6:47 PM on 04.29.2007
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It's not often enough that gamers gather for a good cause. No, a late night World of Warcraft raid or a LAN party to celebrate the release of new Halo 2 maps does not count. Put your Nintendo DS in your Yoshi fanny pack and get ready to leave the house, folks.
Starting on May 5, The Girl Gaming Network and Advanced Media Network will host a nationwide week long stand against real-life violence. Kicking off with the first ever gamers' peace rally hosted by the Empire of Acadia in New York's Bryant Park on May 5. Events will also be held in Oklahoma and Canada. Throughout the week, people are being encouraged to hold their own local events and spread the word. The week ends on May 12 when the Girl Gaming Network hosts events in Los Angeles and Orlando, FL, and Advanced Media Networks hosts an event in Carson City, NV. With community support and corporate sponsorship, these events are going to be huge, and it's a great opportunity for gamers to show they're not the seven-headed monsters some would have the media believe. From the press release:
“I am a person first - then a gamer,” says The Girl Gaming Network’s Becky Young. “Many tend to forget that it is the individual who is to blame when tragedies strike. While it is important to understand that not all forms of entertainment are appropriate for all people and ages, it is also important to note that it is not fair to place blame on an entire industry or culture. There are many of us who play games and understand the difference between people and pixels. This week, we are standing up and giving back to the community!”
Catch Becky on this week's episode of Epileptic Gaming, where she'll talk a little more about the events. More information on the events, including how you can get involved, can be found at http://www.gamersagainstviolence.us. |
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21 comments + 95764 views
Two words. Animal Crossing, oh yeah.
Is the only reason why they are dedicated the money to VT fund cause it was recent?
I mean I thought it was proven fact that there were NO signs of video games in his college dorm.
-> Calvin: I fucking love these guys.
-> Dork: I agree. They should just give the money to child's play, I think. What exactly does VT need money for?
I think the point of the rally and game week is to raise awareness that, we, as gamers are not the sterotypes that people label us. Just because the shooter didnt have any games, doesnt mean they still wont put the blame on video games Example. Jack Thompson and Dr. Phil. I am sure people believed them, why... because people believe in the sterotype already ingrained in their mind that gamers are anti-social, agressive, and pathetic.
So I am all about the concept, I love gamer culture. Also, its a great way to raise money for the VT tragedy.
They can use the money to help the victims, the victims family and friend, and so on...
I don't mean to be insensitive to the victims' families or anything, but surely if they can afford to put their children through college, most of those people don't actually need that money as much as others could benefit from it. I mean, no matter how much cash you give them, it's not going to make up for such a tragic loss of a loved one. Judging by penny arcade's charity drives, this event could raise a LOT of money, and I believe giving all of that to the VT victims is simply misappropriation. If they gave it to child's play, not only would they be giving to a good cause that always could use more money, they'd also be further helping the image of gamers thanks to the brilliant work the child's play charity would do with that money, in the name of gamers. I can't see "helping" the VT victims as being all that expensive, and the fact that there's already a fund set up for them(given people's propensity for emergency aid over long term), their needs probably will be met either way.
how un-brutal of you, Nick
Thanks for posting this Brutal. Just a little note that the events will be in NYC on May 5th hosted by the Empire Arcadia (www.empirearcadia.com). There will also be an event that day in Oklahoma.
All through the week we want people to hold their own events in honor of gamers everywhere and take pictures to post on the website. Our hopes are to collect a massive amount of photos showing that gamers know how to have fun and are against real life violence.
The week caps off in California, NV and Orlando with three large events hosted by the Girl Gaming Network and Advanced Media Network.
If you want to host an event near you just send me an e-mail at aktrez@girlgamingnetwork.com and I'd be happy to hook you up with the information you need!
The VT fund IS because it is the most recent. It's also the most recent violent act in America. We are standing up and saying that shooting your classmates is just not cool. This isn't something that gamers endorse. That is why we chose that charity to go with. Yes, we understand there are many other charities and we plan on assisting them in other ways throughout the year. That being said, the Hokies fund makes the most sense for our first rally.
Thanks guys!
I'll be attending the event as well. I plan on taking a lot of pictures and posting them on 1P Start. I've been training my Pokemons night and day, so I'm ready!
Bahamut:
I pulled myself away from my daily puppy torturing routine to spread the word about Gamers Against Violence Week. :D
I get the feeling this is going to be less of a rally and more a few dedicated and passionate people who want to promote that gamers are people too, while the majority of people stand/sit around playing their DS.
I just want bodies in one place. The more people actually come out to the events the better it will be. We're having a concert out here for the Los Angeles one and I think they are doing panels in NYC for that one. Should be fun times!
I have to agree, I believe something like Child's Play is a much better use of the money raised, and they use the attention of the mainstream media much more than the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund. Why not split it down the middle? But it's your rally, do whatever you think is best.
-> WiiSucks: One word hippy's what? What are one word hippies, and what do they posses that's so important? Finish the fucking story man! What happened? What about the glands?!?
Leave the house? Madness.
Johhny, leave your personal issues with me out of this. The parties involved are only here to do something positive. Again, we chose the charity we did because it is the most recent one where violence is involved. Seeing that our rally is about Gamers Against Violence, it made the most sense to us.
This fundraiser and rally is far out. It shows that our gaming culture is thriving and to un label the stereotypes we live among!
You know very well I run the GGN.
Lol Pwned by Hotlinking.
What is this all about now? <i>Gamers Against Violence</i>. As opposed to gamers in favour of violence? And what, are gamers a different fucking social class now or something? Why do we need to band together to dispel stereotypes?
I love you kids. Let's keep it clean.
If i sit down along with the rest of u's DS gamers with my PSP + GTA... will I be brutally attacked? >_>;
I can always pop lemmings and pretend im like the rest..
(._. )
Crun: Nah, they will be busy trading their pokemans to notice.
Also WiiSucks: 1) He hotlinked, and 2) There are far worse things on the internet.
Sounds like great week of fun.
And if people don't listen, we can always start a riot.
I agree with the Child's Play idea. I think money is better spent on sick kids. I feel donating money to the VT cause is like saying we're guilty of the murders.
@ WiiSucks:
Dude, one night on /b/ would shatter your mind if you think nothing's worse than goatse or tubgirl. And if you don't know what hot linking is, how's your first week on the internet been?
I agree with what Johnny Wadd is saying.
But then anything that goes against Jack must be a good thing right?
Lawl. AOL joystiq probably won't say a word about this
This is "meh" worthy.
Isn't it time for a NEW article?
This article is from yesterday, did someone break D'toid?
I think donating the profits to the VT fund is a great idea. I lost one of my best friends in VT. He was a huge gamer and I've been really upset by insinuations by people like Dr. Phil or Thompson that gamers caused this. Gamers didn't cause this, we were hurt by this.
As for them not needing the money, that's probably one of the dumbest things I've ever heard. Parents go broke putting their kids through college, they don't have bags of money sitting around on graduation day, or at least, most don't. Combine that with the funeral costing $30,000 dollars, and you've got a lot of families in a very tough financial setting. As well as college loans their children took out, they have to pay back. Any other debt accrued by their children gets passed to them. And they have to go back to work a few days after burying their son.
Say you want it to go to Child's Play for a show of solidarity, but do not say the families don't need the money.
Let me first say that it isn't only GGN involved in this. The Empire of Arcadia came to us to work with them on putting together a west coast event. From there, we contacted a few of our other friends (Advanced Media Network, The ECA ... etc) to help out in other locations.
It doesn't matter WHO is involved or WHAT charity proceeds are going towards. This is one of the first positive public events that video games have had.
For once it would be good if people in the gaming world would stop hating on each other or nit picking details and come together to do something good.
I don't care what anyone's personal opinion is of me or my group or anyone involved is. How about we come together and leave all of the personal issues behind.
Pardon me for saying this but I personally am I little bit upset by the fact that everytime something like this happens, the gaming community runs to defend their hobby because we expect the media to blame gaming rather then we just say how sorry we feel for the families and friends affected by this horrible event.
Yes, I disagree with the whole violence caused by video game thing but at no time since this tragedy happened did the gaming community just post a short article just offering our condolences to the families and friends of the VT shootings.
Sure, I wrote a piece back when Dawson College happened and I was pushing my views at the time too but I at least added how much I was saddened by the event.
I think at this point gamers need to stop worrying about our own problem and just say that we believe that this killings shouldn't happened without adding "video games didn't cause this."
I mean prove me wrong and show me an article that showed sympathy to the VT victems without added a note about our views on gaming.
Faith, you just hit the nail on the head.
Johnny Wadd, if i agree with you im going to say it.
Faith, there were HUNDREDS of articles and blogs by gamers saying that we were sorry for the loss. Part of the reason we are doing this is to mourn those lost. I use to live in VA and was a wreck all morning wondering if some of my friends who went to VT were lost.
This was going to come anyway. A rally of gamers saying that we understand the difference between pixels and people. The people blaming gaming for this last incident was simply a last straw.
I can't speak for why others didn't write any articles about their views but I can say that this is how WE felt that we could help. Again, we are nitpicking the details. The point is ... this is a POSITIVE thing for gaming. It's a peaceful gathering and celebration of gamers. In the process we are taking a moment to mourn all those lost in violent crimes and to raise money for VTech. Next time there is another violent crime ... we will raise money for that event. This isnt' a one off. This is something we want to CONTINUE to work towards.
I'm not sure I totally agree with you Faith. In every other major tragic event in the past 10 years, video games have been scapegoated, and I don't think it's unrealistic to expect more of the same.
I would prefer more grieving and condolences rather than a defense, but anywhere you look, it's the same thing. People want to distance themselves from something like this, leading to a "I DIDN'T DO IT! and sorry bout all that crap that happened" attitude. I just find the whole media surrounding the VT Shootings to have a disingenuous air to them, so maybe I'm being cynical.
I guess what I'm saying is that no single group has really offered their condolences before their assurances.
I do support the Gamers against Violence movement though. I think anything raising money for charity and showing another dimension to a misunderstood subculture is not a bad thing at all. I really hope that it receives some attention and makes a positive impact. Artists host Charity gallery openings, musicians do things like Band-Aid. No reason gamers shouldn't contribute to positive social forces too.
Basically, this rally is using the VT shootings as a platform for celebrating games and "raise awareness". I mean I can see the true intention of the rally, but this is really what you're doing. I don't understand why the rally even needs to take place, from what I've seen, there's a couple peons and pundits saying video games contributed to the VT killer's intent to murder.
Plus you guys need to be careful with those hyperbole statements like "In every other major tragic event in the past 10 years, video games have been scapegoated."
Actually.. no. We had the idea to do the rally and decided that we also wanted to help raise money for the most recent tradgedy. It is not the other way around. I mean, we don't have to raise money at all. We could just do the rally and make it all about politics. We aren't. We are coming together to do something good for the community. Next time ... we'll raise money for another charity or do community service .... etc. The only thing VTech has to do with the rally is that it is the most recent violent incident in our country. That is why we chose to give to this cause.
It's also not a Rally. I'm using the wrong words. It's a giant gaming party with live bands, gaming competitions and raffles. The raffle money is going toward the charity.
Fizzle, I don't represent this thing nor was I wasn't aware it was hyperbole. 9/11? they learned on MS Flight Sim, Columbine and every subsequent school shooting, games were the main scapegoat. Whenever someone in their 20s or younger commits a gun or car crime, they point to GTA or Need for Speed. If you can think of a major (man caused) tragedy that hasn't piggybacked on the current public perception of video games as murder simulators, I'd be impressed.
I'm just kind of curious why gamers are so resistant to having a good public image or doing social good.
Also, "peons and pundits" draw millions of viewers each nights. You can disagree with their politics, but to discount their impact is not wise.
What exactly is wrong with raising awareness that not all gamers are bad people? And what's wrong with celebrating our shared hobby?
@ MrWonderful:
I seriously hope you're joking with the "9/11? they learned on MS Flight Sim" statement. They learned at FLIGHT SCHOOLS.
The main criticism to Gamers Against Violence seems to be that it's piggybacking on the VT massacre. As has been mentioned already, many feel Child's Play or other existing gaming-related charities should be the ones to benefit from the awareness raised, rather than a memorial fund for an event the entire country and most of the world already knows about. Considering that there's absolutely no proof the VT killer even played video games despite the claims of a select few, some people might think that by holding an event that essentially says "LOOK AT US GAMERS! WE'RE NOT ALL CRAZY!!! WE DON'T SHOOT UP SCHOOLS! LOOK HERE'S SOME MONEY FOR THE HOAKIES ALONG WITH A BITCHING CONCERT!!!" it actually makes us look self-serving more than anything else. I'm totally fine with the idea of gamers trying to get out a positive message. I just personally think that the way it's being done in this case seems a little tacky.
When Jack Thompson and Dr. Phil jumped on the chance to tie this to video games, the only thing they did was hurt their future credibility on the subject. Anyone who's been paying attention, whether gamer or not, will be able to see that. This entire issue is already slowly dying out, the same way it did with comic books and rock & roll.
Just as an FYI... we have to get the approval from a charity in order to mention what it is we are donating to. Childs Play we have looked into and they have not gotten back to us. Again, we chose the VT fund because it's a violent act and we are stating we are against real life violence (hence the name). It has nothing to do with anything more than that. I will explain it more on EG tomorrow.
Mxyzptlk- I wasn't expressing my own thoughts on the matter, just what CNN and Fox News, as well as other news sources were saying. I believe that it's nowhere near as easy as people want it to be to figure out what makes a killer.
My point is simply that gaming and gamers are not regarded well in the media, nor will we be for some time. With guys like L. Brent Bozell, Joe Lieberman and of course Jack Thompson, there's always going to be people to point fingers at gaming. Is a little positive PR such a bad thing?
I honestly think the funds raised are secondary to the awareness raised.
I wish the willingness to scapegoat gaming was subsiding, but the mere fact that people jumped on board that train of thought as soon as it happens shows it isn't.
Please understand, I'm not looking for a fight, nor am I trying to be a jerk. I appreciate you taking the time to explain to me why people were against this thing.
But the people who jumped on board that train of thought are in an extreme minority. There's still people out there who believe that listening to heavy metal leads to Satan worship and buttsecks. How seriously are they taken nowadays? In less than a decade, video games will be in the same category. Something that lots of people enjoy, and that a few nutcases think is proof of the Antichrist's imminent arrival.
Just because someone has a stupid opinion and gets on tv, that doesn't mean everyone buys what they're selling. There's always going to be a few people who do fall for the nonsense, and they'll be the ones shrieking the loudest. Everyone else will be rolling their eyes and muttering "not this shit again", the same way they do with people like Fred Phelps or David Duke.
Some of the people who jumped on that bandwagon are extremists, to be sure, but Tim Russert from NBC was making that leap, as well as the Washington Post.
I'm with you that not a lot of people listen to Dr. Phil or Thompson anymore, but NBC news or the Post are significantly more trustworthy. Looking back at the Post's website though, it's worth noting that they revised the story to edit references to Counterstrike out. The old story is still up, but the newer version is the one at the front of the site.
I'd love for games to get more accepted, but until there's something else to blame stuff on, I don't think they will.
This is the most hilarious display of hypocrisy I've ever seen.
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