.:FAQ (Updated 11/28/08)

What is Gamers Edge or a Cyber Gaming Cafe?

Gamers Edge is a place where people of all ages can get together and enjoy playing PC and console games with their friends and family. Players receive time-based access to a variety of games on PC and consoles that are connected via LAN (Local Area Network) and the Internet.

Gamers Edge offers services that emphasize the social aspects of multi-player games. For example, players are encouraged to participate in our events like game nights, ladders, launch parties and tournaments, both within the center and with or against other LAN centers. These organized events provide a pleasurable, structured learning activity and many opportunities for recognition for players with ranking, prizes, free food, and/or discounted play time based on their performance and/or level of participation.

As an iGames member LAN center, Gamers Edge follows the movie theater model by being a showcase venue for the latest games. We offer the opportunity for players and their families to not only play in a social atmosphere but also "try before they buy." Therefore we follow the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) system [See Below].

At GECafe, we require the use of a Parental Consent Form to play 'Rated M Games', which can be downloaded Here

Additionally, our privacy policy can be viewed Here

ESRB Rating? What is that?

ESRB, or Entertainment Software Rating Board, is a non-profit, self-regulartory body that independtly assigns ratings, enforces advertising guidelines, and helps ensure responsible online privacy practices for the interactive entertainment software industry. They use ratings similar to the style you see in movie theatres.

	EARLY CHILDHOOD Titles rated EC (Early Childhood) have content that may be suitable for ages 3 and older. Contains no material that parents would find inappropriate.
	EVERYONE Titles rated E (Everyone) have content that may be suitable for ages 6 and older. Titles in this category may contain minimal cartoon, fantasy or mild violence and/or infrequent use of mild language.
	EVERYONE 10+ Titles rated E10+ (Everyone 10 and older) have content that may be suitable for ages 10 and older. Titles in this category may contain more cartoon, fantasy or mild violence, mild language and/or minimal suggestive themes.
	TEEN Titles rated T (Teen) have content that may be suitable for ages 13 and older. Titles in this category may contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling, and/or infrequent use of strong language.
	MATURE Titles rated M (Mature) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language.
	ADULTS ONLY Titles rated AO (Adults Only) have content that should only be played by persons 18 years and older. Titles in this category may include prolonged scenes of intense violence and/or graphic sexual content and nudity.
	RATING PENDING Titles listed as RP (Rating Pending) have been submitted to the ESRB and are awaiting final rating. (This symbol appears only in advertising prior to a game's release.)

*Gamers Edge chooses games with minimal sexual content and foul language

Can I limit what my child plays?

Absolutely! As a member, we can allow parents to limit which games their kids can and cannot play. We use a special system that not only filters down the internet, but automatically restricts and blocks games that are not suitable for their age (unless permitted by the parent). Because there are not very many rated "E" games unless its recommended for elementary students, everyone no matter what age starts at rated "T" games.

Simply add it to the "comments/restrictions" section of the parental consent form and let us know! As an additional parent's guide, visit our Game List (Fort Mill's Game List) section to view the ESRB ratings matched with the games.

What is a "Lock-In", and is everyone literally locked in?
Lock-Ins are held every Friday from 11pm-7am. We have experience in doing this for almost 2 years now, and have a trusting staff working all night! We have a live webcam viewable from the main page or at http://LIVE.gamersedgecafe.com . We also have 4 security cameras, and the webcam takes periodic pictures and stores them. On top of that, we lock both the front and the backdoor. Are the kids literally locked in? Absolutely. Who is allowed to go in and and out? If someone inside has a license, they are allowed to leave. Customers are allowed to come up to an hour and a half late if we are aware of it ahead of time (or know them as customers to Gamers Edge), we will let them in. Other than that, the door has minimimum activity. A parental consent form is required for kids under the age of 18.

What is "Parents Night Out"?
Every Friday night from 6pm-11pm, there is a "Mini Lock-In", known as Parents Night Out. Kids under the age of 18 are allowed to stay between that time period with pizza included! Parents: Feel safe to go out! Do whatever you want between 6pm-11pm! We'll take care of everything for you, and your kids will be happy at the same time.

I hear games are violent - I don't want my kids playing games!
Unfortunately, violence is everywhere. Look at children cartoons such as Tom and Jerry, Daffy Duck, Bugs Bunny or any Warner Brothers cartoon, such as Whiley Cayote….they are constantly trying to kill each other, yet this violence is accepted as suitable for children.

Games are similar, but you can control what your child plays (members only) and use the ESRB ratings as a guide. Everyone has as a right to their own opinion, and a right to control what their children are exposed to.

• Most games rated teen are similar to the violence and such of the kids TV show, "Power Rangers" as an example: Little or no blood, little or no exposure to bad language, since filters are activated to minimize bad language during communication sessions with other players. “Rewards” during games are to enhance individual and team success (example, more gold to purchase supplies for use in the game) and cannot be considered “gambling”.   In fact, Gamer’s Edge strictly prohibits any gambling activity, and access to gambling games.

• Most games rated mature are similar to the violence and such of the movie, "Starship Troopers" as an example when again comparing movies to games:
  • The violence and blood level is generally pretty high. If you let your child watch rated R movies, we'd recommend letting them play rated M games. If you don't let them watch rated R movies, feel free to research about the game and if you are a member, you can block what content your child sees or can play.
    • Most rated "M" games have a "violence blocker" where you can remove blood from the game making it a "T" game.

Do video games make you do violent things in real life?
Some people believe it does, but if a person cannot perceive the difference between reality and gaming, movies, television, books or just plain imagination, then he or she probably needs your help!
Games are no more or less violent than movies and television.  Games allow interaction, and while they may mimic violence (as in a Tom & Jerry cartoon), almost all kids are playing for the challenge and for fun.  They are not confusing what they are doing with real life violence.

Are these games rotting my child's brain?
Unlike television, new-age games require an extreme amount of concentration and skills in order to play:

• Increases hand-eye coordination
• Most games require intense thinking to solve puzzles & mysteries
• Deep storylines and massive social written communication, means your child is learning to read faster, with increased comprehension
• Increased vocabulary - most gamers’ vocabulary increases dramatically, due to exposure to unusual words: "riposte, endurance, parry, conception, endurance, charisma, dexterity, agility" just a few examples of words comprising the basic gaming vocabulary; words which can be used during normal conversation.
• Massively increased skill in typing. When you play online, you need to “talk” to your allies as quickly as possible.  Typing skills are improved while having fun! Technology and fast typing are “must haves” for this generation and era.
• Development of a keen sense of strategy. Strategy is extremely important in 99% of games. Your child will learn different strategies applicable to different situations in addition to decision making which will directly affect their make-believe character, and the outcome of the game.
• Teamwork is a must-have for online gaming. Your child will learn to act as within a team, and how their individual actions affect the outcome of the team when attempting complete their objective. Combining teamwork with strategy is very effective for satisfaction in games, and later in life.
• Increased memory – many names, places, codes, items etc. need to be remembered, along with key parts of the storyline for success during gaming sessions, and for future sessions.
• Online gaming, especially at a gaming center, provides a lively, safe and social atmosphere.
• The virtue of "patience" is acquired.

These points illustrate some of the reasons we believe that online gaming is healthy for your child.  Just as with any entertainment, gaming should be just part of your child’s life.  We want to help you monitor how long your child plays, and which games they play – just let us know your wishes, and as a member, we will make sure your child complies!

I want my kid to learn about internet safety and not get bored!

Educate your child by having him or her watch this short, entertaining video with you - featured with the Xbox 360 game, "Viva Pinata"!

Can I drop off my kid at the cafe while I run errands?
We recommend that the child being left alone is at least 8 years or older. If not, the parent is required to sign a liability and permission form with their phone number just in case they need to be contacted. Gamer’s Edge Café in Baxter is a very safe place to be. You can safely drop off your child 13+ (or age 10+ with signed permission/number/liability of the guardian). For any child left at the cafe, you can instruct us as to whether you want them to stay in the store – if this is the case, we will make sure they do not leave until you return.

Why do I have to sign a parental consent form?
Although it is not required by law, we like to follow the ESRB Rating System to protect children and to give parents restrictions as they see fit. We are committed to a safe and fun experience for your child. In order to ensure this commitment, we require the consent of a parent to play rated M games, leave the child unattended, or attend a Lock-In session.

Forms can be downloaded Here

I don't like the way ________ is run, I have a suggestion/feedback/complaint!
We at Gamers Edge respect everyone's opinion and try to find ways to improve the way we run our business, and we want to provide an environment which is fun for kids, and safe so that parents feel comfortable – your feedback will help us find that compromise, so please submit your suggestions and feedback by clicking Here to link to the "Suggestions/Feedback" section of our forum.

A note from the Gamers Edge team:
Gaming isn't as bad for kids as most parents probably hear on television. The games we support are like reading a book, but instead of thinking "This character should have taken the right cave instead of the left" you can be part of the book, and take the right cave (even if it turns out to be the wrong cave!). You can make decisions about the story that you couldn't make while only reading a book, and you can do things you can’t do in real life – like flying, meeting dragons and unicorns. It’s the ultimate source for imagination!

You can be a super hero and save someone with your superhuman power, and you can go to places and planets that don’t exist. Yes, you may be doing something dangerous in the game, but you know that you are safe in the real world!  Because you continue where you left off the last time, it is like reading a book that does not have to end!  Kids love it, and we love it, and we are committed to keeping your kids safe!