[...] Social Media, Web 2.0: A blog analysis « CBS: Campaigning In The Internet Age ESA Gives Video Game Voters Network Website Overhaul, Could Use Some Humanizing August 1st, 2007 The Entertainment Software Association, representing the interests of of U.S.video game publishers, launched an updated website for its Video Games Voters Network in order to “increase the recruitment, education, and mobilization of video game players across the country.” The press release (via gamepolitics.com) explains: The response to the VGVN is overwhelming and dramatic?over 100,000 members, generating thousands upon thousands of letters defending video games. It’s impressive. Ordinary Americans’ passion for computer and video games is driving a desire to be counted and speak out. They are a political force that not only votes, but actively makes their voices heard in Washington, DC and in state legislatures across the country. Politicians who think easy political points can be scored at the First Amendment’s expense have to know that such efforts will be aggressively opposed. VGVN and the ESA would rather work in a collaborative and productive partnership to educate caregivers about how to ensure the games their children enjoy are parent-approved. [...]

On the interests of publishers vs interests of consumers, I agree whole-heartedly.

Today the VGVN is concerned primarily with the political discussions around free speech & restricting availability of M and AO content. In this area they are aligned - at least with the digitally-vocal hardcore consumer base. They may be out of sync with parents, but that's another issue.

If and when the discussion turns to copyright term extensions, digital rights management technologies, etc, the interests of the media companies/publishers may be diametrically opposed to the interests of consumers.

We see much of this going on right now with music & movie industries and their lobbying efforts, where the trade groups pretend to speak on behalf of the consumer and, other than the EFF occasionally calling them on it, no one knows the better.

So when and if the debate goes beyond the restriction of sales of M rated titles, it will be interesting to see whether the VGVN is EFF-like, or more MPAA-like.

OH, and I should have added the ECA as another example of the 'good guys' :-)

I like the idea of the VGVN but it feels much more like astroturfing than a grassroots movement to change the political perception about video games.

The trailer was ridiculously terrible. I see now that they put it was intentionally over-the-top on their website but I definitely did not see that disclaimer the first day.

I guess if they helped get thousands of people to send prefabricated letters to their US Congresspeople that is a start, but I can just see the intern who opens the mail finding the VGVN website and showing the trailer for a good office laugh for the day.

I just cannot see this organization getting any traction when they put out propaganda just as bad, if not worse, than the other side.

Ok... that's odd... I posted this in the Senator thread.... O_o

[...] The Entertainment Software Association issued a press release today about the Video Game Voters Network (hat tip to GamePolitics). Here’s a short excerpt: “The response to the VGVN is overwhelming and dramatic—over 100,000 members, generating thousands upon thousands of letters defending video games. It’s impressive. Ordinary Americans’ passion for computer and video games is driving a desire to be counted and speak out,” said Michael D. Gallagher, president of the ESA, which represents U.S. computer and video game publishers. “They are a political force that not only votes, but actively makes their voices heard in Washington, DC and in state legislatures across the country.” [...]

@ ZippyDSMlee

That is why-
A) Think Dennis would be great at that job, he knows what can be done and when to do it. He has been in the game for a long time now in as far as this current assault on video games are concirnced and...

B) That is why he would and should never take a position like that. He is not a part of the industry, as we are not a part of it in so much as being it's minions politicaly.

Also, I think that the VGVN should be transfered to the ECA, it is our side of the fight that the VGVN is on, so we are the ones that need it. It is technecally our responsibility to work on the politicians and the industry to work on the laws. I think that it would be best in our hands.

I think the ECA is more my thing, I'm going to leave the VGVN. I decided the ESA wasn't the best people to trust, since you all know my stance on the ESRB. I just don't think they are looking out for gamers as much. ECA seems much more genuine and worth the time.

dennis how many members does eca have?

Even with a leader though, it's still just a 100,000 strong form-letter bot-net. Look at the PTC. All it is, is an outlet to tell it's members when to be outraged and send in form letters.

So it'll be difficult to not fall into that trap of being just a large collection of form-letter senders. Politicians may pretend to notice, but it's also easy for staffers to notice when letters start getting repetitive, and clearly all just minimal-effort outrage...

@ A-wel

I second that. Dennis is the most apt choice for a position like that because he knows the climate and knows what to do. I doubt he would accept a position like that though.