Tuesday 10 November 2009

Leave us to Play our Games (MP's debate Modern Warfare Game)‏


As a player of console games I am really surprised at the complaints a computer game such as Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 and Grand Theft Auto 4 receive. No other media is subject to so much scrutiny, Films comics, Books etc have many example of violence. Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 was released today and many shops across the country including Bracknell opened at Midnight for the release.

These games are already 18 rated. Labour MP Keith Vaz raised the issue in Parliament and criticised the game. Is this not a total waste of time parliamentary time I believe? Fellow Labour MP Tom Watson has setup a facebook group here to give a voice to gamers and defend there right to buy and play the game

This game has been given a rating of 18 which means parents should not be buying the game for their 12 year old kids. The appeal of the game (for me) is not the violence it’s the playing on line as a team against another team like say paint ball. In Grand Theft Auto its the characters and the story that I personally enjoy. It is a game and should been seen as such.

Grand Theft Auto was a British made game, the British game industry contributes nearly £1 billion each year to the UK economy. So perhaps games should be getting more support. However our games industry is falling behind other countries like Canada because they have governments who support the industry through tax credits for digital media, much like the film industry in the UK does from the UK film Council.

Research published by the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) shows that investment in privately operated UK developers has dropped by 60% since 2008. Employment is down by 4% and 15% of studios have gone out of business. There is a brain drain of UK-based talent to Canada and Germany and Poland. NESTA has predicted that the UK games industry could slip to the 6th by the end of 2010.

So please just let us play our games and be sensible when buying them.


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6 comments:

  1. I think this is a classic example of the political class not understanding something. Just because most of them don't play the games themselves should not mean they are fearful of them or jump on the nearest bandwagon and start shouting about getting them banned.

    Perhaps at some point there will be enough current or ex-gamers in the Commons for a critical mass of MPs who understand what the gaming world is all about to be able to defend their rights. Fair play to Tom Watson for fighting the fight on this.

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  2. Alan Glasco - USA10 November 2009 at 19:22

    Hey Mark, I joined Tom's site this morning. Being from the U.S. I am waiting for the backlash from our feared leaders in congress. If they don't like it (the game) they don't have to play it.

    My son (Chance Glasco)is one of the original animators for the Call of Duty series and was part of the grand opening London had. He has really had a good time over there but I am ready for him to get home. Be Cool! Alan Glasco - Tulsa, OK - USA

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  3. The hypocrisy of politicians who engage in real life wargames, war crimes, genocide, ethnic cleansing & worse, is entirely predictable.

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  4. Neil - Wish I thought of that one, thats a very good point.

    Alan - wow USA Be cool indeed dude. Your sons done a great job, amazing game

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  5. I hear both the SNP and Plaid Cymru MP's are big computer game players. They are big fans of Pro-Devolution Soccer.


    Sorry.

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  6. LOL This is Bracknell almost brilliant

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