Binge Gamer Dot Net

Apparently the Entertainment Software Association has had just about enough of GamePolitics and their shenanigans. You see, it all stems from a story posted on GamePolitics earlier today, which implied that Texas Governor Rick Perry, who is (as of now) the keynote speaker for the E3 Business Summit, said that “non-Christians will burn in hell”.

To be specific, Governor Perry affirmed the comments of non-Christians burning in Hell that were originally made by minister John Hagee.

If you follow American politics, then you are probably too aware of John “God sent Hitler to drive the Jews to Israel” Hagee. His comments have been so inflammatory that presidental candidate and Arizona Republican John McCain had to reject Hagee’s endorsement.

After reading this latest slam on the ESA (which GamePolitics has made a habit of doing — as have we all), it seems that the ESA just plain had enough. In a letter from the ESA, Dan Hewitt unleashes what can only be described as a scathing attack against GamePolitics and their parent company (which is news to me), the Entertainment Consumers Association.

If the ESA posted a blog and called it a news site, journalists would rightfully balk and it wouldn’t pass a smell test. Remarkably, GamePolitics doesn’t face the same scrutiny even though it’s funded by the ECA and tainted with anti-ESA vitriol. At the end of the day, calling GamePolitics a news site is as laughable as saying there’s a Cuban free press.

Now while I can understand the frustrations that the ESA is feeling over the seemingly neverending stream of bad press, if I were writing for GamePolitics I would be mighty pissed to have all my efforts summarized as little more than a propaganda blog.

GamePolitics editor and 2004 Des Moines Roller Derby champion* Dennis McCauley issued a statement of his own to Joystiq, which reads in full:

GamePolitics is the same news site it has always been, covering the nexus between video games and politics. Since acquiring GamePolitics in October, 2006, ECA president Hal Halpin has insisted that GP retain its editorial independence.

I suspect that, given its current difficulties retaining member companies, the ESA is uncomfortable with the level of scrutiny directed at it by some news outlets. Ultimately, an organization like the ESA is judged by its performance, and, right now, it’s fair to call that performance into question. When a politician is keynoting E3, that’s worth questioning. When the politician has made divisive comments, like those attributed to Gov. Perry, that’s really worth questioning.

It sounds like GamePolitics isn’t pulling any punches with their comments about Gov. Perry and the ESA. On a personal level, I’m not sure how somebody’s religious views weigh on his efforts to welcome game developers to his state. While I may personally abhor the comments, they have little bearing on his ability as a keynote speaker.

We’ve reached out to Governor Perry’s office, and hope to have a statement from him soon.