ESRB's ad campaign with Boston mayor in the wild
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Jun 11th 2009 at 8:45PM }
Although it was announced a couple weeks ago (we were busy), we finally got a chance to the see the ESRB and Boston mayor Thomas Menino's "public education campaign" about the video game rating system on the side of Beantown buses. Like Mayor Menino, we also totally "suit up" before we sit down for an afternoon of gaming with the local neighborhood children. There are also local radio and television ads.
The campaign is likely part of Menino's continuing penance for making some ill-advised moves against the games industry and hooking up with Jack Thompson to do so. The state of Massachusetts is currently attempting to pass incentives to grow its stable of major developers and turn the city into the East Coast hub of game development.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
McDoobie @ Jun 11th 2009 8:50PM
Look at the old guy trying to be 'hip'.
The Dark Wayne @ Jun 11th 2009 8:53PM
right that's why he's wearing the suit. It isn't about being hip, it's about getting developers to come to Boston so the city can make money out of it, and showing that he understands what the ESRB does, unlike the entire legislature of California is a big step
Grammar freak @ Jun 12th 2009 11:02AM
That's Mumbles Menino himself.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Jun 11th 2009 8:59PM
1-13-2007 never forget
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_Boston_Mooninite_Scare
why not the LS2LS7? @ Jun 11th 2009 9:01PM
oops. typo.
LameDuck @ Jun 11th 2009 10:20PM
lol You beat me to it. All this from the people that are afraid of LEDs and partical board? Yep...
The Baron @ Jun 11th 2009 9:00PM
Captain Obvious would have been a somewhat better frontman for this campaign.
vidGuy @ Jun 11th 2009 9:00PM
We need more public info ads like this.
InFaMoUs1- @ Jun 11th 2009 9:10PM
no we dont -_-'
There's a sign at every legit video game or electronics store that clarifies this even more.
The Dark Wayne @ Jun 11th 2009 9:12PM
but if we have more signs like this, maybe Arnie and Blindy will stop wasting taxpayers money on retarded laws that never pass. Blindy is new york governor david patterson in case you dont follow politics
InFaMoUs1- @ Jun 11th 2009 9:17PM
Yeah I live in NYC.. but I love SNL skits on Governor David Patterson.. LOL
Shmil @ Jun 11th 2009 9:25PM
We really do. There are far to many parents out there that don't know anything about the ESRB rating system and they opt to buy a game for their kid to shut them up. More education of the ESRB means that less parents will buy M rated games for their kids. This would give a big middle finger to all of the people who blame school shootings and random acts of children stupidity on video games. That would result in hacks like Jack Thompson not having jobs. Gamers, developers, parents, children and everyone else wins.
vidGuy @ Jun 11th 2009 9:30PM
But that's the problem, InFaMoUs1. Grandmas who buy their 8 year old grandsons Grand Theft Auto IV don't go to "legit video game" stores. Plus, there is still the stigma that videogames are for kids. To have an advertisement say flat out that some games aren't for kids will maybe help get the message across.
InFaMoUs1- @ Jun 11th 2009 9:38PM
dude wtf are you talking about I seen a shit load of mothers and old women buying video games at wal mart, target, etc. where the fuck do they go then?
WiredKnight @ Jun 11th 2009 10:15PM
@ infamous
I think the better question is:
What are you doing at Walmart in the first place?
vidGuy @ Jun 11th 2009 10:36PM
Yeah, cause Walmart and Target are real "legit video game" stores concerned with making sure a parent knows about ratings systems. If they sold porn at Walmart the **wonderful** employees would sell it to a 5 year old.
The Baron @ Jun 11th 2009 9:01PM
Captain Obvious would have been a somewhat better frontman for this campaign.
The Baron @ Jun 11th 2009 9:02PM
Aw what?!
Ted @ Jun 11th 2009 9:02PM
I've seen these ads all over the T (Boston's public transit system).
The thought of Mayor Menino playing videogames is hilarious, and there's a few of them where he's looking real excited, holding a PS1 controller.
rkrocks123 @ Jun 11th 2009 9:03PM
Harmonix is situated in Boston. That makes it a hub of game development to me.
rkrocks123 @ Jun 11th 2009 9:04PM
Sorry, Cambridge. Serves me right for not fact-checking...
Ted @ Jun 11th 2009 9:07PM
There's quite a few in the area (Rockstar New England, Turbine, Harmonix, 38 Studios, Demiurge, 2K Boston) but I can't think of any in Boston proper. Hell, 2K Boston is in Quincy.
MrSpaceCowboy @ Jun 11th 2009 9:04PM
It looks like the mayor is playing a good ol' rape 'n murder simulator.
Good for him! :D
Demo @ Jun 11th 2009 9:25PM
http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2007/4/16/an-exciting-opportunity/
Roger @ Jun 11th 2009 9:40PM
No Tom Menino; this will NOT help your run for mayor.
Douche Bigalow @ Jun 11th 2009 9:39PM
Something like 90% of this type of nonsense comes from the Democrat camp, yet Republicans are constantly framed as the ones wanting to control entertainment content. Crazy.
Roto13 @ Jun 11th 2009 10:15PM
What the hell are you on about now?
Nick the Hero of Canton @ Jun 12th 2009 4:09AM
Old 'joke':
Democrats want to censor violence
Republicans want to censor sex
xgarryx @ Jun 11th 2009 9:42PM
dadgum democrats...!!!
*flees*
Cephas @ Jun 11th 2009 11:25PM
The sad thing is there are a ton of parents out there who would be like, "Whaat? I thought all video games were for kids!" Idiots.
Snake Robot Podium @ Jun 12th 2009 10:38AM
It sounds stupidly obvious to us, but a lot of people just don't understand that some games aren't for kids.
Dave @ Jun 12th 2009 11:12AM
Is he smack talking the poor kid? "oooh you like that Billy? Owned!"
michael @ Jun 12th 2009 6:06PM
Jack Thompson saying this guy is raped by the video game industry and saying the Boston's mayor is defending his rapist and no longer should be trusted in 3...2...1