The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood likes to run its mouth off about various evil things that go on in the world, although it hasn’t really targeted videogames since 2007 when it joined the Manhunt 2 witch hunt. That said, it hasn’t kept its Sauron-like eye turned away from games completely, and has returned to do battle with a new foe — LEGO Batman.
Wait, what?
“How do you turn the ultimate creative toy into a symbol of commercialized childhood? Begin by partnering with media companies to sell that toy in branded kits designed for recreating movies like Star Wars, rather than creative construction,” whines the watchdog. “Then, dispense with hands-on building altogether by turning your toy into a videogame so that instead of deciding what to build next, children choose which cyber weapons to use to beat up their opponent.
“Finally, ignore the fact it was rated suitable for ages 10 & up and partner with McDonald’s for a Happy Meal toy giveaway to simultaneously promote the video game, junk food, and the violent Dark Knight movie series to preschoolers.”
Wow, it’s almost like we live in a society where parents don’t exist and shouldn’t be responsible for making sure their kids don’t eat nothing but Happy Meals. Almost … almost.
Seriously though, it’s not like anything the CCFC says is untrue. Children are corrupt, greedy, selfish little bastards and companies know that they can exploit this. It sucks, but that’s the free market, ladies and gentlemen. A company will do what it can to sell as much as possible to the terminally gullible. Now if only these fabled “parents” were around to keep the petty wants of children in check. If only … if only.
