Americans spent $7.4 billion on gaming software last year, which equals millions of games. In fact, researchers have shown that over 148 million people have access to at least one gaming console. (In a recent online poll, 71 percent of Plugged In readers told us they had at least one, and an amazing 8 percent claimed to own all three major brands.)

The video game industry may be rubbing its hands together with greedy glee over this growing juggernaut of digital amusement, but if you're a parent, as I am, you can end up rubbing your head. Not only do we have the daunting challenge of monitoring our kids' movie, music, TV and Internet consumption, but we have to worry about violence, sexual content and warped spirituality in the gazillions of games floating around, too. Not to mention the whole video game addiction issue. (Where's Scrabble when you need it?)

What can be done? Is there anyone out there willing to help?

Game-Room 360s
Software giant Microsoft says, "We will!" Their Xbox 360 gaming console debuted with what the Seattle super-company believes are top-notch family-friendly credentials. The 360 has been designed to allow parents to input the restrictions they want for gaming, video watching and online access. (Games and movies have ratings encrypted in their software that the console recognizes.)

Microsoft also boasts that they're leading the way in educating parents about game safety, offering a Family Guide and helpful tips for parents on the Web (at xbox.com/isyourfamilyset). As well as connecting with John and Jane Q. Parent face-to-face on a 20-city national bus tour that has offered hands-on Xbox 360 training and doled out info about game ratings and the Entertainment Software Rating Board.

Marland Buckner, Microsoft's governmental affairs manager, told Plugged In Online, "We really came to this problem with a desire to provide parents with the tools that they need to insure their kids are protected and that their interests are covered." Buckner was also up-front, however, about the fact that this campaign isn't entirely altruistic. "We have what we believe is a unique coincidence of business interest and citizen interest." Translation? If Microsoft convinces parents that they can offer something that the other console makers can't, healthy sales won't be far behind.

What's Ratings Got to Do With It?
But if you're wondering if Bill Gates' game guys will be pulling back on their M-rated library anytime soon, the answer would be an around-the-mulberry-bush no. Buckner said, "We can make sure that parents understand what M-rated means, and if they have a tool to control that effectively in their household we think that that's a good balance for everybody." Microsoft's president of Entertainment and Devices, Robbie Bach, said it even more plainly in a Reuters interview: "We're not in the content censorship business."

Which, unfortunately, seems to convey the idea that Microsoft believes its corporate responsibility to the buying public ends not with the product but with information about the product. And this is where not just Microsoft, but all of the game manufacturers hand things off to the ESRB, a volunteer organization established by the video game industry in 1994 as a way of easing pressure from critics. The board assigns one of six letter ratings to a game: E for everyone, EC for early childhood, E10+ for everyone 10 or older, T for teens, M for mature (17+) and AO for adults only.

A rating can be helpful. What ruffles the feathers of ESRB detractors, however, is that the board doesn't actually play the games. They have publishers submit a completed questionnaire and a video of the most extreme examples of any "objectionable" content. Unfortunately, this can sometimes leave the door open for missed and unlisted problems. A few very public (and recent) examples of hidden sexual content even perked up the ears of lawmakers in Washington.

But the ESRB says that it would be extremely time consuming for raters to play through an entire video game. Indeed. Of course, our kids play through them. They play every minute, hear every obscenity and watch every detail—a fact that is illustrated by one young blogger's online opinion, given upon hearing of Microsoft's family campaign:

"This strikes me as pretty [expletive] ironic seeing as the 360 is the home to some of the most violent games to be released lately, including Gears of War with its blood-spurting, torso-shredding chain saws, and Dead Rising with its head-smashing, stomach-disemboweling zomirificity. And I bet they don't show clips of that [expletive] to parents."

Five Steps Past Microsoft
If all of this has left you with a worried look on your face, let me try to ease those frown lines. There are a number of things you can do to establish a healthy gaming environment in addition to checking ratings and setting gamebox controls. Before renting or buying a game, for example, ask other parents if they've had experience with it. And be sure to look for Plugged In reviews (in print in our "Game Room" column, and online in our "Games" area). Even secular review sites GameSpot, Gamespy and IGN can be helpful. They'll at least tell you what the game is about and show you a few pictures, too. Then:

1) Establish rules and time limits for gameplay.

2) Be sure to have extra controllers. Gaming should be a social event in your home. With extra hardware, friends, siblings and, yes, even parents can join in on the fun.

3) Keep the gameplay out in the open. Nobody wants a cave-dwelling teen playing endless hours of games no one else sees. Set things up in the family room. Even if you're not playing, you'll know what's going on.

4) Invest in appropriate games everybody can play. Multiplayer sports and racing titles can be a lot of fun and don't become time bandits with long, drawn-out levels.

5) Blaze your own trail. Learn to play games at least well enough to see what your children find so enjoyable. You may be surprised by the bonds you forge.

The video game industry wants us to think it has our best interests in mind. Despite their proffering of ESRB ratings and some parental controls, though, it's safe to say game manufacturers are paying far more attention to profits and market share. Don't take it personally. The music industry, Hollywood and the TV networks worship at the same church. What that tells me as I game with my teenage son is this: It's up to me to stay involved.