More on those Obama XBL Ads
More on those Obama XBL Ads
October 16, 2008
MTV Multiplayer's Stephen Totilo has a couple of points to make regarding the now-famous Barack Obama ads on Xbox Live.
Stephen reports that if you're playing Burnout: Paradise on PlayStation 3, for example, you won't see the Obama ads. They are running only on Xbox Live. Instead, you'll see a faux car ad. For XBL players who want to check out the Obama ads, Stephen provides detailed instructions on how to locate them in-game.
Pictures of Obama ads in additional EA games are starting to pop up. Examiner.com has shots from Madden 09 and NBA Live 09. Destructoid has a Madden pic as well.
It's interesting to note the diverse opinions of gamers on the ads. Examiner's Tom Hall, for example, hates them:
Shouldn't we be allowed to escape this 3 ring ring circus once and while? Do we really have to have this crammed down our throats 24 hours a day? I'm pretty thankful that they have yet to discover the technology that lets them beam ads into my dreams... Video games, at least for me have always provided me with the escape from reality that I just plain need sometimes.
Meanwhile, Destructoid's Brad Nicholson seems to like the in-game ads:
After the Burnout piece, I found myself wondering the impact that political ads can actually have. Have any of you been swayed to vote early, or consider Obama over that other candidate? Do you consider this intrusive? Personally, I enjoy this ad much more than a Nike one because it at least has a message that is important. I like sneakers and all, but politics and blueberry pie are higher on my priority list.
As for GP? Since I run GamePolitics, it should come as no surprise that I love the idea of political ads in games. Here's what I told the Dallas Morning News:
Some gamers are saying, ‘We don’t want politics mixed in with our games,’ and some think it’s a very cool use of the medium. It’s a defining moment for not only advertising in video games but the political connection with video games.
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Posted 02/09/10 at 01:16pm
Andrew Eisen: Shouldn't be. Spirit of anti-discrimination laws would seem to include sexual orientation (and eye color). Plus there's always equal protection and such. Never know until you try.
Andrew Eisen: Shouldn't be. Spirit of anti-discrimination laws would seem to include sexual orientation (and eye color). Plus there's always equal protection and such. Never know until you try.
Posted 02/09/10 at 01:10pm
Andrew Eisen: Should have sued (unless that wasn't an option given her financial situation or something). Might have won.
Andrew Eisen: Should have sued (unless that wasn't an option given her financial situation or something). Might have won.
Posted 02/09/10 at 01:00pm
Valdearg: Story about a Male to Female TG who was expressly told she wouldn't be given a job because she was TG. Its not the main point of the story, but explicit, perfectly legal discrimination like this exists.
Valdearg: Story about a Male to Female TG who was expressly told she wouldn't be given a job because she was TG. Its not the main point of the story, but explicit, perfectly legal discrimination like this exists.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:53pm
Valdearg: Lol, I don't know. It may very well be legal to do so. Though that might able to fall under the "race" restriction, depending on how that point is argued.
Valdearg: Lol, I don't know. It may very well be legal to do so. Though that might able to fall under the "race" restriction, depending on how that point is argued.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:51pm
Valdearg: I don't think they do have any legal recourse. I'll have to dig around, but I seriously believe that if the law doesn't specifically mention Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity, they can still be discriminated against in those 29 states.
Valdearg: I don't think they do have any legal recourse. I'll have to dig around, but I seriously believe that if the law doesn't specifically mention Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity, they can still be discriminated against in those 29 states.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:51pm
Andrew Eisen: Eye color isn't covered either but I doubt it would be considered legal to refuse to hire people with green eyes.
Andrew Eisen: Eye color isn't covered either but I doubt it would be considered legal to refuse to hire people with green eyes.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:48pm
Andrew Eisen: My explanation is longer than the Shoutbox will allow. Suffice to say that while those who are discriminated against do have legal recourse, anti-discrimination law should specifically cite sexual orientation so that there’s no question about it.
Andrew Eisen: My explanation is longer than the Shoutbox will allow. Suffice to say that while those who are discriminated against do have legal recourse, anti-discrimination law should specifically cite sexual orientation so that there’s no question about it.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:42pm
Valdearg: "There is no federal law that consistently protects LGBT individuals from employment discrimination; it remains legal in 29 states, and in 38 states to do so based on gender identity or expression." From the Human Rights Campaign.
Valdearg: "There is no federal law that consistently protects LGBT individuals from employment discrimination; it remains legal in 29 states, and in 38 states to do so based on gender identity or expression." From the Human Rights Campaign.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:40pm
Valdearg: @AE: Why don't you think I'm correct? I know Wiki could be flawed, but as far as it says, its up to date as of June 2009.
Valdearg: @AE: Why don't you think I'm correct? I know Wiki could be flawed, but as far as it says, its up to date as of June 2009.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:39pm
Andrew Eisen: I don't think you're right but I really don't know and don't have the time to find out. However things actually are, it's very clear how they actually should be.
Andrew Eisen: I don't think you're right but I really don't know and don't have the time to find out. However things actually are, it's very clear how they actually should be.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:34pm
Valdearg: "just because there's no specific state level protection for it, doesn't make discrimination right or legal." I would disagree. If there's no laws against it, it makes it perfectly legal. It's definitely not right, but perfectly legal to do.
Valdearg: "just because there's no specific state level protection for it, doesn't make discrimination right or legal." I would disagree. If there's no laws against it, it makes it perfectly legal. It's definitely not right, but perfectly legal to do.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:33pm
Valdearg: Meaning in 29 states, private sector discrimination against gays is perfectly legal.. Sickening.
Valdearg: Meaning in 29 states, private sector discrimination against gays is perfectly legal.. Sickening.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:33pm
Valdearg: 19 states have no protections, and another 10 only have protections for public sector jobs.
Valdearg: 19 states have no protections, and another 10 only have protections for public sector jobs.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:32pm
Andrew Eisen: Well, most businesses have equal rights policies in place and just because there's no specific state level protection for it, doesn't make discrimination right or legal. Still, no argument against adding such protections.
Andrew Eisen: Well, most businesses have equal rights policies in place and just because there's no specific state level protection for it, doesn't make discrimination right or legal. Still, no argument against adding such protections.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:28pm
Valdearg: More information. Apparently, it's worse than I actually thought.
Valdearg: More information. Apparently, it's worse than I actually thought.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:28pm
Valdearg: Check the link. Apparently, its more like 20 states that have no protections.
Valdearg: Check the link. Apparently, its more like 20 states that have no protections.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:26pm
Andrew Eisen: In the US? Not that I'm aware of. Sad if true.
Andrew Eisen: In the US? Not that I'm aware of. Sad if true.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:25pm
Valdearg: @AE: Actually, I think, at least for now, businesses can still discriminate against gays in a few states.. Something like 5 or 8. Its part of why Gay Rights Advocates are in support of the Employee Nondiscrimination Act, or ENDA.
Valdearg: @AE: Actually, I think, at least for now, businesses can still discriminate against gays in a few states.. Something like 5 or 8. Its part of why Gay Rights Advocates are in support of the Employee Nondiscrimination Act, or ENDA.
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Comments
I put the music on this site. Like it? Jack Thompson
Jack Thompson, L33T HA><0R, and You Are Not?
once again, wrong topic, dumbass
岩「…Ace beats Jack」
How did you upload the Flash game Jack?
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I AM DOOMED TO HAUNT JACK THOMPSON'S DREAMS UNTIL HIS CRUSADE AGAINST VIDEO GAMES ENDS.
I apologize for my other personality's poor taste in music.
I however applaud for once Politicians actually trying to engage gamers instead of demonizing them. Of course tht was my fault. But I am trying to clean up after myself. You know not with a man diaper or anything. Or discarded faxes to use when I no longer have the money for toilet paper.
Well, if Obama ever starts wailing on videogames, and paints them as a medium played primarily by children, then we can question why his campaign put ads into games.
Then his answer will be to get our asses to stop playing and start getting involved. Seriously, why do so many see his ads as hypocrisy? (Did I spell that right?)
Ignoring Jack Thompsons weird reply that has nothing to do with this article., I hate this myself, I would like to keep politics out of my games plz.
And yes, Brokenscope is right, if Obama starts going off on video games, we can point him right back to these ads.
Jack who? Never heard of em. :P
As for Obama, the only thing I've heard him say about games is 'put em down for a while and balance it out with other activities.' Certainly a far cry from the 'BAN BAN BAN BAN' of the likes of Hillary and her ilk.
-- "Jack and listen are two words that don't go together...just like Jack and sanity, Jack and truth, Jack and proof, Jack and win..." -- sortableturnip | http://www.orangeloungeradio.com/
your point is valid...but u can look at it this way: Gamers (obviously +18 gamers in this case) were always looked as childish adults...so the fact that Obama's campaign chose to target games is a fairly positive thing...plus as u said from now Obama will shut up about gaming stuff
Given the amount of work that will be required to fix all the problems brought upon by this administration, I would doubt if they will actually have enough time to try to work on such a trivial issue... that is unless of course some jack-ass politician sees it as some sort of hot button issue to raise for the sake of headlines. Of course, no one would be that stupid... would they?
As far as ads in games goes, hell, as long as they are paying for the space and it encourages game companies to stay in production then by all means go ahead, just don't make my game slow down or stop for them (i.e. "This Headshot brought to you by Head & Shoulders. Forget about the blood, get rid of the flakes!")
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You see, I believe in the noble, aristocratic art of doing absolutely nothing. And one day, I hope to be in a position to do even less!
Well it's better than all those ED ads that seem to pop up everywhere now.
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"What for you bury me in the cold cold ground?" - Tasmanian devil
Those Obama billboards in Burnout....I wonder if you could crash through them?
10/150 Smashed Obama Faces!!!
I don't know...
I'm voting for Obama, but out of fairness I'd like to see other candidates advertised too, such as that elephant dude and.... those independent people. Why not? I'm switching my vote to Perot. Third times a charm?
Granted the Obama camp were the ones who sought out the advertising space. So if the McCain camp or Barr camp or whoever wanted to advertise in these games, I am sure EA would be more than willing to.
E. Zachary Knight
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Which makes you wonder... why aren't they? Are they foolish enough to believe there are not undecided gamers out there? They speak of Obama like he's a celebrity, yet they refuse to go the extra mile to get their name out there in a platform that, I would suspect, would gladly welcome them? Something isn't right... wing :p
I really like these ads online. I mean its a great way to reach out to the audeince younger like me. Though I have yet to see one online with my own eyes on the screen yet.