Game Politics ([info]gamepolitics) wrote,
@ 2006-06-14 05:43:00
Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend!  Next Entry
Entry tags:cliff stearns, davis walsh, democrats, douglas lowenstein, ftc, kimberly thompson, lydia parnes, patricia vance, republicans, subcommittees, warren buckleitner

Video Games Once Again Probed on Capitol Hill

The issue of video game violence is once again under scrutiny on Capitol Hill.

Today at 2:00 P.M. the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection will convene a hearing on "Violent and Explicit Video Games: Informing Parents and Protecting Children."

The proceedings will be chaired by Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL, seen at left).

"In response to controversy over violent or sexual situations in video games, the industry established a self-regulatory organization to apply ratings and provide advertising guidelines," Stearns said in a statement on his website.

"Yet in one instance, the game 'Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas' had hidden content with scenes of explicit sex. In addition, the Federal Trade Commission found that video games labeled 'Mature' routinely were marketed to children under 17. Our goal is to ensure that parents have information on the content of their children's games and that these children are protected from inappropriate content and marketing."

Scheduled to testify are:

-Lydia Parnes, Federal Trade Commission (likely in regard to the FTC's Hot Coffee probe)

-Gary Severson, a Wal-Mart executive

-Douglas Lowenstein, ESA president

-Patricia Vance, ESRB president

-Dr. Kimberly Thompson, Harvard School of Public Health

-Dr. Warren Buckleitner, Ph.D., Editor, Childrens Technology Review

-Dr. David Walsh, Ph.D., National Institute on Media and the Family president

Subcommittee members include at least two congressman who were active on the Hot Coffee issue. In July, 2005 Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) and Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA) co-sponsored a congressional resolution which led to the FTC's recently-completed probe of the marketing practices of Take-Two Interactive and Rockstar Games.

A live webcast of the hearing will be available here.

Want to talk about it? You can discuss this story via the "comments" feature (click below), or in the new GamePolitics Forums...


(Post a new comment)


[info]chenry
2006-06-14 10:47 am UTC (link)
man i'm glad it isn't my tax dollars being wasted on this stuff

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]rformer
2006-06-14 02:06 pm UTC (link)
Totally off topic, but is there a Robot Bastard! comic? I saw the live-action movie (and I'm familiar w/ Scud).

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]chenry
2006-06-14 03:39 pm UTC (link)
No comic, just some art Schrab did of the Robot Bastard. I showed it to Rob and he seemed to like it

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]chenry
2006-06-14 03:39 pm UTC (link)
by "it", i mean the icon. ^

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]sir_bissel
2006-06-14 11:01 am UTC (link)
"scenes of explicit sex."

Since when is something as tame as what's shown on MTV half the time 'explicit sex'? Maybe I'm wrong in thinking that explicit sex should have... I dunno, more than dry-humping?

(Reply to this)


[info]goodrobotus
2006-06-14 11:04 am UTC (link)
This is good news. No mention of Censorship or regulation, just as making sure Parents are informed.

Since the level of M games sold to minors is a lower percentage than the amount of videos sold to them, I will certainly be listening to this with hopeful interest.

(Reply to this)


[info]ss_ebonclaw
2006-06-14 11:07 am UTC (link)
Can someone please explain to me just how the hell these games are being marketed to children? Do children have the money to buy these games? Do children go out and pick them up and force their parents to pay for them at gunpoint?

Or maybe the "children" who these games are marketed towards are so ungodly STUPID that they can't see the big, fat 'M' rating on the cases, themselves?

Here's a great idea: IF YOU DON'T KNOW/UNDERSTAND/CARE ABOUT THE ESRB RATINGS, DON'T BLOODY WELL WORK IN A GAME SECTION! Even better, just don't even let them sell video games in stores like Walmart, Sears, Best Buy, Toys 'r' Us, or anything else that specializes in random, worthless shit. How many times are these "children" buying games in specialty stores that focus on video games, where everyone who works there actually knows and may in fact give a damn?

Better yet, kill everyone over 40. They're too old and stupid to understand anything that isn't shoved down their throat. Sure, there's a few people who aren't that mentally defunct, but the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few and the many SERIOUSLY need to be culled.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]lampdevil
2006-06-14 12:47 pm UTC (link)
Perhaps they're not referring to "children" in the "sticky and running around in shorts and poking things with sticks" sense, and the "teenagers are still children too, OMG!" sense. 15 and 16 and 17 ARE still under 18, after all.

Still doesn't make FULL sense to me, though. I do hope these guys that claim "MARKETING TO CHILDREN!!!" can actually provide some concrete examples. I'd be happy to not have the next GTA game marketed towards 6 year olds, but... they're NOT DOING THAT in the first place, so... Bzuh?

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]ss_ebonclaw
2006-06-14 12:58 pm UTC (link)
Wait, I know. They're focusing ENTIRELY on Conker's bad fur day, and Fur Fighters. Those are the ONLY 2 games I can think of that can even be remotely considered as targeted at kids, even with mature content.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]anticron
2006-06-14 01:06 pm UTC (link)
Targetted at kids? How? Becuase it's "cute"?

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]ss_ebonclaw
2006-06-14 01:12 pm UTC (link)
Yep. Because at a casual glance, it looks like some sort of saturday morning cartoon-type game.

Problem is, some of those cartoons are damn violent.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]anticron
2006-06-14 02:11 pm UTC (link)
That's the problem, then. [American P]eople see "cute" and assume "for kids." It is absolutely not always the case.

"Cute" is not "for kids" anymore than "rugged" is "for adults."

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
Yup
[info]typhoid
2006-06-14 05:52 pm UTC (link)
Three words: "Happy Tree Friends."

Nothing funnier than seeing a mom trying to return the DVD to the store she bought it from, claiming it scarred her kids for life. Nevermind the sticker on the front "NOT FOR KIDS OR BIG BABIES" and the graphic descriptions of the contents. No, nevermind, they're fuzzy cute cartoon characters!

People used to say Beavis and Butthead, and South Park were marketed to kids because they were cartoons. Now I feel old.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
Re: Yup
[info]elricbrother3
2006-06-14 07:23 pm UTC (link)
I've seen that happen.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]kharne83
2006-06-14 06:13 pm UTC (link)
Eh? I just checked the cover for Conker. He's leaning half drunk against the game's title with an abnormally large glass of beer. Granted, the game's name on it's own is cutsie but I think spotting the beer should at least trigger a "the hell?" responce in any sane human being.

Then again, I'm assuming the offending party bothered to look in the first place...

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]terminator44
2006-06-14 07:55 pm UTC (link)
Then again, I'm assuming the offending party bothered to look in the first place...

Therin lies your flawed reasoning.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]brucenstein
2006-06-14 02:55 pm UTC (link)
Settle down, Beavis.

(Reply to this) (Parent)
Hey, Ebonclaw....
[info]gamepolitics
2006-06-14 03:38 pm UTC (link)
Please try to keep your postings here a little less excitable...

(I'm thinking of your last line in regard to over 40's).

Ya know, that kind of talk just reinforces what all of the critics say, anyway.

Thx

GP

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]cecil475
2006-06-14 11:49 am UTC (link)
Looks like a lot of well-known people in the gaming/antigaming world here. I can count two of Jack's favorite people are listed to be there. And that would be, of course:

-Douglas Lowenstein, ESA president
-Dr. David Walsh, Ph.D., National Institute on Media and the Family president

I wouldn't be suprised if Jack Thompson himself made an appearence. But if he were his name would be mentioned.

Anywhoo, it looks to be interesting. I wonder if this will be archived afterwards?
Anyone planning to be making mp3's of the event? anyone?

- Warren Lewis

(Reply to this)


[info]father_time89
2006-06-14 12:57 pm UTC (link)
Well at least Jackie boy won't be attending,hmm I wonder what the outcome will be.

(Reply to this)

Stupid.
[info]anticron
2006-06-14 01:05 pm UTC (link)
"Yet in one instance, the game 'Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas' had hidden content with scenes of explicit sex. In addition, the Federal Trade Commission found that video games labeled 'Mature' routinely were marketed to children under 17. Our goal is to ensure that parents have information on the content of their children's games and that these children are protected from inappropriate content and marketing."

Sounds to me like they can skip the meeting.

Seriously though. WHERE are these kids' parents?!

(Reply to this) (Thread)
Re: Stupid.
[info]sir_bissel
2006-06-14 01:31 pm UTC (link)
Pfft, it's not like a game called Grand Theft Auto would have anything illegal or unsavory or even anything a parent might want to keep an eye on or talk to their child about. Jeeze. That's like expecting a parent to think about not buying their kid a fifth of Jack.

(Reply to this) (Parent)
Re: Stupid.
[info]billboy2000
2006-06-14 02:25 pm UTC (link)
Pay attention to this statement:

"Yet in one instance..."

All this over one instance? An instance that is still questionable as to the actual "intent" of the hidden content. It's clear to me that often times, the politicians that are addressing the issues are clueless as to the actual facts and nature of what they're dealing with. Do they bother to review the specifics of the "Hot Coffee" incident? Did anyone bother to determine the plausibility of the argument? In other words, is there any scientific or legal evidence to support that there is a problem here in the first place? Are parents really not informed, and are kids really at risk of anything?
It's just another "feel good" campaign - B.S.

I'm still searching for the meaning of "...routinely marketed to children under 17." as well. That's quite an alegation.

(Reply to this) (Parent)
Just out of curiosity...
[info]terminator44
2006-06-14 01:05 pm UTC (link)
But are Kim Thompson and Buckleitner going to be on our side or on theirs?

(Reply to this) (Thread)
Re: Just out of curiosity...
[info]gamepolitics
2006-06-14 01:11 pm UTC (link)
Kim Thompson will likely discuss her research on ESRB ratings, which has found some positive things as well as some noteworthy flaws.

I confess to little knowledge of Buckleitner (i'll have to rectify that)

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
Re: Just out of curiosity...
[info]crimson_mage
2006-06-14 08:05 pm UTC (link)
Yeah, overall, I feel that Kim Thompson will do more good for the ESA's side in this little pow-wow than she'll do harm. HSPH's findings might be nice sound-bytes for Thompsons of kookier persuasions, but the line that Dr. Thompson is plugging (as she did in a TV interview I saw earlier today), that the ESRB should actually play the games it rates, sounds agreeable and doesn't give much encouragement to opportunistic bill-happy politicians. It's also a course of action that I've been convinced of ever since I took a proper look at the issue.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
Re: Just out of curiosity...
[info]terminator44
2006-06-14 10:10 pm UTC (link)
Oh, I remember Kim Thompson now. If her "study" is the best the politcians have against us, they don't have much of a case.

(Reply to this) (Parent)
Re: Just out of curiosity...
[info]sageoflightning
2006-06-14 10:11 pm UTC (link)
All I could find on Dr. Warren Buckleitner is somthing about the Dust or Magic institute, wich seems to be some kind of seminar or somthing. Quote from their website:

When? November 5-7, 2006
Where? Lambertville, NJ, The Inn at Lambertville Station
Who? Speakers represent product managers of current products, researchers, and reviewers. (recommend a speaker for 2006)

What is it? Dust or Magic is a small event (limited to 50) designed for individuals who create interactive media products for children (birth-to 15-years). These include programmers, product managers, critics, reviewers and researchers... individuals who play an active role in creating and understanding software, smart toys, video games and web sites for children. It is about better understanding the process and psychology of creating products that exploit the emerging power of interactive technologies for children (ages birth to 15). It is not about the business of selling and marketing these products. We make a concerted effort to see this category of media from the perspective of a child, so we consider both educational and entertainment media.
OVERVIEW
Dust or Magic is a demonstration-intensive three day institute designed especially for individuals who need to understand the latest children's interactive media, in the context of old fashioned child development theory. This is a specialized agenda, for a small group.

Because the participants stay at the same Inn and come from a variety of perspectives, there are opportunities to try out new ideas in both formal and informal settings. The agenda is planned around product testing and discussion, and tapes of children using recently developed commercial products help ground the discussions.

There are presentations over the course of the institute by some of the leading developers of children’s interactive media. At times during the agenda, there will be demonstration stations for participants to have their products critiqued.

Our goals for each participant:
• Bring you up to date on the latest products.
• Introduce the fundamental principles of design.
• Contribute to your vision of "dust" or "magic."
• Share the elements of successful design.
• Provide objective feedback on products in the works
• Let you freely browse in library of current products.
• Illustrate holes and opportunities.
• Network, make lasting friendships and try new ideas.


Interesting.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]sive
2006-06-14 01:09 pm UTC (link)
The nearest thing I could think of them doing as "Marketing to children" would be to put an add in a magizine that just happened to feature kid friendly games that month...

I'm disappointed to see so few pro-games people on this list. Although they only talk about awareness I doubt that's the only thing that will come from this and I don't think the sides are fairly represented.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]diepunyhuman
2006-06-14 03:20 pm UTC (link)

Are they ever?

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]ianc14
2006-06-14 03:07 pm UTC (link)
"Yet in one instance, the game 'Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas' had hidden content with scenes of explicit sex."
Err, hello? Ive seen worse in a PG film.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]jdmdsp911
2006-06-14 06:05 pm UTC (link)
I better see some discussion on content in television then considering there are some shows on channels like FX and TNT that makes Hot Coffee look like a skit on Sesame Street.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]elricbrother3
2006-06-14 07:26 pm UTC (link)
Was that PG film Airplane?

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]kincyr
2006-06-14 08:59 pm UTC (link)
same here. I saw a PG "Romeo and Juliet" (1968) that had ACTUAL nudity in it

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]agentch
2006-06-14 04:19 pm UTC (link)
Would that be 2:00 PM EST? Just to make sure.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]gamepolitics
2006-06-14 04:46 pm UTC (link)
yes - Washington, D.C. time

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]kharne83
2006-06-14 06:47 pm UTC (link)
Hidden? Try "Unoffical, Unauthorized, not supported third party hack job" It's so hidden it might as well not exist.

Oh wait, that was the point...

It's locked, but not in the way you want people to think. Bah!

(Reply to this)


[info]rformer
2006-06-14 07:56 pm UTC (link)
I volunteer to play through games to check for inappropriate content weeks before they hit the shelf. >:)

(Reply to this)


[info]rformer
2006-06-14 08:12 pm UTC (link)
^ ^ Also, why are we comparing video games to medicine?

...is anyone else watching this?

(Reply to this)

Check the balance
[info]sageoflightning
2006-06-14 10:03 pm UTC (link)
I decidedd to check the balance of the speakers.
Douglas Lowenstein, ESA president: For vidgames
Dr. Warren Buckleitner: likely to be speaking with a good slant tward videogames.

Gary Severson, a Wal-Mart executive: unknown
Lydia Parnes, Federal Trade Commission: unknown

Dr. Kimberly Thompson: against(published a study on mislabling of 'M' games)
Dr. David Walsh, Ph.D.: against

Ok so two for and two against, the wal-mart guy could go either way. (vidgames are a big buisness for walmart but they like to think they are a family company) the FTC person is likly to land on the negitive side but she might just keep it factual as far as the hot coffee probe.

(Reply to this)

Although I fully support the ESRB...
[info]ferrarimanf355
2006-06-14 10:21 pm UTC (link)
... it's about time they made their penalties for failure to disclose content public... and a $1 million fine for an offense and revocation of services for repeat offenders is a great way to gain the trust of Senators. It's better than the alternative...
http://www.gamespot.com/news/6152760.html

(Reply to this)

Create an Account
Forgot your login or password?
Login w/ OpenID
English • Español • Deutsch • Русский…