Register to vote ... with Xbox Live?

by Richard Mitchell { Aug 22nd 2008 at 4:15PM }

Microsoft has announced that it has partnered with Rock the Vote to bring several new political features to Xbox Live just in time for the last leg of the U.S. presidential race. Some of the new features include letting gamers register to vote, participate in special online forums and take part in presidential polls. The new features are set to go live starting August 25, the first day of the Democratic National Convention. Xbox will also be promoting the Rock the Vote message at both the Democratic and Republican conventions while also "educating delegates about creating a safer entertainment environment on Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE." Specifically, the press release is referring to the Xbox 360's "industry-leading" parental controls.

The press release also makes mention of Xbox Live's 12 million members, noting that if Xbox Live were a state, "it would rank as the country's seventh largest, giving it approximately 20 electoral votes." An impressive statement, even though Xbox Live's 12 million members aren't all located in the United States.

All of it sounds pretty neat but, frankly, we're holding out for some presidential candidate "Game with Fame" sessions, or at least some video chat town hall meetings.

Tags: rock-the-vote, xbox-live

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Sagar @ Aug 22nd 2008 4:23PM

Uh oh.

I don't know if this is a good idea.

Bmurph @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:36PM

Anything getting more people to vote is a great idea.

I understand your concern about the racist/homophobes, but the majority of those people are probably younger than 18.

martin @ Aug 24th 2008 1:54AM

In my opinion, ageism is just as bad as racism or homophobes, if not worse. It's certainly much more rampant and severe.

VSpeck @ Aug 22nd 2008 4:25PM

"An impressive statement, even though Xbox Live's 12 million members aren't all located in the United States."

Or old enough to vote.

Jim Halpert DM @ Aug 22nd 2008 4:26PM

What he said.

nsdcx @ Aug 22nd 2008 4:34PM

I would say 60% are 18, and 10% of those are foreign. So, 6 million isn't bad.

joeybeast @ Aug 23rd 2008 12:25AM

But I don't have citizenship.

EdgeOne @ Aug 25th 2008 2:24PM

I would say 98.7% of all statistics are made up on the spot thus rendering them useless drivel, nsdcx

offday @ Aug 22nd 2008 4:29PM

Rock the vote is a joke. I remember the last time when all the celebs were wearing rock the vote shirts, and promoting the crap out of it, and then it was revealed that over half of them weren't even registered themselves.

Eric23A @ Aug 22nd 2008 4:58PM

I think it's pretty neat quite honestly

I also find it kinda cool that tomorrow(aug. 23) is my 18th birthday...) and I'm super excited to register... and now I can register on my 360? Life is becoming pretty convenient =]

Dirty @ Aug 22nd 2008 4:57PM

I can only imagine the things that those little bastards would shout at Obama if he was playing halo on live.

blank964 @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:17PM

If it means I don't have to send in an absentee ballot (I live in the state of Ohio where these votes weren't counted last election), then this could be good. Hopefully it's used right.

diamondxp @ Aug 22nd 2008 9:38PM

Kudos Xbox! I can not believe that we have come this far with technology. You kids today are some lucky mofos.

Gamerschoice @ Aug 22nd 2008 9:55PM

I'm surprised the Democrats are going along with it considering they're always the ones who are anti-videogame. Joseph Lieberman, Hilary Clinton... Xbox might be laughed (or worse) out of the Democratic National Convention.

...Here comes the flames.

offday @ Aug 22nd 2008 11:49PM

You're actually totally right. Most people assume that conservative republicans who are anti-video game. When in reality it's the liberal democrats who want to ban everything from video games to fast food.

Jack the Ripper @ Aug 23rd 2008 1:32AM

God help us if Tipper Gore sees five minutes of Gears of War.

DemonGSides @ Aug 23rd 2008 11:45PM

Seriously. Never have you seen a Republican hate on a Video Game.

That being said, most are crotchety old men, but hell, there are some of us who are young!

Michael @ Aug 23rd 2008 1:35AM

Great outlet for targeting youth. John McCain 2008.

John-Paul-Jones @ Aug 23rd 2008 5:45AM

Although everyone is entitled to their own opinion..

HELL NO TO MCCAIN! F*CK THAT SH!T!

Gloqwi @ Aug 23rd 2008 8:50PM

What paul said.

Oorang @ Aug 23rd 2008 4:37AM

Keep politics out of videogames!

The only good vote is a no vote.

Dont propogate a 'democratic' system that doesnt benefit you - ABSTAIN

REMEMBER: DEMOCRACY = ELECTED DICTATORSHIP

Arnon @ Aug 23rd 2008 9:22AM

Yeah.. I mean, we could let the country run around in chaos, or we could vote.. but opinion aside..

This is amazing how they were able to do this.. though I would like to see some of it related to the gaming market as well.

EdgeOne @ Aug 25th 2008 2:35PM

The reason you should vote is to keep politicians out of video games! Some politicians would ban them all together if given the power.

Not voting only allows someone other than yourself to be heard.

DBoyFlex @ Aug 23rd 2008 9:37AM

Don't most register to vote when you get a driver license? That is when I did. Makes more sense to do it that way than via the xbox? Whats next? The xbox doing my homework and laundry? Maybe with the fall update...

offday @ Aug 23rd 2008 12:20PM

Driving age is 16, and voting age is 18.

InfraredChimera @ Aug 23rd 2008 3:56PM

I think this is a wonderful idea. Even if there's alot of kids under 18, it at least maybe will get them interested in the political system and maybe would want to learn how government works.
Since MS is also taking a a bi-partisan part in this program, maybe it will also spark (hoping) "intelligent" debate amongst gamers as well. I can see this being a good thing and maybe we will see a election based XBLA or PSN game because of this.