Despite Track Record, Boston Mayor Wants to Attract Game Developers
Despite Track Record, Boston Mayor Wants to Attract Game Developers
May 14, 2007
When it comes to video games, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino presents a bit of a quandary.In recent months he has backed video game legislation; supported a campaign to remove M-rated game ads from mass transit vehicles; and billed Sony for the cost of police officers who responded to a disturbance during the PS3 launch.
Despite his track record, the Boston Globe reports that Menino hosted a recent conference at Northeastern University to explore ways in which game development companies could be encouraged to set up shop in Massachusetts. Said Menino:
We want to help these young people and entrepreneurs understand that we're a digital-friendly city. My administration is dedicated to helping creative industries flourish."
Already in the Boston area are developers such as Turbine (Asheron's Call, Lord of the Rings Online), Harmonix (Guitar Hero series), Blue Fang Games (Zoo Tycoon), and Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling's startup 38 Studios.
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Posted 07/04/09 at 05:07pm
Andrew Eisen: JT "knew it would be a good audience." Not what he said on Tuesday.
Andrew Eisen: JT "knew it would be a good audience." Not what he said on Tuesday.
Posted 07/04/09 at 05:01pm
Andrew Eisen: VG cause violent behavior. VG companies influence behavior to get sales. Yeah, that makes sense.
Andrew Eisen: VG cause violent behavior. VG companies influence behavior to get sales. Yeah, that makes sense.
Posted 07/04/09 at 04:52pm
Andrew Eisen: Yes, it's been proposed but as far as I know it has not been passed. Big difference.
Andrew Eisen: Yes, it's been proposed but as far as I know it has not been passed. Big difference.
Posted 07/04/09 at 04:50pm
Cheater87: http://www.gamezine.co.uk/news/formats/xbox360/all-violent-video-games-be-banned-in-germany-$1301757.htm
Cheater87: http://www.gamezine.co.uk/news/formats/xbox360/all-violent-video-games-be-banned-in-germany-$1301757.htm
Posted 07/04/09 at 04:49pm
Andrew Eisen: Far as I know, Germany has not banned all violent video games.
Andrew Eisen: Far as I know, Germany has not banned all violent video games.
Posted 07/04/09 at 04:44pm
Cheater87: Jack wants the US to follow Germany's total video game ban.
Cheater87: Jack wants the US to follow Germany's total video game ban.
Posted 07/04/09 at 04:42pm
Andrew Eisen: Note to JT, it is not illegal to sell kids a ticket to R-rated movies.
Andrew Eisen: Note to JT, it is not illegal to sell kids a ticket to R-rated movies.
Posted 07/04/09 at 04:39pm
Cheater87: Jack said we would be better with no rating sytem.
Cheater87: Jack said we would be better with no rating sytem.
Posted 07/04/09 at 04:35pm
Alareth: So what was the introduction used for Jack?
Alareth: So what was the introduction used for Jack?
Posted 07/04/09 at 04:31pm
JDKJ: Heard one, you've heard 'em all. He repeats the same act, with the same half-truths, over and over.
JDKJ: Heard one, you've heard 'em all. He repeats the same act, with the same half-truths, over and over.
Posted 07/04/09 at 04:31pm
Andrew Eisen: Using a credit card as age verification is not illegal. Hope Mark called him on that and his made up statistics.
Andrew Eisen: Using a credit card as age verification is not illegal. Hope Mark called him on that and his made up statistics.
Posted 07/04/09 at 04:30pm
Alareth: Jack is special, his mommy always told him so.
Alareth: Jack is special, his mommy always told him so.
Posted 07/04/09 at 04:29pm
Andrew Eisen: JT lied about that APA causation thing again. Wonder if Mark called him on it.
Andrew Eisen: JT lied about that APA causation thing again. Wonder if Mark called him on it.
Posted 07/04/09 at 04:04pm
Andrew Eisen: Follow the JT/Methenitis debate on Twitter: http://twitter.com/jtdebate
Andrew Eisen: Follow the JT/Methenitis debate on Twitter: http://twitter.com/jtdebate
Posted 07/04/09 at 01:18pm
Andrew Eisen: Rodrigo - A fun idea but you might want to fix the typos.
Andrew Eisen: Rodrigo - A fun idea but you might want to fix the typos.
Posted 07/04/09 at 12:57pm
GRIZZAM PRIME: Happy 4th of July!
GRIZZAM PRIME: Happy 4th of July!
Posted 07/04/09 at 12:44pm
Yuuri: Happy Blow Crap Up Day!
Yuuri: Happy Blow Crap Up Day!
Posted 07/04/09 at 11:09am
Rodrigo Ybáñez García: I designed this shirt for Jack debate today: http://i44.tinypic.com/2552t89.jpg
Rodrigo Ybáñez García: I designed this shirt for Jack debate today: http://i44.tinypic.com/2552t89.jpg
Posted 07/04/09 at 11:06am
BearDogg-X: There's a one minute and a half preview of the video game episode of Penn & Teller: Bullshit! up at http://www.sho.com/site/ptbs/home.do
BearDogg-X: There's a one minute and a half preview of the video game episode of Penn & Teller: Bullshit! up at http://www.sho.com/site/ptbs/home.do
Posted 07/04/09 at 10:08am
Arcanagos: Happy 4th all
Arcanagos: Happy 4th all
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Comments
GARBA BLARGBA GARBA BLARGA BARB! SLARGA BARGA BLARGA BARG POLITICAL DONATIONS SLOBBA GARB! I SUPPORT BOGGA BLUGGA BUGGA.
The perfect candidate. For what you can understand.. it is just long enough to meet the needs of this country's 1 minute political slogan, audio clip oriented electorate.
but at least Harmonix is awesome.
Perfect!
He who talks sh**, will eventually find need to kiss a**.
Nightwng2000
NW2K Software
I think it means I need more sleep.
Anyways, Menino, you want to find ways to get more ways to get devs into your city? Start by not being an overreactive douche. Believe me, it helps.
Everyone loves a flip-flopper.
It wasn't a very good conference. The morning was talks about Boston from different prospectives. The afternoon had pannel talks. It seemed each one was straying and less relevent to the problems to starting a Business.
Nothing new was proposed from any party the conference. The City had no plan, but talked about what they were doing already. Heck the VC's on their pannel talked about "going to Asia". The group pannel I was in was dominated with the issue that most schools don't have a clue what the industry needs and most companies haven't planned for (or can budget) training or interns.
The only good thing about the conference was that it was a good place to network.
Flip-flopper.
Just not to Hasbro's.
So he's a politician, and a lousy one.
He has to persecute us becuase it will get him reelected. On the other hand, he wants our money.
It's nothing personal. It's just business.
I think it means your first instinct was correct. Considering his track record of over reactions and desire to ban any and everything, it wouldn't surprise me in the least if he would sent SWAT teams in to raid developers a la Crytek.