November 12th, 2007

by PacManPolarBear (http://sarcasticgamer.com/wp/index.php/author/pacmanpolarbear/)

http://sarcasticgamer.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/eanews.jpg

Source: Fortune (http://techland.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2007/10/31/what-eas-ceo-learned-from-playing-madden-nfl-for-11-straight-years/)

EA (http://sarcasticgamer.com/wp/index.php/category/electronic-arts/ea). The corporation so many of us love to hate, has actually done something kinda good. EA (http://sarcasticgamer.com/wp/index.php/category/electronic-arts/ea) is taking on those that would seek to censor video games (http://sarcasticgamer.com/wp/index.php/category/video-games). Yeah, Hilary, Mr. Thompson, I’m looking at you. John Riccitiello, the CEO of EA (http://sarcasticgamer.com/wp/index.php/category/electronic-arts/ea), recently spoke on behalf of the gaming industry, saying: “Our industry is exceptionally well-controlled. Every game gets rated… The desire by the media to censor games amazes me.” He went on to name a few TV shows and films that have violence, but little media outcry, pointing out an obvious double standard.

Well cover me in feathers and call me a chicken, “the sky is falling!…the sky is falling!” I actually agree with Riccitiello!

Read the rest, after the jump!

With elections on the way and growing pressure to impose tighter control over video game ratings, it’s about time one of the big boys stood up and cried foul. Rockstar stands alone no longer. To be fair though, how the hell can Rockstar even attempt to defend a game called Manhunt? But I digress…

For once the ‘Darth Vader’ of video game publishers has done something worthy of praise. To date, the battle between developers and the censor-crazed media has been a piece-meal affair. It’s about time this multi-billion dollar industry took a stand. The fact that EA (http://sarcasticgamer.com/wp/index.php/category/electronic-arts/ea) was the first big player to do so is nothing less than mind blowing. Having dodged the legal battles plaguing Rockstar and others so far, Mr Riccitiello seems have taken the initiative to strike out before the evil censorship media goons turn his way.

Honestly, has the whole world decided that personal accountability is no longer important? The world’s video game publishers need to stand up and cry wolf, because left unchecked this whole ESRB (http://sarcasticgamer.com/wp/index.php/category/esrb) power grab nonsense is really going to get out of hand, which will end up hurting the gaming industry in the long run.

Personally, I would buy a AO rated game if it was a good game. The 18 to 30 year old pool of gamers is not small, meaning that should AO rated games become more frequent, money could still be made. And despite games like Manhunt getting tons of bad press, the violence in that game doesn’t even hold a candle to a few episodes of CSI or Criminal Minds I have seen and they are on Primetime!

Either way, EA (http://sarcasticgamer.com/wp/index.php/category/electronic-arts/ea) has done good. I’m proud of you Mr. Riccitiello. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I need a shower.

Always good to hear that EA are doing something useful. :D

That is shocking not only are doing something good, but are doing it before they are forced to do it. Hmm mabye they will pay their employees on time too :D

Good to hear that EA is finally doing something for all gamers.

Sure, it does help themselves as well, but I think we're really the ones who benefit most from public acceptance.

EA's only doing this because any game that gets an AO rating is going to be a death sentence, it's like the NC-17 movie rating, not many people will buy it as there will be too many hoops to jump through.

EA's only doing this because any game that gets an AO rating is going to be a death sentence, it's like the NC-17 movie rating, not many people will buy it as there will be too many hoops to jump through.

I disagree on that point.... Since games aren't portrayed like movies... games are more along the lines of DVD's.

I would equate an AO rating to be equivalent to the movies releasing an unrated version of a film that was in theaters.

Then again, it maybe just my crazy mind acting up again... who knows

wow EA is finally doing something right. Good job EA. Wow I cannot believe I just said that.

I disagree on that point.... Since games aren't portrayed like movies... games are more along the lines of DVD's.

I would equate an AO rating to be equivalent to the movies releasing an unrated version of a film that was in theaters.

Then again, it maybe just my crazy mind acting up again... who knows

well true, it's mostly speculation^^ for the most part I don't know of any games that got the AO rating. I have a feeling that an AO game might be held behind the counter at some shops or even refused to carry and that will cost impulse buys. Still having the AO become more common would be bad for business.

EA's only doing this because any game that gets an AO rating is going to be a death sentence, it's like the NC-17 movie rating, not many people will buy it as there will be too many hoops to jump through.
I think this is one of those times that you just have to say "yes they're doing it to benefit themselves, but it's also benefiting us, so who are we to complain?"

It's like if a dude with HIV found a cure for HIV, you wouldn't say "ooh yea, but he only did it because he had it himself". Everyone gets motivation from somewhere. As long as the outcome is something good, who cares what the motivation is?

I'm not a big fan of the ends justify the means. EA's still the company that ruined Origin and Bullfrog among other great gaming companies.

There are plenty of 1st amendment rights activists that are fighting against the censorship and not getting any spotlight.

^ Very true. And one good deed does not wash away all of EA's evil deeds. But activists, especially today, have little real influence compared to a multi-million dollar corporation. I think it is at least a step in the right direction, regardless of why EA actually did it.

I'm not a big fan of the ends justify the means. EA's still the company that ruined Origin and Bullfrog among other great gaming companies.

There are plenty of 1st amendment rights activists that are fighting against the censorship and not getting any spotlight.

Don't forget their laziness on making PS3 versions of games...

people blame video games because they dont want to take responsibility for the fast that the youth is on a down words spiral. little to none of them have respect or manners. there violent meen nasty and ive seen kids that are rely full of hate. This is not due to video games. This is due to the parents not caring not disciplining and not taking control. This is the people they look up to like actor and music stars acting like they dont care and telling them negative things. and yet it is video games that is getting the brunt of this. The fact is if you dont want your kids to be exposed to it then dont buy him the freken game and if billy has the game dont let him hang out with billy

My biggest problem with young people today...chewing with their mouths open. If you can't even teach your kids that, you should not be allowed to raise a child. Seriously.

My biggest problem with young people today...chewing with their mouths open. If you can't even teach your kids that, you should not be allowed to raise a child. Seriously.

come to buffalo and spend a year here you will lose all faith in humanity

people blame video games because they dont want to take responsibility for the fast that the youth is on a down words spiral. little to none of them have respect or manners. there violent meen nasty and ive seen kids that are rely full of hate. This is not due to video games. This is due to the parents not caring not disciplining and not taking control. This is the people they look up to like actor and music stars acting like they dont care and telling them negative things. and yet it is video games that is getting the brunt of this. The fact is if you dont want your kids to be exposed to it then dont buy him the freken game and if billy has the game dont let him hang out with billy

My girlfriend gave (what I felt) was a fair and balanced presentation about the effect of violent games on young children (Ages 6-12) and her conclusion was that the parents need to monitor their children's video game consumption along with what movies and shows they watch.

The parents in the crowd honestly looked like they were going to nail her to a cross. As far as they're concerned they're too busy with their careers to do that stuff so we just need to ban violent video games.

My girlfriend gave (what I felt) was a fair and balanced presentation about the effect of violent games on young children (Ages 6-12) and her conclusion was that the parents need to monitor their children's video game consumption along with what movies and shows they watch.

The parents in the crowd honestly looked like they were going to nail her to a cross. As far as they're concerned they're too busy with their careers to do that stuff so we just need to ban violent video games.

and they cant understand that alot of video games are not for kids but for us past 20

If more parents actually really made an effort to be a positive part of their children's lives I wouldn't volunteer with youth outreach centers, rehab programs and crime prevention seminars. Damn near every single kid I deal with comes from a home with bad parents, and not just poor or abusive ones. More and more I see kids that are really hurting who come from middle class families.

And there is just no excuse. Video games are just another part of our North American easy answer mentality. You could outright ban movies, tv and games and things would not get better.

If more parents actually really made an effort to be a positive part of their children's lives I wouldn't volunteer with youth outreach centers, rehab programs and crime prevention seminars. Damn near every single kid I deal with comes from a home with bad parents, and not just poor or abusive ones. More and more I see kids that are really hurting who come from middle class families.

And there is just no excuse. Video games are just another part of our North American easy answer mentality. You could outright ban movies, tv and games and things would not get better.

thank you. I have been saying for so long. Its a me me me society. and we can not think past our self not even to another life. it must be a quick fix, and in the end its the youth that has to suffer and we wonder what is happening to are world

EA finally deserves the cool half of the 'Darth Vader' nickname.

ea are the good guys?
argh i cant comprehend it *head explodes*