Lowenstein chastises 'cut-and-run' developers
In his final speech as head of the ESA, Doug Lowenstein told those attending his D.I.C.E. keynote that he was proud of the ESA and ESRB but saddened by the developer's unwillingness to stand up for their work.Describing them as "cut and run developers," Lowenstein lamented about game makers who create controversial content and then refuse to defend it. "If you want to be controversial, that's great," Lowenstein remarks, "but then don't duck and cover when the shit hits the fan. Stand up and defend what you make." Lowenstein also blasted what he called a "Greek chorus" of those criticizing the ESA but not offering any suggestions or solutions.
Other targets in Lowenstein's crosshairs include those who didn't take the time to join the Video Game Voters Network ("You go to a website, click a few keystrokes and that's it. No one has bothered to take the time to do that, and it makes me sick.") and the gaming press for a lack of maturity and professionalism relative to the film and music industry press.
Lowenstein has always been open, albeit a bit careful, with his words, so it's certainly interesting to see him let loose before leaving the industry. He has always been effective and lobbying and has a heap of accomplishments; imagine how things might have been different, for better and worse, if this Fire and Brimstone Lowenstein had been running the ESA.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Z-247 @ Feb 8th 2007 8:07PM
Any chance you'd link to the Video Game Voters?
calviin @ Feb 8th 2007 8:21PM
Doug is now my secret boyfriend.
Randy @ Feb 8th 2007 8:22PM
I kinda wish he did talk this way before leaving.
hooha @ Feb 8th 2007 8:31PM
lowenstein makes little jesus cry :'( i don't even know what that means but some joystiq nimmrod has to say it. why not me?
NintendoFanbot @ Feb 8th 2007 9:06PM
I really, REALLY hope that Rockstar learned a lesson from the Hot Coffee scandal. They made it, and decided not to use it, so they superficially "blocked" it, and blamed the modders for revealing its existence. Not only did this discredit Rockstar greatly, but also the ESRB and the rest of the industry in the face of the U.S. government that already threatened regulation over a decade ago.
I loved San Andreas, but Rockstar really screwed up. If they're so proud of their successes they should take responsibility for what could have been handled much better.
sheppy @ Feb 8th 2007 9:27PM
Umm, you know there are more companies that intentionally create scandel than Rockstar. And no offense, but the politicians were attempting to undermine the ESRB already. Hot Coffee was the excuse, not the cause. It could have just as easily been Hitman under the crossfires.
NintendoFanbot @ Feb 8th 2007 9:37PM
@ SHEPPY
Yes, I know that. But Rockstar with very good reason was a prime example of what was wrong with these 'contraversial games'. Hot Coffee got the most media attention. It was in a game that was one of the best selling games this generation.
Politicians also motivated the creation of the ESRB. Yes they were trying to 'undermine' the ESRB, but it's not as if the industry wasn't already warned.
Hot Coffee was not a cause, but it was made an example of. It would be a case because of GTA's huge exposure that everyone would be made aware of.
Rod Munch @ Feb 8th 2007 9:46PM
I completely agree with what was quoted from Lowenstein in this post, it does seem the ESRB has become a scapegoat for all sides. But watching mainstream press, developers, fanboys (and girls), gaming press and bloggers and groups like the ESA is sometimes more fun than the controversial games themselves! GTA and Bully may be fun, but nothing compared to a good flame war!
Luke Stapley @ Feb 8th 2007 9:49PM
Funny he gets all mad and angry at the developers after he "Cut and Runs" from the gaming industry.
Just like Al Gore. Thanks for the info, why didn't you do anything about it when you were in power?
oo7ev @ Feb 8th 2007 10:47PM
Luke,
Don't know what you are getting at with the Al Gore comment. What didn't he do? Save the environment? Capture Bin Laden? Beat Ocarina of Time?
Either way, I hate the fact the "cut and run" is a valid phrase in our society now that the administration has made it "trendy".
Kyle @ Feb 8th 2007 11:46PM
A negative attitude would have been far worse for the ESA.
I can understand his frustration as the videogame industry is mired in a veritable witch hunt right now. It's merely a reoccurring media driven trend to blame something, first comics/rock music etc, that will pass as videogames settle into mainstream culture.
Actually i'm suprised he held his cool as long as he has when you consider the attacks he has take from some very ignorant people (at least pertaining to videogames).
Rubang B @ Feb 9th 2007 12:12AM
I'm not gonna cut and run from this Al Gore argument you've started. Listen here bud, Al Gore did more for the environment while he was vice president than you will in your life time. He started the first congressional hearing on global warming, started our carbon tax, and signed the Kyoto Protocol before all the other idiots in the country refused to ratify it. This was all 10-20 years ago.
Seifer @ Feb 9th 2007 12:53AM
@9
You got served.
Chuma @ Feb 9th 2007 8:33AM
The Al Gore comment is misguided, but the rest of his thoughts are spot on. Doug is all for blaming everyone else for the state were in but what exactly did he do? It's all someone else's fault, obviously.
Frankly I'm glad hes gone. His hiding away and failing to comment on the state of the political scene has left the games industry an easy target. I hope someone with come backbone replaces him asap, and echo the thoughts Hal would be perfect, I just don't see him going for the job.
NintendoFanbot @ Feb 9th 2007 2:03PM
"Doug is all for blaming everyone else for the state were in but what exactly did he do? It's all someone else's fault, obviously."
What he is criticizing are things he or the ESRB could not control. Like when Rockstar lied. Rockstar didn't have to answer to the government even after being exposed as responsible but the ESRB and Lowenstein did. That's bullcrap.