Video Game Voters Network
I think that this is probably long overdue.
We as a gaming community cannot rely solely on the industry lobbies to make the case for games to Washington. We need gamers to be making the case.
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I feel like this could go either way. It could either be an objective voice for gamers aligning fans for common cause. Or it could become just another pit of anger against “The Man”.
I personally feel the ESA has been doing a pretty good job over the last year, overturning the legislations of certain states. Now, I could be totally wrong because, of course, I’m only getting the information from others who are reporting it. But I feel like in order to truly ensure our “rights” (defined by whoever) are upheld, one needs a powerful body with the sort of money that can bring lawsuits, send attorneys all over, and so on.
Would a thousand gamers have been able to sue Illinois for example?
No, of course not. But a large part of the power of a lobby lies in how many voters they can bring to the table to trigger bloc voting, publicity (positive or negative), and floods of letters or demonstrations. Basically, the more people the lobby seems to represent, the more powerful it will be in Washington.
It’s about time, really. Hopefully this will actually be worthwhile, as long as the gamervote isn’t as apathetic as the rest of the general voting public.
One of the reasons I don’t spend any more time involved with the IGDA is the community’s narrow focus on Jack Thompson. Michael Russell of Ritual Entertainment has the right idea. The Video Game Voters Network takes that right idea a step further. Finally, an advocacy organization that doesn’t focus on the wrong controversy.
I actually get the feeling that, if you bring the issue close enough to them, gamers would actually be more perceptive of the weight their vote can have. That’s mostly a hunch though, and I can’t defend it.
If the majority of major retailers already ask for IDs then what is the harm in making a law banning the sale of mature rated games to minors? If the belief is that a law such as this would stifle the creativity of the game makers, then that makes me think that the game makers are creating games with what “might” be considered adult content all the while knowingly targeting a younger audience.
As an adult game player it shouldn’t matter to me whether there is a law regulating the sale of mature or adult content games. As a responsible parent it shouldn’t matter either way. Law or no law, it is up to me to control to the best of my ability what my child watches or plays.
Using the figures here the vast majority of parents already monitor what their children rent or buy. I guess that means that there isn’t that big of a problem with children under 18 getting hold of Mature rated games without parental consent. If this is true then there really is no need for a law.
I let my 16 year old play GTA and I played it with him. My 10 year old I wouldn’t let play. It’s a maturity judgement call I make.
Precisely.
Ladnar: The issue with there being a law at the retail level is that until now, that treatment has been reserved for pornography, cigarettes and drugs. It would effectively classify games as a harmful substance, rather than as a medium of expression deserving of First Amendment protection.
Also, you’re citing figures from the ESA — that’s our industry lobby. 🙂 Those are not figures that have widely sunk into the public consciousness. The point of having this organization is so that people like you can make the case you are making to the politicians, using data like that.
You know? I saw this entry yesterday, but hadn’t gotten a chance to go through my GameDaily brief yet. I just did and saw this entry:
http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=8488
So, yes, I’m a nob 🙂 That this comes from the ESA, in my opinion, makes moot my initial point.