Ian Bogost has a timely piece up on the issue of political-themed games, and their use — or lack thereof. Bogost draws a clear demarcation between politicking (which he feels most of these games do) versus politics — games have the potential to really speak towards politics, but wind up being more or less meaningless tools for politicking:
Oh, you thought we were done with the Sarah Palin shit? Well think again, my friends. After last Sunday’s post about Palin in video games, reader Marion D. sent me three screens showing his band’s lead singer in Rock Band 2. Oh gosh, can she rock it or what? You betcha. Just make sure she doesn’t sing any of Heart’s greatest hits, should they ever become available.
Two more pics on the jump.
It’s Super Tuesday, and you know what that means! No? Don’t worry, I looked it up on Wikipedia myself. Gamers historically aren’t the most votey of people, seeing as how voting means going somewhere that is not in front of a giant television and standing in line, but Gamecock is hoping to change all of that – or at least make you more aware of Hail to the Chimp, Wideload’s political animal party game due out this May for the Xbox 360 and PS3. “Gamecock wants YOU to vote in the human American presidential election,” said Mike Wilson, Gamecock Media Group’s Grand Champeen and CEO. “And, perhaps more importantly, to check out Hail to the Chimp’s candidates and get involved in the first ever presidential election for the new animal republic!”
The website, www.cockthevote.us, contains two links to register to vote, one for information on the presidential primaries, and a ton of information, clips, and screens from Hail to the Chimp. Come on Gamecock. You aren’t going to get gamers to vote while at the same time distracting them with monkeys. That way lies madness!
