Is the industry betraying its games?
In his final speech as president of the ESA, an inspired Doug Lowenstein took to the D.I.C.E. podium and called on industry professionals in attendance and beyond to join the 'fight' to defend games from unconstitutional censorship. Lowenstein reprimanded the unnamed publishers and developers who "cut and run" when their games become media and political targets; and he criticized the overwhelming tide of apathy, epitomized by a lack of support for the Video Game Voters Network. "No one has bothered to take the time to do that, and it makes me sick," barked Lowenstein. "No matter how good we are, and we're good, we can't win the war without an army. And you're the army. And most of the people in this room who have the most at stake are too lazy to join this army ... Don't let others fight the fight for you, because in the end we won't have enough soldiers to succeed."
In considering these grave remarks, Gamasutra posed the following question to professional game developers: "Is Doug Lowenstein fair in his farewell speech comments that game professionals are failing to stand up for their freedom? If he is, what should we each be doing to ensure that censorship is not an issue in the game industry?"
Replies have since been posted, revealing some predictably polarized comments. But the respondents all seem to share a fundamental adoration of games; there's a sense that each has been deeply touched by the medium. It's difficult enough to protect those things which bleed and suffer, but it's the duty of us gamers (not just the professionals) to provide the freedom for our beloved to grow.
[Via /.]
