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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Contest:
6:47 PM on 04.29.2007
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I mean I thought it was proven fact that there were NO signs of video games in his college dorm.
-> Dork: I agree. They should just give the money to child's play, I think. What exactly does VT need money for?
So I am all about the concept, I love gamer culture. Also, its a great way to raise money for the VT tragedy.
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 pulled myself away from my daily puppy torturing routine to spread the word about Gamers Against Violence Week. :D
I can always pop lemmings and pretend im like the rest..
(._. )
Also WiiSucks: 1) He hotlinked, and 2) There are far worse things on the internet.
And if people don't listen, we can always start a riot.
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?
But then anything that goes against Jack must be a good thing right?
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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."
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.
I'm just kind of curious why gamers are so resistant to having a good public image or doing social good.
What exactly is wrong with raising awareness that not all gamers are bad people? And what's wrong with celebrating our shared hobby?
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.
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.
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.
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.