What They Play

About What They Play

What They Play is a video game-centric website aimed at helping parents learn about content in video games, helping them decide what games their children should play. It is the first of several websites to launch under "What The Like Inc.", with more sites soon to follow to feature books, movies and music.

The site was launched in 2007 by two former Ziff Davis members Ira Becker, executive vice-president of the Game Group, and ex-1UP.com writer and Senior vice-president of the Game Group John Davison. Davison announced his departure in August 2007, with Baker's announcement soon following. The two raised over $3 Million to fund the creation and launch of the site. The site was launched in beta in on November 12, 2007.

The site contains a database of over 16,000 games divided by console, genre and ESRB rating. The site employs a small editorial staff of seven to play and review games based on their content, but the site also allows parents to leave comments and reviews under each game describing their thoughts on the game's content and/or their child's reaction to the game. Parents can also submit an an age-appropriateness rating, assigned on a scale from 1-17.