'Gaming' webcast
On March 10, ParentsCentre interviewed Michael Rawlinson from the Entertainment & Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA) on the subject of console, mobile and computer gaming. A video of the webcast is now available to view.
The past 10 years have seen a massive increase in the number of people getting into gaming, with more than 335 million PC and console video games sold in the United Kingdom.
Games are now played by all ages, sexes and classes and - on average - regular gamers will play for 11 hours each week.
Traditionally games used to fall into the categories of 'sports simulation or 'shoot 'em up', but as technology has improved and computer/console ownership has increased, games have became available in a growing number of different genres.
The games of the now involve role-playing, greater personalisation and self-expression, and gamers can now play globally against other players across the internet.
Many of these games have an educational value, however, popular culture and media influences mean that some of them may also contain unsuitable images or plotlines.
Michael has answered parents' questions about all aspects of gaming. He explained the age and content ratings system that is now obligatory on all game boxes. He also gave a good idea of the types of games that have an educational value for your child, and advice on the length of time they should be playing.
Windows Media Player files
The following files are can be viewed using Windows Media Player, which is
available for free from the 
Windows
Media Player website
[External Site]. You can also 
download
a transcript of the interview
- download (.doc)
42.00KB
(help)
. The video is also available to view in Flash
[External Site]
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Michael Rawlinson's biography - Michael has a wide range of responsibilities within ELSPA, including government lobbying and liaison; working with publishers and specific bodies on the age ratings system; promotion of the industry sales charts; and managing the activities of the Anti-Piracy Unit (APU) which seeks to protect members' intellectual property rights through investigations and close cooperation with trading standard offices, police and HM Revenue and Customs. Michael's current initiatives include promoting gaming on mobile phones including a monthly Java downloads chart; and a skills mapping project to underpin the creation and development of higher educational courses that offer vocational training to potential new recruits into the industry. Michael was instrumental in the setting up of an official accreditation scheme, with skillset, which gives such course industry recognition. In 2001, Michael chaired the working group that established the unified pan-European age rating system (PEGI), which launched in April 2003.
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