MPs handed joypads in new Parliament event

Gamers’ Voice, the UK-based lobby group, has arranged a House of Commons event where MPs will be invited to play various games.

Already set to attend is Culture Minister Ed Vaizey and Tory MP John Whittingdale, the Select Committee chairman for the Culture Department.

Politicians of all parties are invited to attend the January 12.

Trade body UKIE is also expected to attend.

The aim of the event is to “generate positive publicity for video games and the PEGI system soon to be coming into force”, read a statement from Gamers’ Voice.

The group added: “It is clear to us that some members of Parliament are clearly out of touch with the public and wrongly believe that video games are corrupting British children.

“The recent release of new forms of motion control make this a great time to get MPs back on board with the industry after a difficult 6 month period. Put simply, if they won’t come to us, we’re taking the games to them.”

Gamers’ Voice has 16,500 people signed up to its Facebook page.