Fable II, LBP, GRID Receive Kudos in Parliament
Fable II, LBP, GRID Receive Kudos in Parliament
March 29, 2009
As noted on the House of Commons website, Conservative MP Edward Vaizey (left) introduced an early day motion last week to recognize BAFTA nominees and winners, including Little Big Planet, Fable II and Race Driver: GRID.
A vocal backer of the UK video game industry, Vaizey also took the opportunity to criticize the Labour Government for not providing what he views as a sufficient level of support to the British game biz:
[Moved:] That this House notes the importance of the video games sector to the UK economy; congratulates the winners and nominees at this year's Bafta Video Games Awards; notes in particular the success of UK developed games, including Media Molecule's LittleBigPlanet, Codemasters' and Lionhead Studios' Fable II, all of which won awards...
applauds this recognition of the continued success and significance of video games despite the complete lack of support from Government; regrets the fact that this lack of support from Government has seen the UK fall from being the third largest producer of video games in the world to the fifth largest; and urges the Government to devise a clear and supportive strategy for the UK video games sector as part of the Digital Britain review.
GP: Vaizey's name is popping up on GamePolitics with enough regularity that we've added a tag for him in our category list.
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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
Always nice to see one of our MPs NOT being a dick about gaming.
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I LIKE the fence. I get 2 groups to laugh at then.
This guy is ace.
As a uk developer i REALLY hope he manages to get something through the thick skulls of the other cigar smoking fatcats in suits who parade pompously around the place, without a clue as to what is actually happening in reality.
The UK game biz NEEDS investment + tax breaks.
The same thing happened with UK computer hardware boom in the late 80s. DOing great, didnt get any support DESPITE asking for it, now the UK isnt a world leader in the area. The same thing will happen again mark my words.
Im going to get out of the UK asap unless soemthing QUICKLY changes. No justification for me to stay here.
the thick skulls of the other cigar smoking fatcats in suits who parade pompously around the place
The strange thing is that I could say the same for a lot of the people (particularly those with power) who work in the games industry (just replace suits with sweat stained t-shirts).
I think due to the current climate, the government could give the companies the tax breaks with certain conditions, such as employing graduates (with no games industry experience) and actually doing more to get people into the industry instead of expecting everyone else to do the work for them (ie the education system).
Cant argue conditional tax breaks that as a bad thing tbh. Only caveat is that tax breaks like that technically still wouldnt be as compettive compared to other countries.
It is getting better though with regard to opening up to the idea of making efforts to interest students in the education system. I graduate this year, and there are lots of companies who now run graduate entry schemes and internships, and we have had several companies come to our uni and give presentations on why we should work for them (Nvidia, team 17, Rare etc).
However it would be good to see more involvement and DEFINITELY earlier. I would have paid FAR more attention in my maths classes had i know that it actually had real world applications in something i was interested in. Instead i just sat there thinking ''when will i EVER need to use this...".
Little Big Planet..you mean that game that wussed out because of readings from the Koran in its soundtrack?
Yep, bowing to the great goat rapist Mohammed again.
Your first comment is right on track...your second one is a bit too far. Not all muslims are absolute dicks, and making general sweeping comments like that just alienates ones that may want to support video games.
Calling Mohammed a goat rapist is hateful. I'm certain you've received some form of hate for your religion (Barring atheism, as it's what most governments are sponsoring now) at one point in time from people you thought you were a part of.
Man, I'm Christian and think the reaction to LBP and other portrayels of islam was ridiculous and should have been blatantly ignored, and I think your comment went too far.
I will not buy securom games. http://www.wolvenmoon.com/sharedfiles/message1.jpg and http://www.wolvenmoon.com/sharedfiles/message2.jpg
Hating on Islam? That sounds like Jack, TBH.
Plus, we had a Muslim on here (*cough*Saladin*cough*) who was a good person in general.
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Aren't at least two of these console exclusives? Boo.
I will not buy securom games. http://www.wolvenmoon.com/sharedfiles/message1.jpg and http://www.wolvenmoon.com/sharedfiles/message2.jpg
Kudos to Edward Vaizey in return for this, we appreciate it!
Kudos to Edward Vaizey in return for this, we appreciate it!
Kudos to double comments, we appreciate it!
=============================================================================== Wishing JT would shut up since 4Ever!
Nice to hear this stuff especially from a shadow minister (and therefore someone likely to be in the next government). Will words transfer into action though? It's terribly easy to make the right sounds when you're in opposition...
Gift.