Video games are my second love, I must admit. Politics is my first. So, you can only imagine how happy I get when the two somehow cross paths. Congressional legislation has popped up in state and national forums for many years, even back in the early 1990’s when Sen. Joe Lieberman stood up against games like Mortal Kombat. Soon, after many independent/company owned rating systems agreed to give up their ratings power to a higher authority, the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) was born. Today, the ESRB ratings on video games determine who are allowed to purchase the game and provides information to parents about the games their children play.

Dialogue concerning video games is often placed in the backdrop of the larger censorship issue. However, some high profile candidates for president this year have spoken on the issue. While Mitt Romney saw crude video games as part of a larger “Ocean of Filth” for our children, Democratic nominee Sen. Barack Obama has taken a much more moderate approach:

“I would call upon the video game industry to give parents better information about programs and video games by improving the voluntary rating system we currently have. Broadcasters and video game producers should take it upon themselves to improve this system to include easier to find and easier to understand descriptions of exactly what kind of content is included. But if the industry fails to act, then my administration would. And even if the industry does do some responsible self-policing, there’s still a role for the federal government to play. We need to understand the impact of these new media better. That’s why I supported federal funding to study the impact of video games on children’s cognitive development.” (Thanks to: Kotaku)

Republicans and their nominee John McCain typically subscribe to a much stricter view of the gaming industry, much like Mitt Romney and his “Ocean.” In politics, it’s all about framing the issue. The Republicans have done a much better job at doing this, making the issue of video game violence part of a larger “Family Values” narrative. Democrats, unfortunately, haven’t been able to do something similar, making it a “let’s leave the moral future of America in the hands of industry” rather than attacking it head on. And, of course, while video game controversy isn’t likely to ever swing a major national election one way or the other, it’s helpful to see what each side is saying about the larger themes of censorship, digital rights, and net neutrality.

Now, to get away from the seriousness of politics, lets look at how silly it can be! Remember Space Invaders? Who doesn’t right? Well, if his website is any measure (and it is), then it’s clear John McCain still thinks those types of games are popular enough to make him look “cool.” If you check out his website, you can play this Space Invaders variation (perversion?), Pork Invaders. The game touts McCain’s supposed anti-pork barrel spending in the Senate, and if you suffer through the first level you get a nice little political punch at Obama and his spending problem when it comes to home state pet projects. Witness, my friends, the “art” of politics. What I find funniest about this game is that it’s not fun at all. I mean, come on John, the last thing you want potential voters doing is associating you with a slow paced, old school game like Space Invaders. Here’s an idea: get your team on making a GTAIV mod, make Nico Bellic look instead like Barack Obama, and then have him run around the city shooting the elderly and the police! Frame the issue McCain, and you own the issue. Joking aside, this is actually how things are done these days in politics, and it’s quite sad. 

Posted by Daniel on 08/26 at 10:33 AM
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