Daily Filter: The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Enhanced Edition, MLB 12: The Show
Cradle trailer shows off Russian indie adventure game
WoW Monopoly, StarCraft RISK announced at Toy Fair
Jersey Shore's 'The Situation' signs App deal
Blacklight: Retribution open beta begins Feb 27
Microsoft Launches 'Get Game Smart' Parental Awareness Campaign
by Chris Faylor, Jan 14, 2009 8:11am PSTAs part of its ongoing family-oriented efforts, Microsoft today unveiled its "Get Game Smart" initiative to educate parents about family-friendly gaming practices.
The Get Game Smart website encourages families to play video games today, discuss appropriate content, set limits accordingly, practice online safety, and learn about parental controls in game consoles, such as Microsoft's own Xbox 360.
One activity, the "Do You Know Your Gamer?" quiz, tests a parent's knowledge about their children's favorite games, with an accompanying quiz for kids so parents can see how much they actually know--depending on the children's honesty, that is.
Those that complete certain activities will be entered into a Family Challenge Sweepstakes, which offers a grand prize of a $5,000 Best Buy gift card.
A search for Get Game Smart Ambassadors is underway--to enter, parent and teen teams are asked to make a brief video discussing their family's approach to proper media and game use. Winners may then participate in various game-safety activities, and will also be showered with prizes, including Zunes, an Xbox 360, and $1,000.
"I'm a dad, and I know how important it is for parents to get involved with their children's video gaming and media experiences, not to mention feel equipped to make sure those experiences are as fun and safe as possible," explained Microsoft Entertainment & Devices Division president Robbie Bach.
"The campaign reaches parents and their children in fun, effective and creative ways," said child online safety expert and Game Smart Campaign partner Parry Aftab. "This is a meaningful and fun campaign to get families to enjoy technology together and help them make smart decisions about balanced use of online media and video game."
Joining Microsoft in the campaign is retailer Best Buy, along with a number of other family-focused organizations, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the Entertainment Software Association, Entertainment Software Rating Board, GetNetWise, iSAFE Inc., National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, National Institute on Media and the Family, National Urban League, NetSmartz Workshop, Parents' Choice Foundation, StaySafeOnline.org, Web Wise Kids, What They Play and WiredSafety.org.
Comments
Thread Truncated. Click to see all 3 replies.
Thread Truncated. Click to see all 5 replies.
The more hits this site gets, the better. Parents, it's time to educate yourselves on the new age! Bravo Microsoft. (Never thought I would hear myself say that)
Thread Truncated. Click to see all 2 replies.
That being said, I don't expect that this program will reach beyond those parents that are already gamers, and it will therefore probably have a minimal effect, particularly on those parents that use TV and Video Games as babysitters to keep their kids occupied (and blame the games later when their kids flunk school or rob a liquor store).