Two weeks ago, we stumbled upon a site for parents and families that tried to wade through some of the misinformation about games available in the press. The site wasn't heavy handed, and tried to offer resources and experts for families to get answers to their gaming questions. It turned out that the GetGameSmart site was run by Microsoft and we caught up with the company's Safer Gaming Advocate Melissa Wilson to find out more about the site:
GameCulture: Explain how the concept for GetGameSmart got started?
Melissa Wilson: Microsoft has an ongoing commitment to gaming safety starting with built-in Family Settings in Xbox and Xbox 360. But our commitment goes beyond putting parental controls in our products – we’re also committed to educating parents about these tools and offering resources to help them make decisions about video gaming for their families. Last year, we further expanded our outreach efforts with the launch of www.GetGameSmart.com, bringing this information together in one place and inspiring families to take simple steps toward using video games and media in ways that are safer, healthier and more balanced.
GC: What was involved in deciding the sections and the content that would be provided, particularly the Family Challenge?
MW: GetGameSmart.com offers families a wide variety of resources, with a mix of interactive activities, parental controls set-up guides and insight from leading industry experts. The Family Challenge is a key example of the interactive nature of the site, as it encourages families to engage in simple activities that help them make smarter decisions about what their children play, browse and watch, while encouraging a dialogue between parents and kids through tasks like PACT and the “Do You Know Your Gamer?” Quiz.
GC: There is a lot of information on the site, but it appears to be fairly static. Is any new content posted regularly?
MW: We recently revamped the back end of the site to help us provide more up-to-date information for visitors like the newly added Xbox LIVE 101 and Ambassador blog posts. We’ll continue to refresh our site content on a consistent basis, most often on our blog and in the Expert Q&A. We also distribute a monthly newsletter that keeps families up-to-date on new tools and resources, upcoming events and activities, blog posts, and relevant partner happenings. Additionally, we frequently update our @GetGameSmart Twitter profile with interesting news, resources and industry happenings, which also feeds into the homepage of www.GetGameSmart.com.
GC: Microsoft’s involvement on the site is very low key. You would know that it was an MS site without looking at the About Us page or the sponsors. Was that a conscious decision? If so, why?
MW: Overall, we view the site as a resource on all things related to media use including screen time, online activity and video gaming. The focus isn’t on Microsoft, but is more about promoting ongoing family conversations through a variety of resources and encouraging readers to utilize the powerful technology that is available to them, such as Xbox 360 Family Settings.
GC: The site seems to be good at keeping parents and kids informed about various topics, but it Microsoft actively doing anything to combat the negative perceptions of videogames in the mainstream press?
MW: We proactively work to increase awareness of the industry’s efforts among mainstream media and parenting blogs and ensure they’re informed of the tools and technology available to their readers. We’re continually working to combat negative perceptions, especially in the face of uninformed and sensationalistic news stories, and often reach out to journalists after they’ve run stories to ensure they’re fully briefed on Family Settings and resources like GetGameSmart.com.
GC: How many families have joined up to be ambassadors? And what exactly is their role for the site?
MW: Microsoft's Get Game Smart Ambassadors are a group of 10 teen and parent teams (20 Ambassadors total) who are helping educate other families on ways to enjoy safer interactive entertainment at home. They conduct outreach in their local communities, offer peer-to-peer perspective on the site and provide helpful insight to our team.
GC: What type of feedback have you received from families, both good or bad?
MW: Feedback has been very positive and it’s clear that families appreciate both the resources on the site as well as the authenticity of the Ambassador program.
The Ambassador team you will interview, Martin and Alec Waters, can share more on this topic as they’ve implemented several Get Game Smart events in their local area. Martin, who is the Mayor of his hometown, told us that many parents responded well to the PACT, seeing it as a great way to set family guidelines around household media use.
GC: The sample newsletter seems to be a reprint from the site. How often do newsletters go out and what original information is added?
MW: Get Game Smart newsletters are distributed monthly and highlight new tools and resources, upcoming events or activities, blog posts, and relevant partner happenings. The newsletter has been on hold while we’ve made some necessary site updates, but we plan to restart our mailings in the next month.
GC: What role do the partners play in the site?
MW: The partners, led by Microsoft, are the backbone of the Campaign. They provide issue expertise, Web content and are committed to helping get these important tools out to families through their Web sites and other distribution channels.
GC: Activision has a similar program with their Ratings Are Not A Game program, although not as involved. Has there been any talk among the major publishers to coordinate education efforts?
MW: We’re in close contact with Activision regarding their Citizenship program, and applaud their efforts to raise awareness for ESRB ratings and online gaming safety. We work to partner with a variety of organizations and industry members where it makes sense, including the ESA and ESRB, which provide a broad representation for the industry as a whole.
GC: Does Microsoft have a plan for advancing the site to be more than it is now?
MW: While we don’t have any specific plans to share at this time, we’re constantly re-evaluating the site with the goal of making it a valuable resource for families.
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We were also able to contact one of the GetGameSmart Ambassador families, Martin and Alec Waters of Hanover, MN. While Alec plays most of the games in the house, the family has plenty of outside activities, including sports and family vacations:
GC: Martin, how did you find out about GetGameSmart? What made you get involved with the program?
Martin Waters: We found out by chance. We were visiting the Mall of America and Get Game Smart was hosting a video submission contest. Alec asked if we could enter the contest. Our video talked about how our family discovered and uses the built in Family Timer feature. We also talked about working together to make good decisions about gaming.
GC: As an Ambassador, what do you do for GetGameSmart? Has Microsoft given you any compensation?
Martin: As a parent and Ambassador, I do my best to relay my personal experience about the information contained within the website. And how it has helped us as a family make better decision together. The ten winning families were given a prize package worth $2500 last summer as part of the Get Game Smart video contest. No additional compensation has been received beyond that.
GC: As a parent, what do you find is the most difficult part of having a son who likes to play videogames?
Martin: Some of the content that I have seen, in my opinion is not appropriate. Especially for our family. The rating system helps to guide those game-choice decisions somewhat. We now always rent a game first and play it together. We sometimes have sent them back the next day.
GC: What limits do you set on Alec’s play time and game selection?
Martin: Right now, Alec's time limits are a half hour during the week and one hour on the weekend. Sometimes, based upon good behavior we'll add some extra time. We're in the midst of a major snowstorm, he's been out shoveling. This is one of those times. As far as selection goes, we'll check the game out online, rent, and review together.
GC: Would you let Alec play a Mature rated game and if so, under what circumstances?
Martin: He has a played a few Mature rated games. The first was Halo 3, the next was Call of Duty 6. After reviewing these with him, we gave him the OK to play. The rating system for games and movies are really important tools to use as input for appropriate for your circumstance.
GC: There is a lot of controversy on the affect videogames can have on children, from violence to problems in school. Where do you stand on the issue of games as an influence on children today?
Martin: I have heard a number of negative stereotypes. I think that it really comes down to balance. As parents we need to be sure that our kids are exposed to a variety of influences. The one thing I can say about games is that I think it really did help sharpen his hand-eye coordination. He ended up hitting in the #4 batting position last year.
GC: Do you discuss games with other parents in your community?
Martin: The topic of games has come up frequently at work and at social events. Every chance I get, I try to spread the news about the PACT on the GetGameSmart.com website. It is an easy way to start positive dialogue between parents and their children. When we spoke at the PTO about Get Game Smart.com it was really well received.
GC: Alec, what types of games do you like to play?
Alec Waters: Shooting, action/adventure, role playing games, sports, anything but racing and puzzles.
GC: Does your dad or other family members play with you?
Alec: My dad sometimes plays with me, he's a busy guy, I'd like him to play more with me.
GC: Do you connect online to play games? If so, have your experiences with other players been good or bad?
Alec: I do have multiplayer, the experiences are arguably much better than playing against AI's, but the language from some of the players has been found very vulgar and my dad votes against me talking/listening to other players unless they are my friends.
GC: Do a lot of your friends play games? If so, how much do they influence the type of games you want to play?
Alec: Just about every single friend of mine plays video games, and they have a very heavy influence on the games I'd like to play. Most of the games they play are games my Dad doesn't allow. I wish that I had more freedom to choose the games that I want to play.
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