A US consumer poll has revealed that 60% of those surveyed are in favor of government regulation when it comes to violence in videogames. 51% would like the government to directly regulate videogame content while 54% believe videogame violence can alter a child's behavior, and none of us are absolutely sick and tired of hearing about those ******* children.
The Entertainment Software Association has called shenanigans on the survey, stating it was intended as part of a business pitch between poll conducter Hill & Knowlton and the ESA. The release of these results was branded as "unethical." and the ESA stated that only portions of results had been made public which skews perceptions of the games industry.
Among the more positive results that Hill & Knowlton conveniently left out were findings that two-thirds of 18-34 year olds play videogames, that less than 1 in 5 Americans think playing games is a bad family activity and that over half of the people polled believe it is in fact a positive one.
Back to the somewhat unnerving idea that people want politicians to regulate game content -- no ... just, no. While these types of surveys are rarely reliable, the very idea of government involvement in the videogame rating process, especially in light of the various ESRB attacks of late, is an absolutely horrendous one. The government should never, ever be given the power to censor what we watch and play, and the fact that clearly more than zero people think otherwise makes me worry for human evolution even more than usual.
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Contest:
2:37 PM on 12.06.2007
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That's from his recent article in the Post, We the Paranoid. Give it a read everyone! Over and out.
all polls are bullshit
Stupid parents + obvious ESRB ratings + little kids = Government involvment + Parents doing nothing
12/06/2007 14:38
60% of US consumers are idiots. Government should be involved in absolutely ZERO rating systems, whether it's for games, movies, or what have you."
My only argument with that statement is it's more like 85-90%, other than that your spot on.
They also claim any child can go into any store and buy an AO game if they choose.
I've been tempted to write to them but I don't think it would be worth my time and energy.
Polls = bullshit.
Its also something that not everyone does so ignorant people look on it with fear.
No matter how much the public pisses and moans, the bottom line is that the government WILL NOT intervene in business practices like this. All they can do is pressure, but the market will take care of itself.
Wow, people are idiots.
I hate old people and kids
I also disagree with businesses adhering to the ESRB. Most major chains have enacted policies that require their employees to ask for ID when selling Mature game material to kids. Heck, I get asked for my ID at the stores I go to in my area.
Businesses will always eventually concede to the wants of the parents as they control what the kids can and can't buy. There's no law necessary, just a complete realization of what is wanted. The same can be said for much of the issues with the ADA of 1990 and the FCC.
I agree completely. This whole "death to the evil gaming empire" is a smoke screen used to cover up real issues.
After all people in the '80s thought D&D made you a baby eating cult member. People love to blame media and entertainment for any and everything.
Scared Parents aka. Dad's with moustaches
The United States has a literacy rate of 99%. That means that 99% of American citizens should be able to recognize the M and 17+, followed by the words MATURE, located at the lower right or left on the videogame packaging.
Furthermore, I would also like to add that I am 26 years old, roughly about 8 years above 18, the legal limit where one is considered an adult (for those of you who are aware of how to count, and basic mathematics.).
This means I am capable of making my own choices, no matter how tasteless or morally irresponsible they are. If I wish to purchase media about women defecating in a cup, or a videogame with massive brutality; this is my choice.
On a final note, I would also request that you take your heads, place them within your toilet bowl, slam down the lid, and suffocate.
Thank you for your time, 60% of US Consumers.
Sincerely,
SourGr8pes
sex? 8)
You have won comment of the day, sir.
"Blame The Game"
I wonder if any of that 60% has ever ready 1984 by George Orwell?
Look at what is happening in Venezuela, they voted for a guy to have too much power and he is using his power to do wathever he pleases. Some would say that he didnt won the election and that he is not going to be ruling Venezuela for life, but the truth is that he doesnt need the constitutional change to make the change to a "socialist state" (which equals to a dictatorship anyway).
The point is that people is poor in venezuela, so they grouped around this guy, they have zero brain and say "please, take care of our life, because we are too fucking stupid to do it for ourselves". They are poor and they want to stay poor... and then they elect a socialist fucker that has one of the biggest colections of Armany´s and Gucci shoes so everyone is going to live in misery... except those that work in a goverment that controls an oil producer country.
Speaking about masses killing their own human and civil rights by the power of democracy. This guys are the same thing as the socialist in the scale of idiots: "please, protect the children because we cant protect our own sons!! We are too fucking stupid and we prefer to stay ignorant about a form of entertainment!! Please, you do it!! We dont want the responsability!!".
So dont let your goverment rule you, dont expect it to play god in a good way. There must be something pretty fucked up with a society that wants to be protected at the expense of civil rights... but hey! Who is John Galt?
Aaaaand this is why I am voting for Ron Paul......
i for one won't let it get to the point were everything is taken away from me before i realize what has happened. please don't let that happen to you.
(I feel obliged to surrender myself to admitting this is my first post and I screwed up choosing the username.)