Brussel’s Wants Better Warning’s On Violent Video Games

The European Commission said all EU countries should use the same age-rating system when it comes to video games and make that system known to citizens.  It also called for an EU-wide code of conduct on the sale of video games to minors to be introduced within two years, reports Elitsa Vucheva, from EUobserver.

Video games are “a very important industry for Europe,” but also one “that impacts on society,” Viviane Reding, EU commissioner for the information society and media, and Meglena Kuneva, EU consumer commissioner, said at a joint press conference in Strasbourg.

Currently, the value of the UK Games Industry exceeds that of the UK music industry, and is seeing growth rates of 25% plus each year.

In addition, 42 percent of Europeans spend between one and five hours playing video games “in a typical week”, while 11 percent spend more than 15 hours on this activity.

That is why “we have to develop a good level of information on the content of games,” in order to protect children — but also young adults — from the most violent elements contained in some of them, Ms Reding said.

Since 2003, the vast majority of EU member states have been using an age-rating system called PEGI — Pan European Games Information – developed by the video games industry itself, in order to protect the youngest users from games judged too violent.  The system includes five age categories and uses content descriptors for bad language, discrimination, drugs, fear, sex, violence or gambling.

It is currently applied by 20 member states, while three use other legislative measures. Cyprus, Luxembourg, Romania and Slovenia have no age-rating system in place.

“PEGI, as an example of responsible industry self-regulation and the only such system with almost pan-European coverage, is certainly a very good first step,” commissioner Reding stated.

“However, I believe it can be greatly improved, in Europe and beyond, by making the public more aware about its existence,” she added.

No banning

For his part, Belgian Christian Democrat MEP Ivo Belet from the European Parliament’s Committee for Culture and Education warned against the possible banning of some video games.

“Forbidding violent games or taking them off the market will not yield the result we want, as young consumers can get hold of them anyway online or via illegal downloads. Often x-rated games will only make games more attractive to young gamers,” Mr Belet stated.

The commission also said it wanted “most of all” to inform parents and educators and “let them take their responsibility” when it comes to buy or not a certain game.

Fantasy Couriers and Online Protection

Our game has been designed to be compliant with the PEGI standards and the COPPRA guidance to ensure that it is a safe and suitable environment for young people to play and learn in.  Enterprise and Business studies really starts to become a part of the curriculum at key stage 4, so the game is fully compliant to the 12+ age standards.  However, we see that primary school children are also starting to get involved with enterprise, and so we have also made the game compliant to the guidelines for 7+ age group. 

Because of the nature of the game, and game environment, we have been able to achieve these safe standards without any compromise to the players’ enjoyment of the game.  There is only one piece of game functionality that has been removed where the player is under 18 years, and this is not an integral part of the game strategy, only a side novelty.

We have also designed all communications between players to use a template system, this means that players can send each other only messages are set into the game structure.  There are no means for players to contact other players in the game, or website, except by these methods.  This means that young people can play the game safe and protected from nuisance communications.

Protection of Young Players is Key

We at Fantasy Couriers believe that parents are young people should be provided with all the information they need to make safe and informed decisions about the games that they chose to play, be they video games or web based online games.  And we have built into the game all precautions possible to ensure that our young people can play, and learn, in a safe and entertaining environment.  We would urge all games designers to heed Brussel’s advice regarding this matter as it can only make the games industry stronger.

Extracts taken from; http://www.rachel.org/en/node/6948

 

Can We See The Light At The End Of The Tunnel?

So, todays question must be have we reached the turning point yet? Has the government helped avoid certain financial crisis?  We all hope the answer is yes. If our government had not stepped in to help our banks out this would be most certainly a different day for all of us. 

We live in a society that has taken it for granted that they can afford everything, and infact we were somehow “entitled” to the WAG lifestyle that we saw splashed across all of the magazines. 

We can only hope that after LENDING just under £50 billion pounds to our banks, that’s just under £1000 pounds per person in the UK,  that thing will get back normal as soon as possible.

The Prime Minister has said that the investments are assets and “not just money being pumped in” and that the government intends to sell our investments at some time in the future when the banks are making profits again. 

The prime minister is very confident that our banking system will be back to normal in the next week or so and “we should now put in place new structures and rules for the future. We cannot simply be a short- term rescue deal to paper over the cracks.  Only a surgical approach is to get to the root of the problem will now work and ensure that the problems do not return.”   Stating also that the government will also work very closely with all the british banks to ensure that small businesses get as much assistance as they need, and to get lending back up to the level that the economy needs.  

The markets have rallied, George Dubbya has followed suit, and for a few hours anyway, things have been stable and calm.  Lets see what happens at 14.30, and hope that what we have here is the turning of the corner and the start down a path which will slowly lead us back to normality. But maybe this time a more normal version than we had before.

Top Five Strategies For Small Business In A Credit Crunch

In times like these, small business are under tremendous financial pressure. Finding Credit is a nightmare, large companies are taking longer to pay their bills and the cost of fuel is having a massive impact on the profits.

But small business owners will not go down without a fight, we have all had to work very hard to get to where we are now, and we won’t give up to the credit crunch without a fight.

The government has always encouraged us to grow our businesses as big and fast as we can, and obviously to do so we use money in the form of over drafts or loans from the banks. The bank mangers are now in a very tricky position, they still have achieve their monthly targets to achieve, but are thawrted by not being able to lend us the money we need.  All businesses, large and small are finding it hard to renew overdrafts, and this isn’t simply something that affects the traditional retail businesses usually hit during a recession, but also the business usually “untouched” by hard trading times such as accountants, solicitors and even GP Practices.

However, its not all gloomy news. According to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), entrepreneurs and small business owners are proving resilient in the face of tough economic conditions, are even finding new ways to turn a profit, despite a shrinking credit market.

If you haven’t already started thinking about how you will get though this credit crunch then its time you did, this isn’t a time to be burying your head in the sand. So here are five very helpful tips that may help you.

1. If not already, then join the Federation of Small Business (FSB), as a small business this is the organisation that speaks out for you, lobbying and publicising.  In times such as this, with the banks screaming for billions of pounds, small businesses need to stick together and shot together so that they have a voice that can be heard.   Additionally, member benefits such as protections from employment tribunals and legal advice regarding collection of money from customers can give you peace of mind against unexpected bills and stressful situations which in times such as this may hit your business harder than normal.  The cost of being a member starts at £100 a year, most of which many business can recouperate in the first year from saving on member discounts with credit card processing alone.
2. Keep a close eye on you cash flow, get your invoices out as soon as you can and if you are delivering goods direct to your customers offer a little extra discount for COD. The companies that take a long time to pay their bills can be a real pain, and chasing them for overdue money can be soul destroying.  Some of these companies may be large, high profile companies, but you have to ask yourself are they really worth the time and heartache, and more importantly is there a worthwhile profit at the end of it, after you have taken into account the cost of the sometimes 90days credit that have taken from you. Some times its better to let someone else have the grief. We also recommend that you always do a credit check on all new customers and agreeing clear credit terms up front, even perhaps taking a deposit, it could cost you a lot of money or your business if you don’t.
3. The costs of running a business today is very high, so you need to look at where you can make savings in every part of your business. But before you start sit down with the last years accounts, go though them work out what has become more expensive and how to reduce your overheads. Remember not to cut the quality of your product or service unless you are doing this as part of a change in strategy, and changing your marketing and pricing. You may consider moving to a smaller premises or subletting some of your existing space. If you are considering redundancies make sure that you do it the legal way, remember if your a member of the FSB they will help advice you.  Combine trips, meetings etc, make weekly chart for the office for all your deliveries etc, so that you and your staff make necessary journey only, its all about saving fuel and time.  And finally take a look at your fixed costs.   Many businesses don’t regulary review this because after all fixed is fixed.  However, in times like these it’s sometimes useful to go back to that blank piece and paper and work from nothing upwards.  What do you really need in order to carry out your business today?  Just because something has always been done in a particular manner it doesn’t mean that that you need to keep doing it that way.  Times such as these are good opportunities to look at your business from a different perspective.
4. Focus on keeping your customers. When Finances are uncertain, consumers cut unnecesserey spending. So do all you can to keep your customers coming through the door. Small discounts, loyalty schemes and regular communication are just three ways of letting your customers know you value them. Customer service is very important, they appreciate suppliers that give that extra service for their money, especially when times are hard. Good service, fast delivery and flexible payment terms can help persuade people to spend with you rather than a competitor. Just go that extra mile.
5. Marketing your business can be a real nightmare, there is the risk that your full page advert in the local paper just becomes lost in a paper full of other full page adverts all screaming out “special offer”.  It’s time to think about new and novel ways of advertising, and the best thing is that “novel” needn’t always be expensive.  For example In-game product placement is becoming a one of the fast growing forms of advertising, game players spend traditionally twice as long on the internet as any other user, and adverts get twice the average branding and exposure per advert.  Also gamers are a very chatty and connected group of people, and word of mouth and recommendations are always the best form of advertising.  After all, what could be better than using in-game product placement to advertise your business, pitching it in exactly the right context.  Because this is such a new and exciting form of marketing, rates can be cheap and deals can be found,

If anyone is interested in opportunities for their business in in-game marketing then contact us at Fantasy Couriers and we can discuss how we can put together the best possible package for your business.

The Ten Best Credit Crunch Survival Ideas

Every morning it seems to be that we get out of bed you reach to the sky and say,  please be a better day than yesterday. You go down stairs turn on the TV, the news reader says bad news I’m afraid, the country is not getting any better,  the Banks are not lending any money, the mortgage is getting harder to pay and the cost of living is getting out of hand, and you think will I still have a job at the end of the day.

Money worries and fears about the cost of living are starting to impact on almost everybody’s daily life, affecting most decisions about even the most normal of our daily events.  So we’ve put together a list of 10 simple things that are quick, easy ways to cut back and save money.   Don’t despair this is what to do, read all ten, they might help you.

1. Make sure all the family have a good breakfast before they leave the house, a good breakfast will fill you up and should help stop any snacks.   Be sure you keep the leftovers for the dog.
2. Always try and make packed lunches to take with you, soup and home made sandwiches are cheap and filling, and have a banana or apple for late afternoon.
3. Most families spend over £100 per week at the supermarket.  There are lots of ways to shave some of that off.  Plan a weeks worth of meals, so you know what you are buying for which meals.  Make a list and only shop for items you need, try the super markets own brands, don’t be distracted by the “buy-two-get-one-free” offers, if you really only need one you are not saving money by buying three.  
4. If you like a glass of wine etc, try to cut back to having a drink at the weekends only.  And if you smoke stop it now, just think of the vast amount of money that your wasting never mind your health and your families, by stopping you could save thousands of pounds. The money from the fags could pay for a good family holiday, and you which of those your family would prefer.
5. When traveling to work and school try walking, using a bicycle or public transport this will be the cheapest way to travel and will keep you fit. You could also invest in a family railcard, this should save about a 30% of the normal price. 
6. Fuel bills are the hardest to control, with the rising cost of oil, gas and electric its hard to decide how to heat your home, you just have make sure the kids don’t leave the doors or windows open,  lights are not on when they are not needed, set the timer for the heating and water to come on when you are up and not left on thermostat. Make sure that all washing machines and dishwashers are full before you use them. Always switch of every thing that on standby when not in use and change you light bulbs to energy savers.  And the easiest of the lot, put on a jumper before you turn that heating up.



7. You need to keep your finances in check,  the best way to do this is to work out a budget for the month. You need to look at every thing that you spend to get a true picture, look at your credit cards you maybe able to find a lower rate, look at how much your car costs you, how much you spend on clothes, entertainment, insurances etc.  Also keep an eye on those large number of small amounts that we all have set up on the direct debits, things such as the TV license, Sky television subscriptions, contact lens schemes, donations, magazine & newspapers subscriptions, DVD rental clubs, gym memberships.  Individually these items are usually only a few pounds each, but add them up and you are maybe spending a couple of hundred pounds a month.  Do you really need them?
8. Try to go on bicycle trips or walks on the beach or in your local parks, this you can do for free. By starting to walk or cycle everywhere you will start to see thing that you havent noticed before.  There are loads of free things that you can do as a family for entertainment.  Give up those weekend shopping trips and instead get out and about in the fresh air, go and see family and friends, spend some time baking with the children.  Entertainment doesn’t need to be expensive.
9. Check your suppliers and your policies.  Prices of Life insurance have plummeted over the last 10 years, if you arranged your life insurance as part of your mortgage then the chances are you are paying over the odds.  Get some quotes, check the alternatives, and move suppliers and save money.  Same goes for electricity, gas, credit cards, household & car insurances, breakdown etc.
10. I could go on for weeks suggesting to you how to save money, but before i was finished you would have gone mad. All the experts tell you to save, save, save,  but that’s not fun, and we need some treats in a credit crunch to make us feel better.  Go out for meal once a month, make sure that you spend some good time together because when finances get tight it can add a lot of stress into the family environment.  So treat yourself to a bar of dairy milk chocolate, buy yourself a lipstick as a reward for not spending £100 on those lovely new boots etc.  But the best value out there is the Internet,  spending time on Google will help you and your family gain knowledge about the world a round us. (Just stay away from the shopping sites!)  Try an online business games, choose one where you can play against your partner, get some friendly competitive rivalry going. Playing games provide a more affordable alternative to many other family leisure activities, and provides a sometimes welcome distraction from those brown envelopes sitting on the doormat.

Girls on Top!!!!

It sounds like a geek fantasy come true, but the statistics show that women are the new force to be reckoned with in gaming is the women!. Game, the high street video-game chain, reports that 30% more women bought games in the six months to July 31 than in the same period last year, and there are now more female owners of Nintendo’s handheld DS console in the UK than there are male (54% against 46%), says the research agency GameVision.

The last year has seen a complete change in the marketing tactics of the games publishers.  The Nintendo DS and the Wii are very popular with female users, and the games that have been designed specifically for these consoles are not the usual shoot ‘em up, slice em’ up game of old, but a different type of game where socialising is a central to the enjoyment of the game, either virtually, like The Sims, or in reality, with games like Singster.

The Nintendo DS has also taken gaming out to the older generation.  Many people just couldn’t picture their granny playing Warhammer, but part of the success of the Nintendo DS is in using it as a vehicle for games which require a quiet bit of skill and attention, suduko, brain training, crosswords, games previously associated with the older generation and puzzle magazines.

All of this is really good news for the games industry as a whole, expanding the market out to mainstream public, instead of the previous reputation of twenty year old blokes sat in dark rooms, shooting mercenaries and aliens.