Ontario Govt. Slammed for Funding Violent Games in Ubisoft Deal

July 13, 2009 -

The unprecedented $263 million grant with which the Ontario government enticed Ubisoft to open a new game development studio in Toronto has drawn its share of fire since it was announced last week.

Most of the criticism has focused on the economics of the deal and the idea of giving away so much taxpayer money to an already-profitable, foreign company.

This morning, columnist Andrew Dreschel of the Hamilton Spectator takes a few shots at the money angle, but also slams the government of Premier Dalton McGuinty for essentially funding the creation of violent video games:

If using tax dollars to assist a foreign private-sector company is an iffy proposition, the thread becomes even more frayed when you look at some of the games in Ubisoft's roster.

Assassin's Creed enables players to experience the thrill of murdering people in Renaissance Italy. Red Steel allows you to feel the power and freedom of slaying your enemies with bullet and blade.

Call Of Juarez lets you use your gunslinging skills and arsenal of deadly weapons to kill anyone who stands in your way. America's Army: Rise Of A Soldier thrusts you into the role of a sniper assigned to kill enemy officers...

The McGuinty government's investment is offering concrete support and official blessings to amoral games that both glorify and trivialize violence and, arguably, contribute to anti-social behaviour -- all in the name of business.

GP: In the pic, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty (right) and Ubisoft CEO Yannis Mallat seal the $263 million deal...


Comments

Re: Ontario Govt. Slammed for Funding Violent Games in ...

Geez it seems like there's a Jack Thompson around every fucking corner.

Re: Ontario Govt. Slammed for Funding Violent Games in ...

Oh piss off. All that bullshit you claimed aside, what about the ADULTS who enjoy this stuff? And what of the job offerings making these games intended for ADULTS? Obviously all that "trivializing" and "glorification" hasn't amounted to jack shit, what with people not being so retarded and knowing that movie, game, and book representations may not be accurate depictions of events and acts...

If someone really doesn't understand that real violence isn't something glorious or trivial, they likely haven't been in touch with reality in a while, or they're crazy.

Go cry yourself to sleep.

Reality/////////////////////////////////////Fantasy. Seems like a pretty thick line to me...

Re: Ontario Govt. Slammed for Funding Violent Games in ...

And Douchebag McColumnist goes on to say: "And in other news we are really extremely super happy that director Quentin Tarantino is coming here to make one of his thought provoking movies.  The buckets of blood and dismemberment really touch on mankind's struggle with himself.  So bring the kids!"

Note: This is sarcasm.

-Ultimately what will do in mankind is a person's fear of their own freedom-

Re: Ontario Govt. Slammed for Funding Violent Games in ...

They really are quite Xenophobic in Ontario, that's twice I've seen the fact that Ubisoft are 'foreigners' being held up as though this should be considered the same as 'lepers'.

 

Re: Ontario Govt. Slammed for Funding Violent Games in ...

If you cherry pick games like that then yes it would be bad. I mean they forgot Raving Rabbit, which is a sweet game thats not too voilent.

http://www.magicinkgaming.com/

Re: Ontario Govt. Slammed for Funding Violent Games in ...

Bitch Bitch bitch bitch bitch. Even if it helps Canada for even A LITTLE BIT it's worth the risk. Besides Ubisoft is a solid company and has 2 of the MUST PLAY games of the year. Assassin's Creed 2 and Splinter Cell: Conviction. Ubisoft and Canada will be fine and people like this will do nothing but do what they only know how.... Bitch.

Re: Ontario Govt. Slammed for Funding Violent Games in ...

Funny, those two games you mentioned are both Canadian made.

Re: Ontario Govt. Slammed for Funding Violent Games in ...

But there's no escaping the fact the McGuinty government's investment is offering concrete support and official blessings to amoral games that both glorify and trivialize violence and, arguably, contribute to anti-social behaviour -- all in the name of business.

Self-righteous idiot. That´s all I can say.

The cynical side of videogames (spanish only): http://thelostlevel.blogspot.com/ My DeviantArt Page (aka DeviantCensorship): http://www.darkknightstrikes.deviantart.com/

Re: Ontario Govt. Slammed for Funding Violent Games in ...

Pfft, who cares? If the government is trying to appeal to get constituents' votes they are out of touch. I doubt enough constituents are worried about fake problems like this.

They are clearly not doing it for the children because children cannot vote.

GameSnooper

Re: Ontario Govt. Slammed for Funding Violent Games in ...

"Assassin's Creed enables players to experience the thrill of murdering people in Renaissance Italy."

Wow, Assassin's Creed 2 is out already?  Awesome, where can I buy it?

Re: Ontario Govt. Slammed for Funding Violent Games in ...

I don't think they'd complain if it was a foreign film company that was setting up shop there because of tax breaks.

Re: Ontario Govt. Slammed for Funding Violent Games in ...

 If the government helped a company that made violent movies would there be such an outrage??? I think not. Irony. 

Re: Ontario Govt. Slammed for Funding Violent Games in ...

You mean the Ontario Production Services Tax Credit that offers foreign filmmakers a 25% tax credit on all costs incurred while filming in the province, including labour? 

Re: Ontario Govt. Slammed for Funding Violent Games in ...

I consider this dude uninformed/biased as hell if only because they don't even explain the context in which the actions are performed. i mean, "you murder people in middle age time jerusalem, damascas and acre"...the reader thinks: well that's violent and unneccessary.

"you murder various religeous and political figures seeking to profit on a war between the christian and muslim forces (the crusades i believe...it's been a while since i played it), and in doing so, helping your master in his efforts to keep peace."

still violent, but now it's got meaning, like any blockbuster movie or such.

 

that being said, ubi doesn't really need the money.  i'm pretty sure they're relatively rolling in it compared to a lot of other companies.

Re: Ontario Govt. Slammed for Funding Violent Games in ...

Well, generally it is profitable companies that you want to entice to your cities.  Philly has a whole pile of such deals that coaxed companies like Comcast to set up here.

Though even within this deal.... Ubisoft is putting more money into the local economy then the tax breaks they are getting.    So the deal is a net gain for the city period.

Re: Ontario Govt. Slammed for Funding Violent Games in ...

Let me just clarify my position: the deal was a good idea - the price was rediculous. That said, this dumbass in the article is bashing Ubisoft more than the taxes that went into the deal. I'd be preaching to the choir here if I said how stupid his argument is.

Re: Ontario Govt. Slammed for Funding Violent Games in ...

I don't mind the fact that it's violent video games. Kids shouldn't even be playing them.
But taxpayer money? That much?

 

wat.

 

 

=========================================================================== Jack Thompson is vanquished!!!
 
Forgot your password?
Username :
Password :

Shout box

You're not permitted to post shouts.
TechnogeekIf the developer were male there wouldn't have been a "conversation" in the first place.10/19/2014 - 2:27am
Montetrolls are just at their absolute worst when it comes to women and feminist. You could bet good money that if the developer were male the trolls would be silent and the conversation would actually focus on the journalism.10/18/2014 - 9:18pm
MontePapa: Not the first time we've had a journalism scandals before, but the harassment never got close to this level; the difference with this scandal is that feminists are involved. Without the feminist angle, their would be A LOT less harrassment10/18/2014 - 9:15pm
Papa MidnightMonte: That's honestly rather short-sighted. As has been proven with other persons who have been targeted, if it wasn't Quinn, it would be someone else.10/18/2014 - 6:26pm
AvalongodI think that's part of what gives an esoteric news story like this real life...it taps into a larger narrative about misogyny in society outside of games.10/18/2014 - 3:29pm
Avalongod@Monte, well the trolls made death threats that came to police (and media attention). I think this is tapping into a larger issue outside of games about how women are treated in society (like all the "real rape" stuff during the last election)10/18/2014 - 3:28pm
WonderkarpZippy : Havent tried the PS4 controller. might later.10/18/2014 - 2:37pm
MonteSeirously, If Quinn was not involved and GG was instead about something like the Mordor Marketing contracts, the trolling would have never grown so vile and disgusting. There have been plenty of movements in the past that never sufferred from behavior..10/18/2014 - 1:57pm
MonteWe have seen scandel's before but the trolling has never been as vile as what we see with GG. Trolls usually have such a tiny voice you can barely notice them, but its like moths to a flame whenever femistist are involved.10/18/2014 - 1:53pm
ZippyDSMleeWonderkarp: You might be able to if you had a PS4 controller.10/18/2014 - 1:00pm
MaskedPixelantehttp://store.steampowered.com/app/327940/ Night Dive starts charging for freeware.10/18/2014 - 12:21pm
Matthew Wilsonthe sad thing is there are trolls on both sides of this. people need to stop acting like their side is so pure.10/18/2014 - 12:19pm
MechaTama31So, only speak out on a scandal that hasn't attracted trolls? I wouldn't hold my breath...10/18/2014 - 10:49am
MonteI feel like GG just needs to die. The movement is FAR to tainted by hatred and BS for it to be useful for any conversation. Let GG die, and then rally behind the NEXT gaming journalism scandal, and start the conversation fresh.10/18/2014 - 10:33am
quiknkoldand we dont have a Dovakin to call a cease fire10/17/2014 - 7:37pm
quiknkoldThe whole thing is Futile. Both sides are so buried deep in their trenchs that there isnt a conversation. Its just Finger Pointing, Name Calling, Doxxing, Threats. there needs to be a serious conversation, and GG isnt it.10/17/2014 - 7:37pm
quiknkoldI thought it was a good article. Jeff is right. I feel like GamerGate did destroy its message. I am for Ethics in game journalism, but man. so much hate. and its on both sides. I've seen some awful stuff spewed on twitter. Its a big reason why I exited..10/17/2014 - 7:34pm
Matthew Wilsonwhile he focused on gg, he did call out both sides crap.10/17/2014 - 7:18pm
Papa MidnightThat was a damn good read offered by Jeff Gertsmann.10/17/2014 - 7:17pm
Matthew Wilsonhttp://www.giantbomb.com/articles/letter-from-the-editor-10-17-2014/1100-5049/ deferentially a nice write up.10/17/2014 - 6:44pm
 

Be Heard - Contact Your Politician