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European Union gives thumbs up to videogaming for kids
Following are some choice quotes that you probably wouldn't hear in the US Congress, where videogames are often a convenient whipping boy to curry favor with soccer moms. According to the European Union's parliament:...video games can stimulate learning of facts and skills such as strategic thinking, creativity, cooperation and innovative thinking, which are important skills in the information society.
The statement isn't even followed by a "but"!Video games are in most cases not dangerous. We heard evidence from experts...and they told us that video games have a positive contribution to make to the education of minors...Schools should pay attention to video games and inform children and parents about benefits and disadvantages that video games can have.
These awfully reasonable observations are quotes from a report on videogaming written by a Dutch member of the parliament. According to the story in the Guardian:The European parliament conceded that "violence in video games can in certain situations stimulate violent behaviour," but said there was no need for Europe-wide legislation. It called for a Europe-wide approach to prevent the sale to children of games intended for adults and urged the introduction of stricter identity checks at the point of sale and a wider application of the age-rating system that currently applies to computer games in many European countries.
There's some slight silliness in the report suggesting a giant red button that you can press as a sort of kill-switch if you come across objectionable material online. Personally, I'd prefer a handle, similar to what you'd find on an ejection seat. A red button is so Cold War.
(Thanks to Kiernan's dad!)
By Marmoset at 12:41 PM ON 02/12/09
Damnit Chick! Grammar! That really overshadows the rest of the article...harumph
By Greg at 1:10 PM ON 02/12/09
I heard a rumor somewhere, I can't recall where off the top of my head but if I remember or find it I'll let you know, but I heard that kids are supposed to have something called "parents" that, if true, could make most government intrusion into the private lives of people a moot point.
This is good news though. People who know nothing about video games are finally starting to understand what people who play them have known all along. Bad news for many parents who will have to find a new excuse for why their kids are such little ..., wait I think I remember where I read that other thing, I'll get back to you.
By Tom Chick at 7:52 PM ON 02/12/09
Marmoset, good god, man, you're never going to make it as my informal copy editor if you don't point out the grammatical mistakes. Because I only found one, which I fixed.
Greg, a lot of the good news has to do with retailers, publishers, and even game makers being more conscientious about distinguishing between material that's appropriate for all age and material that some parents might find objectionable. I maintain that because the videogaming industry was so cavalier about this for so long, they brought a lot of well-deserved heat onto themselves. But it seems to me those days are mostly behind us. I look forward to the time in the near future when someone in the US Congress might issue similarly supportive statements about videogaming.
By Stone at 3:31 AM ON 02/13/09
Toine Manders, the Dutch member of the parliament we talking about here. explained the big red button on a Dutch blog. (bashers.nl) chording to there interview it is not a hardware button but a software one that if pressed will stop the game and send (or led you send) a e-mail to PEGI. it mend to be used when you feel that the game is not confirm the PEGI Age ratting. and as a control-function on PEGI Ratings I think this is a good idea.
Still I think it suite be a big red button on top of the console. I would love to see a soccer-mom flying throw the room, when she realises that the innocent looking 18+ game she got for her five year old has some good old scull-fucking.
By budgethero at 10:54 AM ON 02/13/09
-this
-BAFTA putting games in the main ceremony
-that german convention that i cant remember its name almost pwning E3
yeah, europe it starting to rule gaming, it's not true yet, but i wonder what will happen next
budgethero:
-this -BAFTA putting games in the main ceremony -that german convention that i cant remember its name almost pwning...More »