Gaming political news

[CptStern]

well it looks like Hawaii is the latest to jump on the ban sales of games to minors ..wonder if they'll ever get around to doing the same for movies. Little johnny cant buy gta but he sure as hell can buy SAW or some other uber violent film

http://www.hawaii.gov/lrb/libblog/2006/01/minors-and-violent-sexual-video-games.html


here's a handy little map to see how anti-game legislation may be progessing in your state:

http://www.gamepolitics.com/legislation.htm


and finally the gaming industry finally gets a political lobbyist:

"industry trade groups Interactive Entertainment Merchants Association and Video Software Dealers Association, both of which sometimes get involved with ESA efforts to block game legislation, have decided to go straight to the source: Washington, DC. The IEMA and VSDA recently hired a federal lobbyist named Stuart Spencer to represent the industry's interests in the nation's capitol."

http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/40929


hollywood in contrast has hundreds of lobbyists ..probably why people like Jack Thompson dont dare take them on ..well hopefully Stuart Spencer is up to the task of exposing them for the reactionists they are

 

[Beerdude26]

Excuse me for the political nubbishness, but what is a lobbyist?

 

[CptStern]

a person (usually a lawyer) who's contracted by an industry to either fight or support specific legislation that may affect their industry

 

[Sulkdodds]

So kids aren't allowed to buy adult games. Are they allowed to buy adult films? If not, that's fair enough. If so, why's that?

 

[Ome_Vince]

Because "some societies" need patsies to blame the sickness on.
Games are the newest form of media, and form a threat to the older age groups ( ruling age groups ), that feel alien to this media.
And whatever is alien, is easy to blame/dislike..
(same happened with film when that popped up)

 

[Some_God]

When the old farts who are leaders today die out or retire, the gaming generation will be in power... and we'll be unstoppable! *evil laugh*

 

[K e r b e r o s]

Well just remember this folks.

In Colorado, its legal for a 39 year old man to consent a 15 year old boy for sex, and if the teen agree's, for sex to be had and no arrests made because its Colorado law that 15 year olds can legally have consenting sex with teens their own age or adults.

Yet also in Colorado, that 15 year old, looking for something better to remember of sex then a 39 year old man cannot go out and purchase a Porno Magazine because he must be 18 years of age to do so.

Go. ****ing. Figure.

 

[Raziaar]

Hollywood is jealous of the gaming industry's supreme success and are taking steps to knock it down a few notches.

 

[K e r b e r o s]

^ Agreed.

 

[CptStern]

Hollywood is jealous of the gaming industry's supreme success and are taking steps to knock it down a few notches.

gaming cant touch hollywood ..it's a complete fallicy that gaming makes more money than hollywood ..they compare box-office receipts with games sales ..totally ignoring cross promotional merchandising and dvd sales ..not too mention international box receipts

 

[Raziaar]

gaming cant touch hollywood ..it's a complete fallicy that gaming makes more money than hollywood ..they compare box-office receipts with games sales ..totally ignoring cross promotional merchandising and dvd sales ..not too mention international box receipts

Hollywood sympathizer! Get off our forums, nasty traitor!

 

[Gray Fox]

I really do not see the big deal, so if a game is for above 18 year olds, you shouldn't be able to buy the game, it's pretty fair.
Besides that way more people would torrent, and torrents would go a lot faster. Not that i download, but some people do.

 

[Raziaar]

I really do not see the big deal, so if a game is for above 18 year olds, you shouldn't be able to buy the game, it's pretty fair.
Besides that way more people would torrent, and torrents would go a lot faster. Not that i download, but some people do.

Stern doesn't have any qualms about torrenting, at least to try a game before he buys it. I know this for a fact

 

[K e r b e r o s]

Is that why he's bothered by Government spying? Worried he might be caught torrenting? Hah! I knew they're was a true reason behind his [expletive] Orwellian fear conspiracies. But perhaps this, is for another debate. Oh, but I kid CptStern!

 

[CptStern]

heh what do I care about government spying? I dont live in the US

 

[K e r b e r o s]

Oh, but you know I kid you CptStern. Orwelles does'nt scare you, either? Join the club! ... I've always wanted to know how Canada was ... in terms of government ... btw, how is it going up there?

 

[Ome_Vince]

heh, respect for Canada, they liberated my country from the nazi's

 

[K e r b e r o s]

Respect for the Nazis, if not for them, Canada would'nt be known for anything. Oh, but I kid CptStern!

 

[CptStern]

Respect for the Nazis, if not for them, Canada would'nt be known for anything. Oh, but I kid CptStern!

4 readings and I'm still uncertain whether you're saying canada respected nazi or you respect nazis

I did understand the "oh, but I kid CptStern" ...probably cuz one of those words was my name

edit: aha!! I think I understand ...you're saying that if not for nazis canada would be know for anything ....not that that made mych sense but what they hey I finally deciphered something

 

[K e r b e r o s]

4 readings and I'm still uncertain whether you're saying canada respected nazi or you respect nazis

You know this gets me going, don't you?

you're saying that if not for nazis canada would be know for anything

Actually, I was saying if not for the nazis then Canada would be known for nothing. But hey, you tried. Its not my fault you have the IQ of an Ostrich with its head buried in the sand. Oh, did I mention, it was also a joke ..?

 

[CptStern]

Actually, I was saying if not for the nazis then Canada would be known for nothing.

ummmmm isnt that what I said?

But hey, you tried. Its not my fault you have the IQ of an Ostrich with its head buried in the sand. Oh, did I mention, it was also a joke ..?

so are ostriches dumber if they have their head in the sand? but not regular ostriches ...which is weird because they all stick their heads in the sand ..so does that mean sand or no they're not too bright? oh and that head in the sand thingy is most ironic ..because no matter how much evidence I ram down you're throat you still believe what you want to believe

 

[Raziaar]

so are ostriches dumber if they have their head in the sand? but not regular ostriches ...which is weird because they all stick their heads in the sand ..so does that mean sand or no they're not too bright? oh and that head in the sand thingy is most ironic ..because no matter how much evidence I ram down you're throat you still believe what you want to believe

Dude, you need to lighten up.

 

[CptStern]

heh you cant tell right now but I've had a smirk on my face for the last hour or so ..despite not understanding what he says ..I find much of it comical

 

[Ome_Vince]

/offtopic mode
Osterisches DONT stick their heads in sand Thats a fun myth but totally not true.
/offtopic mode

 

[Pajari]

Just what we need, another lobbyist. The courts can strike down this legislation like they've always done, and the Feinsteins of the world can continue to score points with the soccer-mon constituency by attempting to regulate 'harmful' games. I don't need another overly compensated suit speaking on my behalf. If anything, that gives gaming a worse reputation.

heh what do I care about government spying? I dont live in the US

Lawl, I live in the US and since I don't belong to a known terrorist organization I don't have to worry about anything either. You and I have a lot in common, y'know?

 

[DeusExMachina]

I joined a radical left-wing organization.

I'm pretty sure the FBI has a file on me...

 

[Pajari]

I joined a radical left-wing organization.

I'm pretty sure the FBI has a file on me...

Diversity Club doesn't count, dude.

 

[CptStern]

Just what we need, another lobbyist. The courts can strike down this legislation like they've always done, and the Feinsteins of the world can continue to score points with the soccer-mon constituency by attempting to regulate 'harmful' games. I don't need another overly compensated suit speaking on my behalf. If anything, that gives gaming a worse reputation.

for better or worse when the time comes we may need him

Lawl, I live in the US and since I don't belong to a known terrorist organization I don't have to worry about anything either. You and I have a lot in common, y'know?

attend a pro-life/pro choice demonstration or support an enviromental or religious group or heck maybe you'd like to attend a lecture on the effects of sanctions on iraq ...you dont have to be a terrorist

 

[DeusExMachina]

Diversity Club doesn't count, dude.

They...no...maybe .

 

[Pajari]

attend a pro-life/pro choice demonstration or support an enviromental or religious group or heck maybe you'd like to attend a lecture on the effects of sanctions on iraq ...you dont have to be a terrorist

Normally, I'd block out anything from that domain name.

The FBI keeps track of people that protest or join a certain organization- that information is publicly available, anyone can compile a list with that information. There is nothing illegal about it. You talked about wiretapping, but this is about names on a list. We have nothing to fear if we openly join an organization like PETA and the government takes note of the fact- they can waste their time gathering useless, publicly available information all day long.

If you want to continue, let's go to another thread or take it to PM's, because I want to avoid derailing things.

 

[Razor]

I don't see what is wrong with this if all they're doing is laying down the law and making sure the retailers don't sell mature games to children.

 

[jverne]

When the old farts who are leaders today die out or retire, the gaming generation will be in power... and we'll be unstoppable! *evil laugh*

but what happens when the gaming generation gets old and see ultra virtual reality? they'll probbably ban it like games!


haha

heh what do I care about government spying? I dont live in the US

kerberos got "sterned"!

stern, do you do anything besides pwning people?! jk

 

[Raziaar]

but what happens when the gaming generation gets old and see ultra virtual reality? they'll probbably ban it like games!


haha

kerberos got "sterned"!

stern, do you do anything besides pwning people?! jk

Ultra virtual reality? Is that like... Ultra porn?

 

[JNightshade]

Honestly, if this passes, I wouldn't be at all surprised if it actually increases sales of 'violent' games. I mean, come on. People (especially kids and teenagers) always lust more for what they can't have. Furthermore, as any American teen can tell you, the age limits on things like porn and booze don't do shit.

But I don't have anything to fear. Massachusetts ftw! :E