ESA opens grassroots gamer-voter site

Internet site makes it easy for gamers to wield the power of the Constitution as their weapon of choice against political legislation.

Certain aspects of gaming, as with other forms of art, have become the target of many critics. These critics, which range from Senators Joseph Lieberman and Hillary Clinton to Miami lawyer Jack Thompson, have all launched their attacks using the rights granted to them by the government, so it's only appropriate that supporters of gaming do the same thing.

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA), a trade group representing America's game publishers, has launched The Video Game Voters Network, which it describes as "a place for American gamers to organize and defend against threats to video games."

The online initiative features the latest pending legislation in easy-to-digest form, the latest media coverage of legal issues, and a form letter that can easily be e-mailed to the appropriate members of Congress. The site also points gamers in the direction they need to go to register to vote, has the latest facts about the demographics of gamers, and includes several professional viewpoints on the sensitive topic of gaming and violence.

In the past few years, several initiatives to restrict the sales of violent games have been proposed across the country. Several laws proposing strict restrictions on selling M-rated games, including those in Michigan, California, and Illinois, have been overturned after being deemed unconstitutional by court judges. However, with a possible CDC investigation and more states constantly jumping on the violent-game-ban bandwagon, The Video Game Voters Network is asking gamers to remain vigilant.

"These legislative threats on video games by politicians who don't even know how to play them creates a double standard for this innovative medium," reads a warning on the Web site. "But if the attack on video games works, what's to stop them from going after the other media we enjoy also? Government regulation based on games' content will stifle creativity and will have a chilling effect on game publishers who may feel the need to dilute content due to the threat of government action and fines."

101 Comments

  • Scott_Ruby

    Posted Mar 16, 2006 2:57 am PT

    I think it is a disgrace that the American Gaming community is treated this way. Here in the UK, the Government and BBFC (British Board for Film Classification) could never outright ban anything or take anything off of the shelfs. Even though I am not American I would stand up for any American Gamers rights to game on!!

    Fight the Power!

  • skitzocyko

    Posted Mar 15, 2006 7:53 am PT

    YES!!

  • dcm06

    Posted Mar 14, 2006 10:14 pm PT

    please everyone that can vote please do so. i have already seant my vote thingy telling them why i dont want it. now you all please do the same.

  • cypher50

    Posted Mar 14, 2006 8:43 pm PT

    I signed up & sent my senators a letter...and I already voted these guys into office so they are working for me :-D. Cool idea by the ESA...

  • alcarazo9

    Posted Mar 14, 2006 5:56 pm PT

    now we can figth back

  • icyslash

    Posted Mar 14, 2006 5:23 pm PT

    Wow it's funny because this is my first comment on a story like this, as soon as I read this I went over and signed up immediately, send the letter out. And it's good because this allows all of us to finally step up, unite and take a stand, and I'm glad because I know my fellow people will immediately sign up too. Whoever made that site, kudos, and kudos to Gamespot for following up, and posting it so that everyone else can get involved too.

  • jugganugget

    Posted Mar 14, 2006 5:19 pm PT

    Take a stand!

  • Superbustacap

    Posted Mar 14, 2006 5:08 pm PT

    For the love of M games vote. Please.

  • lebanese_boy

    Posted Mar 14, 2006 4:27 pm PT

    Everyone should participate on it, I know I will ..

  • YEPEE00

    Posted Mar 14, 2006 3:23 pm PT

    hmm...i thought frustration brings violance. anyways, cardboard tubes are just as simulational. whoa! so, if we simulate things they happen. Flying badgers will happen some day. if i just keep simulating it. sucktion cups will replace ammo. becuse kids simulate those all the time...shesh, if i knew it was this... cool. i might not need to hope or have to pretend that any spoken word changes anything but the volume. i'm sorry but i need to go simulate some lying. as temperance has waned. if it helps, let it ring that i wish of you well & dispite, means that i have missed you too. -just kidding-

  • underkillerjmk

    Posted Mar 14, 2006 2:43 pm PT

    now the politicians can have a taste of there own medicine

  • shotokan_42

    Posted Mar 14, 2006 2:35 pm PT

    The ESA is doing a well done job defending us gamers from attacks that oppose the games we love and play.

  • B-bad

    Posted Mar 14, 2006 1:17 pm PT

    Thanks ESA it's about time all these needless attack on gaming from people in office who may of never played a moden game. Games have grown as well as the gamers who play them I started with Pac-man on the 2600 and have grown up to see all the changes that have come over the years. None of these age laws affect me but it does affect retails and developers so it well affect me in the future as developer are forced to make watered down game just so retailers wont be scared to carry them. The ESRB rating system is good reading any package on any game and it's clear to know what the target consumer is, and any parent who takes a look at them will know if the game is something they would let there kids play, so why does there need to be government control ........ the short answer so they can get there hands in a market that sees million of dollar in sales. They dont care what kids are playing they just want to make a name for themselfs while they take attention from real issues like health care, taxes, jobs these are things they were elected to improve.

  • zam319

    Posted Mar 14, 2006 1:15 pm PT

    power to the people! thank god for the esa. hillary clinton says games are evil, she was behind the curtain for years trying to steal our tax $.

  • Supadan

    Posted Mar 14, 2006 12:21 pm PT

    Dude, thats a great idea ESA, well done...

  • GreenC4T

    Posted Mar 14, 2006 11:17 am PT

    Already sent the letter. We have to stand up for the game industry because this is not only about them regulating games for minors, but this seems like they are trying to regulate the content within the games. Like it said in the http://www.videogamevoters.org/ website, you don't see the government trying to regulate movies, books, and music. (and they shouldn't either) So why should they be able to regulate content in video games? "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." (videogamevoters.org)

  • bigagp

    Posted Mar 14, 2006 11:15 am PT

    It's about time that we had a voice & i think that the ESA has the right idea.
    I as a gamer have been playing video games for the past thirty or so years. I am a 41 yr old gamer, my children are gamers & so are a lot of my friends. so you can count on our vote for any upcoming gaming issues.

    Thank you
    bigagp

  • Demonstrative1

    Posted Mar 14, 2006 10:50 am PT

    Is anyone else just getting a blank screen when they click on the link?

  • italianstalianb

    Posted Mar 14, 2006 10:44 am PT

    great idea...everyone should do it

  • remmbermytitans

    Posted Mar 14, 2006 9:09 am PT

    stickin it to the man.... .....

  • razakco2003

    Posted Mar 14, 2006 9:04 am PT

    woo, i'm glad

  • EndersAres

    Posted Mar 14, 2006 8:48 am PT

    Right on brothers! Fight the government!

  • THEMOD3158

    Posted Mar 14, 2006 7:38 am PT

    just sent a letter to the MD Senators...

  • Blazer88

    Posted Mar 14, 2006 7:20 am PT

    Signed and sent.And to that one guy the Government does not regulate movies,..the rating of them is done by an independant service just the same as with how it is being done with games,.movies that are rated not for kids are "NOT "supossed to be sold to them by "All" stores,..not just Walmart,..the same as it is for games deemed not for kids for games.The point is the government has not ever taken any active role to enforce that this is being done,by making silly unconstitutional and biased laws against it like they are now trying to do with games.Thats regulation when they do that,..as opposed to a self policing hands off like they do with music and movies which we all know has things alot worse in it that 99.9% of any game ever made.Ultimate lesson here,..don't vote for people like Hillary Clinton (D),..and Joe Lieberman (D).

  • SavoyPrime

    Posted Mar 14, 2006 7:03 am PT

    This is a good thing. I'm glad to see someone is trying to unify the gaming population and point us in the right direction to defend against this political bulls**t.

  • recvx_pagal

    Posted Mar 14, 2006 6:34 am PT

    What is this non sense!!!

  • lageasy311

    Posted Mar 14, 2006 6:25 am PT

    W/E, this does nothing for me. 3 people think video games are bad and a few others, they can't rewrite the Constitution. It's censorship. The only thing they can do is lock them up behind glass walls and make you produce an I.D for mature games, which is what they should be doing in the first place. Ever heard of Prohibition?? Yea something like that would happen if they banned our games, which as of 3 years ago, has outbeat Hollywood box office sales.........oh the jealousy.

  • jonnyjd

    Posted Mar 14, 2006 6:14 am PT

    Good idea. Checks and balances are always a good thing in our society. I don't know how much clout this will hold in any future content battles, but this is a good step. Too many times the common man isn't heard even though some officials are elected by votes. Good call by the ESA to open this up for everyone. I just joined the site and invite others to do so.

  • brotherscampos

    Posted Mar 14, 2006 5:34 am PT

    this industry have a inmensive grow up on the last years, and now is a time to begin thinking: where this industry go?

    Some reports of gamespot say RE4 sell more than 3,000.000,00, that is a example of that this industry have a increible capital, and move millions of dollars, but i never think on more laws or begin to forbiden the video games, totally the opposite side this industry need help and some benefits of the goverments for this industry will be the number one on the entertainment market.

  • RoughryderGT

    Posted Mar 14, 2006 4:02 am PT

    Ok theirs nothing wrong with ESA to band together and speak their minds. But first of all, WHY ARE THE GAMERS THAT ARE VOTING FOR OR AGAINST IT WORRYING. The bill is to stop minors from buying games that are rated M. Yeah I would be scared IF I WAS 12. seriously why do us..the ones who are voting even worried about it. cuz it depends on if our little sis or bro can buy halo or GTA. WHO CARES. Second the part that the ESA said about how come the government does not regulate access to movies, books, or cable tv. when i was 15 i always had to ask my parents to buy a movie thats rated R. THINK ABOUT IT. can a child walk into a rated r movie or buy porn THANK GOD NOOOOOOOOOOOOO. I see everyones is all for ESA as a revolution for gamers. BUT THEYRE NOT. THEY ARE THE BIGGEST JOKE. since the land of the dead road to fiddlers green. this is just a thing the kids have because it only effects them.

  • Hellisunreal

    Posted Mar 14, 2006 2:13 am PT

    Finally someine used their brains

  • metdevthegamer

    Posted Mar 14, 2006 2:00 am PT

    About time the gaming industry defended itself. All of those stupid,. selfish politicians walking over it. Go ESA, kick major political ass

  • KiLLer_ba

    Posted Mar 14, 2006 1:14 am PT

    Awesome, Now the video game industry could defend itself. Thank you ESA

  • mikekare79

    Posted Mar 14, 2006 12:09 am PT

    If you are a parent, and you care about your kids, then quit being lazy. The government should not be doing your job. You need to do it. My parents love me. When I was young, they didn't just tell me, they showed me by not being lazy. They actually took part in my life and knew what I was up to. That's what real parents do. Are you a real parent, or do you just make excuses? (I bet you make excuses at work too, huh?)

  • mikekare79

    Posted Mar 13, 2006 11:47 pm PT

    Fight the power. Now, everyone, go there and show your support. Add it to your favorites and visit often!! We need to fight back!!!

  • billybones116

    Posted Mar 13, 2006 9:41 pm PT

    *Raises Fist* Power to the People

  • exocel

    Posted Mar 13, 2006 9:14 pm PT

    [This message was deleted at the request of a moderator or administrator]

  • oogieboogie8

    Posted Mar 13, 2006 9:13 pm PT

    The site design somehow doesnt really match the topic... i wonder whos going to win?

  • kopedawg

    Posted Mar 13, 2006 8:31 pm PT

    I am totally against anything that limits what *I* can buy. But then again, I'm 34 years old, I work and I pay taxes. What I AM for is any law that limits what type of content someone 17 or under can and can't purchase. What is the use of having a ratings system, whether it's for movies or games or music, if noone adheres to it, or if the parents don't understand what it's for or even care? Read my blog entry for my other views on this.

  • stfcrz

    Posted Mar 13, 2006 8:00 pm PT

    While Clinton et al, are looking at the effects of video games on people, maybe they'll also look at the effects of advertising. The fact that advertising is so popular is proof in itself that it affects people. And that effect is to sow discontent in oneself and create a need for unnecessary products. No wonder the world is filled with unhappy people and acts of violence, It has nothing to do with video games.

  • NERDSFOREVER

    Posted Mar 13, 2006 7:48 pm PT

    thank you esa for doing something not like some poeple who dont do anything but complain about it *raises hand*

  • Tremblay343

    Posted Mar 13, 2006 7:05 pm PT

    Is this only open for americans? i wanna vote against this crap too. screw hillary clinton

  • Vraeth

    Posted Mar 13, 2006 7:01 pm PT

    There's only one problem with this... since a good chunk of the anti game legislation is aimed at minors, why would we who are 18+ and of voting age bother with it? I mean I hate to be inflamitory but everytime I hear some pre pubecent guy piping about how I'm a "noob" in an "M" rated game, I'm not exactly inclined to go vote so their rights to play the same games I do are protected.

  • ScaryClownMan

    Posted Mar 13, 2006 6:26 pm PT

    I love violent video games. I love being able to blow a zombies brains all over a wall when i'm ticked off. Its a great way to blow off steam. But I would also hate to see my 12 year old nephew try to play a game like god of war that shows nudity. I understand the strict regulations on selling video games but I pray they never stop making them or reducing violence in them. Gamers come in all age groups in todays society and it is important for publishers to be able to create games and entertainment for all levels from the youngest to the oldest. GAME ON!

  • Pablo620

    Posted Mar 13, 2006 5:42 pm PT

    TO THE BATMOBILE!!

  • ApisBee

    Posted Mar 13, 2006 5:16 pm PT

    I just sent my letter. Now back to playing MY GAMES!!!

  • kaito2

    Posted Mar 13, 2006 5:06 pm PT

    Are there really people naive enough to believe that the intent of video game legislation is to "protect children"? The ESRB rating system was approved by over 80% of parents, with some of the remaining 20% stating that the ESRB ratings were "too strict" for some games. Legislation is redundant. ESA is correct: legislation will lead to self-censorship, which might as well be forced censorship. Parents have the ultimate responsibility for educating their children about video games, and deciding what games their children should play or not play. The only thing this legislation will do is stifle creation and keep adults from playing the games they want.

  • jeb800e

    Posted Mar 13, 2006 4:49 pm PT

    Those people are going way over their heads! It's not like somebody can really imitate something that's off of most video games. It's not like a little kid will steal a car and start shooting out the window, or compete against hunters across the galaxy by flying a space ship.

  • LordGamer0001

    Posted Mar 13, 2006 3:31 pm PT

    i love this idea. the only downside is im not old enough to vote so i really do not effect this for a couple more years.

  • caesarbites

    Posted Mar 13, 2006 3:29 pm PT

    I sent a letter to my senators, too. Everyone else better do the same if they want to keep playing GTA...

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