Category Archives: Politics

“We know that every father has a personal responsibility to do right by their kids – to encourage them to turn off the video games and pick up a book; to teach them the difference between right and wrong; to show them through our own example the value in treating one another as we wish to be treated. And most of all, to play an active and engaged role in their lives.” – Barack Obama in a Father’s Day letter from The White House.

Thanks, Spong.

A VG247 interview has confirmed that Anonymous has dropped action against Sony, as well as branding PSN users “selfish” and “butthurt” over their anger at the service’s recent outage.

More »

Irish Culture minister, Jimmy Deenihan, speaking in the Irish Parliament, described the games industry as ‘‘an enormous global industry with great potential and benefit for job creation’’. Therefore, Dr. Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO, stated: “The Irish Government could be the next in a growing list of Governments around the world supporting the video games industry through a tax relief. This news should encourage the UK Coalition Government to review the case for a tax break for the UK games industry. The video game development sector provides high skilled employment in a high technology, export oriented industry. TIGA will continue to advance the case for a tax break for games production to ensure that the UK remains a leading player in video game development.”

Sony will be sending Tim Schaff, the president of International Sony Network Entertainment division, to Washington DC next week to appear before a House subcommittee hearing regarding the firm’s recent Network breach.

More »

American tax dollars at work: The US military us spending $57 million on “the most realistic military simulator ever developed,” using Crytek’s CryEngine 3.

More »

Another British politician has spoken out about the PlayStation Network dramas, calling on the games industry to prioritise data protection.

More »

British Labour MP Tom Watson has come out in support of the games industry, calling for reforms to the Research and Development Tax Credit system.

More »

Speaking of ratings, the new automated system for the Entertainment Software Ratings Board is now live, meaning that North American game ratings will be processed in a “more timely fashion”.

More »

To introduce an R18+ video games rating in Australia, each state’s Attorney-General has to reach a consensus. Tasmanian Attorney-General David Bartlett has always been one of the most passionate supporters of the cause – until he unexpectedly resigned yesterday.

More »

Back in April, Gamers’ Voice sent a letter to Channel 5 over an episode of The Wright Stuff program after it linked a London gang-related shooting with violent videogames, before showing footage of Modern Warfare 2′s No Russian level.

More »

Sony has been subpoenaed by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman over the PSN data breaches, according to a report on Bloomberg.

More »

Today, the US House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade held a hearing regarding the PSN breach, which was broadcasted live via C-SPAN., like most meet-ups between government officials. During the hearing, Representative and Chairman of the committee, Mary Bono-Mack, called Sony’s response to the matter “half-hearted,” and “half-baked.”

More »

Sony’s not just in trouble with consumers – the United States Congress has started asking questions. Representative Mary Bono Mack (R-CA), from the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade has sent a letter, requesting a reply by May 6, 2011. However, Sony has commented that it will not be sitting in on Congressional Hearings pertaining to the matter, at least for the time being. Meanwhile, Australian leaders have also noted concerns on the matter.

More »

TIGA has announced it has elected five new directors to the Board, with positions being filled by various member of the UK games industry.

More »

Australian Capital Territory attorney general Simon Corbell has said he’s willing to introduce a territory-specific R18+ ratings category for video games if a federal classification is not afreed upon

More »

It looks as though Sony’s failure to inform customers that their data may have been compromised as early as April 20 has upset a US Senator.

More »

Brendan O’Connor, Australia’s minister for home affairs, has said that the adoption of an R18+ rating for games in the country would create jobs. Consultation on the adult-only rating is taking place in July.

More »

Attorney General for Victoria, Robert Clark, has said that the decision on Australia’s fabled R18 rating would need careful scrutinising if it’s to be legislated.

More »

UK secretary of state for culture Jeremy Hunt says the UK government should up its game by offering the games industry the same kinds of incentives as Canada does.

More »

The UK government is to hold a consultation on closing a tax loophole that allows online stores such as Amazon, Play and other major online stores to sell products, including games, at a deep discount by being based in Jersey.

More »