British MP Watson leading charge against Modern Warfare 2 media controversy
by Griffin McElroy 
{ Nov 9th 2009 at 1:00PM } 
It was a wise, pre-emptive move on Watson's part -- as promised, Vaz brought up the game during today's Parliament session, explaining that it's so violent that "even the manufacturers have put in warnings within the game telling people how they can skip particular scenes." He inquired how the government was planning on "protecting our children." Watson stepped in and dropped the timeless observation that the UK already has a game rating system which restricts the game's sale to minors, and that it's more important to protect the gaming industry than it is to "create moral panic" in the media.
If you want to stay informed of Watson's other heroic, industry-defending activities, you might want to join the Gamers' Voice group. (We hear that shortly after that Parliament session, he doused a burning orphanage, then ate an entire maple tree for breakfast. Seriously!)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
brian @ Nov 9th 2009 1:01PM
more of this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuHmONcG1yg
BunnySlapper @ Nov 9th 2009 1:29PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh2sWSVRrmo
Dan @ Nov 9th 2009 1:02PM
The game has a rating already just obey it.
RKN @ Nov 9th 2009 1:03PM
Finally, a slightly different screenshot to represent a MW2 article, thank you!!!!!
harusame @ Nov 9th 2009 5:42PM
Yeah, that one has only been used twice before.
http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/03/initial-modern-warfare-2-budget-was-ridiculous/
http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/23/pc-modern-warfare-2-gets-steamworks-steam-cloud-steam-achievem/
They could at least have added Dead Space Girl there somewhere.
DamonTheMoney @ Nov 9th 2009 1:05PM
If he really wants to do start "protecting out children", he should try to get a clamp down on Age Ratings, and the access children have to these games ... at least that woud make a lot more sense
Seriously, it's just a joke how easy it is to get hold of restricted games in the UK. I bought Duke Nukem when I was 12 lol.
tcc3 @ Nov 9th 2009 1:21PM
Then you and your parents are part fo the problem, my friend.
If there is a problem, which im not convinced of.
Toop @ Nov 9th 2009 1:27PM
I agree, but Duke Nukem was a while ago. It was much easier to get game underage back then. I was playing Unreal Tournament well before I was out of elementary school.
I live in Canada, and I think the first game I got "carded" for was State of Emergency or Manhunt. These days retailers like EB often refuse the sale of games to kids that are younger than the rating. I don't know if selling adult-rated games to minors is illegal though. Either way, most of the adult-rated games seem to get into kids hands through their parents, especially at the price of game software lately.
DamonTheMoney @ Nov 9th 2009 1:33PM
I don't agree that there's a problem either with kids playing these types of games.
I played games and saw movies that I most certainly shouldn't have when I was a kid. But to say that there's a problem with that is simply foolish. My parents are quite good really, I've been taught to understand the difference between what happens in a videogame and real life. And they knew that they could teach me that, and that I was intelligent and mature enough to understand, so they were more lenient on allowing me to see content too "mature" for me. And I turned out fine, I'm studying at uni and doing great in my life. (not trying to toot my own horn, lol. Just illustrating my point)
So as long as parents can educate their children on these matters correctly, there shouldn't really be a problem.
However, we all know that not all parents can/will take as much care with their children as they should (a sad fact, but one that we must accept exists), especially with videogames. So, I think that there should be more of a barrier to stop children accessing games like this.
wickedpheonix @ Nov 9th 2009 2:33PM
Honestly, it's not the job of the government to protect the kids, it's the job of the parents.
What else is out there that can damage our little poor kiddies poor, poor, minds? Pornography? Religious (that isn't their parents') propaganda? Dare I even say, politics from either side of the spectrum?
Some of this is regulated. Some of it isn't. In either case, it's up to the parents to decide what they want to expose their children to, because there are censorship laws regarding advertisements (i.e. what will be shown in public) in both the UK and the US. Your kid's home is your home and you get to decide what to bring into it.
But don't punish the adults who are not children and have the power to make the choice on whether or not to buy the game. Don't make an injunction against selling the game that will target adults too, and trust in the parents of these children that they will protect their kids, whether that trust is warranted or not.
Blank-Mage @ Nov 9th 2009 5:09PM
Ha, I just remembered getting my grandma to buy Unreal 2004 (Christ, I'm OLD now) and she asked "Um, are you sure this is the game you want?" while looking at the box art. But, hey, I can get legally drunk now, take THAT, ratings system!
Blank-Mage @ Nov 9th 2009 5:11PM
I'll let you guys continue being intelligent now, don't mind me.
Aurailious @ Nov 9th 2009 1:07PM
What is with today and seeing good things in the World of Gaming?
Keep up the good work World, keep it up.
Dirty @ Nov 9th 2009 1:09PM
What a bunch of fat aging giant sacks.
Darth Bradwart, The Dark Lord of the Sith @ Nov 9th 2009 1:11PM
What you did there, see I do.
Bobulous @ Nov 9th 2009 1:10PM
Keith Vaz is a massive twat.
JXCgunrunna @ Nov 9th 2009 1:31PM
Agreed. Anyone who sees games as being manufactured like they are just a physical object should have no room to talk about games. Games are art like movies, tv, music paintings and sculptures. They are ideas expressed through a medium.
JeezWhiz87 @ Nov 9th 2009 1:44PM
Ugh, I love games, but just because it's entertainment doesn't make it art. John and Kate plus 8 is "entertainment", but I don't think anyone is calling it art. A roller coaster is entertainment, but I don't think anyone is calling it art. I'm not saying games don't have artistic elements, and many of them are quite visually stunning, but entertainment =/= art.
Darth Bradwart, The Dark Lord of the Sith @ Nov 9th 2009 1:10PM
Ahh, the joys of a nanny state. At least there are always a few who are willing to speak out. Bravo, sir.
The only thing government is supposed to 'protect' people from are threats from foreign powers, not evil games/books/movies.
Ragin Taft @ Nov 9th 2009 1:12PM
Always figured Tom Watson was a pretty decent fellow:
http://5secondfilms.com/watch/keeping_you_safe
The Baron @ Nov 9th 2009 1:13PM
Now this is the kind of service I expect when he maxes out his expenses allowance on food and then spends £100,000 of further expenses buying new shit for his flat. At least that sprucey new HDTV is playing the same games as we are!
Bobulous @ Nov 9th 2009 1:19PM
Tom Watson is down with the kids, yo.
http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/teens/
Alton Brown [ XBL: LordToastington] @ Nov 9th 2009 1:23PM
Classic.
Alton Brown [ XBL: LordToastington] @ Nov 9th 2009 1:25PM
Sorry for the double reply, but this is the funniest thing I've ever seen.
"We know that you’re too busy fighting off your biological urges and being l33t hax0rs to Get Involved, but politics is cool, m’kay?Nobody ever seems to do anything for The Kids! All the decisions are made by suits, man. That’s so lame!!! We know you think of yourselves as responsible citizens, but what you wanna do is turn that thought into an action, dudes.
Get involved – to the extreme!"
http://ithinkimdying.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/02.gif
Dreaded Fear @ Nov 9th 2009 1:26PM
WARNING: Getting involved in politics may cause premature ageing and a sudden loss of friends.
lol
Toop @ Nov 9th 2009 1:36PM
It seems like some of the people who emailed comments about that teens page didn't read the whole thing. Either that or they completely lack a sense of humour.
Bobulous @ Nov 9th 2009 1:56PM
You are Tom Watson and I claim my five pounds.
freaparn @ Nov 9th 2009 1:59PM
@Toop: Reading an entire article before commenting always be my mad priority, yo. That can't be said of everyone, mind you.
Their rampant abuse of ironic marketing aside, seems like this guy actually has a pretty decent grasp on reality and a sense of humour, or has picked some savvy support staff to make him appear that way. We need more people like him in government the world over.
DamonTheMoney @ Nov 9th 2009 2:05PM
freaparn said it all right :-)
+1
Mr Clickerson @ Nov 9th 2009 4:08PM
When the Hell did pro golfer Tom Watson get into the Parliament? lul /sarcasm
Just a coincidence, I see... Living right next to Tom Watson Parkway, the National- his golf club/housing development. Kansas City REPRESENT! /sarcasm x2
Phoenix654 @ Nov 9th 2009 1:36PM
Wow, I need to move to the UK. Sounds like at least one politician there is growing a brain and wants to focus on the ACTUAL issues at hand. When was the last time anyone heard an American politician defending the game industry or being concerned about creating a "moral panic?"
"What? Parents are afraid of video game violence? Violence that typically pales in comparision to cable television, movies, books, some comics and the visions in my head when I see Hannah Montana? I smell a jump in my popularity if I declare my complete revulsion at video games!"
Tom Watson for the British equivalent of President!* Or failing that, let's let him emigrate here and make him President!**
*I know it's Prime Minister, shut up.
**I also know it's Constitutionally impossible, shut up again.
Vcize @ Nov 9th 2009 1:48PM
The British equivalent of a president is a prime minister.
Also it's constitutionally impossible for him to be president here, fyi.
ElStefio @ Nov 9th 2009 8:23PM
Don't confuse being on the right side of one matter with "growing a brain". British politics is one of the messiest systems in the known world, and pretty much every politician is completely out of touch with reality. *
* personal opinion that just happens to be the blatant truth.
mirage @ Nov 9th 2009 1:41PM
I heard that after dousing the fire at the Orphanage he handed out copies of Modern Warfare 2 to all of the children.
Meh @ Nov 10th 2009 8:39AM
...and they had working dedicated servers.
Filthy Assistant @ Nov 9th 2009 1:43PM
What? There are no palm trees or smoke in that image! Joystiq, quick, you got the wrong screenshot!
Dreaded Fear @ Nov 9th 2009 1:45PM
Hey Brits! I'll trade Stephen Harper (Canada's Prime-minister) for Tom Watson. Anyone? Anyone?
No...
Darth Bradwart, The Dark Lord of the Sith @ Nov 9th 2009 1:55PM
We'll trade Obama for Harper. Sounds fair to me.
Dropkickjon @ Nov 9th 2009 2:23PM
Canada's own version of Watson would probably be the NDP MP Charlie Angus (Timmins-James Bay). He's a staunch defender of digital rights (net neutrality, fair copyright law, etc.) and is an all around awesome dude. He even played in a punk band in his younger days!
John @ Nov 9th 2009 6:28PM
I'd trade Obama for a ham sandwich
roland @ Nov 9th 2009 1:50PM
Im waiting for the modern warfare 2 dynamic theme
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g0TqW-ZAY0
instant411 @ Nov 9th 2009 1:58PM
They need more politicians like this in Australia.
lol_stupidface @ Nov 9th 2009 2:36PM
They need more freedom in Australia.
ScottG13 @ Nov 9th 2009 2:39PM
As a joke, I showed my girlfriend how quickly I could set up the ratings protections on my 360. I've NEVER looked at the system and I blocked M rated games from my gamer tag in about 20 seconds. It is exactly where you think it is (System Options) and works like you think (pick the things you're disallowing and click to confirm).
The system works, idiots. Use it.
XBL: xGeneral DEATHx PSN: Deeth82 [Planeteer | Power of General Hostility and Angst] @ Nov 9th 2009 3:16PM
That's what I've been screaming from the get-go. If parents just got a little more involved instead of saying "BLIMEY, I'M TOO OLD TO FIGURE OUT THIS CONTENT FILTER", they really have a lot of powerful tools at their disposal to keep graphic content off their kids' screens/speakers (in the home, at least).
aristokrat @ Nov 9th 2009 5:05PM
It was easier to find before NXE (my girlfriend is now intimidated when navigating the dashboard), but still, I agree with you.
Player1 @ Nov 9th 2009 2:50PM
LOL at "even the manufacturers have put in warnings within the game telling people how they can skip particular scenes."
So basically the cutscenes have the standard "Press A to skip".
jynxycat @ Nov 9th 2009 4:26PM
Not really.
When you start the campaign, a message appears stating that the game contains questionably offensive material, and gives you a choice to play through them, or skip them. Noting that no achievements will be missed.
kenny goo @ Nov 9th 2009 2:56PM
Where in the fuck are guys like this over in the US?
Ugh. Anyway. While I don't belong to any Facebook groups at the moment, I'm joining this, just to give some visual representation of support, however irrelevant it may actually be in the large scheme of things.
Gamer4Life @ Nov 9th 2009 3:17PM
I normally don't like politicians but I like this Tom Watson.