From blame to praise: Macron’s new outlook on gaming and Esports in France

French President Emmanuel Macron has made a complete U-turn regarding his previous claims that video games were partially responsible for the riots that rattled France in June 2023. 

Macron, who had earlier pointed fingers at video games, has now embraced the gaming industry and lauded its pivotal role in French culture. In June 2023, Macron sent shockwaves through the media by assigning partial blame for the nationwide turmoil to video games. He boldly asserted, “They are emulating the video games that have polluted their minds.” This pronouncement represented a stark departure from his prior stance, where he had commended the gaming world and even invited esports events to grace French soil.

J’ai fait bondir les gamers.

J’ai pourtant toujours considéré que les jeux vidéo sont une chance pour la France, pour notre jeunesse et son avenir, pour nos emplois et notre économie.

Je veux être (plus) clair.…

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) September 16, 2023

 

However, Macron has since issued a mea culpa via a social media post, retracting his previous comments. He made it crystal clear that he wasn’t criticizing video games per se but rather the individuals who had been exploiting them to legitimize and trivialize acts of violence. The President continued by extolling the virtues of video games, calling them a form of entertainment, culture, and spectacle.

Macron recognizing Video Games as French heritage

Macron’s newfound perspective on video games is underscored by his acknowledgment of their profound influence on French society. He hailed video games as a realm for artistic experimentation and an enthralling space where various art forms converge. Furthermore, Macron reiterated his unwavering support for competitive gaming, affirming its status as a legitimate sport and an ecosystem replete with bona fide professionals, top-tier gatherings, and globally renowned tournaments that shape generations with formidable values.

He pledged to persist in bolstering the organization of major gaming spectacles in France and nurturing the growth of the gaming sector. It’s worth noting that Macron’s newfound fondness for video games is not entirely out of character. He has previously hailed esports and gaming as integral components of France’s cultural influence on the global stage. He has consistently expressed his commitment to hosting large-scale gaming events within the nation.

In previous statements, Macron blamed video games for a wave of protests and riots that broke out across France after the death of Nahel Merzouk, a 17-year-old. As a result, prominent figures like Tekken director Katsuhiro Harada openly criticized his adverse stance, which sent shockwaves through the gaming community. However, with Macron’s change in perspective, gaming and esports have been granted a seat of honor and recognition in the nation’s cultural tapestry once again.

Header: Julian De Rosa for AFP