PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron is extending an olive branch to video gamers after previously linking computer games to rioting that rocked France earlier this year.
Posting on social media platform X, previously known as Twitter, Macron backpedaled on remarks in June where he blamed video games for having “intoxicated” some young rioters.
Those comments dismayed some in the gaming community, even beyond France. Japanese game director Kastuhiro Harada tweeted in response that “blaming something is a great way to escape the burden of responsibility”.
Macron started his unusually lengthy post this weekend with a mea culpa, saying: “I startled gamers.”
He then sought to clarify his thinking and showered video games and the industry with praise.
“Video games are an integral part of France,” Macron declared.
“I expressed my concerns at the end of June because delinquents had used video game habits to trivialise the violence on social networks,” he said. “It is this violence that I condemn, not video games.”
The unrest started after the police shooting of Nahel Merzouk in the Paris suburb of Nanterre on June 27. The French-born 17-year-old of north African descent was stopped by two officers on motorbikes who subsequently alleged that he’d been driving dangerously. He died from a single shot through his left arm and chest.
From Nanterre, violent protests quickly spread and morphed into generalised nationwide mayhem in cities, towns and even villages that was celebrated on social networks.
In a government crisis meeting at the time, Macron accused social networks of playing “a considerable role” in the unrest and of fueling copycat violence and castigated video games.
“Among the youngest (rioters), this leads to a sort of escape from reality. We sometimes have the feeling that some of them are living out, on the streets, the video games that have intoxicated them,” Macron said.
His latest post, however, struck an entirely different tone.
“I have always considered that video games are an opportunity for France, for our youth and its future, for our jobs and our economy,” he said.
The industry “inspires, makes people dream, makes them grow!” Macron continued.
He concluded: “You can count on me.” – AP
Paris officials have extended an olive branch to video gamers after last year’s incidents where riots erupted across the country. French President Emmanuel Macron took to social media platform X, previously known as Twitter, to retract his previous statements. In June, he had blamed video games for influencing and “intoxicating” the young rioters involved.
Macron’s comments were met with disappointment from the gaming community not only in France but also internationally. Japanese game director Katsuhiro Harada responded to Macron’s remarks by tweeting, “blaming something is a great way to escape the burden of responsibility.”
In an unusually lengthy post, Macron began with an apology, acknowledging that he had startled gamers. He then clarified his thinking and expressed admiration for video games and the industry. Macron declared that video games are an integral part of France and showered them with praise.
He went on to explain his concerns from the end of June, stating that he condemned the violence on social networks that some delinquents had encouraged through their video game habits. Macron emphasized that it was the violence itself that he condemned, not the video games.
The unrest commenced after the police shooting of Nahel Merzouk, a 17-year-old French-born teenager of North African descent in the Paris suburb of Nanterre on June 27. Two motorcycle officers had stopped Merzouk, alleging that he had been driving dangerously. He tragically died from a single shot through his left arm and chest.
The protests quickly escalated from Nanterre to become nationwide chaos celebrated on social networks. During a government crisis meeting, Macron accused social networks of playing a considerable role in fueling the unrest, as well as castigating video games. He claimed that among the youngest rioters, video games served as a form of escapism from reality, with some individuals acting out the scenarios from the games on the streets.
However, Macron’s latest post adopted a completely different tone. He reiterated that he believes video games are an opportunity for France, its youth, and the country’s future, jobs, and economy. Macron expressed how the industry inspires and engages individuals, helping them dream and grow.
He concluded his post by assuring gamers that they can count on him.
Credit: The Star : Tech Feed
