Go EA Thats Right

Stormeagle · Post by **Stormeagle** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 9:24 pm

Ok Guys and Girls This is a report Thats I found

As the new parent company of BioWare, Electronic Arts isn't very happy with the way Fox News recently slammed Mass Effect. EA sent Fox a letter to request a correction.

Posted by James Brightman on Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Many of you by now have probably seen the Fox News TV segment where GameTrailers' Geoff Keighley appears to defend BioWare's Mass Effect from the false accusation that it's filled with full digital nudity and sex. Any self-respecting gamer or industry professional had to be sorely disappointed by the kind of portrayal Fox gave Mass Effect and video games in general.

Now at least BioWare parent company EA is standing up for the game and the industry. In a letter EA VP of Communications Jeff Brown sent to Fox (obtained by Kotaku), he tries to set the record straight and asks that Fox issue a correction.

The main points outlined by Brown were as follows:

Your headline above the televised story read: "New videogame shows full digital nudity and sex."

Fact: Mass Effect does not include explicit or frontal nudity. Love scenes in non-interactive sequences include side and profile shots - a vantage frequently used in many prime-time television shows. It's also worth noting that the game requires players to develop complex relationships before characters can become intimate and players can chose to avoid the love scenes altogether.

FNC voice-over reporter says: "You'll see full digital nudity and the ability for players to engage in graphic sex."
Fact: Sex scenes in Mass Effect are not graphic. These scenes are very similar to sex sequences frequently seen on network television in prime time.

FNC reporter says: "Critics say Mass Effect is being marketed to kids and teenagers."
Fact: That is flat out false. Mass Effect and all related marketing has been reviewed by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) and rated Mature - appropriate for players 17-years and older. ESRB routinely counsels retailers on requesting proof of age in selling M-rated titles and the system has been lauded by members of Congress and the Federal Trade Commission. In practical terms, the ratings work as well or better than those used for warning viewers about television content.

Brown added that the entire Fox panel was "largely ignorant" about video games and the ESRB and that the "resulting coverage was insulting to the men and women who spent years creating a game which is acclaimed by critics for its high creative standards."

He continued by pointing out the hypocrisy of the network's views on video games when its own shows often portray sexual scenes. "As video games continue to take audiences away from television, we expect to see more TV news stories warning parents about the corrupting influence of interactive entertainment. But this represents a new level of recklessness," he said. "Do you watch the Fox Network? Do you watch Family Guy? Have you ever seen The OC? Do you think the sexual situations in Mass Effect are any more graphic than scenes routinely aired on those shows? Do you honestly believe that young people have more exposure to Mass Effect than to those prime time shows?"

Brown closed by noting that his letter isn't intended as a "legal threat," but rather "it's an appeal to your sense of fairness. We're asking FNC to correct the record on Mass Effect."

mecha · Post by **mecha** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 10:05 pm

Didn't Richie report on this in his front page post? Yes I believe he did.

Verence · Post by **Verence** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 1:06 am

Bah, I never read the front page. I go straight to Stormeagle for my news.

But it is good to hear. I just wish they'd come down on them a little harder. That "news" segment made my blood boil.

WiizerFanboy · Post by **WiizerFanboy** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 7:53 am

lol... am I the only one who checks the front page?

Mericks · Post by **Mericks** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 8:33 am

Wiizerfanboy wrote:lol... am I the only one who checks the front page?

I saw it too, but I read over both stories, but I liked this one better because it was easier to view in full because I had to watch the video for Richie's, and that's not as convenient as reading text on my laptop, so Stormeagle wins this round with me.

Granted, if I had a better computer and didn't often check up on BMX news and forums at school, I'd probably like Richie's better instead.

Post by **BreakmanX** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 9:46 am

This whole thing made me really mad too, but the fact of the matter is that the people that go to Fox Noise for their news will believe this bullshit while everyone who doesn't will see it as yet another example of their mendacity. This isn't the first time they've had inaccurate reporting. It is basically just an amplifier for the viewpoint of Rupert Murdock, so as long as you agree with him you'll be happy.

I am really proud of EA for at least doings something, though. I don't think Fox knows quite how big EA is.

Mericks · Post by **Mericks** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 10:58 am

I know how big EA is and I still don't have a clue how big EA is.

Richie · Post by **Richie** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 11:31 am

Mericks wrote:I saw it too, but I read over both stories, but I liked this one better because it was easier to view in full because I had to watch the video for Richie's, and that's not as convenient as reading text on my laptop, so Stormeagle wins this round with me.

Granted, if I had a better computer and didn't often check up on BMX news and forums at school, I'd probably like Richie's better instead.

...what? I think you're getting the Fox News show, and the EA response letter mixed up. I posted both.

But to one-up Stormie (sorry man

), Cooper Lawrence admitted her mistakes last week:

NY Times wrote:...Ms. Lawrence said that since the controversy over her remarks erupted she had watched someone play the game for about two and a half hours. "I recognize that I misspoke," she said. "I really regret saying that, and now that I've seen the game and seen the sex scenes it's kind of a joke.

"Before the show I had asked somebody about what they had heard, and they had said it's like pornography," she added. "But it's not like pornography. I've seen episodes of 'Lost' that are more sexually explicit.

No official apology from Fox yet. Not that I thought there'd be one.

Mericks · Post by **Mericks** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:46 pm

Ah, yes. You did post both. Nevermind then. Richie wins.

I didn't notice the letter. Probably cause it was integrated into the text and I just forgot about it while reading. Stupid mistake on my part. +30 points to Richie

WiizerFanboy · Post by **WiizerFanboy** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 2:48 pm

Richie's was better because he's sexy.

Stormeagle · Post by **Stormeagle** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 9:19 pm

Richie wrote:
Mericks wrote:I saw it too, but I read over both stories, but I liked this one better because it was easier to view in full because I had to watch the video for Richie's, and that's not as convenient as reading text on my laptop, so Stormeagle wins this round with me.

Granted, if I had a better computer and didn't often check up on BMX news and forums at school, I'd probably like Richie's better instead.
...what? I think you're getting the Fox News show, and the EA response letter mixed up. I posted both.

But to one-up Stormie (sorry man ), Cooper Lawrence admitted her mistakes last week:

NY Times wrote:...Ms. Lawrence said that since the controversy over her remarks erupted she had watched someone play the game for about two and a half hours. "I recognize that I misspoke," she said. "I really regret saying that, and now that I've seen the game and seen the sex scenes it's kind of a joke.

"Before the show I had asked somebody about what they had heard, and they had said it's like pornography," she added. "But it's not like pornography. I've seen episodes of 'Lost' that are more sexually explicit.
No official apology from Fox yet. Not that I thought there'd be one.

Thats ok Man I didn't know that She Recognize her Mistake.. . ..

lol so this Score was me 1 you 0 know you 1 me 0 lol love this game lol

Richie · Post by **Richie** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 11:54 pm

Hehe, it's all good. Stormie > most

You guys really should read our front page, though. We post quality shit on a regular basis.

WiizerFanboy · Post by **WiizerFanboy** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 12:44 am

Richie wrote:Hehe, it's all good. Stormie > most

You guys really should read our front page, though. We post quality shit on a regular basis.

word. Especially now since it's more scheduled, I go through the front page all the time now.

Post by **BreakmanX** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 9:36 am

Yeah, at least two posts a week now.

Mericks · Post by **Mericks** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 9:46 am

Yeah...Speaking of which, love your latest story, Break. You took the words out'o'me mouth you thief.