With the election over, we now continue to move forward. However, where exactly is forward? If you’re stuck in the forest how do you decide which way to go? Well, we are all stuck in this metaphorical forest, and the new government will soon tell us where we are headed. Now, I’m not interested in the political or world views of this new government, its economic or foreign policy, etc. No, what I am interested in discussing is where will video games be headed in the near future; the future of this new government.
The world of video games has always had two, if not more, sides. This new government will likely fall onto a new side of their own. The biggest issue I have, and this is as far as I will go into politics, is that this new government, all three branches, are entirely Democratic. The point of this sentence does not rest on the word Democratic, but the word “entirely”. It wouldn’t matter if the entire government were all Republican, my ideas would still be relayed the same way. This is because there will no longer be the system of checks and balances within the government to prevent laws that are unjust, unfounded, or unnecessary to large majority of people; and in this instance I’m referring to gamers exclusively. Now, what this really means is that, if this new government decides on some level to begin to regulate video games, the video game industry will not be able to fight back. President Elect Obama has stated that there is “a role for the federal government to play [in video games]. We need to understand the impact of these new media better.” My opinion on the entire situation is that the government should not be involved at all in regulating video games. (I also will go further to say that the gaming companies should not regulate video games). I’m am all for freedom of speech, freedom of ideas, and pro warning labels and ratings on video games.
However, there is a problem I see here. We already see regulations and censorship occurring within the video game community itself; LittleBigPlanet being delayed, Microsoft’s new Xbox Live patch, etc. We also have already seen types of censorship in other countries, Germany and Japan for example. I’m not saying that the new Democratic government is out to censor the video game industry, or to destroy it, but we already know there are individuals out there who want to manipulate the video game industry in specific ways. Understand that if this new government wants to regulate, take away, or censor video games there will be nobody to prevent it. What do we actually know about the policies of Barack Obama when it comes to video games? Frankly, not very much. Again, however, this is not entirely what scares me. What really frightens me is the idea of censorship within video games, and the fact that this government will be able to do whatever they want when it comes to it.
Pro-Obama or Anti-Obama, I don’t care. But, if you’re reading this you are more than likely pro-video games. When–if– it begins, it will be almost impossible to stop. And if you are amongst the people who may think that the government, or President Elect Obama, probably doesn’t care about video games, you’re completely wrong. Whether or not they care in the instance where they want to censor video games, regulate them, or just glaze over them, they do care. The government cares about everything, and it has passed laws for and against video games in the past. But if you are an avid gamer who already know where certain individuals ideals are on the subject of video games, e.g., Hillary Clinton and Jack Thompson. There are people out there–Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Idiots (it doesn’t matter)–that do not appreciate, enjoy, or respect the gaming world, and they will always be attempting to destroy it.
To be continued…
Nice article… I completely agree. The shift in power with this new Government is scary and nerve racking to say the least.
great article! I agree having the entire government run by one party is scary, democrat or republican. they’ve got much larger problems than the video game industry to deal with so hopefully they’ll stay out of it for the next 4 years. and not to get all political but I’m happy to say I am not to blame for this tilt in power.
Interesting and very relevant. With so many gaming companies based in the US and 50% of the market in the US there is a real possibility this will have a worldwide impact.
Obama has promised that if the video game industry doesn’t stop marketing and selling Mature-rated games to kids, then the federal government will stop it. I look forward to working with the Obama Administration on this problem, and I have already sent his advisors the proposed bill, which is bullet-proof as to any First Amendment challenge. The bill avoids all the alleged problems addressed in the federal court challenges to other bills I have drafted. I actually learn stuff from such rulings.
Finally, if you think there is not broad support for doing something about the video game industry’s fraud, then get a load of the following ad that was Romney’s first ad in the Presidential campaign: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/channel-08/2007/07/romneys_ocean.html
The breadth of this support explains why a recent industry poll proves that 65% of the American people want a federal law prohibiting the sale of Mature games to kids. Hooah! I’m on it, and the law will be passed. Jack Thompson
@Jack Thompson – Though we differ on views, I’m honored that you’ve taken time out of you day to come here and comment on our thoughts! Keep reading!
@Jack Thompson – I am completely behind any and all propositions to prohibit the sale of mature games to kids. But I trust you will not try to hinder the gaming community as a whole in order to stop this problem. If in your quest to stop kids from getting mature games you begin to interfere with the gaming communities right to put out a product, then I will not support that.
@Max – Do you know who Jack Thompson is? He is basically a crazy guy who ended up getting debarred. He wasn’t helping the gaming community in any way and wanted to prohibit the sales of video games. Don’t take him seriously. I could just change my name to President Obama
. He could have been a alright guy but attack video games way too much without even playing them first. Just watch the episode of Adam Sesslers Soapbox where Adam talks about him.
Why would anyone work with a guy who was debarred, especially Obama? If this is actually Jack Thompson then I have a grin on my face right now.
@Mixb and everyone – For the record, I can confirm that is the real Jack Thompson.
Wow okay I didn’t see that coming. Sorry if I sounded skeptical but you know how easy it is for people to change there name online. Now that it is confirmed I feel better.
@Jack – I know that Video Games affect kids however the more and more I watch TV I see that it could be affecting kids a lot more. I think the main issue here is that all types of media affects kids, and honestly it is up to the parents to regulate this. I have seen kids who have never touched a video game in their life who get piss drunk and smoke pot to no end. I’m just saying that it seems like the “hardcore” halo kids at my school are the kids who don’t end up doing bad stuff.
Also @Any Admin – Go ahead and delete my first post and this post because if this is truly the real Jack Thompson maybe I can have a mature argument with him. You would understand why I wouldn’t trust it at first.