Democracy 3 Ad Deemed "Inappropriate" Due To Political Content

[lacktheknack]

This-

This-

This is a thing that's... happening?!

Uh.

Well.

The sudden burst of intense levity was greatly needed. Thanks!

 

[Neta]

They don't want people to know what "Democracy" really is.

 

[Hairless Mammoth]

Great. So, they take down an ad for a game that might make people think about all the connections these politicians have with each other and with Big Business. Show them how lobbyists and campaign funding works. Maybe get them actually thinking about who to vote for instead of just following the "I'm this party. I vote for this guy, so the other one doesn't ruin my country." method that has kept governments around the world stagnating with corruption and greed for decades.

All the while, adds for Blood and Tits 4: More Violent Boobage are plastered all over the internet, on tv, in the damn movies, and overshadowing decent games in the stores. Seems legit and total not someone trying to promote their own political agenda. Maybe you can do this in the game. You guys just made a sale.

 

[AzrealMaximillion]

It's a game called "Democracy".

What the hell did they expect the ad to showcase?

 

[Steve the Pocket]

Not to mention, they've clearly threatened to sue any media outlet that identifies them as the site that did this; otherwise this article would have specified. That, I think, is even more egregious an offense than refusing to run an ad since it involves deliberately abusing the legal system.

 

[RicoADF]

The fact that the game is called "Democracy" has nothing to do with support for the Democratic party.

"Democracy" is a form of government structure, where people vote for someone to represent them. A "Republic" essentially means "Not a Monarchy", where the power is in the hands of the people. America is a Republic, that utilizes Democracy.

The game is based around the Democratic process, since you're playing a representative.

"Democrats" and "Republicans" are both democratic parties.

There's no political agenda behind the name of the game.

P.S.
You can pick a country in the game. You don't have to be America.

I don't recall saying it was linked to the Democratic party, nor did I want to read all that crap I already know and has nothing to do with what I said. I was more referring to how America is always going on about being the capital of democracy and talking as though their the only country that has it, thus the word has a negative meaning when Americans are heard saying it in context of politics. Good to hear that it does allow the player to play as someone going for office in countries out of the US.

 

[Jamous]

What. Is there a link to the original advert anywhere? I'm kind of curious what it actually was and to see quite how ridiculously blown out of proportion it was. Inappropriate content... Bollocks is it inappropriate.

 

[Alorxico]

OMG now I want to play the only game TOO HOT FOR THE INTERNET! Move out of the way Illusion games with your rape sims, there's a new dog in town! LET'S TRY IT!

EDIT:... It's a spread sheet game... WTF!?

Yep, basically it's "Dad's first video game". It looks interesting, but I will wait for the Steam sale.

As a side note, I showed it to my Political Science professor and he wants to use it as a teaching tool in his classes now.

 

[Imperioratorex Caprae]

Hrm, a game ad that hit too close to home for some of the gub'ment folks? Almost as if they think it might expose them for who/what they really are... Now that confirms my suspicions.
I don't trust dem politicians as Gore Vidal once put it "Politics is a term derived from the word 'poly' meaning 'many' and 'tics' meaning 'bloodsucking creatures'" - note: paraphrased slightly but not too divergent from the original quote

 

[Gilhelmi]

POLITICAL CENSORSHIP? Oh my [REDACTED]. I don't think you can trust any [REDACTED] nowadays.

But let's be fair here. There are always two sides to an argument. If one considers the factor of [REDACTED], combined with the current media trend of always [REDACTED] their [REDACTED], then from that point of view this [REDACTED] does start to look fairly reasonable. Of course [REDACTED] would say that [REDACTED] might be construed in a more [REDACTED] light, in which case my whole [REDACTED] point is rendered largely moot. Which isn't to say that [REDACTED] isn't worth serious consideration.

But nobody's seriously thinking [REDACTED], are they? I think the majority of people would say that [REDACTED] is a pretty ridiculous position to take, especially considering [REDACTED], [REDACTED], and [REDACTED]. In the end, common-sense should prevail over [REDACTED]. And isn't that what we're all striving for?

I think an acceptable compromise would have to be [REDACTED]. It seems to be something that both sides, [REDACTED] and [REDACTED], could easily agree to without either having to sacrifice any major [REDACTED]. It's basically a win-win situation. And if all else fails, they can always [REDACTED] or - on a more humorous note - maybe [REDACTED] the [REDACTED].

With a cucumber, no less.

You Sir, are a [REDACTED] among [REDACTED].

I particularly like it when [REDACTED] acts all offended by [REDACTED].

 

[Legion]

I think we need to get a hierarchy list of things that are deemed inappropriate in Western society.

Violence is fine, so that's at the bottom. Would politics be higher or lower than sexual content, do you reckon?

 

[Stavros Dimou]

It seems the site was Gamespot.
If you go to the blog and select from your browser menu the option "open image on new tab",the URL link proves that the image file's name is "gamespot_rect1.jpg",meaning it was probably an advertisement to be placed on Gamespot.

I guess the reason they didn't let this advert roll wasn't because the game was named "democracy",but because the art includes someone wearing a Che Guevara t-shirt.
Knowing that Che Guevara was a guerilla fighter in Argentina's "Communist Revolution" and that the States are allergic to communism,perhaps that was the reason of not letting the advert roll,because of Communism symbolism,pretty much like how in Germany games with Nazi symbolism aren't allowed to exist.

But again,since games like Wolfenstein are allowed to feature Nazi symbolism in the USA and be advertised,one wanders if some advertisers / game sites in the States consider Nazism to be a better thing than Communism.

 

[Multi-Hobbyist]

Meh. Not that shocking really. Nothing as far as censorship goes surprises me anymore. Glorification of anything and everything that'll help keep a general population ignorant means easier control. Though it could also just be something as simple as the company refusing it's banner because they didn't want to cause bigger waves on their site if they were advertising it. But using the term "inappropriate" as an excuse absolutely fails to show any thought put into the decision.

 

[devilishlydo]

Gamespot is stupid. This is news how?

 

[TheDoctor455]

I've never heard of a Civilization release getting hung up because of inappropriate content, yet politics is a core component of the gameplay.

I think this is simply because the game is called "Democracy" and calls itself "the ultimate political strategy game".

That kind of ad might get misunderstood, as though it was saying democracy is the only valid political system and others are not. Which would upset a great many non-democratic populations or those that don't like democracy.

Civilization on the other hand whilst in contains a great deal of politics doesn't single out any political system as "the best" so to speak, you can choose any political system and all have their own strengths and weaknesses.

Er... except Democracy 3 only simulates democracy.

A monarchy or totalitarian regime probably wouldn't be as interesting.

Hell, the only 'politics' that really functions as a gameplay mechanic unto itself (in Civilization) rather than a stat-boost are the UN elections... and unless you've been a giant asshole to everyone (more so than Ghandi usually is in that game anyway), you can basically buy the vote.

 

[Monsterfurby]

P.S.
You can pick a country in the game. You don't have to be America.

There are countries other than America? Hah, that's a good one.

Murica!

 

[13thforswarn]

Lolipop Chainsaw? Totally fine.

Democracy 3? "Inappropriate".

 

[Branindain]

POLITICAL CENSORSHIP? Oh my [REDACTED]. I don't think you can trust any [REDACTED] nowadays.

But let's be fair here. There are always two sides to an argument. If one considers the factor of [REDACTED], combined with the current media trend of always [REDACTED] their [REDACTED], then from that point of view this [REDACTED] does start to look fairly reasonable. Of course [REDACTED] would say that [REDACTED] might be construed in a more [REDACTED] light, in which case my whole [REDACTED] point is rendered largely moot. Which isn't to say that [REDACTED] isn't worth serious consideration.

But nobody's seriously thinking [REDACTED], are they? I think the majority of people would say that [REDACTED] is a pretty ridiculous position to take, especially considering [REDACTED], [REDACTED], and [REDACTED]. In the end, common-sense should prevail over [REDACTED]. And isn't that what we're all striving for?

I think an acceptable compromise would have to be [REDACTED]. It seems to be something that both sides, [REDACTED] and [REDACTED], could easily agree to without either having to sacrifice any major [REDACTED]. It's basically a win-win situation. And if all else fails, they can always [REDACTED] or - on a more humorous note - maybe [REDACTED] the [REDACTED].

With a cucumber, no less.

I wish I was playing LoL right now so I could honour you. Nice work.

On topic, while the reaction seems stupid, politics is very personal. I'm perfectly happy to play both sides of an InFamous game, or anything of that ilk, but I don't think I could bring myself to play as a conservative in a political game.

 

[Techno Squidgy]

On topic, while the reaction seems stupid, politics is very personal. I'm perfectly happy to play both sides of an InFamous game, or anything of that ilk, but I don't think I could bring myself to play as a conservative in a political game.

It could give you some much needed insight in to the Conservative mindset and way of thinking though. After all, aren't we all trying to make things better, even if we have different ideas of what's better and how to get there? Though there are plenty who are only out to make things better for themselves, regardless of who they have to trample on to get there.

However, feel free to disregard everything I've said as the U.S. political system is broken in a different way to the way the U.K. political system is broken. Things seem very tribal on your side of the pond, with not much consideration for actual policies as much as party loyalty.

 

[Dascylus]

Ermmm... I actually had to double check for the Banner ad in question as the pic in the article didn't seem to have any aspect of it that I would deem politically sensitive.
Then I see the original article and like a poor mans Patrick Stewart I go from double to triple take.

WTF universe... Whiskey Tango Fffffffffuck.