He has been one of the video game industry's most aggressive critics in the past, but GamePolitics has learned that Boston Mayor Thomas Menino (D) will partner with the ESRB on a public service ad campaign designed to raise parental awareness of the video game rating system.
The campaign, unveiled in Boston by Menino and ESRB President Patricia Vance, will feature T.V. and radio ads as well as outdoor print ads. Of the media blitz, Menino said:
Parents want control of the media that comes into their homes, and the entertainment that their children enjoy. That’s why it’s so imperative that we educate parents about useful and informative tools like the ESRB ratings and rating summaries, so they’ll be empowered to make informed choices about which games they deem appropriate. I’m proud to be educating parents in our city about the tools at their disposal.
With today's news, Menino joins a number of high-profile elected officials around the country who have partnered with the ESRB on game ratings awareness campaigns over the past several years. Given Menino's track record as a video game industry critic, the turnabout is especially significant.
In 2006 Menino led a campaign to have Grand Theft Auto ads removed from public transit. In 2007 his office flirted with video game legislation authored by Jack Thompson. The Boston Mayor's video game bill was eventually submitted to the legislature in 2008, but died in committee.
Menino, who earlier this year touted Boston as a game industry-friendly city in an effort to attract jobs, is running for an unpredecented fifth term as mayor.
Comments
Re: Boston Mayor to Partner with ESRB on Ratings Awareness ...
It could just be that as video games become more promenint in our culture, the critics begin to see it as something that should be embraced, not feared.
Re: Boston Mayor to Partner with ESRB on Ratings Awareness ...
Wow, common sense. This guy is SO not getting re-elected!
That or it is a cynical scam as Leet Gamer Jargon surmised
Whatever happened to those stickers that used to warn of explicit language on CDs? Haven't seen those for years, did everyone just think "fuck it"? Has 2 Live Crew finally won?
Re: Boston Mayor to Partner with ESRB on Ratings Awareness ...
>Whatever happened to those stickers that used to warn of explicit language on CDs? Haven't seen those for years, did everyone just think "fuck it"? Has 2 Live Crew finally won?
Nah, it just became cheaper to sticker the non-explicit language CDs instead.
/b
Re: Boston Mayor to Partner with ESRB on Ratings Awareness ...
"Parents want control of the media that comes into their homes, and the entertainment that their children enjoy."
Here's the first stupid thing that most of these politicians hoping to use video games as a ratings springboard say. It sounds positive and pro-parent, but the truth should be told. What he should have said is "Parents ALREADY CAN control the media that comes into their homes, and the entertainment that their children enjoy."
I know it's important that we educate parents about the rating systems, but I really think a line has to be drawn at some point where video games ratings stops being something that can help a parent, and where it becomes something you expect a parent to know about or to at least have the common sense to understand. I really hope that this will come about without having to wait for our generation to be those parents and authority figures, but unfortunately i can't see it happening.
Re: Boston Mayor to Partner with ESRB on Ratings Awareness ...
Ahhhhh Jack's "allies" seem to be jumping ship. Probably realized that you know....actually supporting the current generation and their recreation activities might be more profitable than trying to be censor happy?
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James Fletcher, member of ECA Canada
Re: Boston Mayor to Partner with ESRB on Ratings Awareness ...
The ESRB must have threatened his life with a Lite Brite...
Re: Boston Mayor to Partner with ESRB on Ratings Awareness ...
1-31-07 Nevar forget.
Re: Boston Mayor to Partner with ESRB on Ratings Awareness ...
Alright, am I the only one who thinks this guy is a load of bullshit? He's doing this for one of two reasons:
A. His opinions of video games truly have changed, and now, instead of banning games, he wants to educate others about the ratings system so people can make their own decisions...
Or...
B. His opinion hasn't changed; he's still against violent games, and secretly stands by his anti-video-game stance. However, due to the recent recession, he's trying to attract game devs to Boston to increase the money flow in the city, and takes this new stance to save face from his support for the failed JT bill so he can win re-election. Then, after the election is done and his victory has been secured, he'll (probably) turn on the games industry and go after violent games and game content again...the scumbag...
I would prefer A., but B. is also probable.
What do you guys think? Could he be making a move to secure his career, or am I a bitter, cynical shell, a husk of what once was a gentle, caring, gullible young man? (I'll be 21 this year, so yes, I am a young man.)
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Game on, brothers and sisters.
Re: Boston Mayor to Partner with ESRB on Ratings Awareness ...
I don't think that's a cynical view at all, just a realistic one. BACK PEDDLE FASTER!
Re: Boston Mayor to Partner with ESRB on Ratings Awareness ...
Huh? What'chu talking about "back-peddling" for?
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Game on, brothers and sisters.
Re: Boston Mayor to Partner with ESRB on Ratings Awareness ...
Re: Boston Mayor to Partner with ESRB on Ratings Awareness ...
Oh, my bad. I thought you were telling me to "back peddle faster". My mistake.
Judging from his pic, I doubt he's that in shape. XD
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Game on, brothers and sisters.
Re: Boston Mayor to Partner with ESRB on Ratings Awareness ...
I'm not against repentance, but some show of appology would be nice. "I'm sorry for acting like such a douche; I promise to do what I can to educate parents in ratings, protect their rights, and keep our First Amendment intact."
Still, I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt until he turns into an asshole again.
Re: Boston Mayor to Partner with ESRB on Ratings Awareness ...
Or:
C: He doesn´t really care if games are violent or not. He just want money. Plain and simple.
The cynical side of videogames (spanish only): http://thelostlevel.blogspot.com/ My DeviantArt Page (aka DeviantCensorship): http://www.darkknightstrikes.deviantart.com/
Re: Boston Mayor to Partner with ESRB on Ratings Awareness ...
C. Definitely C.
He's a politician, after all.
Re: Boston Mayor to Partner with ESRB on Ratings Awareness ...
There's also D: he's against violent video games, and since his other approaches have failed, he's decided to join forces with the ESRB to use the last option available to prevent kids from playing violent video games: inform the parents and hope for the best.
Re: Boston Mayor to Partner with ESRB on Ratings Awareness ...
YES! Someone finally got it right! Thank you, Good!
Re: Boston Mayor to Partner with ESRB on Ratings Awareness ...
Jack Thompson saying this guy is raped by the video game industry and supporting his rapist in 3...2...1
Nice to see a former game hater doing the right thing for all of us who play video game.
Parents want control of the media that comes into their homes, and the entertainment that their children enjoy. That’s why it’s so imperative that we educate parents about useful and informative tools like the ESRB ratings and rating summaries, so they’ll be empowered to make informed choices about which games they deem appropriate. I’m proud to be educating parents in our city about the tools at their disposal.
At least he knows what he is saying. He makes me proud of how to be a good parent. Take that Jack Thompson, you see this former worker of yours knows what he is saying.