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About Family
Gaming Database
Author: Andy Robertson

08/04/2020 09:58:08 / 3 years ago / Author: Andy Robertson


The Family Video Game Database has been created to help parents, carers and guardians gain a deeper understanding of video games. Through succinct parent-friendly games information, unusual game lists and our Game Finder tool we connect families with amazing, affordable video games that are valued by adults and children.

We have 2,752 video games and 193 board games on the database. Our aim isn't to include all games (although maybe one day). We hand pick games for a few reasons:
  • Importance: They are important for parents to know about, perhaps because of some unexpected content.
  • Popularity: They are really popular with children, who will be asking to play them.
  • Significance: They offer an unusual experience we think families will love.
Once included in the database a select few games meet our Family Gaming Database award criteria each year. If you know about a game that you think meets this criteria we are always keen to hear suggestions then to do Contact Us.

Everything about the database is designed with parents and carers in mind. We assume our readers may not have played many (or any) games. There's no jargon that's not explained. Information is presented consistently and clearly. It's a calm space for parents and carers to learn and discover.

You can get started by typing something into the search at the top of every page. Or you could browse the games our team loves to play. Or our what's new and what's trending page keeps you up to date with what other families are playing and checking up on.

We don't include the adverts you see on other sites. Instead, we have a growing team of charity, commercial and grant supporters that contribute to our running costs. To cover remaining costs we work with game publishers to run sponsored creative activities. This has no impact on our editorial content and is clearly stated on any supported content.

Positive Impact

This approach creates a positive impact not only in the lives of families but in the video game industry. There are three main areas where our work has contributed to positive change with real impact:
  • Storefront Corrections: We monitor and report errors on how game ratings are displayed on the Xbox, Nintendo and PlayStation stores, to ensure parents have accurate data not only on our database but at the point of purchase.
  • Rating Revisions: Where we discover an aspect of a game that may have been rated too old or too young, we have a good working relationship with the VSC Rating Board and ESRB. These conversations often lead to game ratings being updated to more accurately reflect the content they offer.
  • Accessibility Features: By providing our Accessibility Questionaire to developers we not only document the features they already include but have detailed conversations with them about accessibility that regularly leads to new features and designs being included to enable more people to play their game.

Partner Organisations

Image 316Carina Initiatives: Partners with teams building programs and products that reveal and nurture hidden math talent. Our partners are revolutionizing learning design and trailblazing new educational pathways. They are committed to a world where all our motivated math and computer science students have access to exceptional learning experiences. Let's send more kids from more communities to the frontiers of science and technology.

Image 315PlayStation: Recognized as a global leader in interactive and digital entertainment, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) is responsible for the PlayStation® brand and family of products and services. PlayStation has delivered innovation to the market since the launch of the original PlayStation in Japan in 1994. The PlayStation family of products and services include PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®VR, PlayStation™Store, PlayStation®Plus, PlayStation™Now, and acclaimed PlayStation software titles from PlayStation Studios.

Image 347HSBC UK: We’ve worked with HSBC UK to help you understand costs, set spending budgets and avoid scams in video games. Resources like this create a context where you can openly talk about how to get the most out of video games. This ensures that if something unexpected or unsettling happens in a game your child is playing they are much more likely to tell you about it, rather than keeping things secret for fear of losing access to their game.

Image 321Xbox: Discover your next favourite game Play hundreds of high-quality games with friends on console, PC, phones and tablets. From future adventures, to current obsessions, to classic titles, thousands of favourites across four generations of Xbox look and play best on Xbox Series X. The Xbox Series X delivers sensationally smooth frame rates of up to 120FPS with the visual pop of HDR. Immerse yourself with sharper characters, brighter worlds, and impossible details with true-to-life 4K.

Image 320IntoFilm: Into Film supports teachers and educators to achieve a wide range of effective learning outcomes in their use of film. Our programme includes the Into Film+ film streaming platform, our network of extra-curricular Into Film Clubs, resources for use in clubs or the classroom, face-to-face and online training opportunities, an annual cinema-based film festival and the prestigious Into Film Awards. Our programme has been designed to meet the needs of all four nations in the UK.

Image 210AskAboutGames: AskAboutGames is supported by video game publishers and retailers in the UK to ensure their products are enjoyed by suitable audiences. We answer questions parents and players have about video game age ratings, provide advice on how to play games safely and responsibly, and offer families helpful tips to ensure they get the most out of the games they enjoy together. We provide weekly family video game charts and family game guides.

Image 304VSC Rating Board: Our mission is to make sure that parents have all the information they need to make informed decisions about the video games their families play. The age ratings and content information we issue are an important part of that, but we also know they are only part of the picture. The accessibility information provided on the Family Video Games Database will allow users to find games based not only on PEGI age suitability but also according to their accessibility requirements. The VSC is proud to support this initiative as the Accessibility Partner, ensuring that video games continue to make a positive contribution to children’s and families’ lives across the UK.”

Image 373Kidas: Voice and chat monitoring as well as alerts for dangerous activity across more than 200 of the most popular PC games. ProtectMe keeps children safe by sounding the alarm when something isn't right. It's a great way to stay on top of conversations and talk to your child about the interactions they are having online.

Image 317IGEA: IGEA (Interactive Games & Entertainment Association) is the peak industry association representing the voice of Australian and New Zealand companies in the computer and video games industry. IGEA supports the business and public policy interests of the games industry, through advocacy, research and education programs. We work with many stakeholders including all levels of government, agencies, media and other trade associations.


Previous Partner Organisations

Image 227The Playability Initiative: Seeks to collaborate with the accessible gaming community to connect players to video games designed and adapted with their unique abilities in mind while challenging more designers to think inclusively. The Playability Initiative is made possible through the financial support of AveXis. It collaborates with the Spinal Muscular Atrophy and broader disabled community to create a new video game. It also partners with The AbleGamers Charity to help assess the player’s abilities with a diagnostic game mode that suggests adaptive technology resources to serve the player’s needs and games that may be suitable for the player as they venture beyond.

Image 187Parent Zone: Parent Zone are experts in digital family life. They provide support and information to parents, children and schools, working globally to help families to navigate the internet safely and confidently. We work with parents, schools, governments and businesses to study, understand and address the impact of emerging technologies on young people. Our mission is to improve outcomes for children in a digital world, so: Children will be safer online. Children will be resilient enough to cope with the challenges of the online world. Children will be educated for a digital future.

Image 302Gamewell: Our Mission is to demystify gaming through education, collaboration and imagination. We are an Integrative, evidence-based platform that is committed to building a positive, informed environment that supports healthy gaming. Our aim is to promote the concept of ‘healthy gaming’. We want to ensure that families, gamers and professionals are educated about gaming and able to communicate not from a position of hostility, but from one of empathy. We do this through the lens of an organisation that has the infrastructure and team to provide clinical treatment when it’s required, but passionately believes that through collaborative efforts within the family and society, imaginative services can be created to enjoy Gaming in a healthy and balanced way.
Taming Gaming Book Written by parents for parents, the database complements the in-depth discussion about video game addiction, violence, spending and online safety in the Taming Gaming book. We are an editorially independent, free resource without adverts that is supported by partnerships.

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