Xbox and Rock the Vote to Give Voters a New Platform for Change
Man there are really trying to get more and more voters these days. I remember when Rock the Vote first started, you know trying to get young voters voting using rock stars and music. Well now they are targeting your game machines. Well at least the XBox users to get even more. Using a title that could be a bit of a rip off from this site? I jest.
But starting on Monday, you will be able to register and participate in all the other election hullabaloo here in the states via your LIVE account. So now you don’t even need to get pestered while going into GameStop to register, you can do it before you load up another rousing match of Halo 3. No word on if the other platforms are also going to do the same thing, but my guess is no since it would have been in the last PS3 update and such. Who knows though. Release is below.
First-of-its-kind partnership creates new ways to register to vote and jump into 2008 election.
REDMOND, Wash. — Aug. 21, 2008 — A leading gaming and entertainment platform just became a leading platform for change. Microsoft Corp. and Rock the Vote today announced a groundbreaking partnership that will allow Xbox 360 owners to register to vote, participate in presidential polls and voice their opinions to the presidential candidates. It will all happen through Xbox LIVE starting Monday, Aug. 25, the first day of the Democratic National Convention.
“Xbox is a natural partner to help us reach out to youth voters,” said Heather Smith, executive director, Rock the Vote. “To realize our goal of registering 2 million young Americans by this fall, we need to go where young Americans are, and there’s no doubt in our minds that many are on Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE.”
This is the first time that Rock the Vote has joined forces with an entertainment partner such as Xbox to reach voters under 30. Xbox LIVE is the largest online social network connected to the television, with membership totaling 12 million – if Xbox LIVE were a state, it would rank as the country’s seventh largest, giving it approximately 20 electoral votes.
“The Xbox LIVE community is active, vocal and passionate,” said Marc Whitten, general manager of Xbox LIVE. “We’re thrilled to partner with Rock the Vote to make it easier than ever for youth voters to register and be heard.”
Through the Rock the Vote partnership, Xbox LIVE members will be able to register to vote, voice their opinions to the candidates through an exclusive forum and participate in potentially election-predicting polls. They will also be able to download Rock the Vote public service announcements.
Xbox also will have a presence at both the Democratic and Republican conventions, promoting the Rock the Vote partnership and educating delegates about creating a safer entertainment environment on Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE using the built-in parental controls known as Family Settings. These industry-leading settings allow parents to limit their children’s access to video games and movies and manage their activity and communications on Xbox LIVE. For more information on Family Settings and other safety-enhancing gaming tools and resources, delegates can stop by the Xbox on-site kiosk or visit http://www.xbox.com/isyourfamilyset.