Zero Punctuation: Video Game Voters Network

[Wolfram23]

Well, I'd love to help but I'm Canadian and hockey season is starting, and generally we don't care too much how badly American government screws it's people over. Except in this case, which can have some wider effects... but, again, can't vote since I'm not a yankee.

Anyway, good to see Yahtzee spreading the word.

 

[Crimson Butterfly]

I think the reason games are being targetted in such a way as they are is down to the fact they are consciously driven by the actions of an individual. In other creative mediums you are a "viewer" taken for a ride on a set path and not a "player" influencing the eventual outcomes. Does it have any real bearing on the psychological effects of a person over that of say, a violent movie? I have no idea.

Personally though, I doubt it matters. If a person is pre-dispositioned to unacceptable behaviour something will set them off eventually. Demonizing games will solve nothing and it's up to parents of minors and mature individuals to guage what is acceptable. Censorship really is going too far. Gah... so annoyed... >.<

 

[Watchmaker163]

I've never had an account on the escapist, but I've created one in response to this video.

While it is true that video games are often targeted for criticism by the "mainstream media" and that something should be done, this is not the way to do it. I used to be on these guys' emailing list, until I got suspicious of some of their supposed legislation. Then I looked them up, searching "video game voters network wiki" on google, thinking if they would have a wikipedia page.

The second link down is this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astroturfing

In the business examples section, you will find a paragraph about how this organization was created by the video game manufacturers themselves, and how the ESA defended this "organization" against claims of astroturfing, when, if you think about it, they have no reason to do so.

rembrandtqeinstein mentioned it above, but it seems no one has paid him any mind.

 

[WaderiAAA]

I have a question: Is there any point for a non-American to sign up or should I wait till someone tries to pass a similar law in my country.

That probably won't happen by the way, since papers and politicians here tend to think that if you ignore videogames long enough it will eventually go away.

 

[Haukur Isleifsson]

I was wondering if you people could inform me a little bit (or at the very least point me towards self-informing).

The whole effort seems largely USA focused and I as a non-citizen feel I have limited rights to influence US law. Is the "threat" just (or mostly) present in the US or have there been attempts by, for example, European legislators to ban or restrict the distribution of video games?

 

[Lucifron]

Voice raised, part done, cookie requested!

 

[RowdyRodimus]

Stayed up until TWO O'CLOCK Australian time to watch this! What a great idea. I'm just insanely relieved that Yahtzee wasn't announcing the end of the series, and subsequently my life. *PHEW!*

I know that's hyperbole, but still, if Yahtzee's videos are the biggest part of your life, that's just sad.

 

[Mycreativename]

well, since Yahtzee and Daniel Floyd and cp. have said so, I'm gonna sign up n' shit

 

[0986875533423]

I was with Yahtzee up until he mentioned free speech. Only stupid Americans pretend they have free speech anymore and even then they can all see they don't, it's just in their constitution.

Free speech is something that on paper sounded like a good idea, but in practice really doesn't work and just has unfortunate consequences for people who try to exercise it.

You know what else sounded like a good idea on paper but in practice really doesn't work and just has unfortunate consequences for people who try to exercise it? Communism. Athankyew.

 

[John Wedge]

Snip

What he said. Although I'm somewhat confused by all this; the upcoming case is for the prevention of the sale of violent/mature games to minors. In the UK you can't sell violent films to minors but nobody really cares. How does it affect my little brother's right to the freedom of speech if he's not allowed to watch torture porn at the age of twelve?

 

[Mkvenner]

Greatest yahtzee vid EVER!

 

[Stabby Joe]

Ah, waiting for them to die of old age. I recall bringing that up recently from time to time haha.

 

[k-ossuburb]

Snip

As much as I am aware that there is already a rating system in place here in the U.K. the situation with the U.S. is a lot different because this has the potential to effectively kill the gaming industry by only letting the "safe" games through the censors.

Extra Credits put it better than I ever could, check their video out if you haven't already as to why it's important for us to take action in any way we can. [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/extra-credits/1961-Free-Speech]

I've already spread the word to other people on my blog and social networking sites but if you know a way I can physically help, please let me know. Is there a movement like this in the U.K. I can sign up for? Any advice will be appreciated, thanks.

 

[proghead]

This topic? Again? Ok, here we go...

I'm not particularly fuzzed about this whole Supreme Court thing. They want to make sure that little kids don't have access to games that may possibly harm their development (words fail me here - I'm German). Over here in Germany it's been like that for years now and it the world still exists. You can still get pretty much any game you want - if you're old enough, of course.

It's more of a problem that shops like Walmart don't sell AO games IMO. That's one of the major reasons why producers have to adjust their games to make sure they fit an M rating... Maybe that will change when the kids are out of the way though - who knows?

TBH - i'm sick of all the cool kids crying wolf...

 

[TheThirdChild]

Nice little speech, Uncle Sam

 

[Jared]

Heh! You tell em Yahtzee! Fantastic PSA!

 

[Optimystic]

Between ZP and EC, the entire website must be mobilized by now.

Will do my part after work!

 

[RowdyRodimus]

Not to crap in anyone's danish but the bankroll behind the VGVN is the ESA which is the lobbying arm of the game publishers.

The ESA is responsible for propaganda abortions like http://www.jointhecteam.com/ with complete bullshit statements like "natural connection between copyright and creativity" The purpose of the propaganda is to indoctrinate kids into the notion that copyright infringement is the same as plagiarism.

So while the VGVN appears to be a pro freedom you can bet the ESA would support a draconian three-strikes law similar to what France just passed: http://yro.slashdot.org/story/10/09/24/0942227/In-France-Hadopi-Reporting-Begins-With-Only-10000-IP-Addresses-Per-Day

Damn, you hit it out of the park with this. Here's a paragraph that basically tells kids it's ok to use others work in school without permission, but nowhere else. Which renders things such as reviews and even articles in the newspaper as illegal (by their standards):

Quote from jointhecteam.com:
"Conclude this class discussion by reminding
students that the special rules for respecting
intellectual property in school don?t apply outside
the classroom. Students are allowed to copy short
passages of copyrighted text, individual
copyrighted images, and excerpts from other
copyrighted material in their school work, as long
as they credit their sources. This is called ?fair
use.? But no one is allowed to copy copyrighted
material outside the classroom for any reason
without getting permission"

People who create the works in question would love that because they could pick and choose who reviews or reports on the item in question, usually (hell, always) to those who give favorable reports.

 

[Catalyst6]

Mr. Crowshaw uses his celebrity status for good... *cough* sellout *cough* (kidding)

 

[Duruznik]

Though I don't live in America (Hell, as far as I know my country's government isn't aware games exist), good luck to all those who are going to vote! Hopefully that rediculous law doesn't get passed...