About a month ago Microsoft and Rock the Vote formed a new partnership which made it possible for Xbox 360 owners “to register to vote, participate in presidential polls, and voice their opinions to the presidential candidates” all while connected to our favorite online gaming service. In a very unofficial election poll, Microsoft reported yesterday that the results from Xbox LIVE’s survey did not follow the current national trends. While CNN reported Barack Obama ahead by 5% on 09.22.08 (Obama 49%, McCain 44%), Xbox Live users reflected a more inflated percentage with Obama holding onto a 12% lead (Obama 43%, McCain 31%).
With Microsoft claiming a turnout of almost 100,000 Americans in the poll conducted over Xbox LIVE, that seems to be a mere drop in the bucket compared to their population which is currently 12,000,000 gamers strong. While their members are spread out all over the world (I always see some random person in Africa playing Halo late night on the weekends), I am sure more than 100,000 of that 12,000,000 are Americans. Is that a decent percentage interested in playing politics on their next generation console or do the majority of Live users simply want to game? I personally have no interest in mixing my politics with my gaming. When I hit the power button on my Xbox 360, the presidential race is the last thing on my mind. My fragfest sessions are not the time nor the place to be debating immigration or the current situation in Iraq. How about you though? Do you participate in the newly formed political part of Xbox LIVE or do you prefer to keep that separate?
Posted by newguy2445 on September 23, 2008 at 4:00 am
Live in Australia, so the US Politics is not of my interest.
Posted by Das Kalk on September 23, 2008 at 4:16 am
I live in Canada, so it is of mine even though I can’t vote. You know the saying: When the US sneezes, Canada catches a cold.
Posted by Ragingterror on September 23, 2008 at 5:34 am
Seperate, but equal. ;)
*Runs like hell*
Gaming time is me time. I have no interest in combining gaming and politics.
Posted by Naepa34 on September 23, 2008 at 6:03 am
I personally dont care much for politics. I stay separate from it, especially in gaming.
Posted by Disco on September 23, 2008 at 7:51 am
I’m very apathetic :(
Posted by Mace Windex on September 23, 2008 at 9:38 am
The old guy and a fashionable pair of glasses are second. Excellent.
Posted by Socket on September 23, 2008 at 9:51 am
I’m 15…soooo…I guess I don’t really care. I would vote for Obama though…
I think Obama portrays the “Young and fresh” image better than Mccain…lol. Since ( As far as I know), the majority of xbox live gamers are relatively young…, they would naturally gravitate toward a younger candidate.
I also like Obama’s commercial’s more…lol.
Posted by PikminGod on September 23, 2008 at 10:55 am
i dled both gamer pics so that i voted for both people YAY!!!
Posted by the Light Show on September 23, 2008 at 11:09 am
I for one feel that the gaming community as a whole is not an appropriate place to make a decision such as a presidential election. Sure, we all need to vote but to have a pole of a select group of people that are often too young that don’t do a great deal of research into the candidates is not really a good basis for a pole like this.
Posted by bs angel on September 23, 2008 at 11:55 am
LOL @ PikminGod! That is the exact reason why I referred to it as “a very unofficial election poll”. :)
Posted by McFarland on September 23, 2008 at 1:09 pm
I’m more into politics that games, so I was glad to see that kind of thing on Xbox Live. It’s more about awareness than anything. No one would use that data because of the manner it was produced, but it’s still important to understand the public opinion of all ages and types of people.
And @the Light Show, the majority of people who vote in America don’t do a great deal of research before they vote.
Posted by the Light Show on September 23, 2008 at 2:40 pm
@McFarland, yeah, you’re right… lol =p
Posted by Ph4de on September 23, 2008 at 3:50 pm
There was a poll?
Posted by agdtinman on September 23, 2008 at 7:42 pm
I think it’s good to be able to weed out which messages to respond to, by which gamerpic they display. I wouldn’t go around sporting either, at least on my gamerpic. I sure as hell know who I’m voting/not voting for.
Posted by Cayote on September 23, 2008 at 9:13 pm
I express the same sentiments as bs. When I turn on my box its to escape, relax and have fun. The poll is interesting however. I generally do not discuss politics with close friends or family either.
Posted by silvercube on September 24, 2008 at 12:56 am
I’m Canadian, though I do live in Florida :)
I don’t think I downloaded any gamerpics, though I did get an email saying thanks – now here’s a ballet to fill out. I did not fill it out as it was way too much info Microsoft was asking.
I don’t really like politics interfering with my gaming time. It’s my escape from reality.
I’m not too much politically involved. Politically speaking, I would say I am an Independent because both Democrat and Republican have good things about them that I like.
However, one of the biggest things I am is a pro-feminist. So for that. McCain/Palin gets my vote because she is Vice President. Has Hillary Clinton been the main candidate, she would have had my vote :)
I just mainly want a President that keeps up safe, lowers taxes, does his or her best to support rules for equality, and of course be confident ^_^
Posted by CrazedOne1988 on September 24, 2008 at 12:31 pm
I voted other
other being master chief
Posted by McFarland on September 24, 2008 at 2:29 pm
I’m sorry for this post. This is no place for politics, but I can’t let it go unnoticed.
silvercube, you’ve got to be kidding if you’re a feminist and you’re voting for McCain just because he has a woman as a running mate. John McCain’s voting record on women’s rights is horrendous.
Here’s a list of things you should consider:
McCain voted against the Violence Against Women Act…twice.
McCain opposed Equal Pay Bill for Women, saying they ‘need education and training’ instead.
McCain opposed legislation requiring that abstinence-only programs be medically accurate and scientifically based.
McCain opposed requiring insurance coverage of prescription birth control.
McCain opposes comprehensive sex education.
McCain supports overturning Roe v. Wade.
The following groups have endorsed Barack Obama:
the National Organization for Women
the Feminist Majority
the Business and Professional Women Foundation
the National Association of Social Workers
the National Congress of Black Women
the Women’s Information Network
As for taxes, Obama will LOWER TAXES for middle and low income citizens while raising taxes on those making more than $250,000/yr.
Posted by silvercube on September 25, 2008 at 2:25 am
I don’t see Obama selecting Hillary Clinton for V.P.
Posted by Jezza0607 on September 25, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Not that its my political business being an Australian player but I reckon Oprah should run for Presidency cos then u would have the the first black AND female President of the united states
how cool would that be
Posted by McFarland on September 26, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Hillary? Obama has already chosen Biden. Hillary will run again in 2012, I guarantee. I’m not going to argue why she wasn’t chosen, but she wasn’t. She’s back to being a senator for now.
I’m just trying to let you know that you’d be voting against feminist values if you vote for McCain/Palin. Sure he has a women for a VP, but he has constantly voted against women’s rights. Palin doesn’t have a good reputation with many national women’s rights groups either.
So, if women’s rights are of any importance to you, then you would most definitely be better off having Obama in office.
McKinney/Clemente are running for the Green Party. McKinney is an African-American woman and Clemente is a Black Puerto Rican woman. Many people don’t know that they are even running, but they’ll be on the ballot. If you’re really interested in women’s rights, then check them out.
Posted by Jezza0607 on September 27, 2008 at 11:30 am
Urgh… nobody ever votes 4 the Greens, its the same in every country because they always put too much focus on the environment and not enough focus on stablising a strong economy
Posted by Jezza0607 on September 27, 2008 at 11:52 am
Oh and by the way, I don’t normally mix gaming with politics but if given the opportunity I’m more than happy to discuss it during a match or in a forum like this just for something to talk about. However, I’m not into long tedious debates/arguments about which pompous dickhead should lead a country but then again those can be interesting too but nevertheless too tiring because sometimes they just go on and on and never end. they piss me off sometimes