Features// Gamers' Voice: The Parliamentary Games Party

It’s a curious sight to see. British government ministers, usually seen as wooden and emotionless vessels of the political line, are laughing and appear relaxed as they build a black goo tower with a Wii Remote, explore an interactive drama on PlayStation 3 and play football on Kinect.

Many of them have barely touched a video game before. I was told that a few MPs were quite worried about going into the room as their idea of games was a very loud, abrasive, guns-blazing experience. Seeing the surprise on their faces is something you don’t expect when you cover the medium professionally, but it was very pleasant to see all the same.

In the midst of chatting to parliamentarians in the House of Commons last night, I could partly understand why it has been so difficult for the government to see games as anything other than time-wasting killing simulators. No sooner had a wave of MPs entered the room, a rather loud bell tolled constantly for two minutes, followed by politicians slowly slinking out of the room, smiles erased. It was bill voting time - again.

Knowing the horrendously busy lives that MPs lead, it made sense for consumer activist group Gamers’ Voice to host an awareness evening for the games industry right at their feet. The organisers felt that, with the recently cancelled bid for industry tax relief and the delay of promoting PEGI as an acknowledged rating system, it was worth campaigning for the benefits that gaming can bring.

And the group did a fantastic job. Charity Special Effect was in attendance with some inspiring technology that allows disabled people to play arcade games like Arkanoid using eye-tracking. Kinect, Wii and cult PS3 titles were on show for attendees to jump into a simple game and quickly hit home the social and casual benefits of the hobby.

Mike Rawlinson, Director General - UKIE

“I’m just watching (Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries) Ed Vaizey playing bowling and it’s fantastic - he’s smiling and loving every second of it,” said Mike Rawlinson, Director General of trade body UKIE, which helped advise Gamers’ Voice on staging the event.

The theme of the evening was “misconceptions about the games industry.” Games ratings was a chief concern, but the formal introduction of PEGI looks set to sort things out in that area. Unfortunately, last night it was revealed to have had a setback in terms of implementation. With UKIE fully behind the system, Rawlinson added that its delay is largely logistical.

“In UKIE’s last incarnation (ELSPA) we achieved a fantastic result in getting PEGI enshrined into law through the Digital Economy Bill in the dying days of the last Parliament. There now has to be some administrative activity that sets the processes of a new regulatory body, designated by the Secretary of State. There needs to be new pack regulations for the logos, a lot of admin to do - then that has to go to Europe to get approved.

“I know Ed Vaizey wanted it sorted before the 1st April, but it’s likely to be coming in either July or August instead.” Part of the promotions that will be supporting the system will involve a three-step marketing blitz informing parents of what the ratings mean and how adults can make informed choices in their purchases.