Zero Punctuation: Video Game Voters Network

[mr_rubino]

The same law is already extant in most of the democratic world, the EU alone has 500 million people living in it. The presumption that America is bigger market that the EU, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Korea combined is just plain wrong. In the UK Asda, which is owned by walmart, sells 18 rated games. Also Amazon, steam, direct to drive and gamestop all continue to sell 18 games. Most western countries already have boards that give legally enforced age requirements to films, yet somehow manage to maintain artistic freedom, in fact French and German film is considerably more political than Hollywood. Bottom line here guys, if virtually the entire western world has this law without any threat to sales or to freedom of speech, why is America so different?

Because some people, that the uninformed masses think are cool, say it's bad. Get over it USA. It's not as bad as you think - by far. Like i said, it may even be a chance to have more mature games be made, once the kid's welfare has been taken care of. No more ambiguity.

There already is no ambiguity. It's called a ratings system, but unfortunately, the porked-up baby-boomers and aging Gen-Xers (Did I reverse those...?) aren't big on the whole "parenting" thing, so they don't do research. (There is, naturally, no such push when it comes to movies, showing a hypocrisy only the most useless people can't see.)

You see, there's one thing we couldn't expect Euros to particularly understand: Americans believe in personal freedom to choose for themselves what they want to expose themselves to. We don't see it as the government's place (MPAA is not a government agency, btw) to coo a lullaby into our ears and tuck us into beddy-bye at night.The problem is the aforementioned people (called "the Me generation" because they lose all ability to focus on anything that is not wholly about them) seem content to hand their kids off to the government without a thought as long as it gives them more time to watch soaps.

This isn't just about video games. But like I said, I can't imagine Euros getting that. You already approve of the government deciding what is good for you, so you really don't understand what the controversy is.

Oh well. Even the most conservative "I'm against big government unless it makes life easier for me" justice on the court (Scalia, for the record) won't support this liberal nanny-state policy out of California. And "Kennedy, J. dissenting" retired. So I think this will be a slam dunk. Free expression is big around here.

I couldn't care less about happens to the to the U.S., and am disappointed that Yahtzee would follow said country on Facebook and waste an entire video talking about the issues his new friend is facing. I waited a week for this video.

Try looking at a calendar or getting a routine. It may help you tell one day of the week from the next some time.

 

[Canadamus Prime]

I'm a starving Canadian college student, why would the US supreme court have any reason to care what I think?

...besides, I'm no longer sure which side to take on this issue.

 

[Devi Darkside]

Dispite my interest in seeing the politicians win this one...No but seriously, I'm curious to see if video games would be sold at liquor stores, porn shops, certain bars and/or at other stores that would regulate how they're sold or just keep anyone under 17 or 21 away. I'm definitely signing up to see what I can do.

 

[blankedboy]

forgotten country

See, now you're just trolling.

Better a successful one than a failed one. Back in the real world, New Zealand still serves no purpose except perhaps providing some species of insect nobody particularly wants coming to their shores.
No wonder you're so bitter; your big brother is causing all manner of commotion in this debate and all you can do it sit there doing nothing. =(

You're not successful once you openly admit to trolling. Reported.

 

[Oyster^^]

dont comment on the video do it NAO!

??

OT: Not the anti-fun brigade! I'm not sure this currently applies to me since I'm not american but I appreciate the idea in general.

A Governor Schwarzenegger joke, he'd be part of the system in that area that needs convincing.

Ahhh. I understand. California for the win?

 

[Christian Lerche]

Ben (Yahtzee), you should have mentioned that it's only in the united states, I live in Denmark, and although I'd like to give my support, I can't due to a non-available zip code or such in the US.

 

[My1stLuvJak]

So...if I live in Canada, can I not join the club?! Boourns! Tried entering my postal code, and the site wouldn't accept it - looks like it's an American thing, I'm not sure how many Canadian politicians bash videogames, actually, I'd like to find out

 

[bakana]

I understand this is a cool and important political thing...but...but...

"different to"?

"DIFFERENT TO"???

I'm not normally a grammar maniac, but man, that construction makes me all crawly.

 

[pigsnoutman]

Why is the European Space Agency bringing such a message to me?

 

[milkkart]

this scheme needs to be spread to as many countries as possible fucking *now*.

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?

yeah here in britain they like to jump on the bandwagon whenever some kid goes apeshit with a stanley knife and carves out on of his schoolmates guts (which is pretty much every day with a y in the name in london) or whenever its a slow news day (see previous brackets).
and dave cuntface cameron and cronies would love to see anything more violent than wii kitten stroking outlawed in the name of 'big society', that is wooing the easily distracted knee-jerking daily-mailocrite dimbo demographic.

 

[Jennacide]

Kinda weird coming from Yahtzee since he's in Australia, but the point is still clear to any Americans. Luckily for me, I've been a member for almost two years now.

 

[punkrocker27]

And like the United States, British supermarkets will happily stock 18 rated games on their shelves without issue.

Fixed. At least, if this law gets struck down. Which it will.

 

[maximista]

I'm an American gamer and I am totally appreciative to know about this. I had no idea the fight for video games had gone this far. Luckily the state I'm from isn't on the list, but if they win the fight what's next our right to watch porn up on the chopping block, again? This is ridiculous. I'm going to do everything in my power to stop this, and I'm going to spread the word. Thank you Yahtzee.

 

[tadhgk]

Good pimping Yahtzee.

(Although games aren't really a "storytelling" medium mind, but they're still due to be recognised as free speech like any kind of art).

 

[LoneSnark]

Yahtzee is advising American gamers to get politically involved to avoid the nightmare of the American gaming market coming to resemble the censored Australian gaming market... Is that irony?

 

[matt87_50]

and yahtzee should know. living in Australian... it could really get THAT bad for you Yanks!

 

[maximista]

This whole thing is pretty crazy. I watched this episode of Penn and Teller's Bullshit, and they covered how violence in video games effecting children was ridiculous. I'm thinking of copying that and sending it to the Supreme Court. Would that be too drastic.

 

[mazloum]

I do wish there's anything I can do to help, but I'm Egyptian, so all I can do is try to inform as many of my American gamer friends as possible of this and hope (read: threaten to kill them if they don't) that they act!

 

[oblivion328]

Considering that video games are a multibillion dollar industry and that this is America, I'd have to say this threat sounds greatly exaggerated. And, for better or worse, the fact that much of the entertainment industry as a whole opposes California will probably carry some weight. Also, this bill has been struck down, what, twice already?

 

[randomrob]

I would sign up, But I live in Britain where no-one in power is calling for video-game banning or censorship. But seriously...go for it. Stand up against the injustice. Join the proverbial Rebel Alliance (VGVN) to fight the proverbial evil Empire (The Man). Go Rock and Roll!