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How do gamers feel about politics?

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Tropico

Considering that we just had national elections here in SA, it seems fitting to report about political leanings of gamers. Do gamers tend to lean left or right? How do gamers feel about regulation or free markets? Well, someone actually did research on it.

Over in the US of A, Reason (a libertarian publication) published an entire issue about gaming and gamers. One of their articles centered on a survey conducted by them (so be prepared for some bias in reporting) into just how libertarian and politically minded gamers are. According to their findings, despite claiming that they don’t align as libertarian, most gamers are against government policies that control their individual choices.

Our polls show that many government bans on products or activities like caffeinated energy drinks or online gambling are already disliked by Americans, regardless of gaming habits. But for gamers, this dislike of nanny-style regulation is enhanced—upgraded if you will. For every single poll question where we asked whether the government should allow people to own, consume, or use certain products or services that are currently a focus of debate, gamers are more likely to say yes than non-gamers.

Well, that’s not much of a big surprise. Of course gamers agree with buying energy drinks, playing violent video games and gambling in online poker games. However, despite being free and open with people’s freedom to entertain themselves however they wish, gamers aren’t as lackadaisical about police power and accountability. 70% of gamers (compared to 57% of non-gamers) think that drones and military tools in the hands of police goes too far. This makes sense considering that 63% of gamers (compared to 44% of non-gamers) believe that police aren’t held accountable for misconduct. I suppose we’ve all played too many games whereby we need to reveal the controversies and corruption inside government, and often the police.

As a general rule, the gamers I’ve met tend to be more politically minded than non-gamers. They don’t always align in terms of left or right leaning, but they are more politically aware and globally conscious. Of course, it depends on the type of gamer – perhaps it’s the plot lines of RPGs that make those gamers more politically active than the run and gun joy riders. What do you think – have you seen political commonalities across the gaming community, or is it just as varied as other groups?

Last Updated: May 9, 2014

87 Comments

  1. Alien Emperor Trevor

    May 9, 2014 at 14:40

    I’d assume it’s just as varied & that gaming itself has little-to-nothing to do with anything when it comes to political views. Although I did feel like voting Republican after playing Redneck Rampage O_o

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief in Space

      May 9, 2014 at 14:47

      yeeeeehawwww

      Reply

  2. Hammersteyn

    May 9, 2014 at 14:42

    One commonalities I have seen is that every gamer want’s governments to leave the internet the hell alone. Don’t interfere or try to regulate the internet!

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief in Space

      May 9, 2014 at 14:47

      Or charge tax on digital goods dammit

      Reply

      • Jedi JJ

        May 9, 2014 at 14:48

        This one is still bothering me. Stop taxing every damn thing that we do!!

        Reply

        • HvR - THE Average GAmer

          May 9, 2014 at 15:02

          I would not mind being taxed so much if I actually get something for handing over almost half my money.

          Proper free use roads, proper health care, proper management of the economy and free education up to tertiary level,

          Reply

          • Rincethis

            May 9, 2014 at 15:04

            Agreed. Look at places like Sweden where schooling, hospitals etc are free and taxes are bloody high.

          • HvR - THE Average GAmer

            May 9, 2014 at 15:07

            Have you ever taken your mean tax rate from your return, added 14% on everything you buy, added property tax, added 30% of your fuel bill, 35% of all the alcohol you buy and get to the true tax rate. You will find you are only 10% to 15% behind the high Scandinavian rates.

          • Rincethis

            May 9, 2014 at 15:08

            I, I… I, You just ruined my weekend 🙁

          • Sageville

            May 9, 2014 at 15:09

            Put it into perspective…. we work 4 months of the year for SARS

          • Jedi JJ

            May 9, 2014 at 15:10

            Not to mention the percentage of the population whose tax money is supporting the entire country.

          • HvR - THE Average GAmer

            May 9, 2014 at 15:11

            If that was true at least there would be a feel good factor, but 80% gets gubbled up or lost on its way to the rest of the country.

          • Kensei Seraph

            May 9, 2014 at 15:20

            And the more you earn, the less you use public services and the higher the % you have to pay.

          • Jedi JJ

            May 9, 2014 at 15:09

            Yes. This is SA unfortunately. The chances of lower taxes is higher than the chances of receiving anything for free from the government.

    • Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

      May 9, 2014 at 14:49

      yep

      Reply

  3. Viking Of Science

    May 9, 2014 at 14:46

    Personally, I’m Keeping close track to the FCC Net Neutrality debacle…. That Could Change the face of the Internet as we know it….

    Reply

  4. Jedi JJ

    May 9, 2014 at 14:46

    As long as they’re not keeping me from enjoying cool games (Australia, listen up).

    Reply

  5. Matthew Holliday

    May 9, 2014 at 14:49

    I was annoyed, I had to actually leave my house and interact with PEOPLE to vote.
    it was a painful experience and not one that Im willing to do again.

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief in Space

      May 9, 2014 at 14:49

      Yeah man, the only people I’m interested in are fellow Lagzians and my fellow Steam folk

      Reply

  6. HvR - THE Average GAmer

    May 9, 2014 at 14:49

    I believe all politicians are like EA, forces you to pre-order and during execution of your duties you are faced with ever increasing micro-transactions each month with diminishing delivery on the early promises.

    Own political view, center left. I like the Flexicurity open market model.

    Reply

    • Matthew Holliday

      May 9, 2014 at 14:54

      They make you preorder a game, but then the game you ordered isnt even the one that arrives.

      Reply

      • Sageville

        May 9, 2014 at 14:54

        Lol, how true!

        Reply

        • Matthew Holliday

          May 9, 2014 at 15:00

          Thats if they even recieve your order.
          i saw on facebook that some peoples pre-orders were found dumped all over the country.

          Reply

    • Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

      May 9, 2014 at 14:56

      Not to mention the pre-order bonuses eventually get handed out to everyone who didn’t put the money or effort in

      Reply

  7. Sageville

    May 9, 2014 at 14:52

    I think gamers are, in general, more hooked into Social Media and as such follow alot more of the political musings of others.

    This election I felt pretty disillusioned, I expected more change, but I was wrong, 5 more years of the same, meh!

    Reply

  8. Skyblue

    May 9, 2014 at 14:52

    Fucking crooks, all of them!

    Reply

  9. Rincethis

    May 9, 2014 at 14:52

    I saw the header, thought MUST be Zoe 😉

    Reply

    • Sageville

      May 9, 2014 at 14:53

      What? Did those crisp lines give it away?

      Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      May 9, 2014 at 14:53

      Why? It’s not THAT bad.

      Reply

      • Rincethis

        May 9, 2014 at 14:54

        0-O You do have your glasses on right now ol chap right?

        Reply

        • Alien Emperor Trevor

          May 9, 2014 at 15:02

          She’s earned my Goodwill.

          Reply

          • Rincethis

            May 9, 2014 at 15:03

            Oh ya 😛 (suck up)

      • Admiral Chief in Space

        May 9, 2014 at 14:54

        Kinda on par with her skills though

        Reply

    • Her Highness the Hipster

      May 9, 2014 at 15:20

      it’s waaaay better than my usual offerings

      Reply

      • Sageville

        May 9, 2014 at 15:24

        We’ll give you that…

        Reply

    • Kensei Seraph

      May 9, 2014 at 15:23

      I can just see his thoughts.
      “Bloody agent.”

      Reply

      • Rincethis

        May 9, 2014 at 15:30

        lol

        Reply

  10. Rincethis

    May 9, 2014 at 14:53

    Is a politic something that is issued in a DOTA community if you reach level RACIST?

    Reply

    • HvR - THE Average GAmer

      May 9, 2014 at 14:54

      DOTA players => Extreme Nazi Facist Communist Hybrids.

      On the political scale you will DOTA players where the extreme left wing and right wing meet.

      Reply

      • Matthew Holliday

        May 9, 2014 at 15:06

        bored of the “all dota players are racists” jokes.

        Reply

  11. MakeItLegal

    May 9, 2014 at 14:54

    That Header….jeez like , i am gana save for my wall paper

    Reply

  12. Kromas

    May 9, 2014 at 14:58

    Games have taught me that.
    1: ‘Merica
    2: Absolute power corrupts absolutely
    3: If you don’t keep tabs on your resources you are gonna have a bad time
    4: Leave the internet alone! (not the games themselves but rather all the damn disconnects during play time)

    Rest I learn from watching news and reading newspapers.

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief in Space

      May 9, 2014 at 14:59

      Also reload before entering a firefight!

      Reply

      • HvR - THE Average GAmer

        May 9, 2014 at 15:04

        In real life you have you’ll only have 2 mags extra and it takes quite a while to load ammunition.

        Reply

    • Sageville

      May 9, 2014 at 15:05

      You should add, “Don’t climb on the Hype-train” to that list….

      Reply

      • Kromas

        May 9, 2014 at 15:08

        Yeah like “Don’t listen to the propaganda. It is heavily edited and the final product will be way worse and won’t work at all.”

        Reply

    • Gavin Mannion

      May 9, 2014 at 15:07

      ‘Merica

      Reply

      • Kromas

        May 9, 2014 at 15:09

        Yep. Thank you CoD for teaching me things and stuff and stuff about things.

        Reply

      • Sageville

        May 9, 2014 at 15:11

        • Jedi JJ

          May 9, 2014 at 15:12

          If it was like this over there I’d move tomorrow.

          Reply

          • Admiral Chief in Space

            May 9, 2014 at 15:12

            I need me a raptor

          • Sageville

            May 9, 2014 at 15:13

            FUK YE!

        • HvR - THE Average GAmer

          May 9, 2014 at 15:17

          MURICA!!!

          Reply

      • Dutch Matrix

        May 9, 2014 at 15:42

        Souf Effrika

        Reply

  13. InsanityFlea

    May 9, 2014 at 15:12

    *comment bait article*

    Reply

    • Kensei Seraph

      May 9, 2014 at 15:14

      *offensive comment*

      Reply

      • HvR - THE Average GAmer

        May 9, 2014 at 15:17

        *sparkle sparkle sunshine *

        Reply

      • Jedi JJ

        May 9, 2014 at 15:24

        *inappropriate response to comment*

        Reply

        • Sageville

          May 9, 2014 at 15:25

          *totally unrelated response to comment,questioning of parentage*

          Reply

          • InsanityFlea

            May 9, 2014 at 15:26

            *really cross comment*

          • HvR - THE Average GAmer

            May 9, 2014 at 15:26

            That’s what she said

          • InsanityFlea

            May 9, 2014 at 15:27

            *weird gif of a dog doing something unsuitable*

          • HvR - THE Average GAmer

            May 9, 2014 at 15:28

            *claims of coitus with female parent last night*

          • Lourens Jordaan

            May 9, 2014 at 15:42

            *inappropriate comment about *inappropriate reference to female family member* having *inappropriate action* with THE ONE WE DO NOT NAME*

          • HvR - THE Average GAmer

            May 9, 2014 at 16:04

            *wonders in silence who pissed off Lourens so much to deserve such a comment*

          • Kensei Seraph

            May 9, 2014 at 15:30

            *implies previous comment was said by male romantic partner*

          • Sageville

            May 9, 2014 at 15:38

            *posts eye-spoonable picture of proposed male romantic partner*

          • HvR - THE Average GAmer

            May 9, 2014 at 15:39

            *preparing stomach for Avo’s video to end conversation*

          • Jedi JJ

            May 9, 2014 at 15:27

            *acronyms depicting laughter*

          • Her Highness the Hipster

            May 9, 2014 at 15:30

            *misunderstanding of acronyms. rage*

    • Dutch Matrix

      May 9, 2014 at 15:32

      *relevant topic article*

      Reply

  14. Jedi JJ

    May 9, 2014 at 15:22

    Tropico rules btw.

    Reply

  15. Harry Barnum

    May 9, 2014 at 15:35

    Common sense and good quick judgement go a long way in gaming (Skyrim). Just wished politicians had such qualities…..vote for the candidate who plays your games. I don’t want to hear about what special interests you cower down to, just tell me the games you play.

    Reply

    • Jedi JJ

      May 9, 2014 at 15:37

      “Common sense and good quick judgement go a long way in gaming (Skyrim).”
      Then they made Elder Scrolls Online.

      Reply

  16. Lourens Jordaan

    May 9, 2014 at 15:39

    Gamers are very political… I vote every time someone wants to change the map or kick a player…

    Reply

  17. Dutch Matrix

    May 9, 2014 at 15:39

    I still resent the Citadel council for not believing Shepherd regarding the damn Reapers! And look what that cost us!
    Though in hindsight, I do not think he minded. Whilst we were running from foxhole to foxhole… He was just running towards this fox…

    Reply

    • HvR - THE Average GAmer

      May 9, 2014 at 15:40

      SPOILERS!!!!!

      Reply

      • Dutch Matrix

        May 9, 2014 at 15:45

        LOL. If you have not played Mass Effect yet… Please hand in your gamer card…

        Reply

        • Jedi JJ

          May 9, 2014 at 15:47

          *runs away*
          “You’ll have to pry it from my cold, dead hands!”

          Reply

          • Dutch Matrix

            May 9, 2014 at 15:52

            If you have not played Mass Effect yet, you are nothing more than a husk, soulless, a product of reaper tech and eat my high impact shot!

          • Jedi JJ

            May 9, 2014 at 15:55

            I tried the first. But at that time wasn’t feeling it. I do own it though, just have to move my backlog games around a bit and make space for it. So don’t shun me just yet. I’m getting to it.

          • Dutch Matrix

            May 9, 2014 at 16:04

            The first ME is not so great, when compared to other games, but not playing it is kind of putting yourself at a disadvantage, as the choices made in ME 1 affects the events in ME 2 and 3 as well and you are missing out on an epic story as well.
            ME 2 is gaming perfected, in my opinion, and I recently finished my seventh (I kid you not) play through of that game and still I go WOW at it.
            ME 3 has been criticised for it’s not so spectacular ending, but honestly I can say that it is nearly as good as ME 2 gameplay wise, and is a brilliant conclusion to an epic series.
            Easily my game series of the XBOX 360 generation.

          • HvR - THE Average GAmer

            May 9, 2014 at 16:07

            Actually enjoying the first one a lot so quite a few hours of play to look forward too.

            While I’m confessing also haven’t finished a play through of Borderlands.

            * runs away clutching gamer card in between butt cheeks*

            Faster JJ they are catching up!!!

          • Dutch Matrix

            May 9, 2014 at 16:10

            Borderlands I honestly did not see what the raves were all about, but apparently the fun factor lies in its MP… Which I do not even touch with the proverbial ten foot pole…

          • Jedi JJ

            May 12, 2014 at 13:37

            Thanks. This helps. I’ll work through ME1 then for the sake of the second.

        • HvR - THE Average GAmer

          May 9, 2014 at 16:02

          Well good excuse came out during my gaming lull after my son’s birth and currently busy with my first play through.

          Reply

  18. Cyn Nickel

    May 9, 2014 at 23:09

    It’s like trying to swim upstream. Eventually, you will lose.

    Reply

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