Presidential Paintball Game Causes Alarm
Presidential Paintball Game Causes Alarm
January 23, 2008
A web-based game which pits the major presidential candidates against one another in cartoon combat has raised concerns.The Smoking Gun reports on Presidential Paintball:
For the aspiring young assassin, a popular online games site offers kids the opportunity to assume the identity of a leading presidential contender and then shoot their political opponents in a series of armed confrontations in the White House.
While the ammo is paintball, the game on the highly trafficked miniclip.com site allows kids to train a rifle scope on six presidential aspirants and squeeze off a hail of shots...
Of course, the imagery of Obama and Clinton, both of whom have been the target of threats and receive Secret Service protection, being targeted in such a manner--by children, no less--might be seen as troubling in some quarters...
Florida's ABC-7 has a video report, including reaction from a psychologist:
With the violent games, their concern needs to be if their children demonstrates more anger and aggressive behavior. As with all violent video games what happens is, it tends to desensitize people from real life violence.
Kotaku has more.
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Posted 11/23/09 at 10:08am
Rodrigo Ybáñez García: http://tinyurl.com/ye6x9nv
Rodrigo Ybáñez García: http://tinyurl.com/ye6x9nv
Posted 11/23/09 at 10:08am
Rodrigo Ybáñez García: The very definition of "Lucky Shot":
Rodrigo Ybáñez García: The very definition of "Lucky Shot":
Posted 11/23/09 at 07:56am
DarkSaber: http://tinyurl.com/yl2vfw6 Here's the link, good for conspiracy theories.
DarkSaber: http://tinyurl.com/yl2vfw6 Here's the link, good for conspiracy theories.
Posted 11/23/09 at 07:42am
JDKJ: Leaders never follow. Followers never lead.
JDKJ: Leaders never follow. Followers never lead.
Posted 11/23/09 at 06:48am
DarkSaber: Anyone been following this Hadley Climatic Research Centre server hack story?
DarkSaber: Anyone been following this Hadley Climatic Research Centre server hack story?
Posted 11/22/09 at 11:48pm
ZippyDSMlee: AE:they feeding you well? I am enjoying win7 and heading to bed...uhg I need to get up early and start back to cleaning/painting blahg >< need tog et stuff done befor thanksgiving....
ZippyDSMlee: AE:they feeding you well? I am enjoying win7 and heading to bed...uhg I need to get up early and start back to cleaning/painting blahg >< need tog et stuff done befor thanksgiving....
Posted 11/22/09 at 11:41pm
Andrew Eisen: Just got home from an eight hour recording session at Capitol Records. A lot of fun but damn exhausting.
Andrew Eisen: Just got home from an eight hour recording session at Capitol Records. A lot of fun but damn exhausting.
Posted 11/22/09 at 08:44pm
BearDogg-X: 10 N. O. Who Dat?
BearDogg-X: 10 N. O. Who Dat?
Posted 11/22/09 at 09:45am
ZippyDSMlee: JD:I think doc phill is still sout about the break up with his wife he dose not fill holes as much as make them bigger these day
ZippyDSMlee: JD:I think doc phill is still sout about the break up with his wife he dose not fill holes as much as make them bigger these day
Posted 11/22/09 at 12:06am
JDKJ: You should get Phil McCraken to help you spackle those banisters.
JDKJ: You should get Phil McCraken to help you spackle those banisters.
Posted 11/21/09 at 11:57pm
ZippyDSMlee: Oh in the pirate hunter article I need my song ieda heckled DS,JD,Beemon sic im !!!
ZippyDSMlee: Oh in the pirate hunter article I need my song ieda heckled DS,JD,Beemon sic im !!!
Posted 11/21/09 at 11:56pm
ZippyDSMlee: JD:no I am tried from prepping the banisters for painting , worked on them from 12 to 4 and 6 to 8...after I got back from the store...got up early got ready...blah...been up all day..I need a nap...
ZippyDSMlee: JD:no I am tried from prepping the banisters for painting , worked on them from 12 to 4 and 6 to 8...after I got back from the store...got up early got ready...blah...been up all day..I need a nap...
Posted 11/21/09 at 11:42pm
JDKJ: No. You gonna stay up late tonight soldering?
JDKJ: No. You gonna stay up late tonight soldering?
Posted 11/21/09 at 11:41pm
ZippyDSMlee: JDKJ:Don't you mean Mctite?
ZippyDSMlee: JDKJ:Don't you mean Mctite?
Posted 11/21/09 at 11:33pm
JDKJ: @Zip: Neil, Bob, and Lik McTaint. The McTaint brothers. LOL!!!
JDKJ: @Zip: Neil, Bob, and Lik McTaint. The McTaint brothers. LOL!!!
Posted 11/21/09 at 09:44pm
Flamespeak: I still think military personell, killing other military personell, on a military complex should be handled by military courts.
Flamespeak: I still think military personell, killing other military personell, on a military complex should be handled by military courts.
Posted 11/21/09 at 09:43pm
Flamespeak: I could see this a mixture of the two charges rather than just one or the other.
Flamespeak: I could see this a mixture of the two charges rather than just one or the other.
Posted 11/21/09 at 09:43pm
Flamespeak: I think this was mainly a person who snapped, but evidence is showing he definitely had strong inlinations to islamic-extremism.
Flamespeak: I think this was mainly a person who snapped, but evidence is showing he definitely had strong inlinations to islamic-extremism.
Posted 11/21/09 at 09:41pm
Flamespeak: People are trying to claim that Hasan's actions were not terrorism. I don't jump on the 'terror train' like others, however
Flamespeak: People are trying to claim that Hasan's actions were not terrorism. I don't jump on the 'terror train' like others, however
Posted 11/21/09 at 09:38pm
mentor07825: Britain certainly does deserve it! And the French! God damn it, it was a hand ball!!!
mentor07825: Britain certainly does deserve it! And the French! God damn it, it was a hand ball!!!
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Comments
I remember reading that crap up. Patricia Pulling was the Jack Thompson of Dungeons and Dragons during that time. It finally got to the point where everybody told her she was wrong and she should shut up. The only reason her organization didn't last was because she died of cancer and was apparently its only member.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patricia_Pulling
I mean... you know someone is heading towards Epic Fail when they think Necronomicon is an actual book...
I think it's because paintball is too mainstream. People see it for what it is, harmless fun (as long as you wear your goggles!) I think a lot of parents don't see any harm in paintball. But why so many people insist that video games are a problem is beyond me.
on a more serous note, this is just absolutely retarded that people are getting up in arms about this, and to the lady wanting the site closed down for hosting it, if you don't like the rules regarding the freedom of speech in this country your welcome to leave and move somewhere where they might accommodate you with censorship laws
But to be honest i dont see something really alarming in the game, its just paintball, but i suppose in candidate camping, any "images" with "guns" its a threat
PAINTBALL!
They're probably worried that you can load red pellets.
Ugh, blaming paintball and saying this is "training" "future assassins" due to a "sniper" scope.... What next, blaming carny games, outlawing water balloons and guns...
I'm hoping they didn't bother reporting this web game to the FBI and etc, like a certain someone did.
For years I've wondered why real paintball has never been targeted like video games are (ignore the pun).
Anyways, they are asking the question up on their site, "Why is it acceptable to take shots at our president & candidates?"
Please folks, write in politely and tell them why the "uproar" about this is ridiculous.
http://www.dailybuzz.tv/watercooler/index.php
Seriously though, I've lost what little faith i still had in America now.
It's not just you.
"With the violent games, their concern needs to be if their children demonstrates more anger and aggressive behavior. As with all violent video games what happens is, it tends to desensitize people from real life violence."
Key words are "their" in the first sentence and "tends" in the second sentence. That's very reasonable and I agree with it. People need to be concerned with their children and they are in a position to know if their children are demonstrating "more anger and aggressive behavior." If they are then stop them from playing violent games - it's called parenting. Violent games to tend to desensitize people - that's not to say that it's true in all cases, that it's substantial or that it's the cause of violent acts but there is a tendency to desensitize.
So it's not just you, people around here tend to knee-jerk.
"While the ammo is paintball, the game on the highly trafficked miniclip.com site allows kids to PLACE A MOUSE CURSOR on six presidential aspirants and CLICK A BUTTON to squeeze off a hail of IMAGINARY, ANIMATED shots (which are accompanied with a rat-a-tat sound)…"
"Of course, the imagery of Obama and Clinton, both of whom have been the target of threats and receive Secret Service protection, being targeted in such a manner–by children, no less–might be seen as troubling in some quarters, THOSE QUARTERS BEING THE PEOPLE WHO DO NOT UNDERSTAND GAMES AND HAVE AN AGENDA TO PUSH…"
"With the violent games, their concern needs to be if their children demonstrates more anger and aggressive behavior. As with all violent video games what happens is, SOME FLAKY AND CONTENTIOUS RESEARCH INSINUATES THAT it tends to desensitize people from real life violence."
Stupidest line in the history of the world ever.
How was this one?:
""Why is it acceptable to take shots at our president & candidates?"
First off, the game in question is not to the death. Secondly, the candidates have no problem "taking shots" at various American citizens. Bigotry, hate, and ignorance are prevelant throughout the political system. A lack of research on many issues, a desire to dictate personal and religious beliefs upon others that don't believe the same and don't want such beliefs exposed to their children, misinformation, deceit, and many attacks on whole groups of citizens based on gender, race, religion (or lack thereof), sexuality, etc, have shown these supposed "superior" candidates to not have a problem "taking shots" at those they will be governing soon. So why SHOULDN'T they accept being depicted in a fictional setting in a negative way? The specific format of the Expressive media doesn't necessarily deal with the issues, but it is still a form of Expression. "
Nightwng2000
NW2K software
Actually, in that case "train" is referring to " to aim at an object or objective ". Not "train on" that you're thinking.
@nightwing
Hey thanks! Yep, pretty good. Though the sentence in the middle runs a little long. But the point still shines through.
I wrote them an e-mail myself, but I didn't think to save it. It was early ^^;.
ABE LINCOLN WAS KILLED BY VIDYAH GAMES!!!! JFK HAS PONG TO BLAME FOR HIS UNTIMELY DEMISE!!!
Here is my response to that question:
INSTANT FAIL
*delayclose.jpg, Facepalm.jpg & headdesk.jpg*
seriously, what?! who, in their right minds (therefore excluding he who must not be named) would possibly consider this a training game for assassins?!
you cant just play the blame game on video games, media does desensitise people from violence, all forms, and in many cases, puts a positive shine over it.
i'm for balance on this issue. i'd like to see a report that compares these effects between games and other media sources, including the general pervasiveness in society today.
once we have that, we can make some sensible decisions.
Jack asses.
Also I find it amusing that video game paintball = kill training. While the outrage over REAL paintball which could feasibly provide some REAL combat training has relatively no outrage about it.
YOU CAN'T TRAIN TO DO JACK FUCKING SQUAT WITH A FUCKING COMPUTER MOUSE!
In all seriousness, has anyone noticed that extreme violence in games is the only thing given a free pass? Something non-violent like paintball or a sideboob stir controversy, while every other shooter, regardless of violence, gets a free pass. Honestly, what the hell is going on here?
And tell me if the new Batman movie is any good when you get back.
Nowhere in the game do you actually have a rifle scope, nor can you "train" (meaning "aim") it on someone. You have a mouse. You click. It's funny as hell. The critics of the game need to grow up and realize that the freedom of the press is primarily to allow this type of political humor.
Batman Begins was awesome, IMO. I'm a bit worrried about The Dark Knight, though. First they lost a camera man to a car accident during filming, now they have lost the Joker mid-production with Heath Ledger's death.
I don't know if we'll see Dark Knight for quite a while.
There is however, another political game I saw on bluesnews.com a few days ago. Its cartoony, its amusing, and it sort of keeps politcal backstabbing where it should remain. The name of that game escapes me at the moment.
"With the violent games, their concern needs to be if their children demonstrates more anger and aggressive behavior. As with all violent video games what happens is, it tends to desensitize people from real life violence."
If this is from a professionally trained psychologist, I will have to cry "bullsh*t". A psychologist, is a scientist, who should know better, then to make sweeping generalizations on things. Video games desensitize people at a lower rate then living in an area plaqued by voilence (whether from gangs vs other gangs, or warfare, i.e. Iraq). Frankly, if you become desensitized to violence from video games, your mental willpower and fortiude were weak to begin with.
(they do have a tendacy to do as such)
The problem with that argument is that the game, from what I understand, doesn't lead to the death of the candidate "victim". It's paintball. Whether you're using a paintball gun, a water gun, or a spit ball shooter, technically, in real life or not, the "victim" isn't killed. So the form of Expression is even less serious because of the nature of the "weapon" used.
Nightwng2000
NW2K Software
Maybe these critics should learn to pick their fights.
Furthermore, none of us have the urge to go out and kill anyone. Not one of us. Imagine that!
"Video games desensitize kids to violence-"
Srsly, I'd like to see the medical proof on that, because I almost hurl if I see a RL injury bigger than a small papercut!
All I ask is a day where someone in the political field doesn't say something that makes me want to throttle them...
What would they say if they really pulled out a game like this in the whitehouse?
Nobody would care, (well actually some might, but only because doing so might damage the white house) most people would probably laugh about it. In fact if I could get good seats I would pay money to see the candidates play paintball with each other.
Anyway it is a sad day when people think a cartoonish paintball game like that will make ANYONE want to get a real gun and actually kill people. Methinks those complainers haven't actually seen the game.
It doesn't even protray the candidates in a negative light, or any kind of light at all.
You just pick your candidate and engage in paintball with the remaining 5. Nothing more.
Presidents assassinated before video games existed: 4
Presidents assassinated after: 0
BAM. Did I just blow your mind or what?
"First they lost a camera man to a car accident during filming, now they have lost the Joker mid-production with Heath Ledger’s death."
They actually finished filming right before Ledger died.
Take for example, my friend falls on a knife and is bleeding profously. Who would react better, me, who hardly flinches when I see blood, or someone who has never really been around violent/bloody media?
Oh, and I'm excited for The Dark Knight ^-^
I would suggest "Cowboys & Indians", but you know how ugly that would get, bringing the race card in to it.
We must protect the precious little snow flakes! From now on, the only game that kids can play is chutes and ladders, and only if they restrict themselves to ladders with 3 rungs or less, and even then only if the kids pad themselves with bubble wrap and wear a safety helmet.
After all, rock paper scissors is too dangerous, I mean, there's a heavy rock, a sharp pair of scissors, and somebody could get a paper cut.
You mean that xbox ad based in the subway station?
Video games and any violent media have been banned.
Concerned Parent: Well, it's over. Our crusade to protect the children of America has ended, and we are the victors. Hooray!
Happy Jack Thompson: Alright, now go spend some time with little Timmy or baby Jane.
Concerned Parent: I think I'll do just that!
*Concerned Parent arrives at home. Meanwhile, happy Jack Thompson wins case dealing with violent video games. That's two wins so far.*
Concerned Parent: Little Timmy, come here! It's time to spend some wholesome family time together!
Concerned Parent's Spouse: Oh, yeah. Timmy is 23 now. He's in jail. Robbed a drug store and killed 4 people.
Concerned Parent: WHAT?! Why??
Concerned Parent's Spouse: Well, while you were off on your crusade, Timmy didn't have a good positive role model to show him the true way of life. He started doing drugs, dealing drugs, having sex with anything not bolted down... In the end, he ran out of money and robbed the drug store for more drug money.
Concerned Parent: Well, this is all the fault of those video games! They corrupted his mind!
Concerned Parent's Spouse: About that, he never played video games. We didn't allow him to watch television. Maybe you should have spent more time with him instead of "trying" to keep him safe from natural, human things like sex. *Hint hint: MASS EFFECT* Violence, while not natural, is still commonplace in society. We just needed to deal with it. But with that gone, no one will have any way to relieve stress or anything. Society as we know it will collapse. All thanks to you.
Concerned Parent: Oh, well... We still have Jane.
Concerned Parent's Spouse: Oh, yeah. She's dead.
This'll happen.
Just you wait and see.
Flash games are now getting flack? What next?
Pen & paper RPGS?!
Ludicrous.
Personally, I hope that never happens, but I do agree with you. People need to be less concerned with protecting their kids from "objectable" content, and more concerned with teaching those same kids good values (don't kill people or steal), work ethics, and how to properly deal with the "objectable" content in the world (without trying to ban it).
Oh, and pen and paper RPGs did catch flack some years ago. Namely Dungeons and Dragons. Some people believed it to be the work of Satan and those who played it where on a path to dark magic and satanic worship. In case you didn't already know that.
Haha, I did not know that. That's kinda sad, actually...
i personally love lazer tag games, and find them fun, recreational, and social activities.
http://kevinmccullough.townhall.com/blog/g/3199d0df-45a6-440e-84ae-a3651...
So, wait...
Am I the only one who does think that the Necronomicon is an actual book and want to use it's dark, evil powers for... evil?
The Deadites will fall under my control sooner or later!
what a tool.
Well technically, there are books CALLED Necronomicon, in honor of the unholy tome, but THE Necronomicon is not something published.
...
It's something YOU must find... and turn to your dark will. @________@
*shot at* No seriously, it's funny in that respect. ^_^
Now I'm training to toss pineapple grenades by playing football!
*rolleyes*
This silly topic takes the cake.
This is almost too dumb to write about, but the humor in it makes me want to see how heated people are about it.
It will be an interesting day when we can point-and-click to kill someone... oh wait... isn't that how we direct missiles? Oh yeah!! Now I remember! The US Military used computers to kill over 100,000 innocent civilians in Iraq! Gee... we should really worry about terrorists.
Anyhoo, I doubt the next President will be assassinated from behind a computer. They got JFK and the president of pakistan with good old fashioned Sniper Riffles.
Go Clinton!
-nate
While it's often exciting to shoot a stream of paintballs as fast as you can pull the trigger, sometimes it's nice to slow things down a little bit so the focus is on accuracy and positioning rather than the speed of your fingers. The simple way to slow things down is to remove all hoppers and play one shot at a time.