Gamers Voice supports Vaz violent gaming comments

Vaz’ violence verbosity

Gamers Voice supports Vaz violent gaming comments

PRESSURE GROUP Gamers’ Voice has welcomed the words of Keith Vaz MP, who has always been openly critical about the video games industry.

Despite the 18 rating that violent games carry some children are still able to get their mitts on them, Vaz said in an Early Day Motion in Parliament. He also supported the work of PEGI in highlighting any inappropriate content for children.

Gamers’ Voice supported the statements and said that it looks forward to meeting with Vaz to discuss how a “pro ratings” agenda can be taken forward.

“We are very pleased that Mr Vaz now appears to accept that games are not dangerous forms of media,” said Paul Gibson, chairman of Gamers’ Voice. “ And we agree with him that more should be done to educate gamers and the parents of young gamers about the content of certain games through the BBFC and PEGI ratings systems.”

Early Day Motions are issues submitted for debate in Parliament. In reality they are rarely debated but are simply left up for other MPs to sign if they agree. So far the violent video game motion has garnered 26 signatures but Gamers’ Voice says it will be lobbying MPs to increase this number.

The Vaz Early Day Motion in full:

“That this House notes with grave concern that despite the 18 rating that the most violent video games carry, some children and teenagers are still able to acquire them; congratulates the work of Mothers Against Violence with regard to their campaign to increase parental awareness of violent games; urges the Government to support the promotion of parental awareness of the violent content of video games which are 18-rated; and calls on the Government to urge Pan-European Game Information to take further steps to highlight the inappropriate content of these games for under 18s.”

Other very important issues are also discussed in Parliament.

Brendan Caldwell