The Lair of the Monkey

Due to an innundation by spammers, I’ve changed the comments policy.  It’s nothing major and real commenters shouldn’t have a problem.  Simply log in and you can comment at this here gaming blog!

Well, this blog is about computer games so I don’t want to go and ruin it by talking about politics.  In fact, I’ve rarely ventured into the ‘a lot of politicians talk about computer games yet know nothing about them’ argument.  The reasons are myriad, not least because I was thinking of doing a politics website/blog.  Yet here we are.  This topic has just hit crossover.

For my American readers who aren’t sure what I mean, we have pretty much two parties in the UK.  The Labour party (who tend to be more left, or rather more open, less reactionary and less hard line).  We also have the Conservatives, who tend to be the opposite.  Not just because they are normally the ‘runner up’ party, but because they are, as the name suggests, rather more conservative than their Labour brethren.  Of course there are other parties but much like the US system, there tends to be just two who really have a chance.

Now that we’ve got that out of the way, we’ve got this prime quote over from MSN: “Fundamental social change was needed to fight back against “gangs, guns and graffiti”, he said.”

Fair enough.  I happen to believe that things have gotten a little out of hand here.  However, the idea that “Companies which make film, music videos and computer games could be subject to tighter controls to stop them influencing young people for the worse.” seems a bit of a nonsense.  Has anyone categorically proven that film, music, videos(?) and computer games are responsible for anything?  How about the idea of needing tougher sentencing for harsh crimes and better rehabilitation for criminals who would benefit?  How about providing better education and extra curricular activities for those most in need of it, i.e. those in deprived areas?

Now, far be it from me to tell Mr Cameron, or really any other MP their job.  Someone, in fact a majority, has voted them into the seat they hold in their local area.  I am however just an armchair pundit if you will - someone with an interest but not yet the drive to run for anything like a party.  However, I ask of you all though, do you really think putting tighter restrictions on entertainment is really going to fix the root causes of the problems with society?  Do you even think it will fix one thing?  I really don’t.  I think we’ll have money spent on a white paper of some sort, it’ll be bottom-drawered and finally someone will come up with a good idea.  Putting a limiter on electronic entertainment however ain’t it.  Can you name me a person who has died because of a computer game?  Well, I could name you one.  To use his name here though would be against some of my principles.  I know of the case - it wasn’t in this country though.  I bet David Cameron doesn’t.

This is the first in a new category of ‘gamer conversations’.  Here’s one I had just the other day!

Mr Butterscotch [15:19]:
i would buy the night stalker boxed set but it’s r1 only
Barbarian37 [15:20]:
the only night stalkers I’ve heard of is the videogame
Mr Butterscotch [15:20]:
awesome game that
Mr Butterscotch [15:20]:
freaky characters
Mr Butterscotch [15:20]:
I liked that bird with the wings
Mr Butterscotch [15:20]:
morrigan
Mr Butterscotch [15:20]:
handled a bit like ryu
Barbarian37 [15:21]:
every game has someone that handles like Ryu
Mr Butterscotch [15:21]:
ahhh man I want to play an old school beat em up but ain’t got my xbox setup to play marvel vs capcom
Barbarian37 [15:21]:
well 2D wise anyway
Barbarian37 [15:21]:
oooh beat ‘em ups….
Mr Butterscotch [15:21]:
VF5!!!!!!!!!
Barbarian37 [15:21]:
if you’re coming along.. bring one
Mr Butterscotch [15:21]:
LOL
Mr Butterscotch [15:22]:
man I ain’t got no beat em ups for xbox360 cos there is only DOA4 and that’s crap
Barbarian37 [15:22]:
you have soul calibre right?
Mr Butterscotch [15:22]:
on GC
Barbarian37 [15:22]:
bleh
Mr Butterscotch [15:22]:
lol what that mean?  it was the best one, spawn was too good on xbox
Barbarian37 [15:23]:
doesn’t it feel funny playing on the Gamecube controller.. (more…)