Obama: Don’t Let Your Kids Waste Their Time On Video Games, Unless They Are Featuring My Ads
Barack Obama wants us to spend moar tiems with our children, and not letting them play video games until their brains ooze out of their ears and their bones turn to mush. As a parent of a video game addict, I agree in principle…there are times I have to say enough is enough. Besides, that new Star Wars game is about to drive me nuts. How about a little peace and quiet, or at least a game with a cool soundtrack?
Here’s a little blurb out of a speech Obama gave back in February:
We’re going to have to parent better, and turn off the television set, and put the video games away, and instill a sense of excellence in our children, and that’s going to take some time.
Oh wait. In Obama’s case, it seems to have become okay, just as long as the video games in question feature his ads:
In its eternal quest to capture the youth vote, Barack Obama’s presidential campaign has taken to the streets of Burnout Paradise, filling the game with billboards promoting the presidential hopeful.
“I can confirm that the Obama campaign has paid for in-game advertising in Burnout,” Holly Rockwood, Electronic Arts’ director of corporate communications, told virtual world fixture Wagner James Au.
“Like most television, radio and print outlets, we accept advertising from credible political candidates,” Rockwood added. “Like political spots on the television networks, these ads do not reflect the political policies of EA or the opinions of its development teams.”
Well, now. Going for the subliminal vote, are we? No word on whether or not it would also be okay if the ads featured McCain.
I’m not anti-gamer…in fact, I think many video games are well-designed and look like a lot of fun (although I admittedly do not like the ultra-violent ones and won’t let them in the house), but I am not a big fan of any product placement in them. Much has been made of in-game advertising, which attempts to encourage our kids to buy products ranging from stereos to shoes to soda. It seems that in almost every game I’ve seen my kids play, there is some sort of product placement ad hovering in the background, especially in the sports-themed games, where such advertising mimics real life. However, I personally think Obama paying to have his ads placed in video games is a bit much, especially when the demographic of the people playing these games (mostly young men) is taken into account. While not necessarily falling into the category of subliminal messages, these images do stick in your head after the game is over. I thought this was one of the things Obama was rallying against? And do people really want politics spilling on their escapism?
hattip: Deceiver
[My views only, folks. Didn't think it had to be said, but thought I'd say it anyway.]
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That does seem quite inappropriate, but then again, I think most video games are inappropriate. My daughter has a DS and we get the brain games for her which she plays when she’s stuck in the car, but for the most part, could care less.
I do NOT understand the fascination with these devices and think the whole gaming industry is disgusting.
Comment by D — October 15, 2008 @ 10:44 am
Well, in all honesty, kids aren’t the only ones who play video games. I know what he’s getting at though. My parents would complain when my brother and I were kids that we needed to stop playing games and spend time with them. But all they wanted to do was watch Must See TV… I think some of our best family moments were when we all played some games together. Dance Dance Revolution and Vice City were great fun, but they were even better with my mother screaming at the TV that she couldn’t figure out how to jump.
He should encourage parents to try to get involved with their kids video game interests. That would be win-win, because either the kids and parents would have family time OR the kids would give up video gaming because their parents liked it.
Comment by Brooke — October 15, 2008 @ 11:01 am
Oh, you should see me playing video games. My kids love to laugh at me.
I may not be able to kill a Heartless or get bonus points for my boarding skillz, but boy can I whup them in Jeopardy!
I don’t mind if my kids play video games…I told them as long as their homework is done and any chores I have for them to do are finished and they pick up a book once in a while, I don’t care if they play all day. I know what kind of games they have and they don’t have ultra-violent stuff, so I’m good with it. My son is always calling me to come watch this new kewl thing he can do.
Besides, if they’re playing games, I know where they are. I think sometimes games get a bad rap…sometimes, it’s the parents who should be monitored, not the games. I don’t care if my son spends his afternoon playing the new Star Wars game because I know we have a good relationship.
Comment by k — October 15, 2008 @ 11:18 am
I personally think its great that Obama’s campaign people are so smart as to include “gamers” as a target group. Personally, even though there are alot of kids that love games, I know even more adults that are avid gamers. Smart move Barack.
Comment by Kimi — October 15, 2008 @ 1:12 pm
Okay, I have two teenagers, both of whom play video games.
I asked my daughter if she thought the ads by Obama were a good idea. She shot me a withering look and said, “Nobody pays attention to those stupid things. They just take up space.”
My son (teh more avid gamer) laughed. When I asked if he paid attention, he said, “Meh. Sometimes.” When I asked if he cared, he said, “No.”
Yeah, gamers want political ads in their video games like they want PSA announcements about the germ-killing action of washing their hands after they use the toilet in their video games. Looks like this could be epic fail.
Comment by k — October 15, 2008 @ 10:27 pm
I think I would crack up if in I picked up a game from 2004 and suddenly “Vote for Kerry!” popped up somewhere. If he doesn’t win the election, at least Obama will have video game legacy.
I agree, video games are good because if the kid wants to stay home or invite friends over to play, great, you know where the kids are. Sounds like your a cool mom, K
Comment by Brooke — October 15, 2008 @ 10:59 pm
instead of playing video games, kids need to get outside and exercise. these games, violent or not, help contribute to the growing (no pun intended) problem of childhood obesity.
Comment by t — October 16, 2008 @ 9:55 am
Uh, tell that to my 6′1″, 196 pound, 10% body fat, football-playing, wrestling, long-distance-track-running, offensive and defensive lineman son. Yeah, he spends all his days parked in front of a video game.
Or to my basketball-playing, track-running, honor-roll-making daughter. Almost all A’s on her last report card. Oh yeah, her body and brain are just turning to mush, blame the evil devil of video games!
Truth is, if parents would not use this stuff as a babysitter and actually be involved in their kids’ lives, there wouldn’t be a need to worry about kids turning to mashed potatoes. Too many parents are too willing to blame their children’s problems, be they physical or mental or emotional, on video games. They can be a symptom of the disease, but rarely the cause of the disease.
Comment by k — October 16, 2008 @ 11:03 am
Thank you, Brooke.
I try.
I mean, in many areas, I’m probably more strict than the average parent. I believe there is a definite line of discipline that should not be crossed…there’s a time to parent and a time to be buddies. But, due to my own rather dysfunctional upbringing, I have really tried to step back and say, “Okay, is this thing really worth getting mad about, is it worth alienating my kids over?” And I usually get over it and enjoy playing with them. Because, let’s face it, they won’t be kids much longer.
Comment by k — October 16, 2008 @ 11:07 am