Exciting News from ESRB

ASK THE ESRB COMMUNITY

Through the end of July parents are encouraged to submit questions about their kids’ video games– via twitter @OKtoPlay or questions@esrb.org – that may in turn be shared with the ESRB’s community on Facebook.

The goal is to develop a conversation around the issues of most importance to parents, be it whether a particular game is right for their child, how to manage online game play, or how much game time is appropriate. We’ll pick one question and one answer each week and the submitter of each gets a $50 GameStop gift card.  Further details are at: http://on.fb.me/pl9juu.

ESRB VIDEO GAME RATING APP NOW AVAILABLE ON

MICROSOFT WINDOWS PHONE 7

Broader Access for Parents to Get Detailed Information about Video Games before They Buy

NEW YORK, NY – The award-winning video game rating app from the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is now available for Microsoft Windows Phone 7. This free mobile app, from the organization that assigns age and content ratings for computer and video games, allows easy access to video game ratings and detailed rating summaries. For parents, it’s as simple as snapping a photo or typing the name of a game to quickly determine if it is right for their family.

“Summertime can mean video game time for many families, whether playing in the car, on the plane or in the living room. But just like movies, not all games are appropriate for every child,” says ESRB president Patricia Vance. “So before buying a video game for a child it’s important to check the game’s rating and understand its content to determine if it’s the right choice. Today we added our ESRB app to Windows Marketplace, further expanding parents’ access to a game’s rating or rating summary, anytime, anywhere.”

The ESRB mobile app offers easy access to ESRB rating information for over 20,000 titles by either taking a photo of the game box or typing in the name of the game. Rating summaries, which are not displayed on game boxes like the ESRB ratings and content descriptors, provide parents with a detailed, straight-forward explanation – including specific examples – of the content that factored into a game’s rating. The ESRB app is a great way to put this information in parents’ hands right from the video game store, where it is often needed most. Rating summaries are available for games rated since July 1, 2008, which means that most of the games on kids’ wish lists will have rating summaries.

“Microsoft is very excited to offer parents this new free tool to help them find the information they need about the games their kids want,” said Aaron Kornblum, Director of Security Policy for Microsoft Corporation’s Interactive Entertainment Business. “Whether using the built-in camera or keyboard, Windows Phone 7 empowers shoppers by delivering this important ratings guidance whenever and wherever they may need it.”

Since their inception in 1994, the ESRB ratings have become a trusted resource for parents when choosing computer and video games. According to the latest research conducted by Peter D. Hart Research Associates and commissioned by the ESRB, 85 percent of parents with children that play video games are aware of the ESRB ratings, two-thirds use them regularly, and over three quarters consider the rating system “very helpful” in allowing them to choose games for their children.

In addition to the mobile app, parents may also want to check out ESRB’s Facebook page or follow ESRB on Twitter (@OKtoPlay). Ratings information, including rating summaries and additional resources for parents are also available on the website, ESRB.org, and mobile website, m.esrb.org.

The ESRB rating search app is developed by Point About and the image recognition and visual search is powered by IQ Engines. In April 2011, the ESRB mobile app received a Parents’ Choice Gold Award.

About Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB)

The ESRB is a non-profit, self-regulatory body established in 1994 by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). ESRB independently assigns computer and video game content ratings, enforces advertising guidelines, and helps ensure responsible online privacy practices for the interactive entertainment software industry. Visit www.esrb.org for more information.

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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