Manifesto Games CEO Calls Out NY Guv Over Planned Video Game Law

May 9, 2007
Ever write to an old school chum? Manifesto Games CEO Greg Costikyan has. And in this case, his former classmate (Horace Mann '77) is none other than New York Governor Eliot Spitzer (D).

As reported by GamePolitics, Spitzer's administration is readying video game legislation, fulfilling a campaign promise the Democrat made in 2006. Costikyan, concerned about the proposed law, wrote an open letter to Spitzer recently, which began, "Dear Classmate:"
I urge you to rethink this [legislative] agenda, as it seems to me a fruitless attempt to infringe on the rights of New Yorkers, a likely waste of taxpayer dollars, and a wholly unnecessary attack on the 21st century's most vibrant and promising popular artform...

The idea that games can be equated in any fashion with cigarettes--a physically addictive product with severe and proven negative impacts on health--is on the face of it, absurd. Games can provide thoughtful insight into systems, processes, and ideas in a fashion different from other media...

In an era in which the rights of Americans are under assault from our own federal government, it seems to me that Democratic governors should be seeking to defend and protect our liberties, rather than to diminish them.

Costikyan, whose company is an independent publisher, also expresses concern that such legislation will impact smaller game industry firms disproportionately.

Comments

@Terminator

Let's blame the democrats! No wait, the Republican! No wait, the CONSERVATIVE PARTY OF CANADA! hum... No, the Parti Québecois!

Really, stop blaming people. We're the reason censorship is on the rise, not our government. They're just doing what we want them to do.

@Silver_Derstin: I haven't seen a politician yet who came close to representing me or my peers. At least, not one that got elected to any position of prominence.

Wouldn't mind seeing this guy get on the MC Thompson debate train...he could put the proceeds toward the ESRB fees.

Fantastic! Here here! Bravo!

This needs to happen more often.

Mysticgamer
ya but shes still a mindless polis looking for votes and reps more than anythign else...

=====================

Anyone know how likely this game...oy......er "law" will fail? LOL

I think the Democrats are just playing their cards to be elected. Haven't seen Hilary go after any game legislation since being nominated.

@MechaTama

I loved that book! Yeah, I too am sad he never finished the series. It was very entertaining, especially to anyone who's played DnD...
-- If your wiimote goes snicker-snack, check your wrist-strap...

I thought I recognized that name. That's the same Greg Costikyan who wrote Another Day, Another Dungeon, and One Quest, Hold the Dragons. Too bad he never finished that series...

Anyways, on topic now, I don't see what basis he has for expecting Democrats to be any more favorable than Republicans on this matter, as both sides have demonstrated that they see games as a "victimless" (it won't cost them many votes) scapegoat to buff up their "family-friendly" credentials.

And yet people still believe that Democrats stand for free speech.

I think he should have made at least one comment on how other states have tried legislating the same thing, and wound up with a hefty bill. It's one thing to appeal to a classmate from 40 years ago with vague and slightly insulting comments, and another thing to actually, y'know, CONVINCE him it is a bad idea.

Not democrats, just anyone in politics.
 
Forgot your password?
Username :
Password :

Poll

Are you excited for the Xbox One?:

Shout box

You're not permitted to post shouts.
PHX CorpGood News Everyone, Glenn Beck Slams Xbox one on Possible privacy issues in general http://www.glennbeck.com/2013/05/22/want-to-be-digitally-connected-to-microsoft-all-the-time-get-the-new-x-box/05/25/2013 - 10:36pm
PHX Corp@Sleaker, I agree that controller feedback tech is not an issue, I just wanted to put that article out there05/25/2013 - 10:36pm
Sleaker@PHX Corp, I can't take a person seriously that is less frightened at the possibility of privacy issues, and more scared about controller feedback technology05/25/2013 - 11:35am
PHX Corphttp://www.unwinnable.com/2013/05/24/trigger-warning/ Trigger Warning05/25/2013 - 6:37am
beemohUnless that pic of a Kinect taped to the underside of a phone is a joke05/25/2013 - 1:58am
beemohKinect being used in prototype to stop people walking into people while texting: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-2263173105/25/2013 - 1:57am
Cecil475@hellfire7885 - Makes me want to support Nintendo even more.05/24/2013 - 4:49pm
hellfire7885Man, EA seems to be determined to destroy the Wii U ,and the evidently are so arrogant as to believe not making games for it will do that.05/24/2013 - 4:45pm
DorthLousPwahahahha http://www.destructoid.com/wii-u-sales-drastically-spike-after-xbox-one-presentation-254449.phtml#LlG8HEYbQj2krql5.0105/24/2013 - 2:23pm
james_fudgeshe gets no credit until she employs some common sense. - 2 credits for her.05/24/2013 - 11:22am
Andrew EisenTo Stender's credit, she did unmoderate my most recent comment within a day's time. There's even a couple other replies. None from her though.05/24/2013 - 11:18am
james_fudgeapparently gamers are all 14 - 21 years-olds living in basements according to her way of thinking...05/24/2013 - 11:11am
ZippyDSMleeEZK: 0_o thier video card chipset is at the very least 3 versions behind the top PC video card.......05/24/2013 - 7:38am
MechaTama31"You just wouldn't understand how my parenting preferences are more important than everybody else's freedoms."05/24/2013 - 7:37am
DorthLousI love how she plays the "I'm a parent, you're a gamer, you couldn't understand" card... I'm a parent and I find her position despicable...05/23/2013 - 4:16pm
E. Zachary KnightShe didn't address your questions because she doesn't have any answers.05/23/2013 - 3:38pm
Andrew EisenI replied to her comment. Maybe in a few weeks I'll get a reply.05/23/2013 - 3:24pm
Thomas Riordan@Andrew Eisen To what bowling alley does she go that puts sexual images in the faces of 6 year olds?05/23/2013 - 3:17pm
Andrew EisenWell, it took a month but Linda Stender finally replied to me... and didn't address a single one of my questions. http://aswlindastender.com/2013/04/23/follow-up-video-games-and-their-effect-on-children/05/23/2013 - 3:13pm
ImautobotAlso, from a tech perspective the PS4 is apparently already winning. http://bgr.com/2013/05/22/xbox-one-vs-playstation-4-specs/05/23/2013 - 3:12pm
 

Be Heard - Contact Your Politician