Curse

Omega X · Sep 05, 2006, 10:24 PM // 22:24

http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/new...hp?story=10754

Quote:

September 5, 2006

NCSoft Announces PlaySafe MMO Program

NCSoft Announces PlaySafe MMO Program Major MMO publisher NCSoft (Guild Wars, City Of Heroes) has announced the creation of PlaySmart, a public service program promoting personal safety and data security when playing online games.

According to the company, the scheme targets personal safety including tips for families who play online games, and data security covering issues such as data loss or online scams. The set of guidelines will be placed on a card in all of NCsoft’s retail game packs as well as being available on NCsoft’s game portal, PlayNC.com.

Some of the tips to be given out as part of PlaySmart include the following:

For personal safety:
Parents should review a game’s ratings to ensure they are age appropriate for children.
-Parents should monitor or even play computer games with their children.
-Parents should be aware of the social interaction their children have in games, including chat -features and email exchanges.

For data security:
-Never give out your credit card information to anyone.
-Never give out personal information such as name or address to anyone after you have signed up for an online game subscription.
-Do not give out passwords or account information to friends so they may play on your account.

NCsoft commented that it has "chosen to proactively develop a program, which if followed, may help to make playing online games a more positive experience for individuals and families by helping to reduce risk factors". It is unclear whether the program might be designed to be adapted by any rival MMO companies, however.

The guidelines are being developed by NCsoft in accordance with industry standards made available at such sources as the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). NCsoft will also organize a panel of experts, including security and behavioral authorities to create, review and update the PlaySmart guidelines each year.

Robert Garriott, CEO of NCsoft North America, commented of the announcement: “PlaySmart is an effort to educate our customers about these issues and offer simple guidelines to help mitigate problems inherent in interacting online."

You would think that this would have came sooner rather than later from a company that specializes in MMOs.

Zinger314 · Sep 05, 2006, 10:38 PM // 22:38

So it's actually possible to run a program telling people to use common sense?

Where do I sign up?

KiyaKoreena · Sep 05, 2006, 10:42 PM // 22:42

They are coming out with it now because people cant use common sense and need everything written down in front of them so they can remember.

Minus Sign · Sep 05, 2006, 10:45 PM // 22:45

the "Slippery When Wet"/"Caution HOT Coffee"! sign of the MMO gaming industry...had to come sometime...

TheMosesPHD · Sep 05, 2006, 11:39 PM // 23:39

I think this is one of the things the 2000's are gonna be remembered for: The decade without common sense. Wasn't around or after 2000 when most of all these silly warnings started popping up on everything?

generik · Sep 05, 2006, 11:48 PM // 23:48

NCSoft is full of corporate suits who knows nothing about their market other than how things "sound". Sorry, that's just my take. This has gotta be the dumbest press release ever.

Evilsod · Sep 05, 2006, 11:49 PM // 23:49

Moses... i think you may be right. My friends 'This sign has sharp corners' picture is a classic.

TheMosesPHD · Sep 06, 2006, 12:05 AM // 00:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by generik

NCSoft is full of corporate suits who knows nothing about their market other than how things "sound". Sorry, that's just my take. This has gotta be the dumbest press release ever.

NCSoft deciding to release this information doesn't reflect positive or negative on NCSoft at all. It's merely a sign of the times.

bart · Sep 06, 2006, 12:37 AM // 00:37

"-Parents should monitor or even play computer games with their children."

hehe this sounds like an advertising bit.

Riken Chrono · Sep 06, 2006, 12:43 AM // 00:43

yeh it does.

eternal pho · Sep 06, 2006, 12:59 AM // 00:59

common sense ftw =D

Zinger314 · Sep 06, 2006, 01:38 AM // 01:38

I'm doing my part!

Lampshade · Sep 06, 2006, 02:59 AM // 02:59

So it's like "The internet for dummies?"

draxynnic · Sep 06, 2006, 03:13 AM // 03:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evilsod

Moses... i think you may be right. My friends 'This sign has sharp corners' picture is a classic.

Or, my favourite: "Caution: Low Signpost"

And that dates back to the mid-to-late '90s. It may only be getting really obvious in this decade, but the signs were there (if you'll excuse the expression) in the last.

Silver_Fang · Sep 06, 2006, 03:24 AM // 03:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by draxynnic

Or, my favourite: "Caution: Low Signpost"

And that dates back to the mid-to-late '90s. It may only be getting really obvious in this decade, but the signs were there (if you'll excuse the expression) in the last.

Whats worst is that, a bag of peanuts with a warning sign. 'Caution: This product contain nuts', of course it will contain nuts, you are buying a bag of PEANUTS"

madman420 · Sep 06, 2006, 03:28 AM // 03:28

Hmm...I guess I should stop giving my credit card number out to people in game.

Y.T. · Sep 06, 2006, 03:46 AM // 03:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evilsod

Moses... i think you may be right. My friends 'This sign has sharp corners' picture is a classic.

"-Parents should monitor or even play computer games with their children."

- mom u're such a noob, u sold my 15^50 jade sword to merch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Legendary Battousai · Sep 06, 2006, 04:01 AM // 04:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMosesPHD

I think this is one of the things the 2000's are gonna be remembered for: The decade without common sense. Wasn't around or after 2000 when most of all these silly warnings started popping up on everything?

In short: Lawsuits. If someone gets hurt and claims to not have expected it, they get money for stupidity... not just money but YOUR money. Its worth the investment of lets say... 100 dollars? for millions of signs everywhere telling someone to use sence (apparently not so common if people have trouble with it) than to be sewed for not telling them and be out a couple thousand dollars.

Curse You · Sep 06, 2006, 04:47 AM // 04:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by draxynnic

Or, my favourite: "Caution: Low Signpost"

If I were to make one of those, and put it on a sidewalk in, say, New York, how many people do you think would walk straight into it?

QuixotesGhost · Sep 06, 2006, 05:46 AM // 05:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver_Fang

Whats worst is that, a bag of peanuts with a warning sign. 'Caution: This product contain nuts', of course it will contain nuts, you are buying a bag of PEANUTS"

A Peanut isn't a nut, it's a legume.