Video Game Voter's Network

[The NZA]

 

With the ESRB (video game rating review panel) having to step things up post-Hot Coffee Mod debacle, youve got more and more politicians trying to attatch their name to measures to censor the industry; its a game Liberman and Hilary have been playing for a while, and its a popular one. Local news networks are churning out more and more stories about how DS online connectivity and X-box live are supposed "havens for child molestors" to connect to your children, etc - the culture of fear is, at least, buying in enough that ive noticed an increase in these stories.

 

The Video Game Voters Network is a measure to counter that; the industry, i believe, is doing a fine job of regulating itself, and now even Gamestop has a policy that they card mature game sales. Former ESA president Doug Lowenstien gave a final speech about how the industry needs to defend its own and not balk at the first sign of controversy; and this resource was made for just that.

 

Anyway, personally, I cant stand being told what's ok and what's not for me to play by anyone sanctimonious enough to think theyre in a position to do so, so i signed up, and thought id put it out there for others to do so.

 

Video Game Voters Network - sign up & get a chance at a $200 best buy card too. Also, here's a way better explanation about their cause that what i gave.

 

Americans have embraced interactive games played on the Internet, computers, game consoles, cell phones, and PDAs. For over 30 years now, millions of Americans have played computer and video games, and this pastime has become an important part of American culture. Yet, as this entertainment medium grows, it has also become a frequent target of political criticism and legislation.

 

The Video Game Voters Network is a place for American gamers to organize and defend against threats to video games by registering to vote and letting Congress know how important this issue is to the community. Without a critical mass of adult video game players who are registered to vote and willing to stand firmly behind their games, politicians will continue to fire criticism at games and game players in order to score easy points for their political campaigns.

 

Video games are fully protected speech under the Constitution, and receive the same First Amendment protection as books, movies, music and cable television programs. The Network opposes efforts to regulate the content of entertainment media, including proposals to criminalize the sale of certain games to minors, or regulate video games differently from movies, music, books, and other media. The Network also enables gamers to stay educated about issues, reach out to federal, state, and local officials, and register to vote. The Video Game Voters Network is a project sponsored by the Entertainment Software Association, a trade group representing America's video game publishers.