Live Web Chat

Does this mean everyone will get into the same chatroom and spout his personal opinion? Will there be any structure to the discussion regarding the subtopics discussed or who talks when? If not, it sounds like a recipe for mayhem, but I could be wrong.

I'm open for an academic discussion on the topic, but unless your chat room is heavily moderated it will probably be populated by 14-year olds typing "ur teh hax0r." Instead of randomly choosing clueless adolescents to talk with, as your crew did last night at Gamestop, why don't you pick a couple of people with opposing and informed viewpoints and have a discussion with them. You know, the journalism thing...try it.

WHNT Channel 19: We know your goal. But the timing and opportunism of the event couldn't have been worse. One of our guys didn't send you the news tip so you could label your show 'Video Game Addiction' and then come film us. He gave you the tip in case you might have been interested in local participation of one of the largest digital media releases in history. The line into Gamestop was 2-3 blocks long for craps sake.

If you want to know what I think, ask me here. I'm not spending any more time or effort than that.

The only thing we would discuss in the web chat would be the timing of the "video game addiction" story and the "Halo 3 launch" story. I don't think anyone here at THX will say that there's no such thing as "video game addiction" (although they would probably rather call video games "interactive electronic entertainment"). And I don't think anyone cares enough to discuss that "video game addiction" is barely recognized medically.

The thing that stunk about the "video game addiction" story was the timing. It runs on the eve of biggest game launch in history and it runs as there's separate and substantial coverage of the Halo 3 launch.

What is an uninformed person watching both reports going to think of the Halo fans that are waiting in line at midnight for the game? I think an uninformed public will blur the two stories.

If you want to talk to real local gamers, come to one of our LAN parties (happening in a few days) or come have dinner with us. We'll talk game use, game theory, game design, and social disorders.

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currently playing: Halo 3, Shadowrun, Call of Duty 4 MP beta
currently supporting: Ron Paul - issues

I felt this the perfect opportunity to say that I'm kind of a big deal. I have many leatherbound books and my apartment smells rich of mahogany.

I also love lamp.

I missed it.

I find your (WHNT's) statement of, "Our goal is not to say all gamers are addicted," contradictory to your actions. You broadcast a story to potentially thousands of viewers about addicted gamers, then shuffle off the opposing viewpoint into an internet chatroom. I don't see how you're effectively accomplishing your goal.

Did anyone actually go to this chat? I wish I'd known about it earlier so I could have showed up and logged it. Also, mintz pointed out a new video on the WHNT site called "Tired Gamers." In it, he doesn't officially call out THX, but as a typical reporter will do, he tries to make us out to be the bad guy. I feel we deserve a public apology, or at the very least a full run story as long as your Video Game Addiction story, about the opposite side of video gaming and how it can actually help families.

DJ

The video on "tired gamers" is up on the WHNT website. It is the clip that includes the picture that I posted here of Mr. Screws talking with the policeman and mentions hushedcasket.com. Once again, they mixed a piece on "tired gamers" with news of the Halo 3 release. As rapture mentioned, it's a very poor presentation of facts for the casual viewer.

You forgot to mention they also dropped another line about "video game addicts."

It's my fault... I wish I had never sent that stupid email. :)

You like candy?

I really don't get what the big deal is over this and think that anything that comes out of this ordeal will reflect negatively on our community.

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currently playing: Halo 3, Shadowrun, Call of Duty 4 MP beta
currently supporting: Ron Paul - issues

I am probably going to write a letter to the editor of the Huntsville Times regarding this issue. Regardless of whether or not THX is personally getting negative press or not, I think this deserves something from our point of view. I'll see if I have time tonight to write something up and send it in.

You like candy?

I don't think the issue is anything the public cares about. The public will care about a local community group causing trouble, though. Right now, that's all that we've done - stir the pot. We don't need any more media attention. What we need is to develop personal relationships with other people.

I think everyone should let it die. The timing of both stories was bad, yes. But that's news media. What? Think they would choose to run a story when it would be less effective? Both stories have the most reach right now. It's up to the public to blur the two stories together. THX was never going to be mentioned in either story.

Instead, a series of events happens that THX caused and THX was mentioned in a bad light. If you wanted THX mentioned positively, then you should have made a bigger production at the H3 launch at Gamestop. If you wanted to be secretly malicious, then you should have been more careful. What THX ended up doing at Gamespot was going to go unnoticed. Now some members have stirred the pot and we get a little knock from local news.

THX doesn't need ANY press right now. If we wanted press for THX, we would have already gotten it in other ways not related to Halo 3.

If you've got a personal problem with the reporting, then go ahead and rebut. But I don't think THX needs to be mentioned as someone could be considered a "spokesperson" for THX. And think anything that comes out of this will be presented to the people that already have stereotypes associated with gamers.

Also know that WHNT and the HSV Times have close ties.

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currently playing: Halo 3, Shadowrun, Call of Duty 4 MP beta
currently supporting: Ron Paul - issues

@Slayer
I agree with rap, let it die, it's already dead. Nobody here is losing any sleep. Use your free time to play Halo 3. :)

Well, I am going to write my personal opinion about gaming addiction. But I will not write anything containing THX.

@Rap: I'm sorry if I caused THX grief by notifying WHNT of H3's release, and THX's presence there. Whether it itself caused problems or not, it did set in motion the series of events that may be now reflecting negatively.

You like candy?

I don't think it's a worthy cause to pursue either, but I also think to present what's happened so far as some huge calamity for THX is a little far fetched. It's not really good or bad for us, it just is. I agree further pressing of the issue will not likely result in anything positive.

I didn't participate in the events of Monday night in order to promote THX. I participated in them to have a good time--and I did. I hung out with friends and made some fun memories. The fallout on WHNT is a pimple on a gnat's ass.

@Midnight: Don't you mean a "pimple on a goat's ass?"

@Slayer: Just curious...what do you plan to write about "video game addiction"?

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currently playing: Halo 3, Shadowrun, Call of Duty 4 MP beta
currently supporting: Ron Paul - issues

@rap, you are correct. my mistake

LOL! Actually, I have already finished my letter. However, I need to proof read it when I get home tonight and make any modifications I feel necessary. Basically, I am just arguing the idea of personal responsibility. I think the word "addiction" is way overused in an attempt to excuse the personal failures of individuals.

You like candy?

Slayer, I agree with your statement. Just make sure to keep THX as a whole out of it.

The "tired gamers" bit actually made me laugh quite loudly. It was a good addition to my day yesterday. Wouldn't have it any other way.

Gamestop was a blast. And now a good portion of THX now knows how to protect themselves against the dreaded goat [se].

I was unable to send in my letter last night, because I had to finish up a paper for Philosophy, but I do plan on sending it tonight. So tomorrow, if the letter is worthy, hopefully it will appear in the Saturday or Sunday paper.

You like candy?