Unlike so many other politicians, or aspiring politicians/soon-to-be-disbarred lawyers, Obama's advice about video games is actually good, though perhaps a little redundant. For years people have been saying go outside instead of watching television or playing games.

While this advice is not new or ground-breaking, I am still glad he's in favor of parents raising today's youth, and not legislation.

Makes some sense. I mean, a kid who doesn't read at all could probably benefit from a bit of high culture rather than Madden all day.

From the name of the title I get the feeling that the person who wrote this is saying that Obama is making an anti video game statement and that's could not be farther from the truth, all he's saying is that you need to put the video games down once in a while.

Even Shigeru Miyamoto has said: "Spending too long, staying in and playing any video game is not good," he said. "I always tell my children to get out on a sunny day and I, myself, went jogging in Central Park yesterday. But I do my stretching on Wii Fit. They work together."

Luckily, I think we've got the two best candidates from each party (in terms of their stances on games) running for president.

It seems to me that he is trying to pander to the "murder simulator" group, while not alienating the "they're just video games" group. Either that, or he has some common sense. Either way, seems okay to me.

Don't. Whatever.

Obama has super powers O.O Thoug I do think he might have screwed hsi election chances. Common sense, can't have that i nthe white house.

-kurisu7885

Happy father's day everyone! Anywho, I agree with him for the most part, but I think he has one of those "Books are good just because they're books" mentalities. Why is it that reading books all the time is considered good, but playing videogames all the time makes you a deadbeat? Obviously literacy is important, but other than that, what makes a book so much better than a videogame? Or movies for thaat matter.

-If shit and bricks were candy and tits, we'd all be livin' large.

On the one hand, I understand what Obama is trying to say.  Certainly, kids should spend time outdoors and generally engage in as many activities as possible that enrich their lives instead of just entertain them.

At the same time though, I don't see why there's a constant rhetoric among politicians and in the media that books are always better than television and video games.  Let's say I'm watching Mythbusters with my son... is it really a better move for me to turn that off and have the kid read Harry Potter?  I mean, that's straight-up fiction versus a show that actually has some science content.

The point is, TV isn't necessarily evil and with the right developers, video games could be more enriching too.  Unfortunately, they have this stigma to get over first... let's hope the pontification doesn't prevent games from reaching their fuller potential.

I don't have kids, yet, but I'm certainly not going to let them sit around all day playing video games (like I now do, sometimes!)  So, I have no problem at all w/ what Obama is saying.  And, the fact the isn't trying to legislate anti-video game bills is even more encouraging.

All he is saying is that kids shouldn't play videogames, watch television and play on the computer all day, instead they should do other things.  I don't think anyone here disagrees with that.  He never said video game are bad or evil, its a billion dollar industry that is quickly outpacing going to the movies as entertainment, anyone who thinks that it will go away anytime soon is retarded.  In fact kids probably should play video games and watch TV sometimes (at least those who live in an urban, american setting), because if they don't they will feel sheltered and left out at school, since everyone else is doing these things, and they will be less able to socialize and make friends if they have nothing in common with the other kids.

I don't understand why books are better than games and TV, all are sedentary activities and most games, at least the RPG games that I play require a fair amount of reading and comprehension to get through.  Most games require at least minimal reading and comprehension, or a parent is needed to explain the game.  Reading seems to be gaining in popularity though, most kids that I know read books, and some who are complete video game addicts actually read a lot of books as well and can blow through huge books in a day.

I assume what he's is saying is that kids shouldn't be sitting around all day inside the house playing video games and watching T.V. Sounds like common sense to me. It's all about moderation. Nothing anti-gaming about it.

I agree with what Obama said (even though I am already an Obama supporter). I do agree that kids shouldn't play videogames, watch TV or be on the computer all day. Yet he never says that they are bad. And I completely agree that books can be better than games. I mean without books, we have no Tom Clancy games, haha. But seriously books simtulate the mind and allows it to learn and actually helps later in life like being a good lawyer on common sense (Thats a smack to the face to Jack Thompson), or being a good role model (That's a smack to the face to Hilary Clinton) or making video games, because you need to type correctly in order to make coding in games and books help with that.

What happens the book you are reading based off of a Video Game? Reading the new Metal Gear Solid book that came out a few weeks back.

This is why I say, "Obama is the more competent candidate."!

"replace the video game or the remote control with a book once in awhile."

He's saying books are still healthier than games. Both books and game stimulate tremendous brain activity. But which is healthier? Well, it depends on the book and depends on the game.

Turning off Resident Evil to read "The Great Gatsby" is an awesome idea. But I wouldn't say turning off DDR to read "Da Vinci Code" would be very beneficial at all.

How are so many of you swept up and willing to vote for this man?  I for one will not vote for Obama for several reasons.  But I mean come on people, the man stands there and tells us that he will bring a change, never specifiying what that change is.  And how about the fact that he has little to no experience...just take a look at his track record here in IL and in DC.  He rarely votes if it all.  And while Obama and McCain sling arrows at each other they both have Lobbyists, more specifically the nursing home lobbyists who are sleaze balls. 

Sorry I had the throw this out there.  I'm tired of everyone playing up Obama like he is some great all american being...oh and by the way...to Obama's campaign to stop the smears....I don't care if they have video of him leading the pledge of allegience once....in the IL state Senate he never stood, and I have several witnesses to attest to that.  So come November, think before you vote.  And make the right decision. 

It really seems like you're grasping for straws when you post "stories" about Obama saying the word video game like this, when the overall statement he's making doesn't really have anything to do with them. His point is clearly that parents need to be involved with their kids, to teach them and help them grow up to be educated and well rounded people -- and to stop using the tv or game console as a nanny.

Is this just an excuse to post something about Obama?

remember southern parents, he said, "Engage your kids" not "Get engaged to your kids."

I have to agree with a lot of the people here. This is not game bashing.

I'm a heavy reader, and my parents were more apt to say "Get your nose out of that book" then "Put down that dang controller." Growing up only playing games will not make you a well rounded character (no, not talking about weight). You need to have friends (even if they are online), you need to read, you need to work. The working part is important. When you grow up, and your wife is out, and you have the choice between working on the house and playing a game... you should have the ethics, AND the stregth of will... to only play a little bit before you get to work.

I see this as game bashing.  Sorry but it he just seems to put a negative tone towards video games.  I don't like it.  Sure it isn't Jack Thompson style game bashing but I don't see why he has to keep mentioning it.  I kind of see this as a sign that he is running out of things to talk about.  Not that I support John McCain, but you pretty much have to FORCE him to talk about video games which reflects the fact that video games are not a government issue.  Sorry but I don't want moral or parenting advice from my future president.  I'd rather hear about what ideas he is going to bring to the table to solve all the issues this country faces. 

Why not address real issues?  I could care less what the president thinks about how people parent their children.  I'd much rather hear about what he is going to do to be sure that it is the parents that will be doing the parenting instead of the government (speaking against government regulation of entertainment).  Parent's responsiblity not government.  Thus far he just mentioned that parents should prevent their children from watching tv and playing video games.  Is he planning to do something or planning to support bills that would prevent children from playing too many video games?  Is he planning to support anti-video game legislation?  It isn't clear.  The only thing that is clear is that he sees video games in a very negative light.  Video games can have a very positive impact on education and creative development.  

Obama is a run-of-the-mill democrat and they seem to enjoy the Nanny state.  Don't expect things to change.  He seems to be slightly better than Hillary Clinton but not by much.

 

Also when I was a young gamer, I also read allot of Goosebumps books by R.L.Stine

Mostly because they were not over 150 pages and they always had those intense moments like trying to run away from a monster or a kid in a life or death situration like sinking into quicksand, wrapped up by a snake or being eaten by a plant. Those are the things that I love to read about and hope to develop them into some Videogame ideas in the future.