Joystiq

Vice President Joe Biden to games industry: 'You have not been singled out' on gun violence

Jessica Conditt — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 23:15:00 EST

Vice President Joe Biden met with leaders and researchers in the video game industry on January 11 to discuss gun violence and the impact entertainment may have on consumers' real-world actions. Biden was charged with leading a task force to gather input from members of the gun violence debate following the school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, in December.

The above video shows Biden's opening remarks, seated next to EA CEO John Riccitiello and president of the Electronic Software Association, Michael Gallagher.

"We know this is a complex problem," Biden said. "We know there's no single answer and, quite frankly, we don't even know whether some of the things people think impact on this actually impact on it or not." He put a hand on Riccitiello's shoulder. "I want you to know you have not been 'singled out' for help, but we've asked a whole lot of people."

Those people included the law enforcement community, physicians and medical authorities, at-risk and child advocacy groups, domestic violence prevention groups, legal and justice organizations, civil rights groups, youth organizations, gun safety and advocacy groups, educators and parents, the mental health community, sportsmen organizations, the NRA, retailers, film organizations and the one Biden found the most interesting, an inter-faith group. Biden's tour will conclude in a meeting with President Barack Obama on January 15, where they will discuss his findings with the goal of curtailing gun violence in the future.

Prior to the meeting, gaming groups such as the International Game Developers Association and Electronic Consumer Association sent open letters to Biden expressing their positions. The IGDA specifically called for Biden to explore both the positive and negative effects of imaginary violence and warned against the type of censorship that "did irreparable damage" to the comic book industry in the 1950s.

Vice President Joe Biden to games industry: 'You have not been singled out' on gun violence originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Jan 2013 23:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Michelle Obama's healthy apps initiative announces winners

JC Fletcher — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

The White House's "Apps for Healthy Kids" initiative, fronted by First Lady Michelle Obama, has picked its winners. Among games, first place goes to Trainer, which encourages kids to train with virtual animals. Other winners include Fitter Critters, about properly feeding a virtual pet; Food Hero, which combines nutrition info with exercise challenges; and Smash Your Food, encouraging exercise through pantomiming Gallagher performances.

Oh, wait! That last one is actually an app that displays the sugar, salt and oil contents of certain foods as they explode. That's ... actually still pretty funny.

Michelle Obama's healthy apps initiative announces winners originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

New White House plan increases FBI anti-piracy force

JC Fletcher — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Yesterday, the White House announced its new Joint Strategic Plan on Intellectual Property Enforcement. In the plan, Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator Victoria Espinel describes an initiative to increase FBI resources devoted to investigating and curbing piracy of films, games, and other materials.

In addition to the five agents doing full-time IP work at the FBI's Intellectual Property Rights Unit, "by the end of FY 2010, the FBI intends to employ over 50 Special Agents exclusively devoted to pursuing intellectual property investigations operating in field offices throughout the country and four enhanced intellectual property squads."

ESA president Michael Gallagher spoke in support of the plan in a statement released yesterday. "We deeply appreciate the efforts of Vice President Biden and Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator Espinel and their leadership and vision in this critical area," Gallagher said. "We also applaud the numerous federal departments and agencies that are committed to protecting intellectual property rights, here and in foreign markets - both of which are critical to our industry's continuing growth and ability to deliver innovative entertainment experiences."

New White House plan increases FBI anti-piracy force originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments