IndustryGamers - Informing the Games Industry

New Orleans Saints Join With ESRB To Get Parents Into The Game

Posted September 28, 2010 by M.H. Williams

The Entertainment Software Rating Board will be running a brand-new Public Service Announcement campaign featuring Marques Colston (#12) and Devery Henderson (#19) of the New Orleans Saints. The ads will teach parents about the ratings system and encourage them to become involved in buying games for their children. The new ads were premiered at a local GameStop in New Orleans, and GameStop will be running the ads in-store nationwide. Louisiana State Senator Daniel Martiny (R) and State Representative Jeffrey Arnold (D) were also present at the event.

“I play a ton of video games, and while most of them are OK for kids, some of them are clearly intended for older players,” said Colston. “They say the best defense is a good offense, and I know about good offense. A parent’s best defense against bringing home the wrong game for their child is to go on offense and use the ratings every time they buy or rent a game. You’re always better off when you know the play.”

“Being a father, I know how important it is for parents to have all the help they can get,” added Henderson. “The ESRB ratings give us the guidance and information that we need to make sure our kids are playing age-appropriate games. Marques and I are proud to be a part of this effort to educate parents throughout Louisiana and across the country.”

This marks a new push by the ESRB, perhaps in time for the upcoming Supreme Court review of the California video game legislation. The ads will also run on TV and radio stations across the nation, and on the Pro Star Video Board at each Saints home game. New ratings education brochures will be distributed to retailers nationwide.

“If you’re a parent, you know how popular video games are these days. But what you may not realize is that video games are no different than movies and TV shows in that they are created for a diverse audience of all ages,” said ESRB president Patricia Vance. “That’s why the ratings are such an important tool, and why parents should use them regularly. Educating parents about the ratings is a valuable public service and we’re very appreciative of Marques’ and Devery’s support.”

“There’s no question that video games can be fun for the whole family, but choosing the right games is critical. Tools like the ESRB ratings are easy to use, and parents should use them each time they buy or rent a game for their children,” added State Representative Arnold. “The ratings give parents precisely the kind of guidance they need to bring home games they deem suitable for their children and families.”

M.H. Williams has been writing in some form or another for ten years and has been a hardcore gamer since the NES first graced American shores.  You can catch him on Twitter as @AutomaticZen, Google+ as himself, or on his personal Facebook page.