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Former Nintendo exec says that dumb parents shouldn't have sex

10:51 AM on 09.01.2008, Brad Nicholson 31 comments

Former Nintendo exec says that dumb parents shouldn't have sex photo
     Parental Settings

Perrin Kaplan, former Nintendo vice president of marketing, shared an interesting thought at a panel on sex and violence in games at PAX this year. Kaplan said, “Parents who use videogames as a babysitter shouldn’t have sex to begin with.” Kaplan’s statement inadvertently set the tone for her announcement that she is returning to the videogames industry after quitting Nintendo in June.

What exactly will Kaplan be doing in the industry? Spong is reporting that Kaplan has set up her own company keyed towards “connecting brands and consumers,” which is decidedly more tame than calling out parents who think Kirby is a better caregiver than a 14-year-old girl. Although, I think one could argue that sitting down with Brain Academy is a better experience than watching Power Rangers: Ultra Megaforce Time-Traveling Super Secret Spy Robot Godzilla Action Fest Extravaganza.

Even though Kaplan doesn't work for Nintendo any longer, at least she didn't mention breaking her wrist or introduce Carrot Top equipped with a Balance Board to the panel. I'll just take her statement as a very indirect step in the right direction for Nintendo.


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Cartman's Avatar
Cartman at 09/01/2008 10:57
Maybe nintendo could come out with a new game, Wii-sit, the motion controller enabled baby-sitting game.

And you could you the nunchuck controller to slap the baby sitter if she starts mouthing off again.

Id buy it.
eternalplayer2345's Avatar
eternalplayer2345 at 09/01/2008 11:04
How dare she criticize my upbringing
MuddBstrd's Avatar
MuddBstrd at 09/01/2008 11:11
Here, here. It's woefully unconstituional and violates many a human right, but I really want there to be some sort of test you have to pass in order to keep your reproductive organs.
ace of knaves's Avatar
ace of knaves at 09/01/2008 11:14
Haha, fantastic. Couldn't agree more...well, yes I could, but not too much more.
Poopface Morty's Avatar
Poopface Morty at 09/01/2008 11:27
“Parents who use videogames as a babysitter shouldn’t have sex to begin with.”

Holy shitballs, that is about as true as it gets. Or at least, those same individuals should be educated on contraception (unless they're fundie-catholics, then nevermind), and then they can have sex to their hard-ons content.

Truth be told, the industry needs a few people who are willing to be this blunt in their rebuttals on the "side-effects" of gaming.
Zen Albatross's Avatar
Zen Albatross at 09/01/2008 11:31
Here, here!
Timmeh's Avatar
Timmeh at 09/01/2008 11:34
I can see why she isn't in marketing any more
aaronf's Avatar
aaronf at 09/01/2008 11:35
Considering there's 7.5 billion people in the world right now, we definitely need to slow it down as a species. I think most people probably should not be reproducing at this point.
foxhound009's Avatar
foxhound009 at 09/01/2008 11:38
I totally agree... Nintendo get's me.. it just understands me so well...
MisterMingo's Avatar
MisterMingo at 09/01/2008 11:42
I knew there was a reason I always liked her.
F Whipple's Avatar
F Whipple at 09/01/2008 11:50
her bluntness...i love it
Corak's Avatar
Corak at 09/01/2008 12:28
"I can see why she isn't in marketing any more"
Lol so true.

But I applaud her bluntness as well.

"Been around the world and found that only stupid people are breeding, the creatins cloning and feeding." Pretty much sums it up.
atastysammich's Avatar
atastysammich at 09/01/2008 12:37
I'd connect her brands and consumers, if you catch my drift.
Gameboi's Avatar
Gameboi at 09/01/2008 12:45
I see what she's saying, but this is no different than having the kids sit around and watch DVDs all day. If anything, at least games are interactive, and make you think a little.
Syn's Avatar
Syn at 09/01/2008 13:22
It's hilarious but it's true. Families that struggle more financially have more children than families that don't. That's not to say intelligent people have less children because they're INTELLIGENT...but it sure looks that way.

Children piss me off, and stupid parents piss me off more.
Sharpless's Avatar
Sharpless at 09/01/2008 13:26
Couldn't agree with her more. Technology is not a replacement for parenting.
Daxelman's Avatar
Daxelman at 09/01/2008 13:29
Stupid People Holocaust?

I'm all for it.
Electro Lemon's Avatar
Electro Lemon at 09/01/2008 13:48
My daddy, Pac Man, said he's going to kick your ass, right when he gets home from pellet hunting.
Rifter01's Avatar
Rifter01 at 09/01/2008 14:06
I'm in agreement with Gameboi.

-------
And, in addition, I had a long comment brewin', but I'll just say I think what she is saying SOUNDS good, in theory ..
But, I think it isn't good that she comes back to the video game industry if that is really how she feels, since in many households, parents are the ones that truly have the money to buy the games, and if she offends parents they may not offer her much (if any) support to her is basically my long point shortened, IMO.

Also, anyone remember this pic of her? It is like night and day (or comedy and tragedy) difference now.. LOL
Syn's Avatar
Syn at 09/01/2008 17:56
Well before I say this, I acknowledge that no one cares about respect or honor or any garbage like that anymore

But I can't respect someone who is solely motivated by that almighty fuckin' dollar. And the parents that ARE offended by this can go ahead and be offended because they're trash that needs to be put to burn.
TrailerParkJesus's Avatar
TrailerParkJesus at 09/01/2008 18:20
Pull out method
Cube's Avatar
Cube at 09/01/2008 18:35
I love this woman.

Is she going to kick the new chick ass that took her place and broke her wrist on the snowboard.
Rifter01's Avatar
Rifter01 at 09/01/2008 18:56
In some ways I think we agree. Let me say a few things, maybe clarification of my position will help prompt more discussion, or maybe not..

Besides her current hot topic statement(s) on this current story, I think I remember some of her (Kaplan's) previous statements being fiercely negative as well. I don't want to dredge all of it up, (as I'm sure there is alot of matlockery to do on this one though). But I will provide a couple of examples below, and anyone feel free to express them here or PM me with your thoughts.

First, I personally don't think she should care only about the money either, I agree with you. But, since we know how easily offended we've seen some parents becoming, I think if she really cares about the health and longevity of the video game industry, she will try and not "stir the pot" or make too much shitstorm over "nothing"* so to speak. [*nothing that we as individuals can change in others without at least a major education/abstinence kinds of efforts, yadda, yadda.]

In essence, I think she may be trying to just make more waves and/or to draw more attention to herself, NOT genuinely addressing anything besides a lip service (since she doesn't provide any help or solution to this cause that "dumb" or "lazy" parents should stop having sex or children). Bottom line is I think she is just echoing something that she thinks people "want to hear" for +15 points.

Secondly, and lastly, after I RTA (read the orig. article) I learned two things, A) she was and is the messenger behind the announcement that the gamecube was dead, and B) in that same article she went on to say "...for people who are hardcore gamers nothing can ever come fast enough for them, ever. I mean even when we announced a mass market price... hardcore gamers even complained about that.”

So, basically, I'm still somewhat annoyed by her (and I wonder what else she thinks or would say about hardcore gamers) since I think what she is saying in this last article is just B.S. from P.R./Sales, which is just business as usual, in a way "nothing to see here" or to effect any change, except "damage control".

I'm not smart enough to 'figure her out' nor do I care to read anything else into it. I just want to present the possibility that before I rush and agree with her here, that she actually may only be making waves without suggesting any solution.. And that is lazy in of itself, to me. And I don't think she has alot of room to change minds after her previous statements in interview(s) and on the record is all. Now I will STFUJPG. Esp. since it is Labor Day and since I'm a lazy bastid alot. lol
mastershredder's Avatar
mastershredder at 09/01/2008 23:48
Straight up. So what are you going to admit that you are a stupid parent and complain about that? Stupid parents, is not intended to mean that the child is going to be mentally challenged. This is about parents that have no business being parents in the first place. Lack of reason, irresponsible and self centered. How are they supposed to "parent" their child, or children teach them the basics of right and wrong. This is a well deserved shot right back at those parents that let their 8 year olds play GTA4 and other Mature rated software (present or not), and then blame the gaming industry when their kid gets tangled up in trouble (regardless if the crime is related of not).

Crap man, I went to see HellBoy 2 this summer and there were 3 single parents that brought their kids into the theater to see HELLBOY. I mean did the name not trigger the idea that there may be some content that may frighten young viewers? And that a fact that it is numbered 2 would suggest that they were familiar with the content, thus this act of film viewing was a conscience and planed decision.

About 15 minutes into the film at least 2 from each family was bawling as the movie content and thunderous sounds was disturbing to them. These folks just told their kinds to cover there ears and eyes until scary parts were over. The thing is that this continued throughout the entire movie. Sure, I went with my folks to see some scary flicks before and I too was told to duck and cover, but the movies were reasonable. The point is that the movie content, while entertaining to kids and adults alike, was terrifying these toddlers. The parents were simply selfish and would rather make their children and others uncomfortable for 2 hours just so they could geek out and watch a stupid movie.

These are the stupid people were are talking about. They are not grown up, they don't think like grown ups, they don't reason or truly think about their kids BEST interests. TV, games and movies are not they best way to interact with your kid, because you yourself are not interacting with them, just pacifying them. It is straight up irresponsible and I say that as a gamer and a parent of a gamer.

I work in multimedia development and I have content from all platforms strewn about my office and into my living room (fat chance of my kid not becoming a gamer), but I am familiar the content that my child plays and if there is something that may be for a mature audience I am right there to ensure that content is not extreme and to answer any questions or point out reality from gaming.

Don't pacify your kids with games, sure it is a great way to kill time or to just enjoy a kick ass game, but it certainly does not hurt to play with your kids (and no, you don't have to just play Wii or kiddy games). ;)
The-Excel's Avatar
The-Excel at 09/02/2008 00:41
A-freakin-men.
DryvBy's Avatar
DryvBy at 09/02/2008 06:03
This is a common theme of filthy rich people. Eugenics. After looking that up, I officially hate filthy rich people. And Ted Turner.
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