XBox Live Trying to Get Out the Vote

The articles I'll be referring to can be found here:

Gamespot:
XBox Live Election Overview

Various Kotaku Articles:
40% XBL Voters Don't Know Who To Vote For

XBL Debate Coverage Craps Out

Awful Questions During Second Debate

These articles are all fairly short, and sort of interesting. If you're like me. And if you like video games and find them fun.

Chances are, you've heard of Microsoft's Xbox 360 console, played a game on it, or at least seen what it looks like. Likewise, because it is the most popular console in the United States at the moment, it seems appropriate that Microsoft would try to capitalize on that popularity and their console's ubiquity.

I should mention that although I enjoy video games, I have not used this feature on my own console. Indeed, I don't trust Microsoft enough to not screw it up. Also, if the dashboard is any indicator (this is the main screen for the XBox 360) then it'll be covered with advertisements and information about how great Kinect is.

That said, how does this connect to the stuff we've gone over in class? Probably the most obvious is Poster's article about new public spheres. In this case, XBox Live's target audience is adults over the age of 18. Traditionally, the younger the voter, the more unlikely they are to vote. This in itself is a public sphere. A sphere populated by possible voters who simply don't care to. This also opposes the public sphere of traditional voters.

This attempt by Microsoft also touches upon Jenkins' article about Convergence Culture. People in the age group I described (young, 18+ voters) don't seem to watch traditional news programs and consume news through the usual methods. They like alternative news, such as the Daily Show or the Onion. Therefore, this highlights the importance that Jenkins posited regarding how popular culture is becoming important to citizens.

XBox Live is attempting to provide easy access to an apparently less accessible medium for its target demographic.