Writers strike could boost video game industry

[Xstatic1]

NEW YORK - Who says there's nothing new on your TV?

Not video gamers.

As the Hollywood writers strike drags toward 2008, the video game industry is hoping a lack of fresh episodes in prime-time could motivate more people to pick up video game controllers instead of remotes ? especially with the millions of Wiis and copies of "Call of Duty 4" under Christmas trees this holiday season.

"If you're a fan of network programming, maybe seeing another repeat of 'Pushing Daisies' or 'Cold Case' will inspire you to finish that level of 'Ratchet and Clank Future' instead," suggests Joseph Olin, president of the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences.

Because game publishers rely almost completely on nonunion talent to create video games, the Writers Guild of America walkout, now in its eighth week, hasn't been an issue for the gaming industry. Only a handful of game writers are represented by the WGA, and they fall outside of the jurisdiction of the current strike.

"There's a much better relationship between game developers and publishers than there appears to be in terms of all the polemics between the writers, producers and studios," says Olin.

During the five-month writer's strike in 1988, gamers were just beginning to become infatuated with "Tetris" ? not exactly a narrative form. In the 20 years since the addictive bricks fell, plot and Hollywood have both become integral parts of interactive entertainment.

With new games now pegged to almost every major blockbuster movie, most of the major studios ? Warner Bros., Walt Disney Co. and Sony Corp., for example ? now have their own gamemaking divisions.

Full article: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22410325/

 

[SmoochyTX]

I'm waiting for reality TV to start up full swing....

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

I watch almost no network TV. TBH I haven't even noticed the writers strike.

That said... fucking unions...

 

[Mo0o]

I think movie tickets sales and rentals would jump before video games.

 

[mugs]

I've been catching up on shows that I didn't watch before the strike.

 

[dighn]

I couldn't care less. I don't watch much TV anyway.

 

[SoundTheSurrender]

I just started netflixing tons of shows.

So far
Rescue Me
Dexter
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

 

[Ronstang]

I stopped watching prime time television about 15 years ago due to low quality crap shows and I have not seem any improvement. The writers better be careful or more people may realize the same thing.

 

[Insomniator]

Only tv I watch is Mythbusters and ESPN, neither of which are affected.

I can't take television shows seriously anymore, they are all awful.

Except for the office which luckily I just got into so I have plenty of time to watch old ones.

 

[GenHoth]

American Gladiators, I can't wait

 

[0roo0roo]

don't think so, if u liked gaming you were hooked before this strike.
the explosion of tv on dvd/rental means we are set unless the strike lasts years. its series catch up time.

 

[Captante]

Nothing different ... I don't watch much NETWORK tv.

(didn't quite fit any of the poll choices)

 

[theprodigalrebel]

I don't actually watch TV. Just 2-3 shows on DVD/torrents, that's about it.

 

[Sqube]

There aren't that many shows that I watch and, since all the seasons are over now, I'm just not watching much in the way of TV.

I watch ESPN more regularly than anything else anyway.

 

[JBT]

Originally posted by: GenHoth
American Gladiators, I can't wait

hells yeah!

 

[nageov3t]

my netflix subscription has been getting a bit more of a workout.

there's a couple reality shows that I'm looking forward to and some that I'm still watching, but I've also been plowing through old shows on netflix.

just finished watching the UK version of The Office... Sopranos season 1 is next to go.

 

[clamum]

I only watch three shows: 24, The Unit, and Lost.

I think The Unit is done for the season (due to strike), 24 is on indefinite hiatus, and Lost has yet to air. So I've been playing a crapload of computer/console games. Which really isn't out of the norm for me anyway.

 

[Casawi]

Only a few shows I care for to return really, the others I don't miss and realized I shouldn't prolly watch in the first place. I care to watch Lost, the Office, and 24 ... the rest is just a plus. I have been catching on other shows like Family Guy and Simson's... they seem to be on all the time.

 

[oddyager]

Don't watch alot of TV so it hasn't affected me.

 

[potato28]

Nothing different, I have lots of time left in TF2, maybe a few more runs through Portal, Mass Effect, and some DS games that I haven't had time to play through yet.

 

[imported_Truenofan]

i rarely if ever watch tv. too much bs on the tube to bother.