Clinton & Lieberman Make Nice with ESRB...Why?

[leunas]

GamePolitics reports that Senators Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.) in a press conference today at 3PM will announce, with ESA President Doug Lowenstein and ESRB president Patricia Vance, a national campaign to raise awareness about video game ratings. Clinton and Lieberman have both been outspoken critics of the game industry and this certainly shows that a change is in the air.

Now is certainly a convenient time for Clinton and Lieberman to bury the hatchet with the gaming industry. Nobody can deny that the political winds in the United States have shifted since the last election and these two have grander ambitions. Lieberman, who originally lost his party nomination in Connecticut, rallied during the election as an Independent to get his seat back -- although he's still a pseudo Democrat at heart. With the House and Senate under Democratic control perhaps he feels he can actually focus on issues that matter, rather than trying to pander to some bizarre wing of his constituency that believes the best way to protect America's youth is by going after the gaming industry. Sen. Hillary Clinton ... well, for you non-Americans out there, she is gearing up to run for President of the United States. However you may feel about this, the point is, the last thing Senator Clinton needs is the youth of America telling their parents that the crazy lady hates video games and not to vote for her. Also, with the average gamer being 30 years-old according to the ESA, there are a lot of gamers out there with the right to vote. People have voted for and against candidates for stupider things and the Democrats want the White House, so it's time to make friends, build bridges in the 21st century and start using the village to raise the children -- that sounds oddly familiar. We'll get more answers about what's going on today at 3PM Eastern.


gamepolitics.com/2006/12/06/breaking-senators-hillary-clinton-lieberman-to-participate-with-esrb-ad-blitz/

[leunas]

Representatives from the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) have joined with prominent US senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Joe Lieberman to help launch a nationwide TV campaign to educate and encourage parents to use the ESRB's game rating system. Appearing with ESRB president Patricia Vance on Capital Hill, the two senators lent their support for the new public service announcement campaign that has already been distributed to 800 TV stations across the country. Along with ...


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[leunas]

Clinton, ESRB and others team up against videogame violence



It is human nature to find strength in numbers. When faced with great adversity, people stand side by side to meet the common enemy head on. With that said, it seems that various segments of the society have been viewing the gaming industry as the common foe. And not only that, it looks like they are so keen on trampling these "evil weed."

Accordingly, a new alliance has been formed to combat ill effects of videogames to kids, beginning with educating parents about game ratings. The alliance, if we might add, is looking formidable indeed. It is composed of Senators Hillary Clinton, Joe Lieberman and ESRB President Patricia Vance. Surprisingly enough, Best Buy President Brian Dunn and GameStop President Steve Morgan complete the "Power Rangers."

Senator Clinton maintained that the renewed movement is in light of the coming Holiday season. It is needless to say that sales for gaming software and hardware will skyrocket during this time of the year. Clinton explained:

We all share in the responsibility of making sure our children play age-appropriate video games, and I'm pleased that the ESRB and retailers are working together to educate parents about the video game ratings and make sure they are enforced.

The group's first action included sending public service announcements to 800 TV stations nationwide, as well as radio and print ads. The PSAs are intended for parents, instructing them to regulate the games their children play. Senator Lieberman seconded:

I have long said that the ESRB ratings are the most comprehensive in the media industry. There are many age-appropriate games that are clever and entertaining. Parents should understand and use the ratings to help them decide which video games to buy for their families.

Over the past few weeks, ESRB was able to come up with various announcements regarding their plans to intensify enforcement of ratings for videogames. In the meanwhile, a big contrast is happening overseas, with some countries considering self regulation for the industry.


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