The people behind the Timothy Plan line of mutual funds [see profile] have drawn up a free video game guide for parents. For the second year, the Maitland, Florida-based company has come up with a list of video games, which carry ratings such as "T" for teen and "M" for mature.
Timothy Plan, which runs ten mutual funds, focuses on investing in firms that meet moral and ethical standards.
Company Press Release
Free Video Game Guide Available -- Ratings from 'T' to 'M' Prior to Christmas
ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 8, 2010 -- Is it purely a coincidence that each year the Christmas shopping season kicks off with a day called 'Black Friday'? Maybe so, but isn't it curious that violent video games seem to be the gifts that continue to increase in demand each and every year?
Activision Blizzard Inc., a subsidiary of Vivendi SA, continues to elevate violence in video games to a new level. Released in early November, Call of Duty: Black Ops already completed a sales figure of over $600 million its first week, and is on its way to becoming one of the best-selling video games of all time.
For the second time, the Timothy Plan family of mutual funds has compiled a list of video games for parents to reference over this busy Christmas season. These games range from being rated "T" for "Teen" up to "M" for Mature, and can contain violence, sex, drug use, and extreme language. The Timothy Plan is a mutual fund company that only invests in companies who reach very quantifiable moral and ethical standards. Suffice it to say, Art Ally, president of the fund family, draws the line well before investing in companies that provide products that harm children.
Shoppers planning to buy video games this year may not be aware that violent video games have skyrocketed in popularity as graphics and technology have improved over the years. Studies have shown that aggressive attitudes and actions can be increased after playing violent games for as little as 20 minutes. Yet video games have emerged as one of the most popular forms of entertainment for children. Over 70% of children living at home have at least one video game player and 33% of them have one in their bedroom.
Art Ally contends that, "Many, if not most, parents who buy their kids video games really don't know the extent of sex and violence imbedded in them. From drug use, prostitution, murder and mayhem to vulgar profanity and blasphemy, these games have become a powerfully negative influence on our kids."
Mr. Ally for the second year is offering concerned parents a free report detailing the myriad of shocking gaming choices now available in the marketplace. At Timothy Plan's web site, www.timothyplan.com, parents can download and print a report detailing what Ally describes as "some of the most violent and offensive video games ever to be available in my lifetime. I believe, if parents would take a moment to look at the report we've created, their game selections would be quite different."
The Timothy Plan family of funds conducts proprietary research on publicly traded companies based on their moral integrity. They then apply that information to maintain a "Do Not Buy List" for their family of morally responsible mutual funds. They do not invest in companies that are involved in abortion, pornography, anti-family entertainment, alternative lifestyles, as well as alcohol, tobacco and gambling. Timothy's research process for their funds' Anti-Family Entertainment screen, includes (but is not limited to) gathering information on popular video games and, with Christmas and the gift giving season approaching, they are offering this information to anyone concerned about the content of the video games they may consider buying as gifts for their children.
Ally contends, "The $20 billion video game industry is competing for the free time of children around the world. While not all video games are bad as many are educational and even encourage physical activity, it is ultimately up to the parents to do research on this crucial issue."
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