"British politicians should stop whingeing and learn to love video games. Whether the political classes like it or not, video games have changed the cultural landscape of the nation," so says Labour MP for West Bromwich East, Tom Watson in a
Guardian newspaper column today.
You may remember Mr Watson from his
recent response to inveterate doom-merchant and populist stirmonger, Keith Vaz MP regarding
Modern Warfare 2.
Watson has already set up the
Gamers' Voice Facebook page, and is now calling for positive and direct government action stating: "It's time to elevate the games industry to the same status as the music and film industries. The government should consider a UK Games Council, along similar lines to the UK Film Council. It will give industry and government a platform to discuss the strategic opportunities that have to be grasped if we're to get the export-led growth the chancellor, and the country, so badly needs."
Is Tom Watson right? Do game companies need government intervention? To the Forum with you.
(Votes for Tom Watson as PM also to the Forum.)