http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ5xTgPKE34

Ray and Zev look at ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board), which gives ratings for software on almost every platform. We love this organization, and feel that it gives parents and families better understanding of the choices for their children.

Price:

• Free

Stats:

• Is a non-profit, self-regulatory body established which assigns computer and video game content ratings
• Established by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA)

Pros:

• Empowers consumers and parents, to make informed decisions about the computer and video games they choose for their families
• ESRB Rating Search App
• ESRB Rating Search on web site
• List of sites that offer digital literacy

Cons:

• none really

Ramon B. Nuez Jr and Zev Mo Green give our 5 Kinect family game night picks for the holiday season.

1. Kinect: Disneyland Adventures
2. Kinectimals Now With Bears
3. Fruit Ninja Kinect
4. Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster
5. Xbox 360 Kinect: Sports Season Two

Stats:

All these games require Kinect

Pros:

Kinect: Disneyland Adventures

• Love walking around Disney and hugging the characters
• Taking pics was cool
• Characters will sign your book
• Jump-in co-op mode nice

Kinectimals Now With Bears

• Love playing with the bears -Great graphics

Fruit Ninja Kinect

• Just pure fun with the family or party

Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster

• Very interactive

XBOX 360 Kinect: Sports Season Two

• Incredibly fun and golf is addictive

Cons:

Kinect: Disneyland Adventures Kinect is necessary

• Some movements are complicated with Kinect (i.e. paddling a boat)

Kinectimals Now With Bears

• None really but may be boring for older kids

Fruit Ninja Kinect

• None really

Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster

• A little bit difficult to navigate through the stories

XBOX 360 Kinect: Sports Season Two

• Kinect did not always react to voice commands

@ZevMo from @dadsontech spoke with Bradon Gill from Next Level Games at the New York City ComicCon Sega Booth about their upcoming release, Captain America: Super Soldier (PS3, 360) which will be available in 2011.

Zev Mo (@ZevMo) from Dads on Tech gets an amazing opportunity to speak with Warren Spector (Creative Director, Junction Point – Disney Interactive Studios) about his new game title, Disney Epic Mickey.

Disney Epic Mickey is an upcoming Mickey Mouse video game designed by Warren Spector, with 2D cinemas by Powerhouse Animation Studios, Inc. and developed by Junction Point Studios for the Wii console, using Emergent Game Technologies’ Gamebryo Engine.

This Video is available on both Mouseketweeter and DadsonTech.

The Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) has been providing invaluable service to parents since 1994. Since that time they have assigned ratings to over 18, 000 titles. ESRB was established by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) and is a non-profit self-regulating organization. ESRB has three primary functions:

1. assigns age and content ratings
2. enforces industry adopted advertising guidelines
3. ensures responsible online privacy principles for computer/video games and other entertainment software

Although the age and content ratings are voluntary – publishers will submit their titles to ESRB. This is simply because major retailers will not sell unrated games and major console manufactures will not license unrated games.

Parents truly appreciate ESRB and parents like Monica Vila host Tweet chats with them. These chats are designed to educate parents on how technology can play a role in your child’s life. If that were not enough the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) just recently told Congress – that ESRB, “continues to lead all three industries in providing clear and prominent disclosures of rating information in television, print, and online advertising.”

It’s great to see an organization that takes family safety seriously. It makes our jobs as parents a little bit easier – well at least when it comes to purchasing age appropriate games.

Follow ESRB on Twitter – @ok2play

Follow Video Game Voters on Twitter – @VideoGameVoters

Follow E3 Expo on Twitter – @e3expo

Follow Monica Vila on Twitter – @theonlinemom

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R20-MOOZPpY[/youtube]

ESRB Rating: Assassin’s Creed II

• M – Mature: Blood, Intense Violence, Sexual Content and Strong Language
• Platform: Windows PC, XBOX 360 and PS3

Synopsis

Get ready to plunge into the lush and deadly world of the Italian Renaissance, an era of arts, riches and murderous conspiracy. Assassin’s Creed II introduces you to Ezio, a new assassin carrying on the deadly lineage of his forebears. Confront an epic tale of power and corruption as you hone your assassin’s art, wielding weapons and instruments designed by the legendary Leonardo da Vinci himself in this gripping and deadly sequel.

Key Game Features

• Explore the deadly, shadowed world of the assassin with new assassin Ezio
• Roam freely through the lush and dangerous world of Renaissance-era Italy

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[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWIJTydRLt8[/youtube]

ESRB Rating: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

• M – Mature: Blood, Intense Violence, Sexual Content and Strong Language
• Platform: Windows PC, XBOX 360 and PS3

Synopsis

The storyline of Modern Warfare 2 picks up where the events of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare left off. The ultranationalist Russian leader Zakhaev has been eliminated, but it seems that his lieutenant, Vladimir Makarov, is an even bigger danger. Having made a successful play for power, Intel indicates that he is extending the reach of his influence well beyond the borders of Mother Russia, causing a stir in the international community and prompting the involvement of Task Force 141.

Key Game Features

• Challenging Multiplayer Modes – Modern Warfare 2 will contain a wealth of multiplayer modes including: the every man for himself action of “Free-for All,” the classic team-based fun of “Capture the Flag and the tactical, team-oriented action of “Search and Destroy.”
• Improved AI Enemies – Improved artificial intelligence now allows enemies to attack from virtually any direction as players respawn into the game adding additional challenges.

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[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iFrHRaH0Os[/youtube]

ESRB Rating: Dragon Age: Origins

• M – Mature: Blood, Intense Violence, Sexual Content and Strong Language
• Platform: Windows PC, XBOX 360 and PS3

Synopsis

In Dragon Age: Origins the survival of humanity rests in the hands of those chosen by fate. You are a Grey Warden, one of the last of an ancient order of guardians who have defended the lands on the continent of Thedas throughout the centuries. Betrayed by a trusted general in a critical battle, you must hunt down the traitor and bring him to justice.

Key Game Features

• Travel throughout dozens of environments and fully immerse yourself in a shattered world that is on the brink of utter annihilation.
• Tailor your Dragon Age: Origins experience from the very beginning by choose from six different origin stories.

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[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSfsMJgypdw[/youtube]

ESRB Rating: Left 4 Dead 2

• M – Mature: Blood, Intense Violence, Sexual Content and Strong Language
• Platform: Windows PC and XBOX 360

Synopsis

Left 4 Dead 2 is set at roughly the same time as the original – just after the outbreak that turned most of the population into various zombie mutants. Players assume the role of four new “Survivors,” each with their own personality and new dialog. The game leads these “Survivors” through the southeastern region of the US – from Savannah, Georgia through the bayou country, and climaxing in New Orleans’ French Quarter.

Key Game Features

• New Melee Weapons – Put a whole slew of melee weapons including axes, chainsaws, frying pans and baseball bats to use which allow you to get up close with the zombies.
• Meet “The Survivors” – The game features four different survivors, a new storyline and new dialog.

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[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUPAyGWKd6c[/youtube]

ESRB Rating: Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

• T – Teen: Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
• Platform: PS3

Synopsis

In Uncharted 2: Amongst Thieves fortune hunter Nathan Drake embarks on a journey that will push him to his physical, emotional and intellectual limits to discover the real truth behind the lost fleet of Marco Polo and the legendary Himalayan valley of Shambhala, more commonly known in the west as Shangri-La.

Key Game Features

• Open layout allows players to take an aggressive or stealth approach to combat.
• Free-flowing “traversal gunplay” adds a unique vertical element to standard 3rd-person shooting mechanics.

“All consumers should know that piracy is illegal and that modifying their Xbox 360 console violates the Xbox Live terms of use, will void their warranty and result in a ban from Xbox Live,” Microsoft said in a statement on Wednesday.

The timing of this announcement corresponds with the release of “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.” This is one of the most anticipated Xbox games of the year. COD is a very profitable franchise for Microsoft and means big sales during the holidays; as such Microsoft is coming down hard on pirated copies. This is self evident by the actions Microsoft took this week. They explained that anywhere between 600,000 and 1 million players who use Microsoft’s Xbox Live gaming service will be cut off from the service. Why? Because gamers have modified their 360 or played games that were illegally downloaded from file-sharing sites, according to Microsoft.

In its Xbox Live “Terms of Use” Microsoft says that players are to use “only authorized software and hardware to access the Service,” and that they agree that their software and hardware “have not been modified in any unauthorized way.” Microsoft takes piracy and hardware modifications very seriously. I understand the consumer argument “but it’s my 360.” In Microsoft’s defense – we are using their services so we have to play by their rules.

We need to monitor our family’s media experience. Parents must take an active role in ensuring that our family’s experience is age appropriate. The Xbox family understands these concerns and they give parents the controls necessary to manage the media experience.

This is why Microsoft and Best Buy, which is the nation’s largest children’s media advocate, is encouraging families to Get Game Smart. This is a new public service campaign designed to help parents and kids maintain an open dialogue about age-appropriate media use.

The 360 Family Settings Allow You To:

• Create and manage a Child’s Profile
• Limit the amount of time the console is used via the Family Settings
• Block video games and movies based on ESRB and MPAA rating systems
• Block online access entirely
• Manage and approve a child’s Friend’s List
• Block specific online users
• Block visibility of your child’s account to online users
• Restrict or Block the use of the Xbox Live Vision Cam
• Restrict online purchases
• Restrict the type of advertising your child sees, based on game and movie preferences

These are the top 5 tips for managing media use from Get Game Smart:

• Get on the same page with your kids about healthy media habits
• Encourage balance with activities that keep your kids active and busy
• Set priorities – school work and sports come before video games
• Get involved – play video games with with your children to learn about their behavior online
• Set limits – use game rating to select age appropriate content

Ultimately, it is our responsibility to protect our children and not technology. We must talk to them and encourage them to speak to us. I understand that most families have working parents. That just means we must be even more diligent with the conversation with our children.

On Tuesday, October 27th, Xbox 360, MTV Games and Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment hosted a Family Game Night at NYC’s Element Night Club.The event was designed to bring families together so they could enjoy a night with The Beatles; well virtually at least. It was a real pleasure watching kids and parents alike jam with “The Beatles: Rock Band.” The Rock Band library currently has 45 Beatles songs plus all the newest songs from the complete “Abbey Road” album. We also had the exclusive opportunity to preview “LEGO Rock Band” before its release on November 10th.

The guest of honor was Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). The Microsoft family is offerings a charitable partnership with MSF. The charity single of “All You Need Is Love” was released exclusively through Xbox LIVE. All proceeds from the song will benefit Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF).

So while the kids jammed and the parents reminisced about younger days – I had the great honor of speaking with Matthew Spitzer – President of the US Board of Directors. Dr. Spitzer joined MSF in 1999. Throughout that time he has been passionately involved with MSF – establishing primary care services in Tibet, working as a field coordinator in Sierra Leone, coordinating a response to the epidemic dengue in Cambodia to finally becoming president.

It was an excellent conversation. I have to admit that my knowledge of MSF was limited. After Matthew took the time to explain what MSF does – I had a much more complete understanding of their mission. What resonated with me the most was that MSF operates independently of any political agendas. They are simply focused on helping the people.

It was great to hangout and watch famlies jamming to the Beatles. It was a pleasure to speak with Spitzer and to learn about all the good that MSF is doing around the world. This is one of the best events that I have attended this year.

Nothing is more import to us than making sure that our kids are not being exposed to questionable content before they are ready. Video games at one time were relatively innocent. When we were growing up the games were Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Defender, etc. Today’s games are a bit more robust – there are still those innocent games but there are those games that are not so innocent.

There are literally thousands of video games. How are you expected to know what video game is age appropriate? The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has done a very nice job in doing this for you. The ESRB is designed to provide you with guidance about the age-appropriateness and content of video games. This will allow you to comfortably make informed purchase decisions; about the video games you buy for your children and families members.

These are the ESRB Symbols:

EARLY CHILDHOOD
Titles rated EC (Early Childhood) have content that may be suitable for ages 3 and older. Contains no material that parents would find inappropriate.

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EVERYONE
Titles rated E (Everyone) have content that may be suitable for ages 6 and older. Titles in this category may contain minimal cartoon, fantasy or mild violence and/or infrequent use of mild language.

———————–

EVERYONE 10+
Titles rated E10+ (Everyone 10 and older) have content that may be suitable for ages 10 and older. Titles in this category may contain more cartoon, fantasy or mild violence, mild language and/or minimal suggestive themes.

———————–

TEEN
Titles rated T (Teen) have content that may be suitable for ages 13 and older. Titles in this category may contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling, and/or infrequent use of strong language.

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MATURE
Titles rated M (Mature) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language.

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ADULTS ONLY
Titles rated AO (Adults Only) have content that should only be played by persons 18 years and older. Titles in this category may include prolonged scenes of intense violence and/or graphic sexual content and nudity.

———————–

RATING PENDING
Titles listed as RP (Rating Pending) have been submitted to the ESRB and are awaiting final rating. (This symbol appears only in advertising prior to a game’s release.)

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This is the complete list of the ESRB Content Descriptors

Alcohol Reference

• Reference to and/or images of alcoholic beverages

Animated Blood

• Discolored and/or unrealistic depictions of blood

Blood

• Depictions of blood

Blood and Gore

• Depictions of blood or the mutilation of body parts

Cartoon Violence

• Violent actions involving cartoon like situations and characters. May include violence where a character is unharmed after the action has been inflicted

Comic Mischief

• Depictions or dialogue involving slapstick or suggestive humor

Crude Humor

• Depictions or dialogue involving vulgar antics, including “bathroom” humor

Drug Reference

• Reference to and/or images of illegal drugs

Fantasy Violence

• Violent actions of a fantasy nature, involving human or non-human characters in situations easily distinguishable from real life

Intense Violence

• Graphic and realistic-looking depictions of physical conflict. May involve extreme and/or realistic blood, gore, weapons and depictions of human injury and death

Language

• Mild to moderate use of profanity

Lyrics

• Mild references to profanity, sexuality, violence, alcohol or drug use in music

Mature Humor

• Depictions or dialogue involving “adult” humor, including sexual references

Nudity

• Graphic or prolonged depictions of nudity

Partial Nudity

• Brief and/or mild depictions of nudity

Real Gambling

• Player can gamble, including betting or wagering real cash or currency

Sexual Content

• Non-explicit depictions of sexual behavior, possibly including partial nudity

Sexual Themes

• References to sex or sexuality

Sexual Violence

• Depictions of rape or other violent sexual acts

Simulated Gambling

• Player can gamble without betting or wagering real cash or currency

Strong Language

• Explicit and/or frequent use of profanity

Strong Lyrics

• Explicit and/or frequent references to profanity, sex, violence, alcohol or drug use in music

Strong Sexual Content

• Explicit and/or frequent depictions of sexual behavior, possibly including nudity

Suggestive Themes

• Mild provocative references or materials

Tobacco Reference

• Reference to and/or images of tobacco products

Use of Drugs

• The consumption or use of illegal drugs

Use of Alcohol

• The consumption of alcoholic beverages

Use of Tobacco

• The consumption of tobacco products

Violence

• Scenes involving aggressive conflict. May contain bloodless dismemberment

Violent References

• References to violent acts