Brit Tabloid To McDonald's: Don't Blame Video Games

January 13, 2008

We don't often find ourselves citing British tabloids here on GamePolitics. But we couldn't resist writer Paul Vale's riposte to McDonald's in today's Sunday Star.

GP readers will recall that last week the CEO of McDonald's U.K. pointed a greasy finger at the video game biz for causing childhood obesity. But Vale begs to differ:

The gaming ­industry has been blamed for many things in recent years, from teenage violence to England’s failure to qualify for Euro 2008. Gaming is a very easy target...

 

More of the same last week when Steve Easterbrook, Chief Executive of McDonalds UK, suggested a major factor in the childhood obesity crisis is video games.

 

You admitted the food and drink biz played a part too – but you forgot to mention the 1,200 calories contained in an average Big Mac, large fries and a Coke. I’ve no problem with McDonalds – if people want to buy it that’s up to them.

 

But I do have a problem with the gaming industry being blamed for all of society’s ills as it often is, just because it’s a soft target. Like one of your ­customers, Phil, we’ve had a stomach-full.
Buzz It

Comments

Submitted by koku (not verified) on Sun, 01/13/2008 - 12:03.
yes. finally some sence

Submitted by chris (not verified) on Sun, 01/13/2008 - 12:06.
well all right then.

Score one for the team!

how many more sensationalist tabloids left to conquer?

Submitted by koku (not verified) on Sun, 01/13/2008 - 12:17.
well, atleast we have some support, from tabloids or not

Submitted by Pominator (not verified) on Sun, 01/13/2008 - 12:24.
Woot! This is why my country rules! We have sensible people in some position of power!

Submitted by Josh (not verified) on Sun, 01/13/2008 - 12:41.
lol, Who's Phil?

"Like one of your ­customers, Phil, we’ve had a stomach-full."

Submitted by Ken (not verified) on Sun, 01/13/2008 - 12:54.
It's funny how McDonald's blames games for people being obese, but correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't there a McDonald's billboard and restaurant in the Manhattan level in Tony Hawk's Underground, and then another restaurant in the New Orleans level of Tony Hawk's Underground 2?

Submitted by BlackIce, Dragunov Marksman (not verified) on Sun, 01/13/2008 - 13:04.
Unfortunately, the rest of the Star is pornography and stories about pornography.

Submitted by Brandon (not verified) on Sun, 01/13/2008 - 13:28.
Now if only this person would write about violence being blamed on video games a well.

Submitted by Raum (not verified) on Sun, 01/13/2008 - 13:42.
lol, nice pic, where'd you get it?

Submitted by chuma (not verified) on Sun, 01/13/2008 - 13:45.
The sunday star??? When the tabloids start talking more sense than the independant News Organisations, you know there is something wrong with the world.

Submitted by Bloodharp (not verified) on Sun, 01/13/2008 - 14:31.
Hooray for support from an established periodical, but wont we maybe lose a little credibility with a tabloid behind us? Anybody from U.K., can you tell us how credible the magazine is?

Submitted by Marlowe (not verified) on Sun, 01/13/2008 - 15:14.
@ Ken
I'm not familiar with that game but it wouldn't suprise me. Also of note is the fact that McDonald's partners with Nintendo so that their restaurants are WiFi hubs for the DS.

Submitted by Buckeye531 (not verified) on Sun, 01/13/2008 - 15:17.
At least someone gets it.

Submitted by beemoh on Sun, 01/13/2008 - 15:27.
Bloodharp: The Star isn't considered particuarily credible.

However, it's worht noting that Paul Vale is (or was) one of the main presenters on the videogames TV channel xLeague, which is owned by the same people as The Star.

/b

Submitted by FlashnFuse (not verified) on Sun, 01/13/2008 - 15:28.
Personally, I'm still boycotting mcdonalds (by myself).

Submitted by Cidas (not verified) on Sun, 01/13/2008 - 15:44.
Mcdonalds is unhealthy as it is anywyas, so I choose not to eat there. Besides, I wrestle so I have to maintain my weight, so Mcdonalds or any fast food stores pushes me back from my goals.

Good to hear someone talking out against mcdonalds.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/13/2008 - 15:48.
*Ahem*

IMPRESSIVE

Or perhaps HUMILIATION?

Submitted by BlackIce, Dragunov Marksman (not verified) on Sun, 01/13/2008 - 16:51.
@Anonymous

Shuddup Frenchie =P

Submitted by Internet Hate Machine (not verified) on Sun, 01/13/2008 - 16:58.
LOL

@ BlackIce

NO U

Submitted by DarkTetsuya (not verified) on Sun, 01/13/2008 - 17:16.
Indeed... I dunno if he noticed, but last I checked videogames don't have a 'Nutrition Facts' panel... but then most people don't notice the rating that *is* on the box, but that's a rant I'll save for the next 'so and so attempts to outlaw videogames... again.' post.

Submitted by MysterX (not verified) on Sun, 01/13/2008 - 21:30.
I heard GTA4 is going to have like a gazillion calories per serving.

Submitted by Mrbig (not verified) on Sun, 01/13/2008 - 23:08.
never thought I would say this to someone form the tabloids but aman

Submitted by Mark of Cain (not verified) on Mon, 01/14/2008 - 01:22.
It is a strange day when a tabloid reports something true and nonsensational.

Submitted by Mystik Tomato (not verified) on Mon, 01/14/2008 - 01:33.
Wow.

First the story of The Incredible Frog-Boy being on the loose again, and then this?

Tabloids ARE getting non-sensational.

Submitted by Archgabe (not verified) on Mon, 01/14/2008 - 03:16.
Game: Rock Band

3,208 grams of fat
3.030 calories
200 grams of sugar
226.383 grams of fun

Nothing ever played so delicious!

Submitted by Blase (not verified) on Mon, 01/14/2008 - 05:52.
An article in The Star feels like an endorsement from Al-Kaida. Just wait until some Thompson-like zealot points at the 'cooperation of porn and gaming industries' by the means of tabloids :).

Submitted by odc04r (not verified) on Mon, 01/14/2008 - 08:08.
People who read the Star probably quite like McDonalds...

Submitted by alex (not verified) on Mon, 01/14/2008 - 10:31.
hurray somebody see sense at least! it's just a pity it's in the Star.

Submitted by PaulV (not verified) on Mon, 01/14/2008 - 11:15.
It may be a tabloid, but it's got a decent readership and, as an established paper, has a fair bit of clout.

The problem for the industry is not that a tabloid is fighting its corner. The real concern is that no one else is.

Submitted by CommiePuddin (not verified) on Mon, 01/14/2008 - 13:59.
Quit blaming McDonald's, too.

Blame lazy parents, they're the only ones at fault.

Submitted by MonkeyPeaches (not verified) on Fri, 01/18/2008 - 22:43.
when I went to breakfast at McDonald's the cashier gave me coffee to drink without even asking what I wanted to drink. (I wanted orange juice)
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