Holy Bitter Soccer Moms, Batman!

Jim "txshurricane" McLaughlin January 24th, 2009 at 11:29 AM

We're Ruining Your Kids

Far be it from us to promote ignorant claims like the one you're about to read, but we just couldn't help it. In truth: palm-to-forehead stories like this belong in other, less scrupulous blogs. And yet, we felt compelled to let our readers in on the irony.

The source link in this post directs to the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, a group with all good intentions but apparently less-than-intelligent advocates. On February 15th, they plan to announce their 2009 TOADY award to all twelve of the people that actually read their announcements.

Among the candidates for the winner of the category "Toys Oppressive and Destructive to Young Children" is the video game Lego Batman. The redonkulous page of Terrible Toys rails the co-op game for its promotion of the "violent Dark Knight movie series" and for " turning your toy into a video game...instead of deciding what to build next". Unfortunately for those twelve people who take the TOADYs seriously, the page blissfully forgets that the video game is modeled after the real Batman Lego toy sets, which despite being a "creative" toy, also promotes The Dark Knight to children (leaving parents to have the ultimate decision in the matter...*gasp!*).

Click "Read More" for the excerpt and some more gloriously sarcastic commentary (remember to add your own as well)...

Lego Batman Video Game by Warner Bros.
Retails for: $29.99 - $49.99
Recommended Age: 'E' for Everyone 10+

How do you turn the ultimate creative toy into a symbol of commercialized childhood? Begin by partnering with media companies to sell that toy in branded kits designed for recreating movies like Star Wars, rather than creative construction. Then, dispense with hands-on building altogether by turning your toy into a video game so that instead of deciding what to build next, children choose which cyber weapons to use to beat up their opponent. Finally, ignore the fact it was rated suitable for ages 10 & up and partner with McDonald’s for a Happy Meal toy giveaway to simultaneously promote the video game, junk food, and the violent Dark Knight movie series to preschoolers.

What boggles me is that the game is clearly rate E10+...the text acknowledges this twice...and still the bitter parents feel the need to "ignore the fact that it was rated suitable for ages 10 & up"...because we all know that a Die Hard Happy Meal toy automatically makes kids Die Hard savvy.

So we want you to vote. Really. Seriously. Use their web page to voice your opinion, and overwhelm their faulty logic. This is not a solicitation...this is a request to make sure that even the smallest attack group understands the need for true research and objective video game criticism.

Besides, it shouldn't be too hard for us to beat twelve votes.

Source: Link

Tags: lego batman politics

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11 Total Reader Comments

Tasark at 06:58 AM on 1.24.2009

I chose the barbie. weeeeee

roland at 07:22 AM on 1.24.2009

I voted for Barbie, though I thought about not following the link at all to deny them anymore traffic. I really appreciate the purpose and goal of the CCFC, but I don't know that I agree with all of their methodology.

ShadokatRegn at 10:12 AM on 1.24.2009

I feel the need to point out that these parents are the types to attack things before they try them; comparing the mellow goofy Lego Batman to the deep, disturbing, and Depressing Dark Knight is a blind attack (though I'd wager a bet they didn't watch that either, just judging a book by its cover.) Good journalism requires research, regardless of who's saying what.

And to cast my vote; I choose the baby doll, because they freak me out...no other reason, I don't think a 3-6 year old is going to want to get "knocked up" because of it. I just get the heebie jeebies.

justabaldguy at 11:31 AM on 1.24.2009

Wait wait wait, slow down... when are the Die Hard Happy Meal toys coming out???

txshurricane at 12:32 PM on 1.24.2009

After the Lethal Weapon toys, but before the Beverly Hills Cop toys.

Mrxknown_JG at 02:36 PM on 1.24.2009

But are they original Die Hard toys or "Live Free or Die Hard" toys?

Tasark at 03:23 PM on 1.24.2009

they sure as hell better be original!

roland at 03:56 PM on 1.24.2009

Die Hard Happy Meal Toys, brilliant. McClane can come with little bits of broken glass you can put in his feet and he says "Ow" when you walk him around. Perfect kids toy!

Seriously, I don't eat McDonald's and I'd buy that.

Shazoo at 06:45 PM on 1.24.2009

Ooo, I hope I win a copy of their book "Consuming Kids". It's bound to have some good recipes.

COG_Network at 09:46 AM on 1.27.2009

Wraith says...
"cyber weapons"? Oh boy.

happy_dad at 10:16 PM on 1.28.2009

these people are completely full of it.
lego batman is one of the few games i've found that i can play together with my 8 yr old son that's really fun for both of us and still allows him a genuine sense of accomplishment and contribution.
kudos to the lego batman team!