The Technodrome Forums - ESA Prez thinks "Videogame" is a dirty word

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ESA Prez thinks "Videogame" is a dirty word

Quote:

Originally Posted by IGN

Lowenstein: Don't Call Them 'Videogames'
The head of the ESA isn't down with the term that has described our industry for 30 years.
by Daemon Hatfield

November 8, 2006 - During his keynote speech at the LA Games Conference today, Doug Lowenstein, President of the Entertainment Software Association, explained that he thinks the term 'videogame' is a detriment to the industry.

"One of the worst things going for us is that we're called videogames," Lowenstein said. Part of his speech dealt with the rise of 'serious games' such as training programs and educational games for children. Lowenstein feels that the term videogames keeps many people from taking these serious games, and in fact the entire industry, seriously. He commented that the industry might not attract as much negative publicity if its products were categorized as something more serious than a game.

Presumably, Lowenstein would prefer videogames be referred to as 'interactive entertainment,' or 'entertainment software,' as it is the term the ESA, the organization representing the industry, has chosen. And although it showcased videogames, the Electronic Entertainment Expo went with a title that didn't mention games at all.

Well, what the hell do we call them then? "Interactive Entertainment"? That sounds like a term used to describe a digital "choose your own adventure" book. I'm sick to goddamn death of people treating videogame like a dirty word. It's what they are. Grow up and deal with it. We aren't some sublet of the movie industry. We're about games. What do you play these games on? A Video screen (guarnteed for the foreseeable future). Video output device + electronic game = Video Game. Deal with it.

One of my black friends referred to video games as "Station," obviously in reference to Playstation 2. MAYBE WE SHOULD START USING THAT, AMIRITE?

What the hell is the ESA and why should I care about it? They are called 'video games', there is nothing wrong with that.

If they think they're taking the term 'video game' away from me, they're morons. I'm never gonna call it interactive entertainment or electronic entertainment (I'd post a link for that too, but... haha).

Bwahaha!!! :lol: I need to surf around here more often. So this guy is so snobby that he doesn't want people calling these things 'video games'? Now that's entertainment.

Didn't Nintendo, back in the 80's, want to distance themselves from being known as Video games as well? I know that's a totally different reason, though. You know, because of the Atari video game crash?

Also, how many people had their parents call them "Nintendo tapes?" Tape has nothin' to do with how they worked, mate!

Dude, it's a game which is usually plugged into our TV like a video player would. What does he expect us to call them? Virtual Graphical Games? Come off it. "Video games" is not only better sounding, but cuts to the point straight away.