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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Contest:
10:51 AM on 09.01.2008
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Like Tom Arnold and Roseanne Barr.
Also, cockblocked.
And you could you the nunchuck controller to slap the baby sitter if she starts mouthing off again.
Id buy it.
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.
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.
Children piss me off, and stupid parents piss me off more.
I'm all for it.
-------
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
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.
Is she going to kick the new chick ass that took her place and broke her wrist on the snowboard.
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
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). ;)