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WhatTheyPlay.com breaks down games for parents

12:17 PM on 02.05.2008, Dale North 43 comments

WhatTheyPlay.com breaks down games for parents photo
     News

ESRB ratings on videogames aren't always enough for some parents. While a Mature rating is a clear indicator that a 7-year-old shouldn't be playing the title, a Teen rating may have a full range of questionable content, and ESRB ratings don't do a good job of conveying exactly what that content is.

WhatTheyPlay is a newly launched Web site that gives parents the skinny on popular games. Straight forward reviews written by the site's staff give detailed information on what the game is about as well as what kind of content it contains. Site users can also add their comments and views on these titles, making this a solid reference for confused 'rents.

I spent some time poking around the site's 16,000+ game listings, which are searchable by console  and genre. I was quick to check God of War and the head-shooting goodness of Persona 3, but both are currently lacking staff reviews. Final Fantasy XII did receive a staff review, and they go as far as breaking down the ESRB's bullet points.

The suggestive themes and partial nudity described refer to a number of the characters who wear somewhat revealing outfits, with one of the characters in the player’s party in particular wearing thigh-high boots and a tight leather one-piece that leaves little to the imagination.

The site also features parent-focused features like Games They Want Next: 2008, which gives non-gamer parents a preview of that their kids will be begging for later in the year. 

It's great to see that some are setting out to educate non-gaming parents. Now, if only they could teach them how to say the console names properly...


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that1dood's Avatar
that1dood at 02/05/2008 12:18
Wow that's actually pretty cool.
Surf314's Avatar
Surf314 at 02/05/2008 12:19
This is actually pretty cool, maybe I should show it to my dad for my little brother. Or my mom for my little sister (divorced).
Kryptinite's Avatar
Kryptinite at 02/05/2008 12:20
This is an awesome idea. I'm behind it 250%
king3vbo's Avatar
king3vbo at 02/05/2008 12:28
@Kryptinite: OH YEAH? Well Im behind it 360%. BEAT THAT
Snaileb 's Avatar
Snaileb at 02/05/2008 12:34
I love it. How many parents will use it? None.
JonDarkwood's Avatar
JonDarkwood at 02/05/2008 12:34
CURSES!! I had the exact same idea, and I was in the process of starting it up! Maybe I can write for them, then, since I really just want to be of some help anyway.
Kapkomi's Avatar
Kapkomi at 02/05/2008 12:37
@Kryptinite: you know... you only have 100%, so your taking your self, forcing someone else to support it, then dismembering someone in half that's already for it...

BTW, games don't make you violent!
Tino's Avatar
Tino at 02/05/2008 12:37
Parents agree. Mass Effect is OK for kids over the age of : 14.

Owned.
savagesaladin's Avatar
savagesaladin at 02/05/2008 12:38
Tits are too small.
KyleGamgee's Avatar
KyleGamgee at 02/05/2008 12:46
So, someone doing something necessary and good without government mandate? Surely you must be joking.
robotplague's Avatar
robotplague at 02/05/2008 12:49
Awesome idea, but I have the feeling it won't be around forever. Parents aren't smart enough to look this up. I hope that maybe they get sponsored by a Wal Mart or Target or something to be displayed in stores, that I could see working out.
JustLikeBuck's Avatar
JustLikeBuck at 02/05/2008 12:50
Finally a gaming website that caters to my needs:

Sorting games with ugly characters from games that feature hot leather-clad ones :D

Thank you irresponsible, automaton parents!
MechaMonkey's Avatar
MechaMonkey at 02/05/2008 12:51
Destructoid leaves little to the imagination.

Rating: M for Molecular Gastronomy.
fyre's Avatar
fyre at 02/05/2008 12:54
If I'm not mistaken Gamerdad.com does the same thing.
Fading Star's Avatar
Fading Star at 02/05/2008 13:11
Cool.
Kryptinite's Avatar
Kryptinite at 02/05/2008 13:13
@king3vbo

Fuck, I knew I should have went a little higher. You win.

@Kapkomi

I'm cool with that scenerio
NUMBER-EIGHTY's Avatar
NUMBER-EIGHTY at 02/05/2008 13:19
Mom and Dad will never understand.
We don't care that apple jacks do not taste like apples.
And when the revolution comes we will dye our flags in their blood.
Mxyzptlk's Avatar
Mxyzptlk at 02/05/2008 13:23
Snaileb took the words right out of my typing fingers. Give me back my words, bastard!
Gangles's Avatar
Gangles at 02/05/2008 13:38
"with one of the characters in the player’s party in particular wearing thigh-high boots and a tight leather one-piece that leaves little to the imagination."

Clearly referring to Balthier
RoMeRtHeGaMe's Avatar
RoMeRtHeGaMe at 02/05/2008 13:41
Hmm.. this is interesting, I hope this really takes off, and is put to good use!
Gangles's Avatar
Gangles at 02/05/2008 13:44
Now that I've actually checked out the site, I'm surprised by how balanced it is. For instance, check out what they said about Assassin's Creed:

"Given the theme of the game, the violence aspect should come as no surprise, though it should be noted that indiscriminate violence is punished throughout. Early in the game, Altair is stabbed in the chest by his master, and stripped of his rank for letting an “innocent” die during a mission. The goal throughout the game is to take out the intended targets only, and this can be done with an assortment of means, including a sword during more traditional combat, or a concealed blade for “stealth” kills."
MaximusDarr's Avatar
MaximusDarr at 02/05/2008 13:49
This is an excellent idea. God knows we need to educate the parents who don't know any better and want the government to watch their kids rather than themselves. Hopefully this will do some good, and keep the bloodthirsty politicians away from our hobby a little bit longer.
Burntgerbil's Avatar
Burntgerbil at 02/05/2008 14:38
Why does Manhunt 2 for the Wii have a 14+ rating there but it is 17+ for the other consoles ? That seems like it should be opposite to me.
The-Excel's Avatar
The-Excel at 02/05/2008 14:39
This is a lot like Common Sense. The world needs more sites like this.
Aurain's Avatar
Aurain at 02/05/2008 14:54
lol, This is going to be a Field Day when GTA4 comes out.
But then again, they'd find something objectable about anything.
From something like Viva Pinata, or Soldier of Fortune 2... o wait.
The GHost's Avatar
The GHost at 02/05/2008 15:08
Unfortunately I have to agree with Mxyzptlk and Snaileb. Wonderful idea but it's likely that no one will hear about it :(

Hopefully they get some advertising and exposure in the mainstream market.
cubeman4's Avatar
cubeman4 at 02/05/2008 15:26
This is a perfect example of why we don't need the government telling us what's good for us, whether it's video games or anything else.

-----signature-----
here, there, everywhere
SWE3tMadness's Avatar
SWE3tMadness at 02/05/2008 15:58
I poked around a bit, and checked out how accurate their descriptions of games are. I have to admit, the writers have done their research and present the facts pretty straightforwardly. I'd reccomend it.
Necros's Avatar
Necros at 02/05/2008 16:20
Now if only parents cared enough to get involved with their kids' games, instead of expecting the industry to censor themselves so they don't have to do anything.
AlucardX24's Avatar
AlucardX24 at 02/05/2008 16:38
This is a great site. Now to actually spread the word.
Eschatos's Avatar
Eschatos at 02/05/2008 17:15
Now all we have to see is if this becomes popular. The problem is the parents who care already research this stuff. Only a few people are going to benefit directly from this.
iPoodz's Avatar
iPoodz at 02/05/2008 17:59
"Parents agree. Grand Theft Auto IV is OK for kids over the age of : 0"
Uh oh. Fox News just got new material :D
Syn's Avatar
Syn at 02/05/2008 18:12
It is a very good idea, however not original. There are other sites attempting the same thing. They all have the same common flaw though:
Parents who don't already know all this stuff are too fucking stupid to find it.
Slaughterhouse Five's Avatar
Slaughterhouse Five at 02/05/2008 19:29
These are actually well written and objective. I would recommend this to parents.
Twicky's Avatar
Twicky at 02/05/2008 19:47
This is rediculous. It's not a good idea, in fact it's a very bad idea. Don't the bible-beating jackasses that run these sights ever stop and think of the greif that they cause children? So what if a character is wearing a "revealing" outfit? It won't hurt whoever is playing it, neither will a headshot, or any other material that many people find questionable.
taumpytears's Avatar
taumpytears at 02/05/2008 20:15
I support is 2600%
rebigulator's Avatar
rebigulator at 02/05/2008 21:11
Yeah, I've heard of this site. It was started by Jon Davison of 1UP. I think it's a great resource for the uniformed, be they everyday parent, Fox News anchor, misguided lawyer, or politician. It's just a shame most of the latter will never even acknowledge it's existence.
Loose Nukes's Avatar
Loose Nukes at 02/05/2008 21:35
so this was one of the reader reviews/comments for call of duty 4:

#
educational for those who will join the army
#

"i think that every single first person/third person army shooter is quite educational for those who think about joining the army. it teaches the dialogue of military personnel, example: roger that etc. it also teaches people to be on their toes since in the game if you arent careful you're surrounded.and it teaches people to follow orders, example: in amission in this game it is all about stealth and if you dont listen to your captain the entire enemy army will come after you basically."
Rider Chop's Avatar
Rider Chop at 02/05/2008 21:47
did anyone notice what they said under samba de amigo?
"Space age shooting at its finest"

um, WHAT?
The-Excel's Avatar
The-Excel at 02/06/2008 00:19
I wonder what they'll say about Gradius VI whenever that comes out.
Manic Inc's Avatar
Manic Inc at 02/06/2008 08:06
Yeah, as someone said above, it was made by John Davison who used to be high up in (owner of?) the 1up network. He was awesome on the 1upshow podcast. It's nice that he's still in the industry, but I miss his journalism and hilarious comments on the podcast.
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