Zero Punctuation: Video Game Voters Network

[Ike Jager]

If you can't vote, that's no excuse to just sit on your lazy asses. Do what Yahtzee did, spread the word! Tell all your friends to spread the word untill it's known worldwide. American Government doesn't like being printed as bad. Now, I want to see tons of VGVN banners on facebook!

 

[JEBWrench]

Not American here so can't help you. When the hell will the anti-video game thing fade away like all the other anti-stuffs before?

Took about 40-50 years for film, so, yeah.

 

[Blind Sight]

Not American, but keep fighting the good fight you Yankee madmen. Video games are demonized by useless politicians for quicky votes, if gamers become a politically active voting block, politicians will have to think twice before trying to jam unethical legislation down your throats.

 

[SimpleReally]

What i find hilarious is that the one accusing videogames of being violent is Arnold Schwarzenegger

 

[Vrach]

I was not expecting this. I wish I could help but I'm not American. Still the more coverage this gets the more optimistic we can be about our medium's future. So, basically, GO YAHTZEE!

^This. Considering America is such a huge market and a large part of the video game industry, why isn't there (or if there is, could we spread knowledge about that too? or just quote me so I can do my bit at least?) an organization that allows non-Americans to vote against this case? This isn't just an American issue, it's a world issue regarding an entire medium :\

That said, thank you Yahtzee for making this episode to help raise awareness, although I wish you noted a part to refute all that "but I'm Brittish and shit works like that over here anyway" and similar posts. People don't understand how wonderful (and fucked) American justice system is.

 

[oppp7]

I think having a link to the site in the video description would have helped...

Anyways, going there now.

Edit: A link for the lazy people out there: http://www.videogamevoters.org/

 

[Verlander]

Out of interest (I fully support the sentiment), if video games start getting banned etc in America, does that not mean the industry will just move elsewhere, such as Europe, and produce them there? And like, Americans could only get them on illegal import?

 

[RiffRaff]

A video game lobby...awesome.

I'm voting for the next candidate that is accused of being bought out by "Big Video Game"

 

[AnneSQF]

I have looked at the site and it is looking good. Great of you to mention it. But I'm 16 and not American so I wish you the best of luck.

By the way: Is video game violent a big problem in Europe? Here in Denmark we don't hear anything about it, what's up in the other countries?

Here in America, video game violence seems to be a biggest threat to children ever.
Video games will turn every child into a psychopathic satanist... at least that's what the kneejerk dumbass brigade believes.

Yeah, I know. I follow American politics a lot because... our own politic are so goddamn boring.
Sorry to say it but... America; crazy place. Good luck with that XD Just kidding.

 

[Evilsanta]

I would join if i was an american...
Ohh well..

 

[Wolfram23]

Well, I'd love to help but I'm Canadian and hockey season is starting, and generally we don't care too much how badly American government screws it's people over. Except in this case, which can have some wider effects... but, again, can't vote since I'm not a yankee.

Anyway, good to see Yahtzee spreading the word.

 

[Crimson Butterfly]

I think the reason games are being targetted in such a way as they are is down to the fact they are consciously driven by the actions of an individual. In other creative mediums you are a "viewer" taken for a ride on a set path and not a "player" influencing the eventual outcomes. Does it have any real bearing on the psychological effects of a person over that of say, a violent movie? I have no idea.

Personally though, I doubt it matters. If a person is pre-dispositioned to unacceptable behaviour something will set them off eventually. Demonizing games will solve nothing and it's up to parents of minors and mature individuals to guage what is acceptable. Censorship really is going too far. Gah... so annoyed... >.<

 

[Watchmaker163]

I've never had an account on the escapist, but I've created one in response to this video.

While it is true that video games are often targeted for criticism by the "mainstream media" and that something should be done, this is not the way to do it. I used to be on these guys' emailing list, until I got suspicious of some of their supposed legislation. Then I looked them up, searching "video game voters network wiki" on google, thinking if they would have a wikipedia page.

The second link down is this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astroturfing

In the business examples section, you will find a paragraph about how this organization was created by the video game manufacturers themselves, and how the ESA defended this "organization" against claims of astroturfing, when, if you think about it, they have no reason to do so.

rembrandtqeinstein mentioned it above, but it seems no one has paid him any mind.

 

[WaderiAAA]

I have a question: Is there any point for a non-American to sign up or should I wait till someone tries to pass a similar law in my country.

That probably won't happen by the way, since papers and politicians here tend to think that if you ignore videogames long enough it will eventually go away.

 

[Haukur Isleifsson]

I was wondering if you people could inform me a little bit (or at the very least point me towards self-informing).

The whole effort seems largely USA focused and I as a non-citizen feel I have limited rights to influence US law. Is the "threat" just (or mostly) present in the US or have there been attempts by, for example, European legislators to ban or restrict the distribution of video games?

 

[Lucifron]

Voice raised, part done, cookie requested!

 

[RowdyRodimus]

Stayed up until TWO O'CLOCK Australian time to watch this! What a great idea. I'm just insanely relieved that Yahtzee wasn't announcing the end of the series, and subsequently my life. *PHEW!*

I know that's hyperbole, but still, if Yahtzee's videos are the biggest part of your life, that's just sad.

 

[Mycreativename]

well, since Yahtzee and Daniel Floyd and cp. have said so, I'm gonna sign up n' shit

 

[0986875533423]

I was with Yahtzee up until he mentioned free speech. Only stupid Americans pretend they have free speech anymore and even then they can all see they don't, it's just in their constitution.

Free speech is something that on paper sounded like a good idea, but in practice really doesn't work and just has unfortunate consequences for people who try to exercise it.

You know what else sounded like a good idea on paper but in practice really doesn't work and just has unfortunate consequences for people who try to exercise it? Communism. Athankyew.

 

[John Wedge]

Snip

What he said. Although I'm somewhat confused by all this; the upcoming case is for the prevention of the sale of violent/mature games to minors. In the UK you can't sell violent films to minors but nobody really cares. How does it affect my little brother's right to the freedom of speech if he's not allowed to watch torture porn at the age of twelve?