<p>On the 21st, fox news showed a staggering lack of reliability by debating one of the features in the (semi-)new game Mass Effect. During the “debate”, which was about as one sided as if you held a debate between nine republicans and one democrat, author Lawrence Cooper , who was one of the guests, as well as the host argued that the game was misogynistic, full of “full frontal nudity” and that "the player gets to decide what happens between the two people, among other falsehoods. They also had an expert on video games from spike TV, who they patronized and cut off anytime he attempted to set the record straight. In short, everyone began to spout false information about the game, despite the experts assertions that they had the wrong idea and the fact that none of them had actually played the game and that none of them knew anything about video games in general. </p>
<p>The list of outright false information given by these people is staggeringly long. They said that the game contained full graphic nudity (when in reality you can find more graphic sex scenes on prime time TV), that you can chose what you do, that its marketed to kids, and that you only play as a male. all of which is pure fabrication.</p>
<p>The full clip can be found at [YouTube</a> - FOX NEWS Mass Effect Sex Debate](<a href=“http://youtube.com/watch?v=PKzF173GqTU]YouTube”>http://youtube.com/watch?v=PKzF173GqTU)</p>
<p>Not only has this gross proof that fox is not as “fair and balanced” as they make themselves out to be caused an uproar throughout the whole of the gaming community, its considerably lowered my respect for anything that Fox news puts out. (which is admittedly low)</p>
<p>What are your opinions on what this does to the reliability of fox news, how much does the media effect your view of video games, and what do you think about this whole situation?</p>
<p>I have to ask: Are you surprised?</p>
<p>I like FOX news, but it’s the media for god’s sake…of course they’re not “fair and balanced”. No one in the media is.</p>
<p>This is why I do my own research and very rarely believe anything the news says.</p>
<p>I do not agree with your perception of the clip. The host let two people discuss the game with woman opposing it and the man “setting the record straight” and pointing out that there was no full nudity and that the woman had not even played the game. Fox presented Microsoft’s statement in defense of the game. The game is rated MA for mature audiences. One of the members of the panel mentioned it was important to prevent censorship. In all, it was a pretty balanced discussion with several different view points. </p>
<p>BTW, video games are marketed to young males who are the ones who play them the most.</p>
<p>Wow, another sock puppet ID – this one critical of Fox News. Shocked, I am! Just shocked!</p>
<p>First i’d like to say to WashDad that i am not a sock puppet, but indeed a new member. My mother frequents this board and I just thought it would be interesting to hear what the parent of CC have to say about this. This debate has been given a thorough debate within all of my gaming communities, but the opinions are generally of those who understand the issue well.</p>
<p>That said, I cannot understand how you dont see the bias in the clip, but I guess thats simply a matter of opinion. The general view is that the woman bulldozed over the expert and the rest of the people ignored everything he said. After the incident Bioware, the company that developed Mass Effect release this statement. Were hurt. We believe in video games as an art form, and on behalf of the 120 people who poured their blood and tears into this game over three years, were just really hurt that someone would misrepresent the game without even playing it. All we can hope for is that people who actually play our games will see the truth.</p>
<p>EA has also made requests of Fox. ([full statement](<a href=“Kotaku | Gaming Reviews, News, Tips and More.”>http://kotaku.com/348187/ea-calls-fox-out-on-insulting-mass-effect-inaccuracies</a>) ) All Fox has offered to do is to have EA appear on the air in order, one assumes, to get more airtime from this. </p>
<p>Also, you commented that the majority of games are played by adolescent males, which is simply not true. The average gamer is 33 years of age. Games are not the domain for young men. (source:[ESA](<a href=“http://www.theesa.com/facts/top_10_facts.php]ESA[/url]”>http://www.theesa.com/facts/top_10_facts.php)</a>)</p>
<p>I can say with absolute certainty that AgentOrange is NOT a sock puppet. I know him personally, and can tell you unequivocally that he thinks (and speaks) for himself.;)</p>
<p>Glad to have you on the forum Agent. If you can write half as well as Poetsheart, then you will be writing two times better than most people on this board.</p>
<p>My disagreement with you is your conclusion about bias. Fox News was not biased in its presentation of the issue. It presented both sides. What I think is your view, clearly came across from several speakers in the clip. Maybe some of the people giving their opinions were wrong, but being wrong does not mean they are biased – it just means they are wrong. It’s a pretty big difference.</p>
<p>Awww Razor, that was very nice. Thank you. :)</p>