Video Game Voters Network: Cool or Silly?

**Lemur** · 03-20-2006, 21:02

Anybody heard about the Video Game Voters Network? Here's a bit of info from their site:

Video Game Voters Network

The Video Game Voters Network exists to empower Americans who play video games to take action against threats to this entertainment medium and to stay informed about the latest issues that could affect our choice in video game entertainment. Video games are a modern form of entertainment entitled to the same creative and free speech protections afforded by the US Constitution to older media such as movies, music, and books. So join the Video Game Voters Network and speak up for games and gamer rights.

Take A Stand, Protect Your Games!

Senators Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Joe Lieberman (D-CT), and Evan Bayh (D-IN) recently announced that they will introduce "The Family Entertainment Protection Act," which would regulate the sale of certain video games throughout the country.

Penny Arcade had an amusing take on the subject. So what are your thoughts? Do we video gamers need our own PAC? Will it do any good? Should we write them some checks, you know, try to get the same treatment the Indian Casinos get?

**GoreBag** · 03-20-2006, 21:07

That last reference went right over my head. But, if things don't work out, you guys are free to buy smuggled videogames from Canada...like everything else.

**Sasaki Kojiro** · 03-20-2006, 21:32

Voting based on video gamers rights = lame.

**Uesugi Kenshin** · 03-20-2006, 23:34

I agree with Sasaki, videogames shouldn't be restricted much, if at all, but there are much more pressing issues. If worst comes to worst I could always go play stickball or something...

**Big King Sanctaphrax** · 03-20-2006, 23:43

I think Tycho was right-although protecting gamer's right's is a laudable goal, to think that a collection of people who have nothing in common other than a proclivity for virtual entertainment will agree on the best way to do it smacks of naivete.

On a seperate note, glad to see there are some other PA fans here.

**Kongamato** · 03-20-2006, 23:52

I don't see a benefit. Voting age is 18, and at that age you can legally purchase M-rated games, so they can't touch you. If anything, I'd argue for truly enforcible ratings and age restrictions so video games stop getting blamed for things that angry teens do. I know a younger me would have hated this, but it seems like after you turn 18, you don't care at all for minors. I'm not going to vote in their name.

**Alexander the Pretty Good** · 03-21-2006, 00:40

And it would be sooooo easy to break the coalition, too.

I mean, if they're giving Leiberman problems, he could just ask, "What's the best console?" and the Network members would be too busy dismembering each other to vote.

Kongamato got it right - the main targets of Clinton & Co. is minors - who can't vote!

And w00ts for Penny Arcade.

**Major Robert Dump** · 03-21-2006, 05:49

It's less of a gamers rights issue and more of a free speech and free market issue (the thing with clinton, etc)

I don't have a problem with age restrictions for violent and sexual content like there is now, the problem is that its all a big show and nothing is really done to enforce/punish the rule breakers probably because fining jimmy the walmart clerk 500 dollars for selling GTA to a 10 year old is stupid. Whats even funnier is the kid would be "the victim" and after he became ungrounded would go get the game somewhere else

Parents need to take responsibility for their kids and stop expecting hillary clintons village to do their job for them. It's not like most 10 year olds have jobs.

**Zalmoxis** · 03-21-2006, 08:46

This is ridiculous. Games will not make children into killers, parents who don't pay attention to their children make said kids into homicidal maniacs.

**Lemur** · 03-21-2006, 15:21

Originally Posted by Sasaki Kojiro

Voting based on video gamers rights = lame.

Really? I started hating Joe Lieberman years and years ago based on his statements about video games, rock and roll, and a few other fun activities. My father really liked Joey L., and wanted to know why I didn't. "He hates everything fun," was my response.

It says something about a guy who will go out of his way to crush some fun. As in, his priorities are totally messed up.