when I put it to All ESRB, it gives me both Teen and Mature titles.

If I put in age 15 and Mature, it doesn't show me those Mature RPGs, but at 17 it does.

The system has been designed to block the content which should not be used by the user based off of their age. So a user who is "Age 15" should not be playing "Mature" games even if you, as the parent, are allowing it. So it seems the system just says "fuck it" when presented with information that does not fall into the ESRB rating guidelines.

That, and the system does not understand that the Rating system should include lower level games. It seems that if you select Mature it will only show Mature titles. It does not understand that Everyone, E10, so forth should also be included in the list.

[Johan]

We don't need sites like this.

I disagree, if only because the ratings are so highly subjective that a game like Halo 3 and a game like Manhunt 2 are both rated the same ("Mature").

That right there speaks volumes to the subjectivity in the ratings, AND the incredibly wide variations possible within a given rating as well.

Sure, parents are ultimately responsible. However, they need decent information, and MORE tools and information is not a bad thing, in my book.

[Doctor Setebos]

We don't need sites like this. We need parents who look at the freaking ESRB ratings (or whatever ones your country uses. OFLC FTW :P) and take an interest in what their children are doing. Growing up my parents knew what games I was playing and would never buy me games they considered as inappropriate as presents.I think that's part of the problem AND the point. WE don't need sites like this. As in we gamers, who are already informed. We oftentimes think this whole ESRB thing should be so blindingly simple, but a majority of parents still think all games are designed with kids in mind, so they should all be appropriate for everyone.

Here's an example of what I'm talking about. There's a family in my church that let their 12-year-old son play GTA3 (I think it was San Andreas). I told them I was amazed they let him play that game, what with all the swearing, violence, drug use, etc. They were dumbfounded when I mentioned this - they had no idea what the game contained. I explained to them the ESRB ratings, how they work, and then told them that they should be more involved in what games they let him play. They need to watch the games and make sure they're appropriate. Their response was: "aren't ALL video games okay for kids?"

Long story short, that kid now hates me because his parents now understand that games aren't all Mario and Pokemon. :D

I think information is what we need, and a well-designed site that's easy for internet-ignorant parents to navigate is a good start.

[beefyjr]

If a parent is too lazy to involve themselves in their child's hobbies then I'm going to be cynical and say visiting this site will prove just as difficult for them.

We don't need sites like this. We need parents who look at the freaking ESRB ratings (or whatever ones your country uses. OFLC FTW :P) and take an interest in what their children are doing. Growing up my parents knew what games I was playing and would never buy me games they considered as inappropriate as presents.
What games were you growing up playing? I'm just curious. I know when I was growing up and my parents were buying me Nintendo games, they weren't nearly as violent and extreme as they are now. We were playing T&C Surf Designs, not any number of M-rated bloodbaths we have now (and, for the record, I like those bloodbaths).

I think this is an excellent idea. Parents aren't necessarily lazy (though some of them are). They just don't know. And everything you hear in the mainstream media is bullshit hyperbole about how violent games are turning our children into a nation of killers, which doesn't help matters. Any tool that we can put into peoples' hands to make them more informed purchasing decisions for their families is, in my opinion, a very good thing. I really don't understand how anyone can argue against something like this. If you don't need it, don't use it.

Speaking from first hand experience, being a parent is fucking hard work. While I personally don't need something like this, as a parent I'm appreciative that these resources are available to those who do.

[ElPresidente]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying the site is a bad thing. As everyone has said, how can more information and more education be a bad thing and I agree.

It is more that I'm so flabbergasted that parents don't take an active part in their children's entertainment. Since the Atari 2600 my parents always knew what I was playing. It wasn't a case of an overbearing parent cramping my style. My parents would sit with me, ask me questions about the game ("What are those opening and closing rectangles for son?" "They are crocodiles dad, you're so old and silly.")

I guess it is subject matter that makes me angry. Parents need to spend more time with their kids instead of just relying on the Xbox to babysit.

What games were you growing up playing? I'm just curious. I know when I was growing up and my parents were buying me Nintendo games, they weren't nearly as violent and extreme as they are now. We were playing T&C Surf Designs, not any number of M-rated bloodbaths we have now (and, for the record, I like those bloodbaths).

Obviously we aren't talking Grand Theft Auto here but the Manhunt games were pretty freaky for their day. And Leisure Suit Larry had more sexual content than 99% of games on shelves today.

Anyway it doesn't really matter what I was playing what matters is that my parents knew what I was playing. As mentioned above they actually took part in the playing (not that they actually played but that asked questions of and talked to the young Prez) and it is that side of parenting I think we need to see more and if that happened then the need for a site like this wouldn't exist.

I think in my eagreness to have a rant about what some people consider parenting I was too dismissive of the site because exists only because of those things that annoy me.

[ElPresidente]

*double post*

[Doctor Setebos]

Speaking from first hand experience, being a parent is fucking hard work.A-MEN! I don't know how my wife does it. :D

[DaXIthR]

I disagree, if only because the ratings are so highly subjective that a game like Halo 3 and a game like Manhunt 2 are both rated the same ("Mature").

That right there speaks volumes to the subjectivity in the ratings, AND the incredibly wide variations possible within a given rating as well.

Valid point, but it's worth mentioning that this variation is restricted to the M rating. Look at what falls under E, T and AO....the margins there seem to be very thick.

What would help is perhaps dividing M into two categories. Using the given example, I think it's fair to say Halo 3 and Manhunt 2 should not be rated the same. I don't think Manhunt 2 should be pushed into AO, either. That would just muddy the distinctions within that category and create more variations within it.

Toys R Us recently said they wanted to phase out carrying M-rated games. I don't think they're interested in dropping Halo (or titles like Bloodrayne, Ninja Gaiden and Resident Evil).

[ElPresidente]

The ESRB should look at a rating scheme similar to the way we do it over in Australia.

http://www.dendyfilms.com.au/images/classifications/luckymiles.jpg

Given a read of the back of the game cover along with a ratings sticker that broadly mentioned the content you're in a pretty good position to decide if its content is going to be suitable.

[codswallop]

The ESRB should look at a rating scheme similar to the way we do it over in Australia.

http://www.dendyfilms.com.au/images/classifications/luckymiles.jpg

Given a read of the back of the game cover along with a ratings sticker that broadly mentioned the content you're in a pretty good position to decide if its content is going to be suitable.
I agree, since games are rated in the same way as TV/movies in Australia, it works well.

HOWEVER, Australia doesn't have an R18+ rating for games like it does TV/movies so if they are rated higher than MA15+ they are banned. Which is stupid and sucks.

[beefyjr]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying the site is a bad thing. As everyone has said, how can more information and more education be a bad thing and I agree.

It is more that I'm so flabbergasted that parents don't take an active part in their children's entertainment. Since the Atari 2600 my parents always knew what I was playing. It wasn't a case of an overbearing parent cramping my style. My parents would sit with me, ask me questions about the game ("What are those opening and closing rectangles for son?" "They are crocodiles dad, you're so old and silly.")

I guess it is subject matter that makes me angry. Parents need to spend more time with their kids instead of just relying on the Xbox to babysit.



Obviously we aren't talking Grand Theft Auto here but the Manhunt games were pretty freaky for their day. And Leisure Suit Larry had more sexual content than 99% of games on shelves today.

Anyway it doesn't really matter what I was playing what matters is that my parents knew what I was playing. As mentioned above they actually took part in the playing (not that they actually played but that asked questions of and talked to the young Prez) and it is that side of parenting I think we need to see more and if that happened then the need for a site like this wouldn't exist.

I think in my eagreness to have a rant about what some people consider parenting I was too dismissive of the site because exists only because of those things that annoy me.

I understand what you're saying, and I agree, I'm just not sure how it relates to this website. This site has nothing to do with parking the kids in front of the Xbox or lazy parenting. This site is for parents who are being proactive in monitoring the content their children are exposed to. That to me seems like the opposite of what you're complaining about.

I think the point of a website like this is to avoid having to ask what a kid is playing after it's already in the house. Think of all the news stories we heard about parents who bought their kid a GTA game only to be shocked when they came in the room during a hooker beatdown. At that point the damage is sort of done, you know? Instead, the parent or parents will hopefully have a pretty good idea of a game's content because they made an informed purchasing decision. Like your dad wouldn't have to ask you what those crocodiles were, because he would have done his research and brought home Pitfall instead of Custer's Revenge. Obviously good parenting doesn't end there, but with regards to media consumption, it should start with making informed decisions for what your children should and shouldn't be playing/reading/watching/whatever.

[Chainblast]

That's great and all but my observation of most parents is that they just don't care what their children are doing. I'm not so sure they'd start with this.

[ElPresidente]

I agree, since games are rated in the same way as TV/movies in Australia, it works well.

HOWEVER, Australia doesn't have an R18+ rating for games like it does TV/movies so if they are rated higher than MA15+ they are banned. Which is stupid and sucks.

The legally correct phrase is 'denied classification' but we all know they mean banned. :P

One day we'll get our R18+ label. It will happen as more and more state governments are propping up the local games industry. It is bringing too much money into the country for the politicians to ignore the hypocrisy of the current ratings system forever.

[beefyjr]

That's great and all but my observation of most parents is that they just don't care what their children are doing. I'm not so sure they'd start with this.
My understanding of most parents (and this is based on all of the parents that I personally know, including my own) is that they do their best to do what they feel is best for their kids. Sometimes they need help with that, and that's where websites like this come in.

Lazy parents obviously exist, but I really don't think they're the norm any more than I think that games pushing kids over the edge to kill their classmates is the norm. I think there's a lot of exaggeration on both sides of the equation. The mainstream media leads parents to believe that video games are turning their kids into brutal killing machines, and gamers in return think that parents are lazy and that anything put in place to help them navigate the confusing and inconsistent ratings system helps feed that laziness.

So again, a website like this isn't going to make a bad parent a good one. That's not what it's about. It's to help good parents do what they feel is best for their kids, and along the way it might help show that games aren't the vicious sex and murder simulators that they're made out to be.

[ElPresidente]

I agree in that most parents do want to do what is best for their kids. I just think many don't realise how much effort that requires.

[bone_matrix]

You have got to be fucking kidding me. I was looking into creating a website WITH THAT EXACT NAME and goal a few months ago, but due to pretty much laziness (and lack of time and fundage), I never really brought anything to fruition.

Good for him though. I obviously thought it was a good idea. Too bad I had it first. :D

[Kefkataran]

I'm a huge fan of this concept and really happy to see John and crew trying it out.

For people saying parents will never find the site, that's definitely their main concern. Here's something to consider though: along with the site launch, they announced that they've cut a deal with Amazon whereby What They Play content will appear in Amazon listings for games in the near future. It's just one step, but a fairly big one and a sign that obviously they recognize that getting their site out there and noticed by parents is what needs to happen.

[Doctor Setebos]

For people saying parents will never find the site, that's definitely their main concern. Here's something to consider though: along with the site launch, they announced that they've cut a deal with Amazon whereby What They Play content will appear in Amazon listings for games in the near future. It's just one step, but a fairly big one and a sign that obviously they recognize that getting their site out there and noticed by parents is what needs to happen.Wow, that's actually a really good deal. I missed that announcement. Good for them!

[Doctor Setebos]

You have got to be fucking kidding me. I was looking into creating a website WITH THAT EXACT NAME and goal a few months ago, but due to pretty much laziness (and lack of time and fundage), I never really brought anything to fruition.

Good for him though. I obviously thought it was a good idea. Too bad I had it first. :DActually, What They Play is part of the overall What They Like (http://www.whattheylike.com/) umbrella of sites John's building, and he thought of the whole thing about two years ago. :rolleyes: