Thursday, December 16, 2004
Heads of state who ride and wrangle
What could possibly be worse than being named Rod Blagojevich? Being named Rod Blagojevich while prancing around in a technicolor moron hat gets my nod. The current Governor of Illinois has actually proposed a law that would make the act of selling a violent or sexually explicit video game a criminal offense. As of right now he is limiting his proposed law to merely punish retailers who sell to minors. I really do not like the idea of implementing a fine for this. If movie theaters do not get fined for allowed minors into R rated movies, there is no reason stores should be punished for selling violent games.
Honestly, if a parent doesn't know what games their children have in their own homes they have no right being parents.
I wish the industry would get off their ass and do something before more politicians jump on this bandwagon. While there is a perfectly reasonable ratings system in place already, it is more for education than prevention. I think that, starting as soon as this post is published, all retailers should simply card gamers if they wish to purchase a Mature rated title. Most movie theaters do it and yet most retailers do not. Nick told me Electronics Boutique will finally start carding customers starting next year. Shocking that it took them so long, but at least it's something. Major retailers like Walmart and Best Buy really need to start doing this as well, though.
If the only way a child can obtain a piece of violent pseudo-art is by receiving the game from a parent, the parents will not have anything to complain about. While they will still find a way, their arguments will simply fall on deaf ears. There aren't any complaints about R rated movies being viewed by kids because theaters and rental chains are fairly strict in what they allow minors to see. If video games wish to get uneducated parents off their back they have to implement something fast.
Moving on...
To my annoying advertising note of the week:
You know those new controllers that are packed with a couple arcade games? I'm not finding a link for them so you better know what I'm talking about. It's just some cheap, plastic controller that has a few classic games, like Pac Man or the ultra original Ms. Pac Man, built right into it.
In commercials they say, "Just plug it in and play!" like this is some new-fangled concept. It's not like there is massive setup for an Xbox. With an Xbox, you just plug it in, put a game in, and play! Or, if you have a Sega Master System, it has a game built right in as well. Gee wizz! I have no problem idiot-proofing electronics, but don't use that as your main selling point. Anyone can handle the "setup" of a PS2.
Honestly, if a parent doesn't know what games their children have in their own homes they have no right being parents.
I wish the industry would get off their ass and do something before more politicians jump on this bandwagon. While there is a perfectly reasonable ratings system in place already, it is more for education than prevention. I think that, starting as soon as this post is published, all retailers should simply card gamers if they wish to purchase a Mature rated title. Most movie theaters do it and yet most retailers do not. Nick told me Electronics Boutique will finally start carding customers starting next year. Shocking that it took them so long, but at least it's something. Major retailers like Walmart and Best Buy really need to start doing this as well, though.
If the only way a child can obtain a piece of violent pseudo-art is by receiving the game from a parent, the parents will not have anything to complain about. While they will still find a way, their arguments will simply fall on deaf ears. There aren't any complaints about R rated movies being viewed by kids because theaters and rental chains are fairly strict in what they allow minors to see. If video games wish to get uneducated parents off their back they have to implement something fast.
Moving on...
To my annoying advertising note of the week:
You know those new controllers that are packed with a couple arcade games? I'm not finding a link for them so you better know what I'm talking about. It's just some cheap, plastic controller that has a few classic games, like Pac Man or the ultra original Ms. Pac Man, built right into it.
In commercials they say, "Just plug it in and play!" like this is some new-fangled concept. It's not like there is massive setup for an Xbox. With an Xbox, you just plug it in, put a game in, and play! Or, if you have a Sega Master System, it has a game built right in as well. Gee wizz! I have no problem idiot-proofing electronics, but don't use that as your main selling point. Anyone can handle the "setup" of a PS2.
// posted by Tom @ 3:05 PM 
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