Video Game Voters Network

The Entertainment Software Association is asking adult gamers to take action on governmental policy issues that will affect the video game industry.

The [URL=www.videogamevoters.org]?Video Game Voters Network?[/URL] is a project of the ESA that hopes to give gamers, 18 years old or over, a voice on issues of government regulation of their favorite media.

“Computer and video games represent one of the most important new media developments of this generation,” said Will Wright, Chief Designer at Maxis. “It is vitally important that we protect and nurture this new art form so that it can reach its full potential. Like most new forms of artistic expression that have come before (music, novels, movies), the primary critics of video games are the people that do not play them.”

On the ?Video Game Voter Network? Web site gamers can register to vote, contact their state?s Senators, and learn more about the issues. There is also a legislative watch that allows gamers to follow the progress of pending legislation affecting video games.

The ?Video Game Voters Network? opposes efforts to regulate the content of video games differently than other forms of media. Many of these proposed efforts, including Senator Hillary Clinton?s efforts to control video games at a federal level with the [I]Family Entertainment Protection Act[/I], would criminalize the sale of certain video games to minors.

Registered members can send a form letter to their Senators asking them to not to support the [I]Family Entertainment Protection Act[/I].

Part of the letter states, ?I believe this bill would limit my choice of video games, as game publishers would shy away from making games for mature users like me, and retailers would shy away from selling them as they would fear prosecution under this legislation.?

“With over seventy bills to restrict game sales to minors already pending in state legislatures across the country this year, it’s time for gamers to make their voices heard loudly and clearly, to let politicians know that they will no longer stand by and let games be the scapegoat for larger social problems,” said ESA president Doug Lowenstein.

For more information visit the [URL=www.videogamevoters.org]?Video Game Voters Network?[/URL], and the [URL=www.theesa.com]Entertainment Software Association[/URL].