The inauguration of Barack Obama will be a first for the United States in several different ways, including the fact that for the first time ever, there will be a videogame console in the most powerful entertainment room in the world.
When President-Elect Obama moves into the White House, he'll be bringing the Nintendo Wii that he gave to his two daughters for Christmas. According to an article in the New York Times, Obama spent some time playing on the console with Sasha and Malia during their vacation in Hawaii, and is reportedly a much better bowler in Wii Sports than he is in real life. Which, to be fair, is sort of like claiming he could beat Yao Ming in a limbo contest: During the Democratic presidential primaries, Obama scored a miserable 37 points at a bowling alley in Pennsylvania.
Sure, it's might be a little while before we hear reports about how Obama thought Shadow of the Colossus "totally kicked ass," and we probably won't be running into him trash-talking his opponents in a heated match of Team Fortress 2, but for better or for worse, the leader of the free world is now a gamer. Perhaps he'll slip on the wrist-strap to unwind or enjoy some family time with the First Console in his few moments of free time once he steps into office.
Representatives for the Obama Administration transition team say that the President-Elect plans to settle all future diplomatic entanglements by throwing down in a round of Super Smash Bros. Brawl, but beware - we hear Vladimir Putin plays a mean Pikachu.
I guess I can twiddle my thumbs less now. Just a little less, seeing as gaming still has a long way to go until it stops being the scapegoat for the world's problems.
Fightgarr: My only hope is that he realizes that that there are better ways to game than a Wii.
Yes, because there are so many games on the 360 and PS3 that are not offensive while at the same time being fun. Could you imagine what would happen if he were to offer play a game a someone important in global politics found offensive? It would be a PR nightmare. Sorry but for a world leader who wants a game console during a time when violent games are being persecuted by half the world, the only choice is the Wii.
This is a promising step to stopping people like Jack Thompson if you ask me. They say "All video gamers are violent psychopaths", I point to the President of the United States. You know, other than George W. Bush. He was a violent psychopath.
Fightgarr: My only hope is that he realizes that that there are better ways to game than a Wii.
Yes, because there are so many games on the 360 and PS3 that are not offensive while at the same time being fun. Could you imagine what would happen if he were to offer play a game a someone important in global politics found offensive? It would be a PR nightmare. Sorry but for a world leader who wants a game console during a time when violent games are being persecuted by half the world, the only choice is the Wii.
Or a PC? I didn't say console. PC has a lot of great games that aren't offensive, and I find a helluva lot more fun than Wii games. (see most good adventure games, many puzzle games and a whole host of others)
Fightgarr: My only hope is that he realizes that that there are better ways to game than a Wii.
For daughters his age? I'd actually disagree.
I didn't mean for his daughters.
Dude is the leader of the most powerful country in the world (or, will be). I don't see him having the time to play any real, in-depth videogames. Hell, I don't see him having the time to sit through the opening cutscene in MGS4. For all it doesn't appeal to hardcore gamers, the Wii is exactly the sort of time investment I'd feel comfortable having the President play :P
Fightgarr: My only hope is that he realizes that that there are better ways to game than a Wii.
Yes, because there are so many games on the 360 and PS3 that are not offensive while at the same time being fun. Could you imagine what would happen if he were to offer play a game a someone important in global politics found offensive? It would be a PR nightmare. Sorry but for a world leader who wants a game console during a time when violent games are being persecuted by half the world, the only choice is the Wii.
Or a PC? I didn't say console. PC has a lot of great games that aren't offensive, and I find a helluva lot more fun than Wii games. (see most good adventure games, many puzzle games and a whole host of others)
yes but then the president looks like one of two things; A- a complete nerd who lives in his moms, uh... white house, or B- uncooperative because although PC games are multilayer you usually need two computers to play games multilayer, and while the concept of a big room in the white house set up for LAN play seem cool, it is in reality unrealistic.
Also consider that as leader of America the guy doesn't have all day and night to game making the Wii the perfect candidate because a good portion of the games are collections of mini-games.
Fightgarr: My only hope is that he realizes that that there are better ways to game than a Wii.
For daughters his age? I'd actually disagree.
I didn't mean for his daughters.
Dude is the leader of the most powerful country in the world (or, will be). I don't see him having the time to play any real, in-depth videogames. Hell, I don't see him having the time to sit through the opening cutscene in MGS4. For all it doesn't appeal to hardcore gamers, the Wii is exactly the sort of time investment I'd feel comfortable having the President play :P
Really, because I'd prefer a President who actually read. But thats just me.
Dude is the leader of the most powerful country in the world (or, will be). I don't see him having the time to play any real, in-depth videogames. Hell, I don't see him having the time to sit through the opening cutscene in MGS4. For all it doesn't appeal to hardcore gamers, the Wii is exactly the sort of time investment I'd feel comfortable having the President play :P
Really, because I'd prefer a President who actually read. But thats just me.
Your stunning proof that a man's choice of casual videogaming indicates that he does not actually read thwarts me, good sir :P
If the man wants to read in his spare time, I have no doubt that he'll certainly find time to actually, y'know, read a book. Bush even had competitions with Cheney over who could read more.
This has nothing to do with him wanting to play a few rounds of Wii Bowling with his daughters before getting back to work running the country.
President Elect Obama, what's wrong with you? YOU are the leader of AMERICA, YOU are trying to boost AMERICA's economy, YOU should buy an AMERICAn console.
I'm surprised he didn't buy American and go for a 360. Will it actually be in the oval office? There are lots of classic pictures of Presidents sitting in the oval office that can define a presidency, will Obama's be of him playing Mario Kart?
He should bring it to the UN and usher in an age of motion sensing based world peace.
Dude is the leader of the most powerful country in the world (or, will be). I don't see him having the time to play any real, in-depth videogames. Hell, I don't see him having the time to sit through the opening cutscene in MGS4. For all it doesn't appeal to hardcore gamers, the Wii is exactly the sort of time investment I'd feel comfortable having the President play :P
Really, because I'd prefer a President who actually read. But thats just me.
Your stunning proof that a man's choice of casual videogaming indicates that he does not actually read thwarts me, good sir :P
If the man wants to read in his spare time, I have no doubt that he'll certainly find time to actually, y'know, read a book. Bush even had competitions with Cheney over who could read more.
It was your stating that his leisure time in such short supply that led to that reaction, really.
Odd, I could of swore Obama called gamers underachievers. Oh well, go figure.
BudZer: President Elect Obama, what's wrong with you? YOU are the leader of AMERICA, YOU are trying to boost AMERICA's economy, YOU should buy an AMERICAn console.
Yeah, but could you really imagine him pwning n00bs on Halo 3 on XBox Live?
Are we really arguing over what console he should've bought? Really?
We, as gamers, have complained for so long about those in authority (or just the mainstream media) demonizing our favorite pastime, and now we finally have someone - not just someone, the leader of our country - saying "hey, gaming is OK," and we're still bitching?
thatstheguy: Odd, I could of swore Obama called gamers underachievers. Oh well, go figure.
BudZer: President Elect Obama, what's wrong with you? YOU are the leader of AMERICA, YOU are trying to boost AMERICA's economy, YOU should buy an AMERICAn console.
Yeah, but could you really imagine him pwning n00bs on Halo 3 on XBox Live?
I've never been able to imagine something any more clearly.
Imagine how ridiculous it would be if he were a die hard WoW fanatic... "Sorry guys Middle East peace talks will have to be suspended, I have to go raid" While inspecting nuclear weapon facilities "Damn thats some pwnage l00t right there" "Time to ninja some oil guys, just roll need!"
Seriously though: I think it's an excellent start for gaming. I know most people on this forum frown upon the Wii as some kind of casual freindly game indutry destroying devil, and I share some of those sentiments but maybe something will come of this. It's unlikely, but even this small sign of acceptance may lead to bigger and better things. I mean it would hardly appear very well if he told the press he bought GTA4 for his kids or if he started talking about how he was using the NSA's super computers to run Crysis... Baby steps people, baby steps is all.
Yes! We have taken the white house. Now to move on to the world MUHAHAHAHAH! Right, sorry. I wonder what games he will buy? I wonder if he will post his Wii number some where in the Washington Newspaper or something. It would be awesome kicking the presidents ass in Mario Kart Wii.
CantFaketheFunk: Dude is the leader of the most powerful country in the world (or, will be). I don't see him having the time to play any real, in-depth videogames. Hell, I don't see him having the time to sit through the opening cutscene in MGS4. For all it doesn't appeal to hardcore gamers, the Wii is exactly the sort of time investment I'd feel comfortable having the President play :P
You could always skip that cutscene if you don't have time.
sv93: Yes! We have taken the white house. Now to move on to the world MUHAHAHAHAH! Right, sorry. I wonder what games he will buy? I wonder if he will post his Wii number some where in the Washington Newspaper or something. It would be awesome kicking the presidents ass in Mario Kart Wii.
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The Oval Office Gets a Wii
The inauguration of Barack Obama will be a first for the United States in several different ways, including the fact that for the first time ever, there will be a videogame console in the most powerful entertainment room in the world.
When President-Elect Obama moves into the White House, he'll be bringing the Nintendo Wii that he gave to his two daughters for Christmas. According to an article in the New York Times, Obama spent some time playing on the console with Sasha and Malia during their vacation in Hawaii, and is reportedly a much better bowler in Wii Sports than he is in real life. Which, to be fair, is sort of like claiming he could beat Yao Ming in a limbo contest: During the Democratic presidential primaries, Obama scored a miserable 37 points at a bowling alley in Pennsylvania.
Sure, it's might be a little while before we hear reports about how Obama thought Shadow of the Colossus "totally kicked ass," and we probably won't be running into him trash-talking his opponents in a heated match of Team Fortress 2, but for better or for worse, the leader of the free world is now a gamer. Perhaps he'll slip on the wrist-strap to unwind or enjoy some family time with the First Console in his few moments of free time once he steps into office.
Representatives for the Obama Administration transition team say that the President-Elect plans to settle all future diplomatic entanglements by throwing down in a round of Super Smash Bros. Brawl, but beware - we hear Vladimir Putin plays a mean Pikachu.
(The New York Times, via Gameculture)
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