Comments on: Is Religion, Stereotyping or Strategies Holding Down XBox, Wii and PlayStation in the Middle East? http://blog.thoughtpick.com/2009/07/is-religion-stereotyping-or-strategies-holding-down-xbox-wii-and-playstation-in-the-middle-east.html A unique perspective of the Web and social media... Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:09:08 +0200 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: FadiPick http://blog.thoughtpick.com/2009/07/is-religion-stereotyping-or-strategies-holding-down-xbox-wii-and-playstation-in-the-middle-east.html/comment-page-1#comment-12392 FadiPick Thu, 30 Jul 2009 20:08:10 +0000 http://blog.thoughtpick.com/?p=1983#comment-12392 Actually, I think that piracy in the MENA region is due to a combination of all the listed reasons. I still believe that proper targeting and focus from the main manufacturers of video games would help make a real impact. They can throw their weights and work closely with governments to limit piracy if they want. Actually, I think that piracy in the MENA region is due to a combination of all the listed reasons. I still believe that proper targeting and focus from the main manufacturers of video games would help make a real impact. They can throw their weights and work closely with governments to limit piracy if they want.

]]> By: TripleM http://blog.thoughtpick.com/2009/07/is-religion-stereotyping-or-strategies-holding-down-xbox-wii-and-playstation-in-the-middle-east.html/comment-page-1#comment-12391 TripleM Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:39:35 +0000 http://blog.thoughtpick.com/?p=1983#comment-12391 I think neither stereotypes nor pricing are the reasons behind software piracy in MENA region. The main reasons are that we lack the culture of copyrighted content and the prosecution system to carry out appropriate legal actions regarding such type of criminal activities. Therefore, ME markets might not be the best to be targeted by major video game manufacturers. I think neither stereotypes nor pricing are the reasons behind software piracy in MENA region. The main reasons are that we lack the culture of copyrighted content and the prosecution system to carry out appropriate legal actions regarding such type of criminal activities. Therefore, ME markets might not be the best to be targeted by major video game manufacturers.

]]> By: bambamieh http://blog.thoughtpick.com/2009/07/is-religion-stereotyping-or-strategies-holding-down-xbox-wii-and-playstation-in-the-middle-east.html/comment-page-1#comment-12390 bambamieh Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:34:38 +0000 http://blog.thoughtpick.com/?p=1983#comment-12390 It would be really problematic if we think that the kids buying the games wouldn't buy a game because of political or idiological reason because in all actuality the kids could careless beyond whether the game is good or not, and while sex and violence might sell the best reason for games to sell is the quality of the gameplay itself. <br>On the other hand parents don't have much say about what games their kids play with in the arab world since they could care less about it as long as they stay out of their hair ... so the only determining factor when it comes to purchasing a game is the price, the parent not understanding the difference will just push to get the cheaper ones. <br>on another note why the locally produced content doesn't have much traction is because the kids are savvy and are able to tell when something stinks or is cloned ... and they would rather have their little space for escapism unfettered by ideology It would be really problematic if we think that the kids buying the games wouldn't buy a game because of political or idiological reason because in all actuality the kids could careless beyond whether the game is good or not, and while sex and violence might sell the best reason for games to sell is the quality of the gameplay itself.
On the other hand parents don't have much say about what games their kids play with in the arab world since they could care less about it as long as they stay out of their hair … so the only determining factor when it comes to purchasing a game is the price, the parent not understanding the difference will just push to get the cheaper ones.
on another note why the locally produced content doesn't have much traction is because the kids are savvy and are able to tell when something stinks or is cloned … and they would rather have their little space for escapism unfettered by ideology

]]> By: FadiPick http://blog.thoughtpick.com/2009/07/is-religion-stereotyping-or-strategies-holding-down-xbox-wii-and-playstation-in-the-middle-east.html/comment-page-1#comment-11762 FadiPick Thu, 30 Jul 2009 10:08:10 +0000 http://blog.thoughtpick.com/?p=1983#comment-11762 Actually, I think that piracy in the MENA region is due to a combination of all the listed reasons. I still believe that proper targeting and focus from the main manufacturers of video games would help make a real impact. They can throw their weights and work closely with governments to limit piracy if they want. Actually, I think that piracy in the MENA region is due to a combination of all the listed reasons. I still believe that proper targeting and focus from the main manufacturers of video games would help make a real impact. They can throw their weights and work closely with governments to limit piracy if they want.

]]> By: TripleM http://blog.thoughtpick.com/2009/07/is-religion-stereotyping-or-strategies-holding-down-xbox-wii-and-playstation-in-the-middle-east.html/comment-page-1#comment-11757 TripleM Thu, 30 Jul 2009 06:39:35 +0000 http://blog.thoughtpick.com/?p=1983#comment-11757 I think neither stereotypes nor pricing are the reasons behind software piracy in MENA region. The main reasons are that we lack the culture of copyrighted content and the prosecution system to carry out appropriate legal actions regarding such type of criminal activities. Therefore, ME markets might not be the best to be targeted by major video game manufacturers. I think neither stereotypes nor pricing are the reasons behind software piracy in MENA region. The main reasons are that we lack the culture of copyrighted content and the prosecution system to carry out appropriate legal actions regarding such type of criminal activities. Therefore, ME markets might not be the best to be targeted by major video game manufacturers.

]]> By: bambamieh http://blog.thoughtpick.com/2009/07/is-religion-stereotyping-or-strategies-holding-down-xbox-wii-and-playstation-in-the-middle-east.html/comment-page-1#comment-11756 bambamieh Thu, 30 Jul 2009 05:34:38 +0000 http://blog.thoughtpick.com/?p=1983#comment-11756 It would be really problematic if we think that the kids buying the games wouldn't buy a game because of political or idiological reason because in all actuality the kids could careless beyond whether the game is good or not, and while sex and violence might sell the best reason for games to sell is the quality of the gameplay itself. <br>On the other hand parents don't have much say about what games their kids play with in the arab world since they could care less about it as long as they stay out of their hair ... so the only determining factor when it comes to purchasing a game is the price, the parent not understanding the difference will just push to get the cheaper ones. <br>on another note why the locally produced content doesn't have much traction is because the kids are savvy and are able to tell when something stinks or is cloned ... and they would rather have their little space for escapism unfettered by ideology It would be really problematic if we think that the kids buying the games wouldn't buy a game because of political or idiological reason because in all actuality the kids could careless beyond whether the game is good or not, and while sex and violence might sell the best reason for games to sell is the quality of the gameplay itself.
On the other hand parents don't have much say about what games their kids play with in the arab world since they could care less about it as long as they stay out of their hair … so the only determining factor when it comes to purchasing a game is the price, the parent not understanding the difference will just push to get the cheaper ones.
on another note why the locally produced content doesn't have much traction is because the kids are savvy and are able to tell when something stinks or is cloned … and they would rather have their little space for escapism unfettered by ideology

]]> By: RoseParvin http://blog.thoughtpick.com/2009/07/is-religion-stereotyping-or-strategies-holding-down-xbox-wii-and-playstation-in-the-middle-east.html/comment-page-1#comment-11742 RoseParvin Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:25:35 +0000 http://blog.thoughtpick.com/?p=1983#comment-11742 SELLING KIDNEYS ORO ANY BODY PART SHOULD BE BANNED AS ILLEGAL ACTION! <br><br>My friend, selling Kidenys will only create a world filled with people who are not capable of moving or enduring pain and stress to create their own destiny!Selling Kidneys is not a Christlike selfless act but a desperate act to stay alive living in mediocrity that the dictators create spending billions of dolloars in hollywood financing films against me and spending billions of dollars for making atomic weaponry while their own people are dying of hunger having to sell Kidney! That is why my Leadership Excellence Program enforced by United Nations will disqualify the incompetent dictators like Ahamadinejad and that is why I am censored and hundreds of young people are being encouraged to martyr themselves so that the dictator could live on behind their dead bodies on the stick for I can talk & they cannot!That is why they kill the living and worship the dead historically not to loose the toxic control of the bully dictator who must be the one stealing lifework of others to make the dead wrong decisions by himself bringing cenosrship from the East blocking democracy in and from the West! SELLING KIDNEYS ORO ANY BODY PART SHOULD BE BANNED AS ILLEGAL ACTION!

My friend, selling Kidenys will only create a world filled with people who are not capable of moving or enduring pain and stress to create their own destiny!Selling Kidneys is not a Christlike selfless act but a desperate act to stay alive living in mediocrity that the dictators create spending billions of dolloars in hollywood financing films against me and spending billions of dollars for making atomic weaponry while their own people are dying of hunger having to sell Kidney! That is why my Leadership Excellence Program enforced by United Nations will disqualify the incompetent dictators like Ahamadinejad and that is why I am censored and hundreds of young people are being encouraged to martyr themselves so that the dictator could live on behind their dead bodies on the stick for I can talk & they cannot!That is why they kill the living and worship the dead historically not to loose the toxic control of the bully dictator who must be the one stealing lifework of others to make the dead wrong decisions by himself bringing cenosrship from the East blocking democracy in and from the West!

]]> By: RoseParvin http://blog.thoughtpick.com/2009/07/is-religion-stereotyping-or-strategies-holding-down-xbox-wii-and-playstation-in-the-middle-east.html/comment-page-1#comment-11739 RoseParvin Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:08:52 +0000 http://blog.thoughtpick.com/?p=1983#comment-11739 Date: Jul 28, 2009 11:09 AM <br>Subject: ObamaNewsOpen Thread <a href="http://ub0.cc/2J/18" rel="nofollow">http://ub0.cc/2J/18</a> Read my analysis<br> <br>Body: When I rose in 1994 to change the dark patterns of the world & to bring unity the only flag I felt would bring people together was a pure & simple rose who has the wisdom of the old and sophestication of the science & richness of the philosophers of the old and ancient cultures and beyond and the nature of the healer the mother and the revolutoinary who wants it all for her children; a bridge to rebirth on earth & Mind-Body-Spirit Power Balance & Leadership Excellence of service for the lunetics not to ever again get the chance to rule on earth and the People Power to become the voice leaders here to remind them of the fact that althrough they are silent but they are here and awakened and want to stand eye to eye with their leaders & ask for even more and more responsible freedom to be the partners & torchholders of tomorrow with their lonely & left out leaders who are on the cross of ingorance on top in a political jungle of competitive rivalry when everything is sex & money & the dark power of the lie stories & unspoken rules & laws of the land of the devil; of chovenism of bullyism and of rape of the copyrighted intellectual property & the juvenile delinquent rebelion against all that is the truth & transparent and scientific spiritual & the Rose Way of life which is the one & only way to light patterns; by living truthful lives & searching for the truth & pouring the truth out to create light to become victor in the war of god & evil! Rose Universal Psycho-Spirituality of Health and Excellence and Rose Revolution of Compassion and Rose Global Peace and Reform Program of Dialogue for Peace is all about that; a path of being and becoming human and succeeding at christlikeness the christ for all believers and non-believers! When I rose I was laughed at and threatened to be killed & was called crazy rebels like the Martin LutherKing and Jesus! We are the rebels of the light & we rebel against the truth that destroys earth ultimately! <br><br>You have heard me and are following me and I am honored by that Mr. President!I could not have found and elected all by myself a better partner to carry the torch!<br>And I see my promoter's power and crediblity he has gained from my life work to spread it among other race and religion and nations after he wanted to claim that it was manifesting from the culture of stonning the innocence & crowning sinners! <br><br>I am pleased for the African Culture to stand behind Mandala and others find their own role models to learn from!But there is only one role model that is the truth itself and the true blueprint of humanity who this time wants to make sure the torch is not given to the man-made and man chosen lunetics or bullies or discriminatory leaders but is given to a dedicated heart and soul to healing and rebirthing the world &God's children; The BlackRose as my mother chose me and my life has been one miracle after another. I showed step by step how to be human in my books and after 12 years I am please to see my promoter choosing the color green instead of the rose for it is the same generality that is all encompassing and non-discriminatory color of unity for all and by all for freedom of one nation.But it is already anything but that in our community; it is unity against me! Meaning it is unity against the truth itself and the source of light and the knowledge that must be given credit to be poured on earth and on the masses! Besides, it is already obvious the reason I chose myself and god chose me is that this generalized green flag is what Hitler could and Hitler is hiding behind it and I wanted to prevent that from happening; those who encourage the young to kill themselves to create heros and stand behind them want the dead worshipping to continue and repeat their patterns of control of others. Loveing all and teaching how to love is my goal that is far different from rulling all and excercising control!<br><br>In this journey I have taught and without control and power and weapons I have planted the red rose in people's heart and see the change in their patterns from dark to light!Those who get murdered are those who have been approached by the devil of the circus of copying and plgiarizing and manipulating and lie stories to use them and feed them his own words and then kill them and be them to copy my identity and to be me without any of those acculades within him; no tenderness and compassion no poetic justice and philosophical deductive reasoning and analysis and no purity of the Holy Lamb of Innocence! Every thousand years one appears with the spirit of god within him or her and inside the challis is the wine and the blood of Jesus of all race and religion that is for drinking and purifying and being forgiven of all sin by spiritually exactly that happening in this miraculous time and in another dimension by the knowledge poured repetition of the dark patterns to be prevented by the light given! That is the Rose Way that is dangerous in the hands of the devil land a thousand snakes on his shoulders those who out of fear or old patterns of blind obedience to the bully and the authority and the one looking and acting like god with my crediblity and knowledge having all the power from behind the mice and snakes who are willing to passify him and get the red apple! <br><br>My goal was to have Global Radio Television to spread the knowledge worldwide and to teach Spiritual Success in Rose University without walls and boundary and dborders for this is not just for some behind th walls of one room; the universe is my room to teach to the Universal Beings how to be one and return from the path of the lost souls and blind dobedients to the devil! Conferences world wide and teaching in the Rose Village of the Starlight where I teach all the leaders to lead in the RoseWay is not to gain power but to give power & transfer it into the world the way it is never been known or given! I want your partnership in this Global Universal Endeaver! Date: Jul 28, 2009 11:09 AM
Subject: ObamaNewsOpen Thread http://ub0.cc/2J/18 Read my analysis

Body: When I rose in 1994 to change the dark patterns of the world & to bring unity the only flag I felt would bring people together was a pure & simple rose who has the wisdom of the old and sophestication of the science & richness of the philosophers of the old and ancient cultures and beyond and the nature of the healer the mother and the revolutoinary who wants it all for her children; a bridge to rebirth on earth & Mind-Body-Spirit Power Balance & Leadership Excellence of service for the lunetics not to ever again get the chance to rule on earth and the People Power to become the voice leaders here to remind them of the fact that althrough they are silent but they are here and awakened and want to stand eye to eye with their leaders & ask for even more and more responsible freedom to be the partners & torchholders of tomorrow with their lonely & left out leaders who are on the cross of ingorance on top in a political jungle of competitive rivalry when everything is sex & money & the dark power of the lie stories & unspoken rules & laws of the land of the devil; of chovenism of bullyism and of rape of the copyrighted intellectual property & the juvenile delinquent rebelion against all that is the truth & transparent and scientific spiritual & the Rose Way of life which is the one & only way to light patterns; by living truthful lives & searching for the truth & pouring the truth out to create light to become victor in the war of god & evil! Rose Universal Psycho-Spirituality of Health and Excellence and Rose Revolution of Compassion and Rose Global Peace and Reform Program of Dialogue for Peace is all about that; a path of being and becoming human and succeeding at christlikeness the christ for all believers and non-believers! When I rose I was laughed at and threatened to be killed & was called crazy rebels like the Martin LutherKing and Jesus! We are the rebels of the light & we rebel against the truth that destroys earth ultimately!

You have heard me and are following me and I am honored by that Mr. President!I could not have found and elected all by myself a better partner to carry the torch!
And I see my promoter's power and crediblity he has gained from my life work to spread it among other race and religion and nations after he wanted to claim that it was manifesting from the culture of stonning the innocence & crowning sinners!

I am pleased for the African Culture to stand behind Mandala and others find their own role models to learn from!But there is only one role model that is the truth itself and the true blueprint of humanity who this time wants to make sure the torch is not given to the man-made and man chosen lunetics or bullies or discriminatory leaders but is given to a dedicated heart and soul to healing and rebirthing the world &God's children; The BlackRose as my mother chose me and my life has been one miracle after another. I showed step by step how to be human in my books and after 12 years I am please to see my promoter choosing the color green instead of the rose for it is the same generality that is all encompassing and non-discriminatory color of unity for all and by all for freedom of one nation.But it is already anything but that in our community; it is unity against me! Meaning it is unity against the truth itself and the source of light and the knowledge that must be given credit to be poured on earth and on the masses! Besides, it is already obvious the reason I chose myself and god chose me is that this generalized green flag is what Hitler could and Hitler is hiding behind it and I wanted to prevent that from happening; those who encourage the young to kill themselves to create heros and stand behind them want the dead worshipping to continue and repeat their patterns of control of others. Loveing all and teaching how to love is my goal that is far different from rulling all and excercising control!

In this journey I have taught and without control and power and weapons I have planted the red rose in people's heart and see the change in their patterns from dark to light!Those who get murdered are those who have been approached by the devil of the circus of copying and plgiarizing and manipulating and lie stories to use them and feed them his own words and then kill them and be them to copy my identity and to be me without any of those acculades within him; no tenderness and compassion no poetic justice and philosophical deductive reasoning and analysis and no purity of the Holy Lamb of Innocence! Every thousand years one appears with the spirit of god within him or her and inside the challis is the wine and the blood of Jesus of all race and religion that is for drinking and purifying and being forgiven of all sin by spiritually exactly that happening in this miraculous time and in another dimension by the knowledge poured repetition of the dark patterns to be prevented by the light given! That is the Rose Way that is dangerous in the hands of the devil land a thousand snakes on his shoulders those who out of fear or old patterns of blind obedience to the bully and the authority and the one looking and acting like god with my crediblity and knowledge having all the power from behind the mice and snakes who are willing to passify him and get the red apple!

My goal was to have Global Radio Television to spread the knowledge worldwide and to teach Spiritual Success in Rose University without walls and boundary and dborders for this is not just for some behind th walls of one room; the universe is my room to teach to the Universal Beings how to be one and return from the path of the lost souls and blind dobedients to the devil! Conferences world wide and teaching in the Rose Village of the Starlight where I teach all the leaders to lead in the RoseWay is not to gain power but to give power & transfer it into the world the way it is never been known or given! I want your partnership in this Global Universal Endeaver!

]]> By: Khaled http://blog.thoughtpick.com/2009/07/is-religion-stereotyping-or-strategies-holding-down-xbox-wii-and-playstation-in-the-middle-east.html/comment-page-1#comment-11737 Khaled Tue, 28 Jul 2009 13:51:08 +0000 http://blog.thoughtpick.com/?p=1983#comment-11737 just go to any "video game" store (usually called toy stores) and they have books of xbox/ps2/wii game covers, all sold for $5-2.<br>The average consumer will look at a $5 copy and the $60 version. unless it's an online game, he sees no difference between the two. just go to any “video game” store (usually called toy stores) and they have books of xbox/ps2/wii game covers, all sold for $5-2.
The average consumer will look at a $5 copy and the $60 version. unless it's an online game, he sees no difference between the two.

]]> By: Khaled http://blog.thoughtpick.com/2009/07/is-religion-stereotyping-or-strategies-holding-down-xbox-wii-and-playstation-in-the-middle-east.html/comment-page-1#comment-11736 Khaled Tue, 28 Jul 2009 13:43:43 +0000 http://blog.thoughtpick.com/?p=1983#comment-11736 true. true.

]]> By: FadiPick http://blog.thoughtpick.com/2009/07/is-religion-stereotyping-or-strategies-holding-down-xbox-wii-and-playstation-in-the-middle-east.html/comment-page-1#comment-11735 FadiPick Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:33:30 +0000 http://blog.thoughtpick.com/?p=1983#comment-11735 khaeld, but we all know why GTA is popular! It is about violence and sex! People may ignore 'offensive content' for that! khaeld, but we all know why GTA is popular! It is about violence and sex! People may ignore 'offensive content' for that!

]]> By: Khaled http://blog.thoughtpick.com/2009/07/is-religion-stereotyping-or-strategies-holding-down-xbox-wii-and-playstation-in-the-middle-east.html/comment-page-1#comment-11734 Khaled Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:28:33 +0000 http://blog.thoughtpick.com/?p=1983#comment-11734 one of the most popular games in Saudi Arabia (console) is GTA and Winning Eleven.<br>GTA is FULL of "offensive content"<br>people do avoid games that push stereo types though. one of the most popular games in Saudi Arabia (console) is GTA and Winning Eleven.
GTA is FULL of “offensive content”
people do avoid games that push stereo types though.

]]> By: Amer Kawar http://blog.thoughtpick.com/2009/07/is-religion-stereotyping-or-strategies-holding-down-xbox-wii-and-playstation-in-the-middle-east.html/comment-page-1#comment-11733 Amer Kawar Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:25:00 +0000 http://blog.thoughtpick.com/?p=1983#comment-11733 So, you don't believe that offensive content and the incorrect stereotype representation of "terrorism" affect sales in the ME? <br><br>Thanks for the comment. So, you don't believe that offensive content and the incorrect stereotype representation of “terrorism” affect sales in the ME?

Thanks for the comment.

]]> By: Khaled http://blog.thoughtpick.com/2009/07/is-religion-stereotyping-or-strategies-holding-down-xbox-wii-and-playstation-in-the-middle-east.html/comment-page-1#comment-11731 Khaled Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:16:56 +0000 http://blog.thoughtpick.com/?p=1983#comment-11731 Good games do sell well here.<br>Counter Strike was one of the most popular PC games in Saudi Arabia for a long time (still is).<br>The issue of piracy is a big problem and the only company with a real presence (an actual distributor) is Sony (the only next gen console without piracy).<br><br>Thanks for the link by the way. Good games do sell well here.
Counter Strike was one of the most popular PC games in Saudi Arabia for a long time (still is).
The issue of piracy is a big problem and the only company with a real presence (an actual distributor) is Sony (the only next gen console without piracy).

Thanks for the link by the way.

]]> By: Amer Kawar http://blog.thoughtpick.com/2009/07/is-religion-stereotyping-or-strategies-holding-down-xbox-wii-and-playstation-in-the-middle-east.html/comment-page-1#comment-11730 Amer Kawar Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:13:08 +0000 http://blog.thoughtpick.com/?p=1983#comment-11730 I think it's the misconception of the Arabic culture that might make some of the best selling games in Europe and the USA not do so well in the Middle East. I don't think piracy is the main reason for less sales, rather the possibly offensive content as mentioned in the article. I think it's the misconception of the Arabic culture that might make some of the best selling games in Europe and the USA not do so well in the Middle East. I don't think piracy is the main reason for less sales, rather the possibly offensive content as mentioned in the article.

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