NationStates Jolt Archive

We need a new nationstate-wide television PSA campaign that encourages parents to use the video game ratings when buying games for their children.

We all share in the responsibility of making sure our children play age-appropriate video games, and need to educate parents about the video game ratings and make sure they are enforced. As we enter the holiday shopping season, it is important that parents have the information they need to make informed choices that are right for their families.

We must continue to be concerned about the impact of minors of playing violent video games intended for older players. Thus, we propose a United Nations resolution to take positive steps to reach out to parents to educate them about the rating system.

Anyone agree?

First, post UN proposals in the UN forum, not NationStates. Moved.

Second, work on something that looks like a proposal. All you have now is a vague suggestion.

Finally, a nationwide campaign sounds fine, but a worldwide campaign sounds a bit too centralized and pointless. How about you do what you want, and we'll do what we want?

First off, your proposal (and I'm using that term loosely) assumes that all nations have a video game ratings system. I'm pretty sure that that's not the case, in fact I'm pretty sure that not all nations even have video games (looks in Cobdenia's direction). Secondly, why is it any of the UN's business if video games are rated or if those ratings are followed?

Bob Flibble
UN Representative

I really don't think this would work. What is considered indecent in Flibbleites may not be considered indecent (and not just considered indecent, but actually, physically, appropriate for different age levels due to different environmental stimuli, education systems, etc.) in Ceorana and vice versa. The ratings would be meaningless.

Art Webster
UN Ambassador

This resolution also mistakenly assumes that all nations have videogames, so I will not be supporting it as it is.

I really don't think this would work. What is considered indecent in Flibbleites may not be considered indecent (and not just considered indecent, but actually, physically, appropriate for different age levels due to different environmental stimuli, education systems, etc.) in Ceorana and vice versa. The ratings would be meaningless.

Art Webster
UN Ambassador

I am in agreement with the remarks of the honorable Ambassador Webster. This proposal, if passed, would be ineffective and useless for many reasons.

Hellar Gray

I too agree, and wonder if this issue is worthy of the UN's consideration.

And it would probably wreak havoc with international sales of CPESL: San Andreas.

Sincerely,
Bala (http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/9276/bala8if.jpg)
Deputy Cluichstani Ambassador to the UN
CPESL (http://z11.invisionfree.com/Antarctic_Oasis/index.php?showtopic=21)'s Vice President for Marketing and Public Relations

This is rather limited. You might want to consider an entertainment rating system separating children and adults.

Unless you're going to rate product quality (“this game reeks”), we suggest not doing this.

And it would probably wreak havoc with international sales of CPESL: San Andreas.

But isn't there a known "fault" with San Andreas? :p

We need a new nationstate-wide television PSA campaign that encourages parents to use the video game ratings when buying games for their children.

We all share in the responsibility of making sure our children play age-appropriate video games, and need to educate parents about the video game ratings and make sure they are enforced. As we enter the holiday shopping season, it is important that parents have the information they need to make informed choices that are right for their families.

We must continue to be concerned about the impact of minors of playing violent video games intended for older players. Thus, we propose a United Nations resolution to take positive steps to reach out to parents to educate them about the rating system.

Anyone agree?

Hmmm, let me think about that.....no. We don't agree in the slightest. Individual nations can decide for themselves what kind of games or other media are appropriate for their populace. This type of proposal would be micromanaging at its finest (or worst, depending on your point of view). This is also an issue that doesn't even begin to resemble one that requires an international response.

Unless you're going to rate product quality (“this game reeks”), we suggest not doing this.

http://img61.imageshack.us/img61/9776/thisgamereekska5.png (http://imageshack.us)

This resolution also mistakenly assumes that all nations have videogames, so I will not be supporting it as it is.
Umin fact I'm pretty sure that not all nations even have video gamesI already said that.

Bob Flibble
UN Representative

You know, I think that this is the second or third most stupid idea I have ever heard.

Ellelt's games for teenagers like "Enemy of the State Liquidator II" would probably be considered far to violent for persons under the age of 17 in many countries. While we feel that it perfectly acceptable to have shoot-em-up games for children as young as 13. There are far too many in our opinion that would say that that is unacceptable due to moral/religious/cultural arguments.

Besides, Ellelt already has game ratings systems...mostly on content.

There is a marked difference to the games that my secretary's wife had sent recently to the Ziberian Provence for their 5 year old nephew featuring "Comrade Bunny" (and that is an actual animated rabbit by the way) and "Enemy of the State Liquidator II" (which incidentally I like playing..it reminds me of my old job, you know the one I did before I became an ambassador--damn I loved doing that job). The latter is far to violent in our opinion for anyone under the age of 10 to view without Party or parental supervision. Although if you are over 13 a child may legally purchase it in areas where the local soviet has not increased that age limit.

I just want to know whats next? Will we see a proposed resolution mandating that porn only be shown on television after 2200 hours?

Ellelt will in no way allow the UN to dictate to us what we may and may not consume in the field of entertainment.

Vladimir Khernynko
Elleltian Ambassador to the UN.

I don't know if y'all noticed, but the OP never figured out that his initial post was moved. You're shouting into an empty room.

I don't know if y'all noticed, but the OP never figured out that his initial post was moved. You're shouting into an empty room.

The way I see it, we're making sure that no one else gets this idea.

I really don't think this would work. What is considered indecent in Flibbleites may not be considered indecent (and not just considered indecent, but actually, physically, appropriate for different age levels due to different environmental stimuli, education systems, etc.) in Ceorana and vice versa. The ratings would be meaningless.

Art Webster
UN Ambassador

Another option that would address Ambassador Webster's concern might be to use the UN as a clearing house. Nations could determine their own standards on domestic and imported games (why leave it at video games ... as pin the tail on the Bear might be considered very offensive in Bears Armed) and then a list of those ratings could be maintained in the UN.

The resolution could be expanded to include language regulating the international sale of games, stipulating that any game sold in another nation simply needs to point to the UN clearing house. "For information on international ratings of this product can be found at UN Game Clearing House".

You know, I think that this is the second or third most stupid idea I have ever heard.


Was it really necessary to post such a sneering comment? Do you really think that's the way to contribute to the quality of legislation in this Assembly? Or do you just enjoy belittling others?

We don't believe the ratings idea has merit. We think there are too many problems involved. But the very new representative from Hubbardom's next idea may be a very good one. We'll never know if the sneer and jeer crowd discourages him from participating.

Patrick T. Olembe
Minister for Foreign Affairs

Actually Mr Olembe, I thought it very necessary. Not only does this topic not have any international significance but it actual detrimental to the writing and passage of vital legislation, as it takes our time from working on important issues.

As for new ideas...Well there is nothing new under the sun really. The Idea behind the post was to kill the "proposal" dead in its tracks before it even became a draft proposal.

It seems that it worked. Therefore, it was then appropriate, as I am more concerned with the ends rather than the means to the end.

I don't mind if few people come and participate, in fact I would like them too, provided they can take the time to a bit of research on the issues, rules, passed legislation, etc. As I did when I was new. If they cant do that then the UN doesn't need them.

Vladimir Khernynko
Elleltian Ambassador to the UN.

This is Nation Level- best left up to the individual Nations, as their laws and customs vary from Nation to Nation- and sometimes even Province to Province.

Trying to formulate a International Level of rating is an absurd waste of time, money and manpower.

(OOC: Umm, did ya all note Fris' comment at the top of this page? The OP isn't even here...)

Actually Mr Olembe, I thought it very necessary. Not only does this topic not have any international significance but it actual detrimental to the writing and passage of vital legislation, as it takes our time from working on important issues.


A significant portion of this body's time has lately been spent repealing issues, not drafting new ones. I must say that I share Ambassador Olembe's opinion on the inappropriateness of your behavior.

That said, I've already brought up what I felt was a possible compromise, and feel that it can't hurt to explore this idea.

H.Katzman

(OCC- *sigh* Still not 100% from that stupid burger I had the other day. :( )

A significant portion of this body's time has lately been spent repealing issues, not drafting new ones. I must say that I share Ambassador Olembe's opinion on the inappropriateness of your behavior.

That said, I've already brought up what I felt was a possible compromise, and feel that it can't hurt to explore this idea.

H.Katzman
Um..Howie, the Elleltian Ambassador has been appointed to DLE's old post of "Commissioner Of Killing Proposals Dead In Their Tracks Before They Even Became A Draft Proposal". Didn't you get the memo?

(OOC: Umm, did ya all note Fris' comment at the top of this page? The OP isn't even here...)

OOC: Actually, I did and I even replied to Fris' post.

Originally posted by Flibbleites
Quote:
Originally Posted by Drae Nei
(OOC: Umm, did ya all note Fris' comment at the top of this page? The OP isn't even here...)

OOC: Actually, I did and I even replied to Fris' post.

(OOC: Confirms my suspicions then, some will argue...er debate, just for the sake of debate, even if the horse was just recently killed.)

I plead bad burger...

Actually Mr Olembe, I thought it very necessary. Not only does this topic not have any international significance but it actual detrimental to the writing and passage of vital legislation, as it takes our time from working on important issues.

As for new ideas...Well there is nothing new under the sun really. The Idea behind the post was to kill the "proposal" dead in its tracks before it even became a draft proposal.

It seems that it worked. Therefore, it was then appropriate, as I am more concerned with the ends rather than the means to the end.

I don't mind if few people come and participate, in fact I would like them too, provided they can take the time to a bit of research on the issues, rules, passed legislation, etc. As I did when I was new. If they cant do that then the UN doesn't need them.

Vladimir Khernynko
Elleltian Ambassador to the UN.

The insufferable arrogance of the representative of Ellelt is duly noted. It must be nice to be able to unerringly predict which new members of this Assembly will and will not become valuable participants. We've never found ourselves capable of doing that.

We also note that the comment about there being nothing new under the Sun is absurd. There are certainly ideas that have not yet been brought to the attention of this body. And we've seen very good ideas brought to the attention of the Assembly by very new members who were not yet familiar with the rules and the ins-and-outs of procedure. The sneering comments of the self-appointed elite simply discourage that from happening.

Patrick T. Olembe
Minister for Foreign Affairs

Um..Howie, the Elleltian Ambassador has been appointed to DLE's old post of "Commissioner Of Killing Proposals Dead In Their Tracks Before They Even Became A Draft Proposal". Didn't you get the memo?

My government has long asked the United Nations to forward any incoming documents with DLE as a keyword to the Mikitivity Oceanic Survey, as the two subjects share a similar priority with my people (which being a landlocked nation means those memos are lining bird cages).

(OOC: Umm, did ya all note Fris' comment at the top of this page? The OP isn't even here...)

OOC: We're just screwing around IC now. Join the fun!

Aqua Anu already has a ratings system in place for games and motion pitcures, we see no need for a universal system as every culture has diffrent views on age restrictions.

Aqua Anu already has a ratings system in place for games and motion pitcures, we see no need for a universal system as every culture has diffrent views on age restrictions.

But wouldn't it help your government if it had access to other rating systems when deciding what the ratings of imports should be? Surely with tens of thousands of nations in NationStates, the task of reviewing *every* game produced and imported is a tremendous undertaking.

Well as far as reviewing every single game ever produced I doubt that every country imports every game. Ellelt doesn't, and I doubt we shall begin to do so in the future...games like all other forms of entertainment must conform to strict regulations from the Ministry of Information.

Now on to Mr Olembe, Sir, we understand your position of viewing our comments as arrogant. You have the right to view us as such, and we wont bother ourselves trying to convince you otherwise. However, we must disagree about there being nothing new under the sun. Every thought ever thought by anyone was at some point thought up by someone else before hand. Our experience has shown that New members who do not take the time to do a small amount of research...like reading the rules for example...are annoying.

In-fact, I would appreciate it if you sir, would note the numerous times I have refereed persons to the rule prior to shooting down or picking apart their draft proposals on issues of legality, regardless of actual merits of the draft proposal itself. As it stands this draft proposal, if one can call it that, as I have yet to see an actual quoted piece of paper saying "the UN shall do such and such", even in the idea phase is silly in the extreme. '

Indeed we are surprised that you would support this...I recall recently that you had a conversation with Comrade Serpov on the issue of reducing all matters to the most local level of government that could adequately handle them...In this case it would be the national level, not the international one.

V. Khernynko
Elleltian Ambassador to the UN.

Well as far as reviewing every single game ever produced I doubt that every country imports every game. Ellelt doesn't, and I doubt we shall begin to do so in the future...games like all other forms of entertainment must conform to strict regulations from the Ministry of Information.

Now on to Mr Olembe, Sir, we understand your position of viewing our comments as arrogant. You have the right to view us as such, and we wont bother ourselves trying to convince you otherwise. However, we must disagree about there being nothing new under the sun. Every thought ever thought by anyone was at some point thought up by someone else before hand. Our experience has shown that New members who do not take the time to do a small amount of research...like reading the rules for example...are annoying.

In-fact, I would appreciate it if you sir, would note the numerous times I have refereed persons to the rule prior to shooting down or picking apart their draft proposals on issues of legality, regardless of actual merits of the draft proposal itself. As it stands this draft proposal, if one can call it that, as I have yet to see an actual quoted piece of paper saying "the UN shall do such and such", even in the idea phase is silly in the extreme. '

Indeed we are surprised that you would support this...I recall recently that you had a conversation with Comrade Serpov on the issue of reducing all matters to the most local level of government that could adequately handle them...In this case it would be the national level, not the international one.

V. Khernynko
Elleltian Ambassador to the UN.

Where on earth did you come up with the notion that we support the idea put forward? We very plainly stated: "We don't believe the ratings idea has merit. We think there are too many problems involved."

Patrick T. Olembe
Minister for Foreign Affairs

But again there is too much diffrence in ideals and culture and just what would this system be based off of? How would you judge? I mean what you and I see as offensive are very diffrent. I mean some might find a game that encourages acts of violence an okay game because they don't belive in any consequence, however we may see serious problems with a game that glorofies urban violence. What you may rate for teenagers we would find it adult only, so are you asking us to trust a blind system?

Where on earth did you come up with the notion that we support the idea put forward? We very plainly stated: "We don't believe the ratings idea has merit. We think there are too many problems involved."

Patrick T. Olembe
Minister for Foreign Affairs


Then perhaps Ambassador Olembe, we misunderstood your statements concerning our calling this stupid idea, stupid as support of this idea that lacks merit.

Be that as it may, Ellelt has repeatedly said that it is against this "proposal" on the very same problems that have been brought up by others who are opposed to this measure. And retract the statement that you supported this rubbish.

We apparently are on the same side, even if we disagree on preventative tactics.

Vladimir Khernynko
Elleltian Ambassador to the UN.

I'm thinking a good "preventative tactic" might be for a Mod to lock this thread.

It must be nice to be able to unerringly predict which new members of this Assembly will and will not become valuable participants. We've never found ourselves capable of doing that.
OOC: I find that someone who can't even find the right forum to post their draft in (as evidenced by Fris' post here (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=12052182&postcount=2)) is not indicatative of someone will become a valuable participant. I'm not saying that they can't become one mind you, but the chances of it happening tend to be slim.