Just thinking about violence in videogames and its social ramifications keeps us warm on those cold, wintry days when GTA IV isn’t blamed for some some tragic circumstance. Thankfully, the pundits in the media, as well as politicians, always help to fan the fire whenever a controversial videogame comes out. It keeps us interested and it keeps you entertained. Yet, when it comes to games in politics in the upcoming election, where does the majority of the industry stand? Surprisingly, it’s the communist, happy-go-lucky, loose-knit organization called the Democratic Party.
Captain Obvious almost fell out of the sky when he heard the news that the majority of videogame industry contributors have been giving their money to Barack Obama. GamePolitics went the extra mile and made a list of some public contributions. Here are some highlights:
Will Wright (Spore) $3,000 to McCain
Curt Schilling (38 Studios) $2,300 to McCain
Strauss Zelnick (Chairman, Take-Two) $2,000 to Obama
Sam Houser (Rockstar) $4,600 to Obama
John Riccitiello (CEO, EA) $4,600 to Obama
Gabe Newell (President, Valve) $2,300 to Dodd
I would have never guessed that we would live in an alternate reality in which developers and publishers would decide to back the party that best aligns with their interests. Captain Obvious and I are going to go out later and drink on this revelation. We’ll be back tonight to drunk post.
[UPDATE: John Carmack's name has been retracted. Apparently there are more than two John Carmack's out there on this vast Earth. Go figure.]
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Contest:
4:59 PM on 10.01.2008
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Also; what the fuck Will Wright? First donations to Giuliani, and now McCain? You're no gaming god of mine.
1up did a similar article in Feburary showing more than just big names of gaming and it balanced out more 50/50 than that list.
The conservative's are never the ones blaming video games for killings and violence and trying to make laws against them, its the liberal democrats. Rush Limbaugh, one of the biggest conservatives out there, has stated that video games are not to blame, it's the parents. Do some research you liberal sheep! Btw, I don't vote and hate both sides, but I do think liberals are in general super ignorant fools that hate the other side for the stupidest of reasons, I dislike the crazy religious right for the same reasons.
Video games are a petty argument in politics...?
Neither candidate (or party for that matter) is an ideal choice when it comes to video game related issues. I don't think it's a republican/democrat problem, it's just that most politicians are out of touch with games and technology in general. In fact, both McCain and Obama have admitted this themselves (McCain saying he doesn't know how to use a computer and Obama saying the last video game he played was Pong).
I would be surprised, however, if they gave to the Democratic Party, given that many Democratic or formerly Democratic congressmen, such as Joe Lieberman and Hillary Clinton, have been staunch advocates about the "evils" of video games.
"selling or renting to a minor a game which includes 'depraved violence and indecent images' would be a class E felony under the state penal code"
Turning your local Blockbuster employee into a felon for renting games sure doesn't sound very industry-friendly to me. Perhaps you should change the image from "Captain Obvious" to "Captain Who Gives a Damn." Video game legislation is going to be created by Congress; I highly doubt our next President is going to waste a chit on forcing a video game bill through Congress.
I agree, it's basically a person to person thing, neither party is against gaming while the other is for it. I do think that McCain not using computers is mainly due to his torture in Vietnam. Having his arms broken and the sh*t kicked out of him for a few years seems to have had a negative affect on him comfortably using the home row keys.
Goddamned traitor.
I'd hardly say that liberals are for more censorship, especially considering a majority of people in the arts, such as music/movies, are against it as well.
Seriously though, the fact that people give a damn about video game legislation, considering all of the other things happening in the country right now, only shows how selfish many voters are, or at the very least how out of sync their priorities are. People who are single issue voters need to spend voting-day putting a plastic bag over their heads.
@mo0man
38 Studios is owned by Curt Schilling. They were working on something... I forget what it is. An MMORPG or something.
@AKK
Yeah, damn him for having an opinion!
Maybe Will Wright doesn't base his political decisions entirely on the religion of the candidates? Isn't that what people are constantly accusing people on the right of doing?
Generally, one's beliefs tend to influence who they support politically. If Will Wright is atheist and McCain and his Republicans tend to cater to the Conservative Christian Right, well, that IS a little odd. It has little to do with the religion of the candidate, but everything to do with whose beliefs they cater to. (I don't even think McCain is a Christian.)
But I shall leave you with your americain politic and go back to my Canadian election.
(Again, both candidates could die, and I would be pleased. I just completely hate morons that bad mouth with no brains.)
@d0nfil0fi0:
Why would being Republican make Will Wright "not" a nice guy?
@Sharpless:
I'm agnostic but that's not stopping me from supporting McCain. I could care less if HE'S religious, so long as he doesn't cram religion down my throat. I see no reason to believe that will be the case.
Also, it's time to stop living in a fantasy land. Democrats ARE NOT the party of free speech, they are the party of political opportunism. Don't believe me? Check this out, from http://www.jackthompson.org/
Jack Thompson is one of the most outspoken opponents of sexuality and violence in video games. Along with other notables such as Hillary Clinton, Jack Thompson has sent literally hundreds of letters, dozens of media appearances, and even several law suits, all attempting to restrict harmful video games from reaching the hands of youth.
So, this unofficial website portrays Hillary Clinton as a supporter of Jack Thompson.
And from this place, we find Mrs. Clinton did indeed raise a stink over the stupid hot coffee mod.
Senator Hillary Clinton has gotten so hot under her designer collar over the GTA San Andreas 'hot coffee' mod that she's called a press conference to have a public moan about it.
Still not convinced? Check out this. Geeze, I couldn't even finish it, but I caught the parts about supporting Hillary and--get this--condemning George Bush (he apparently gave id Software tax breaks or something). Anyway, even though Jack eventually turned on Hillary (that's kind of to be expected since he's INSANE), Mrs. Clinton was quite willing to beat the drum of censorship and work with a guy like Thompson when it was convenient.
"But we're talking about Obama, not Clinton," you say.
Fine, but Obama is not anti-censorship. The whole point of his Truth Squad that's been running around is to intimidate people into not saying bad things about him, like the fact Obama was associated with a slum lord*, a terrorist**, and a racist minister***, all of which is true and verifiable.
So here's my point, guys. If you go out to the ballot box and vote Obama, expecting him to be "pro-games," you're going to be sorely disappointed. He's an opportunist just like Clinton, and if he saw a reason to trash the latest controversial video game he would do it in a heartbeat. Go ahead and laugh if you want, but just you wait.
*Tony Rezko
**William Ayers
***Jeremiah Wright
Right, but you're neglecting the fact that my point was that it's uncommon to see a professed atheist supporting a right-wing, Republican candidate. You cannot argue that point. I never said it was impossible. Just that it's unusual.
-GP