Game Buying Advice
You would think that some of these things are obvious
Categories: Came Cube News, GBA News, News, PC News, PS2 News, PSP News, Tech News, Xbox News
Posted by Daniel "monk" Pelfrey on Nov 30th, 2005
FROM THE ANNOUNCEMENT
The Entertainment Software Association of Canada would also like to the share the following holiday buying tips to keep in mind this holiday season.
1. Do your research.
Before you head out to the store, take a few minutes online or read the newspaper to learn about the latest and greatest new releases, as well as the tried and true favorites. Treat it as if you’re were heading out to see a movie; read the reviews and watch the trailers before you make a decision.
Parents should also talk with their children about their favorite games. Playing the games with your children helps stimulate those discussions, and playing games as a family can also be a fun way to spend time together.
2. Think of the lucky recipient’s interests.
With so many choices and so many fantastic games available, there is definitely a game out there for everyone. Choosing one (or more!) that your gamer will love will be much easier if you consider their tastes and hobbies before you go shopping. From sports to spies, history and science fiction, consider what genre is the best fit for the person on your list.
Females account for 39% of gamers according to the Entertainment Software Association of Canada (ESAC), so don’t worry… there are plenty of choices out there that will delight the ladies on your list as well!
3. Check the rating.
It is important to consider video game content when shopping for kids and teens. Virtually every video game is assigned a rating by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). ESAC research shows that 71% of Canadian parents with children under the age of 18 who own video or PC games believe that the rating system is effective in providing information about computer or video game content. For full descriptions on the rating categories and what they mean, consult the ESRB’s website at www.esrb.org.
4. Read the package.
To take full advantage of the ESRB rating system, it’s important to check both the rating symbol (on the front of the game box) and the content descriptors (on the back of the game box). The 32 content descriptors indicate elements in a game that may have triggered a particular rating and/or may be of interest or concern, such as language, sexual themes or violence.
5. Don’t ruin the surprise.
Perhaps the best advice, especially if shopping for the kids, is to go to the store alone. Besides keeping kids on pins and needles until Christmas morning, this will ensure that you don’t fall victim to the begging and pleading and avoid making a purchase you might regret.
[ Post the first comment | View related posts ]
Posted by Daniel "monk" Pelfrey on Nov 30th, 2005 and is filed under Came Cube News, GBA News, News, PC News, PS2 News, PSP News, Tech News, Xbox News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can post a comment, or trackback from your own site.
