September 5, 2006
NCsoft
Launches ‘PlaySmart’ Information Program to Advance Online Gaming Safety,
Security
NCsoft®, the world’s leading developer and
publisher of online games, has announced the creation of PlaySmart, a public
service program promoting common-sense guidelines that will be delivered
directly to customers to help enhance personal safety and data security.
Drawing from industry standards, NCsoft has
developed a set of simple guidelines for its customers that focus on two areas:
personal safety and data security. Personal safety includes tips for families
who play online games and data security covers 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.
NCsoft 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.
“We recognize that there is an inherent risk to
any social interaction over the Internet. Whether it is over chat rooms or
social networks, the Internet is rife with scams and individuals who would take
advantage of others,” said Robert Garriott, CEO of NCsoft North America.
“PlaySmart is an effort to educate our customers about these issues and offer
simple guidelines to help mitigate problems inherent in interacting online. Our
games are known for their positive social climates and as a place to find
exciting online entertainment and by following the few simple guidelines in
PlaySmart, players and their families should find online gaming a source of fun,
stress-free entertainment.”
The guidelines are being developed by NCsoft in
accordance with industry standards made available at such sources as the
Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). Following is a sample of a few of
the “smart tips” that will be delivered directly to NCsoft customers as part of
the PlaySmart program:
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.
“These are basic, common-sense guidelines which
are obvious to most of us. But it only takes one successful scam or incident of
inappropriate behavior to have a very negative impact on a player and their
family,” Garriott said. “We will always endeavor to ensure customer’s personal
and data security, and by following these very simple precautions, players and
their families can reduce the risk factor of a negative incident dramatically.”
NCsoft will unveil a PlaySmart web page with a
full list of safety and security tips later this year. Also, a smart play tips
card will be placed into game packages later in 2006 or early in 2007. NCsoft
will also organize a panel of experts, including security and behavioral
authorities to create, review and update the PlaySmart guidelines each year.
For additional resources for safe gaming, go to
ESRB at ESRB.org.
