AfterDawn: News

Microsoft adds "Family Timer" to limit Xbox playing time

In an effort to promote the Xbox 360 as a "family friendly" console, Microsoft announced yesterday a new feature called Family Timer which will allow parents to limit the amount of time their children can play the console on a daily or weekly basis.

Available through the "Family Settings Screen", the timer can be set and when the time limit is reached the console will save your current game and shut down automatically.



"The campaign is designed to educate parents on the tools and resources available that can help them manage their family's media use," explained Robbie Bach, president of Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division. "The main program was a 20-city bus tour where we visited with parents and showed them how to use the controls on the Xbox 360 and Windows Vista, and with kids showing them that there are fun games for all ages."

The Family Timer is not a brand new feature however, it can also be used by those with administrator privileges on any computer using Windows Vista.

Source:
betanews

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 7 Nov 2007 18:57

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• 12 comments

• ZippyDSM

  More like nanny timer....oi...if MS was not lazier than the parents on this I would rail on the parents but MS not putting any effort into save states,resume.hibernation...weak MS really fcking weak....

  8.11.2007 18:10 #1

• MDSP

  I believe this timer is to prevent red ring of death... hehe

  8.11.2007 21:48 #2

• kubapolak

  I think it might work, but only time will tell!

  8.11.2007 21:56 #3

• maryjayne

  Looks like Microsoft is trying to push Vista some more. I dont see very many people jumping on this feature since very few people want Vista.
  
  Good concep though.

  9.11.2007 09:45 #4

• emugamer

  I like the sound of this. I spend a lot of one-on-one time with both my kids, and lately I've been trying to figure out a nice way to help my oldest understand that he can't play video games for an indefinite period of time. I remember when I was young and kept asking my parents for 5 more minutes, which always turned into another half hour. At least with this feature, I won't have to police it constantly and have the peace of mind that an hour a day or a half hour a day will be just that. I've found that my kids do well when they are fully aware of their restrictions ahead of time and are prepared for it. This may help them also in terms of realizing that there is a time and place for everything, and help me in that I wouldn't justify give them that extra 10 or 15 minutes of play time in order to finish work around the house. Game saves, system shuts down, and we move on to reading time or playing in the yard time. I like the idea. It's not a breakthrough idea, and I could probably do without it - and I wouldn't buy a 360 just for this feature. But I like it. Just my opinion.

  9.11.2007 12:07 #5

• Mr-Movies

  If parents can't parent, say no to their children, this certainly will be worthless and only become more of a hassle for the parent then advantageous. Now if the parent can set down rules and stick to them, then it could be very useful especially when they are at work and the kids are home, but this would be the rare case not the norm.

  9.11.2007 14:28 #6

• ZippyDSM

  Originally posted by Mr-Movies: If parents can't parent, say no to their children, this certainly will be worthless and only become more of a hassle for the parent then advantageous. Now if the parent can set down rules and stick to them, then it could be very useful especially when they are at work and the kids are home, but this would be the rare case not the norm.
  as a parental aid its not a bad idea but its rather shallow to jsut turn it off, MS can do better but then they have been hiding save sates from gamers ever since emulation pawned them in features....

  9.11.2007 14:35 #7

• furchtlos

  Just another step by Microsoft to make the 360 look like a more family orientated console. Its working pretty damn well for wii. Microsoft is just trying to follow.

  9.11.2007 16:09 #8

• BIGnewb

  lol.microsoft=bunch of fags

  10.11.2007 14:35 #9

• ZippyDSM

  Originally posted by BIGnewb: lol.microsoft=bunch of fags
  and the PS3 is the queen of queers...and costs as much as one too P

  10.11.2007 16:15 #10

• borhan9

  I love this new feature i feel this is what gaming and computing have been needing for a very long time. I am amazed that this did not happen sooner.

  27.11.2007 15:22 #11

• mjordan23

  SPAM removed

  17.1.2010 08:47 #12