English TV personality and former Arsenal footballer Ian Wright has lent his name to the Get Set Go! campaign, encouraging parents and carers to use the built-in family controls in every new console.
Get Set Go! is a continuation of the Get Smart About P.L.A.Y. campaign launched by the games industry and trade body Ukie earlier this year, backed by another former footballer: Rio Ferdinand.
It provides parents and care-givers with a four-step process to help set parameters around play:
- P – Play with your kids and understand what they play and why
- L – Learn about family controls and how to install them at AskAboutGames.com
- A – Ask your kids what they think and discuss ground rules with them
- Y – You’re in charge, set the controls so they work for your family
The campaign aims to help parents set up game devices before they’re wrapped for Christmas, setting up family controls and downloading updates.
Guides and tutorials on how to set the new consoles up and deploy the family controls are available at AskAboutGames.com, where parents can also find guides covering a range of consoles and games.
Ian Wright was interviewed on BBC Radio 5 Live this morning to explain why he is participating in this national campaign.
“I love playing games with my kids and grandkids, so I’m delighted to support the Get Set Go! Campaign,” Ian Wright said.
“Like me, other parents will have a lot of questions about the new consoles and games so I’d encourage them to visit AskAboutGames.com as everything is there, all in one place. Whether they want to know more about family controls or trying to get that right healthy balance of game play at home, all the information is right there for them.”
“We want every child to be safe online, so it is brilliant that Ukie’s Get, Set, Go! campaign will give parents and carers both the tools they need to protect children and the confidence to gift games and consoles this Christmas,” commented Creative Industries Minister Caroline Dinenage.
“The launch of video game consoles and buying a new one at Christmas is always exciting for families, but we know that parents and carers can find it hard to get great advice on the best ways to play,” added Dr Jo Twist OBE, CEO of Ukie, the trade body for the games industry.
“Get Set Go! aims to give parents and carers across the UK the confidence to set-up new devices, as well existing consoles, in the way that works for them, ensuring everyone has safe and sensible fun playing games this Christmas.”
The campaign is supported by a new weekly podcast series, hosted by tech journalist Will Guyatt, which will cover everything families need to know about the new consoles, games, playing safely and more.
In addition to advice on AskAboutGames.com, there are lists of games for families on each of the new consoles on the Family Video Game Database at www.taminggaming.com. This provides information on age ratings, numbers of players and in-game purchases to help parents and carers make an informed choice.
Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
