When the ESRB released the new videogame summary, a number of American politicians that have been very critical of the content of games, and how they were rated were more than happy to praise the ESRB.
Politicians like Senator Hilary Clinton and Senator Joe Lieberman have coming out supporting the new rating summaries.
When I heard all this, I thought for sure our political leaders would be more then happy to comment on the new ESRB summaries, and they were just waiting for the right outlet.
And who better to comment then our very own Minister of Science, Technology, Energy, and Mining? That’s right -- my very own MLA Jim Rondeau.
After all, what are videogames but technology? They also happen to be a major part of the entertainment sector, one that has billion dollar days, and we have yet to tap into it here in Manitoba.
Jim Rondeau, after all, did give a little speech at the University of Winnipeg when the MacArthur Foundation released the results of a $50 million dollar US research study that asked ‘Do Video Games Help Kids Learn?’
In January, Jim Rondeau announced funding of just over $138,000 to the Manitoba Interactive Digital Media Fund. Some of the companies that benefit from this fund also develop videogames.
So he has got to be savvy, right?
The MLA of Assiniboia should have been more than happy to comment on the new rating system, happy that the ESRB is making it easier for parents to monitor what their children are exposed to.
So on Nov 13, the day after the ESRB sent out the press release about the new game rating summaries, I phoned Jim Rondeau’s office, and I was told he was very busy but that they would get back to in a week or so.
In the meantime, more American politicians give their unsolicited support to the new ESRB game summaries.
New Jersey Senate President Richard Codey, and Nebraska’s Attorney General Jon Burning have also created public service announcements (PSAs) helping to inform parents about the new summaries. Even the Attorney General of Florida Bill McCollum sent out a press release urging parents to check the ratings of videogames that they might be considering buying for their children this holiday season.
On Nov 28th, I hadn’t heard back from Jim Rondeau, our NDP MLA and minister of Science, Technology, Energy, and Mining in Manitoba. So I decided to phone his office. This is when I was told by a spokeswomen that:
“Jim Rondeau is not in a position to comment because his department does not rate videogames.”
When I pointed out that Senator Hillary Clinton did not rate video games, the spokeswomen pointed out to me that Hillary Clinton was not a minister in Manitoba, to which I could not argue.
I would have thought that as Minister of Technology, he would at least want to comment on a new system the regulators of one of the biggest economic sectors of interactive digital media has implemented.
After all, making a comment would focus the gaming industry’s attention on Manitoba, a sector that is inherently insulated against recessions. It’s not like we aren't living in times of economic volatility.
On his website, Mr. Rondeau lists being accessible to the people of Assiniboia as his number one (of three) ways to stay focused and effective as a good MLA. I would like to thank Jim Rondeau for being so “accessible” when I tried to get a comment from his spokespeople.
I also emailed the Canadian Teachers Federation to see if they had a statement about the ESRB rating summaries (you may remember the Canadian Teachers Federation asked for a boycott of a Rockstar game titled Bully) but they have yet to reply.
You can always find out more about the Gaming industry at;
http://kenorama.blogspot.com/
Or by staying tuned too;
The Great Canadian Talk Show weekdays from 4PM-530PM on 92.9 Kick FM,
And
The Kenny Show every Tuesday from 3Pm to 4 then starting back up a 530PM all the way to 7PM on 92.9 Kick FM
