ESRB Newsletter Spring 2008
A note from Patricia Vance, President of the ESRB
As the weather begins to turn warmer and the daffodils start springing up out of the ground, I often feel like I’m coming out of some sort of self-imposed hibernation. Suffice it to say, we’ve been busy all winter giving birth to a number of exciting new initiatives to better serve game consumers, but more specifically, parents of children who play video games.
One way we’re making ESRB ratings more accessible than ever before is through the launch of our new rating search “widget.” Think of it as “ratings-to-go.” In other words, you can search for ratings directly from your computer’s desktop screen, your personal profile or web page, or in an email to a friend. We’re also excited to be continuing our partnership with the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) by offering a new and extremely informative booklet, called "A Parents Guide to Video Games, Parental Controls and Online Safety," which provides step-by-step information about setting up parental controls on the latest game consoles and numerous tips to help manage your child’s online game play.
Both of these programs are great examples of our ongoing efforts to help keep you informed. Let’s face it, it’s not easy to keep up with the ever-changing technology all around us, and video games are no different. That’s why we will continue to try to provide you with the tools and information that can help you stay ahead of the game.
Thanks so much for reading, and enjoy the spring season!
With warm regards,
Patricia E. Vance
President, ESRB
ESRB and PTA Release New Booklet
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In 2006, the ESRB launched a partnership with the PTA to inform parents about ESRB ratings, whereby 1.3 million brochures were distributed to 26,000 PTAs throughout the country.
Since then, the ESRB and PTA have been hard at work in the development of an exciting new campaign that builds on the strong foundation and shared commitment of our previous effort. An informative new booklet developed by ESRB and PTA and available in both English and Spanish not only includes important information about ESRB ratings, but also offers step-by-step guides to setting parental controls featured on the latest consoles and operating systems, as well as an exclusive article by GamerDad on what parents should know about playing video games online. The booklet also includes helpful tips and resources on a broad range of related issues and a removable Family Discussion Guide that parents can use to talk to their kids about the games they play and set some mutually acceptable ground rules.
The booklet itself is an essential guide for parents to help ensure that the experience their children have with computer and video games is age-appropriate, safe and secure.
ESRB and PTA Free Webcast
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Pictured (from top): PTA national president Jan Harp Domene; Andrew S. Bub of GamerDad.com
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To help reinforce and expand on the information in the new Parent’s Guide described above, a special webcast featuring PTA national president Jan Harp Domene, ESRB president Patricia Vance, and Andrew S. Bub of GamerDad will take place at 7:00 pm EDT on April 23, 2008. The webcast will explain the ESRB rating system, offer information on setting up parental controls for the new consoles and include a discussion about online video game safety. It will conclude with a live Q&A session with the experts.
Please keep in mind, participation is free, so please register here and join us for this unique event.
ESRB Ratings Search “Widget”
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In order to make it even easier for you to find ESRB rating information for the games kids have been asking for, the ESRB has created a ratings search widget, which lets you look up ratings information for any computer or video game directly from your computer’s desktop or personal web page or profile.
The widget is easy to download, and can even be emailed to a friend. The widget can be placed on your personal profile page on sites like MySpace and Facebook, your homepage on sites like Yahoo! and Google, or right onto your desktop. You can even select the color and size you want, and choose between English, Spanish and French.
It’s free, it’s easy and it’s so convenient, so go grab the widget today! Make ESRB ratings information for the games your kids want to play just a keystroke away.
New York State Legislators and PTA Support Widget Launch
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In the beginning of April, New York State Senator Stephen Saland, New York State Assemblyman Ronald Canestrari and New York State PTA President Maria DeWald, were joined in Albany by ESRB President Patricia Vance to announce the availability of a video game ratings search "widget" – a free, downloadable tool that provides consumers faster, easier access to information that helps determine which video games are suitable for their children.
In addition to participating in the announcement, the New York PTA has also made the widget and a ratings education brochure available to its membership through its website and a newsletter mailing.
We are proud of our involvement with PTA on both a state and national level, and are grateful to all of the leaders who assembled to make this announcement, demonstrating their strong commitment to providing parents with the necessary tools they need to purchase appropriate video games for their families.
About the ESRB
The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is the non-profit, self-regulatory body for the entertainment software industry. Established in 1994 by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), the ESRB independently assigns game content ratings, enforces industry-adopted advertising guidelines, and ensures responsible online privacy practices by the computer and video game industry.
