I boycotted a company because they printed a pro-abortion product. Not they were pro-abortion, but they printed a product aimed at promoting abortion.

I don't know if it's my politics so much as other things, but I see to regularly offend certain sectors of the population with my 'liberal' attitude to sexuality in games.

I'm surprised my obvious dislike for religion, which I can't really hide in anything I write, doesn't cause me more problems, but maybe people just haven't noticed.

(Oops).

I wouldn't buy a pro-abortion rpg because it's a stupid and puerile theme for an rpg.

I'm not sure if I used Himmler as the example, but David is right. Who cares? Why would I deprive myself of a good game, or inflict a crap game on myself, simply because of what I thought of the authour? That'd be stupid.

I think this thing of "I'll never buy from him because of his politics!" or "I'll never buy from her because of what she did to this authour!" or "but he dissed me!" and the like is basically confined to a few internet blowhards. I mean, who ever saw someone in a game store asking the staff, "Before I buy this copy of Car Wars, can you tell me about Steve Jackson's views on immigration reform?"

It's just the nerdfury. Means nothing.

Quote from: Zachary The First;306497I was trying (in vain) to find this thread on RPGnet from a few years back where a guy said he wouldn't buy from Troll Lord because of their political viewpoints.

I won't buy from Troll Lord again because they make craptastic products.  There's lots of free games with better production values.

Quote from: Kyle Aaron;306559I'm not sure if I used Himmler as the example, but David is right.

Sorry kyle, I was pretty sure it was one of those despicable Nazi-types, but I could be wrong.

Regards,
David R

People boycott other companies and products for political reasons that have nothing to do with the product itself (see Dixie Chicks).  Why should games be any different?

If someone comes out aganist a game because of the political viewpoints of the people who wrote it, they're idiots. If the game itself dosn't reflect those views, then it makes no difference to me, as said earlier, if Himmler wrote it. I hate Johnny Depp's political views, but I will NOT miss a movie he is in. I, unlike others apparently, can seperate the two.

That said, if anyone spouts off the "jingoistic" or "right-wing" line as a reason to not buy a game, that'll tend to push me towards it. And since most (vocal) gamers, especially on RPG.net, seem to be just to the left of Mao, it tends to broaden my horizons quite a bit when they start a bitch-fest about games I'd likely not otherwise know about.

Also, I have "Price of Freedom". Ran it once. It was ok. You didn't HAVE to fight Soviets invading America, there was also a "V"-lite style invasion you could fight as part of the resistence. Twilight 2000 was better for most purposes.

Quote from: Technomancer;306568People boycott other companies and products for political reasons that have nothing to do with the product itself (see Dixie Chicks).  Why should games be any different?

They're not.

But it's worth noting that the Dixie Chicks boycott had exactly fucking zero effect on their career. Probably even helped it. As werekoala's comment shows, for every person who boycotts, there's another one who buys the thing just to spite the boycotter. Probably three, in fact. Ain't no such thing as bad publicity, and all that.

If you want your boycott to be effective, boycott quietly. Alas, the sort of cocksmocks who want to boycott are the sort who like to make a big noise about things.

Anyway rpgs are a fucking small market. "Oh no! We sold 3,011 copies of 101 Magical Doorknobs instead of 3,032, whatever shall we do?"

I wouldn't buy a new copy of an RPG written by Hitler, but I might buy one used.

Quote from: Werekoala;306570If someone comes out aganist a game because of the political viewpoints of the people who wrote it, they're idiots. If the game itself dosn't reflect those views, then it makes no difference to me.

This is my position as well.

Quote from: Werekoala;306570That said, if anyone spouts off the "jingoistic" or "right-wing" line as a reason to not buy a game, that'll tend to push me towards it. And since most (vocal) gamers, especially on RPG.net, seem to be just to the left of Mao, it tends to broaden my horizons quite a bit when they start a bitch-fest about games I'd likely not otherwise know about.

And this is the fucking truth.

I don't game to make a political statement and have yet to see a game where including politics have improved it.

What about a slightly different scenario, where a product itself has nothing to do with politics, but the company gives money to causes you are opposed to?

Quote from: Technomancer;306593What about a slightly different scenario, where a product itself has nothing to do with politics, but the company gives money to causes you are opposed to?

I pay taxes, and the government gives money to things I'm opposed to. And since companies pay taxes, even the most decent of them will ultimately pay for bad shit, too.

It's just part of the friction of the machinery of society, not much you can do about it. You can't follow your dollars around everywhere to see if they end up helping starving orphans or bombing them.

Quote from: Technomancer;306593What about a slightly different scenario, where a product itself has nothing to do with politics, but the company gives money to causes you are opposed to?

A company, like an individual, can do whatever they fucking want with their money. I want a gaming product that will be worth the price that I pay. Beyond that, I'm only placing restrictions on myself.

Quote from: Technomancer;306593What about a slightly different scenario, where a product itself has nothing to do with politics, but the company gives money to causes you are opposed to?

Do gaming companies really make enough money that they can donate to anything?

Maybe WOTC or their parent company, HASBRO.  Most gaming companies, IF they donate to any cause or charity then I bet its a local one.

 For example: It wouldn't surprise me if the employees of Steve Jackson Games donate to a local Austin, Texas charity each year.


- Ed C.

Quote from: jrients;306580I wouldn't buy a new copy of an RPG written by Hitler, but I might buy one used.

Kampfire Stories?