All posts tagged 'Politics'
Mass Effect Misinformation
3 Comments
Posted on March 9th, 2008 by
By: Colleen Hannon (Momgamer)
Some pundits are spreading misinformation about the M-rated game Mass Effect. Let’s discuss what’s really in the game so you can make an informed decision.
Note: Yes, this article first appeared a few months ago at GamerDad.com. I’m making sure it has a home on this site.
Rockstar’s Bully: What Parents Need to Know
Posted on March 6th, 2008 by
by Colleen Hannon, the Momgamer
Editor’s Note: Colleen wrote this handy guide back when Bully was first released for PlayStation 2. Well, it’s found its way to the Xbox 360 and Wii . . . here comes the controversy again!
Kansas Gov. (Do as I say, not as I…)
Posted on February 25th, 2008 by
Gotta hand it to Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius. She tried to introduce legislation in 2006 to censor video games and music lyrics in the State of Kansas. With her maternal tone and belief that she was helping the kids, I’m sure some Kansas moms took her words to heart and maybe even banned games from their homes to “protect” their children. Well, turns out Gov. Sebelius should know. Her 24 year-old son had a burst of creativity and created a boardgame based on prison - that according to people who’ve played it, plays a lot like Grand Theft Auto. GamerDad covers board games, we encourage them for the same reason we encourage family gaming, so we feel qualified to say “If you believe video games influence children, then, you must believe board games do too” - especially board games that deal with murder, prison rape, are apparently anti-gay and racist (according to a Republican rival of hers). Oh, the name of the game is “Don’t Drop the Soap.”
Obama Disses Video Games?
Posted on February 21st, 2008 by
GamePolitics, a part of the Entertainment Consumer Association, writes about something Democratic candidate Barak Obama has been saying on the campaign trail:
I know how hard it will be to alleviate poverty that has built up over centuries, how hard it will be to fix schools, because changing our schools will require not just money, but a change in attitudes.
We’re going to have to parent better, and turn off the television set, and put the video games away, and instill a sense of excellence in our children, and that’s going to take some time.
GamePolitics.com’s founder, Dennis McCauley, seems convinced that what Obama means here is “video games are a metaphor for under-achievement”. I beg to differ. Why?
President’s Day ‘08
Posted on February 18th, 2008 by
As GamerDad I often comment on politics but presidential candidates almost never get mentioned. The reason is simple, video game violence and its effect on children is the only middle ground left. Anti-video game zealots on the Left and proponents of the so-called ”Nanny State”, stand side by side with Republicans concerned about evil and filth in our culture. The so-called “culture warrior.” It’s the only issue the “think of the children” set (of which I’m arguable a part) on both sides of the aisle completely agree on. “Media violence = Bad”, truly a bipartisan issue. That’s how we get things like Hillary Clinton standing in a photo op with the likes of Rick Santorum. Well, guess what? Barak Obama is something different.
Get out and VOTE!!!
Posted on February 4th, 2008 by
This isn’t strictly game related, but neither can anyone who follows game news deny the amount of play video games get in political circles. Video games are huge money, and the content of those games - especially some of the mature games that we have discussed here - makes for easy political fodder. We have seen recently in the whole ‘Mass Effect’ controversy that facts are no deterrent for someone trying to score points. But while we might not be happy with the situation, we are not powerless.
Parents Television Council Is Confused
Posted on January 25th, 2008 by
From Dennis McCauley’s GamePolitics (which is owned by the ECA, a pro videogame lobby) writes: “Recent word that the Entertainment Software Association would begin making political contributions on behalf of the video game industry brought a sharp response from watchdog group the Parents Television Council. Within days of the ESA announcement, PTC president Tim Winter issued a statement essentially threatening that his organization would target any elected official who “cashed a check” from the ESA”
Meanwhile the American Beef Association weighed in on organic vegetables, the RIAA started complaining about movies, PeTA began attacking big tobacco, and the MPAA started lobbying against guns. Who knows what the NRA is doing at this point….
10 Attacks on Videogames in 2007
Posted on January 24th, 2008 by
A gamer calling himself Recoton2007 has compiled a video of the top 10 attacks from the mainstream media regarding videogames in 2007 (taken from GameTrailers.com). It showcases why we do what we do and why it’s important. Go ahead and watch the video while I comment on them one by one. I can’t seem to embed this video, so please come back after clicking the link.
bad economics for kids
Posted on January 23rd, 2008 by
So the Sierra Club and others in New Mexico wants to push an initiative called “Leave No Child Inside”. That is fantastic! I love the idea of an initiative that will build a love of the outdoors and of an active lifestyle for an increasingly sedentary - and overweight - population. So where does the money come from? A 1% tax on video games, TV’s and associated hardware. Oh. In other words, we are going to incentivize young kids by taxing their parents. Huh?
Mass Effect Misinformation
Posted on January 15th, 2008 by
Can you believe people actually think this game has hardcore pornography? Well, don’t take my word for
it. Take Colleen Hannon’s. She’s our MomGamer (no relation) and she cuts right through the garbage. Here’s what parents need to know!
