285w ago - More than 75% of parents are concerned about the content of video games played by their children, a survey suggests.

Almost half of the 4,000 parents surveyed in the UK, France, Italy and Germany said that one hour of gaming each day should be the limit.

Some 43% of the surveyed parents said they were not aware of ratings systems for games to determine suitability.

The survey comes as Dr Tanya Byron conducts a separate review of games and their impact on UK children.

Dr Byron, who is conducting the review on behalf of the UK government, will publish her findings in March 2008 and recently closed her submissions for evidence. One of her areas of focus will be the ratings systems in the UK - which currently involves a pan-European system and a UK-only rating from the British Board of Film Classification.

The games industry has gone to great lengths to stress the educational and social aspects of gaming, while emphasising that games are regulated and appeal to all ages, with mature titles for mature gamers.

A spokesperson for Elspa, the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers' Association, said videogame playing was "part of a balanced mix of leisure activities for all ages".

Elspa added: "We welcome the opportunity to highlight the...

291w ago - The UK games industry is celebrating all that is positive in gaming in a week-long event taking place in London. The London Games Festival comes after the industry has been scrutinised by both the government and the media.

"It is all about beating the drum for the games industry," said Paul Jackson, director general, at Elspa.

A government-backed review of games and children is under way and the British Board of Film Classification recently banned Manhunt 2 for a second time.