A real tool for parents who care

So I randomly came across this site this morning while just surfing. It is a site aimed at parents who want to know what their kids play. I happen to be a parent myself, and I have always known that the ESRB ratings would not cut it when deciding what my boy should be allowed to play. I will say that I am pretty liberal in my views on content, but the little guy is banned from the room when I play GTA IV or other violent games.

I grew up able to play any game I wanted, but things are a bit more graphic now. Anyway, I thought this site was pretty good from the 5 minutes I spent with it. It isn't one of those fanatic religious tied or overly conservative sites, it really seems to be a more objective, cut and dry tool for those who are not looking to have opinions on whether or not their child should play a game, but actual facts on the content.

What They Play (www.whattheyplay.com) is the parents guide to video games, providing expert insight into the themes and content of hundreds of today's most popular interactive entertainment products. As the most comprehensive resource of its kind, What They Play offers succinct information within an unbiased and independent environment, along with a variety of features that encourage community participation through information-sharing, opinion and interaction amongst parents.

What They Play is the first product from What They Like, Inc., a company that provides parents with a variety of guides and resources about the various forms of popular entertainment that engage their children. What They Like was founded in 2007 by entertainment and media industry veterans, Ira Becker and John Davison.

www.whattheyplay.com

I saw this site earlier and thought it looked promising. I think more tools is never a bad idea, and like you said, the site seems fairly objective as far as providing actual facts about the content complete with screenshots and videos, instead of just reactions like what we saw with the whole Mass Effect alien sex controversy.

I also liked the fact that there is a pretty comprehensive glossary of internet culture and gaming terminology. I remember my parents thougt "noob" and "pwn" were dirty slang the first time they heard them, and I think it's valuable to have a place to look when you need to know what "facepalm" means. The site could use to be fleshed out a little more, though. For instance, there's no content on Mass Effect at all yet. But I assume that will be fixed as the site gets a little more up and running.

I think it's promising.

Yeah well thats why i posted it. Im hoping some people will get over there and support it. A lot of times things like this can end up as great ideas that just don't get the support to keep them going. If it gets totally fleshed out it would really be useful, and one thing we need is more responsibility from parents.

We need them to be educated so they can only blame themselves instead of using games themselves as the scapegoat. As an adult and a parent I want to play content designed for an adult, but when you have idiots like hillary and parents blaming the games, devs end up scared to make the content they really want to.

Its a good website, making things simpler for those who want to track what their kids are playing. I remember my parents stopping me from watching movies rated above my age though they never knew about games being as violent so I got away with that.

Once a parent I intend to restrict my children from playing certain games and wholeheartedly believe all parents should do the same, whatever people say, a 13 year old is not mature enough to play certain games and if they are to play games I deem to be slightly above their age then I will happily be there with them. Parental involvement is a thing of the past these days, the old definition of a family unit is no more.

Aww... he can't even watch when you play GTA 4... dang.rom11

no way a 4 year old should see that.

[QUOTE="rom11"]Aww... he can't even watch when you play GTA 4... dang.OneWingedAngeI

no way a 4 year old should see that.

I agree 100%. Like you I have been allowed to play pretty much any game when growing up. But these days they are so much more graphic. And IMO GTA4 shouldnt be played by anyone under the age of 16. Some of the stuff on radio channels is just disgusting and totally inapropriate for younger people...

I feel stupid sayin that considering I am only 21 myself. But still...

[QUOTE="rom11"]Aww... he can't even watch when you play GTA 4... dang.OneWingedAngeI

no way a 4 year old should see that.

Oh... sorry, yeah.

heck im tired of parent trying to control they're 15 year old kids for instance there is a kid on gamespot who is 15 and his parents only allow him to play e rated gamesishoturface

So out of the vast majority of games that are not rated M, a 15 year old isnt interested in any of them? I'll tell you what, they like it because of the cheap thrill that comes with breaking the rules, I was 15 and I know. Of all the games I have only a handful are M rated, and many of my T games are more fun.

[QUOTE="ishoturface"]heck im tired of parent trying to control they're 15 year old kids for instance there is a kid on gamespot who is 15 and his parents only allow him to play e rated gamesmohmaaytah

So out of the vast majority of games that are not rated M, a 15 year old isnt interested in any of them? I'll tell you what, they like it because of the cheap thrill that comes with breaking the rules, I was 15 and I know. Of all the games I have only a handful are M rated, and many of my T games are more fun.

Dude, actually read what he typed. He said the kid's parents only let him play the E rated games. Basically, all he can play is Mario and Viva Pinata.

age has nothing to do with when a parent should let their child play a game, i am 16, and i got gta VC when i was 12, my parents played it, and decided i was mature enough. i have met 18 Y/O's who should not play M games, some children have a tendency towards violence, some don't. some children have a difficult time separating reality from games some don't. i hate when parents put a age on things, instead of looking at their child's maturity level. i have talked to people who were were shocked when i said i played gta when i was 12, i don't get in fights, i don't ever want to shoot someone, rape someone, do drugs, drink alcohol, or anything people think their kids will do if they play a shooter.

just think about it.

age has nothing to do with when a parent should let their child play a game, i am 16, and i got gta VC when i was 12, my parents played it, and decided i was mature enough. i have met 18 Y/O's who should not play M games, some children have a tendency towards violence, some don't. some children have a difficult time separating reality from games some don't. i hate when parents put a age on things, instead of looking at their child's maturity level. i have talked to people who were were shocked when i said i played gta when i was 12, i don't get in fights, i don't ever want to shoot someone, rape someone, do drugs, drink alcohol, or anything people think their kids will do if they play a shooter.

just think about it.

bumsoil

Hmm... I was 8 when I played GTA 3 and 10 when I got GTA VC.