Research from The Enough Project places House of Mario behind Apple, Microsoft, Sony in reporting, acting on procurement of materials from Congo.
Nintendo has come in last in a survey of efforts to investigate "conflict minerals" in electronics industry giants for the second year in a row. The Enough Project's ranking of 24 companies placed Apple in 9th place, Microsoft in 10th, and Sony in 17th. Each company was rated on its compliance with international standards and efforts to clearly identify and hold accountable suppliers of the minerals used in consumer electronics, many of which are extracted in Congo amid armed violence and human rights violations.
The Enough Project's rankings alleged that Nintendo has been unresponsive to its outreach and "has not undertaken any known efforts to investigate its supply chains." Nintendo and Taiwanese phone-and-tablet manufacturer HTC were the only two companies to not give any comment in the report's detailed responses section.
Nintendo responded to the rankings in a statement to GameSpot, saying the company audits its practices and those of its suppliers. Nintendo began outlining its procurement guidelines in 2008. "We expect that our production partners comply with these guidelines, which are based on relevant laws, international standards, and guidelines that focus on protecting human rights, ensuring workplace safety, promoting corporate ethics, and safeguarding the environment," Nintendo said.
While Nintendo's most recent corporate social responsibility report says the company asks its production partners to respond to regular surveys and undergo on-site inspections, it does not reference specific binding agreements. By comparison, Microsoft's 2011 citizenship report explicitly stated its suppliers must follow a vendor code of conduct.
Connor Sheridan is the News Intern at GameSpot in San Francisco. He loves Super Metroid and has seen "Weird Al" Yankovic in concert three times.
So if a company refuses to buy "conflict minerals," that improves something, somehow? The solution to third-world killing is to remove any value from their natural resources? I guess the theory is that, if nothing they have is worth anything, they'll stop killing each other over it, and settle down to peacefully starve to death when their economy collapses. Great idea, western progressives, you'll save the world yet.
This is hardly Gaming News at all, as it has nothing to do with Video Games. Nintendo is a business, and like all businesses their materials have to come from somewhere. It makes good business-sense to choose the cheapest provider of said materials. Nintendo, or Sony, or Microsoft, or Apple, for that matter, are not political entities. They don't have to care where their materials come from, because it doesn't affect them as long as they make a profit. It is, quite frankly, not the place of software and hardware manufacturers to interfere in foreign political struggles, and no one should be expecting them to.
Yes it's Nintendo's fault that the African men like to kill, rape and enslave their women and children. Next thing you know they'll be claiming that playing shooting games makes you responsible for gun violence.
@digitaltiger its nintendos responsibility to not support those kind of people, but they havent acted on it.
9 Like I'm more concerned about Israel's policy against Palestine, and Israel is backed by Intel, AMD, Google, Facebook, etc. Then there are US and European corporations and government agencies taking advantage of Africa's natural resources for centuries. Then there are Africans ruining their own communities.
However, these topics are politically incorrect.
We'll just blame Nintendo. Bad Nintendo. Suffer liberal guilt. Naughty!
@Utahraptor_ I'm more concerned with the thousands of missiles Palestine shoots at Israel's women and children every single day, to tell you the truth...
America's tremendous assistance and Europe's humongous assistance to Israel make Israel vastly more deadly than Palestine.
I know pro-Israel viewpoints are the norm in the US, but some Americans don't believe the US should support Israel's invasion and annihilation of Palestine.
I'm not trying to insult you. I'm letting you know that not everyone is religious. Many people understand religion and reject it.
If a religious person like you is insulted by non-religious comments, then understand a non-religious person like me could be insulted by religious comments.
I believe in freedom of religion and creed for each person. You have every right to be religious or non- religious, but don't try to force your choices on me, don't expect me to agree with your choices, and don't assume I am ignorant about your choices.
A few days ago, you replied to me: "Your obviously not very informed on the matter. I don't see a sense in trying to tell you the truth when you can go look it up for yourself." Your reply indicated you assumed you were informed and I was ignorant. Big mistake for you. Disagreements are NOT necessarily based on lack of knowledge. It could be based on choices, preferences, inclinations, individual discretion, etc.
Both of us are informed about Israel/Palestine. You chose to support Israel based on your religious and other reasons. I chose to criticize Israel based on my non-religious and other reasons.
Do NOT accuse me of being ignorant or inadequately informed just because I disagree with you. I'll accept an agreement to disagree.
Your rejection of my sources and my sources' sources is your opinion. For example, you claimed my provided website, If Americans Knew, "did not have proper sources". However, the If Americans Knew website lists a wide variety of sources depending on its article. If you don't like a wide variety of sources, then that's your opinion.
My sources prove that Israel is the creation of fanatical Zionist men. Israel is not a creation of God. Such a God only exists in your Zionist fantasies, and not in science. I'm talking about authentic science, not creationist propaganda or Israel's biblical forgeries and archaeological misinterpretations.
At least many people would say the UN is controlled by the permanent members of the UN Security Council, which includes the US, France, UK, Russia, and China. At least many would even say the US has the largest influence in the UN. The UN has less influential members such as Muslim members, Christian members, Jewish members, Hindu members, atheists, various shaman cultures, etc.
I'm not a Christian drone, Jewish parasite, Muslim crazy, or a brainwashed follower of any other superstitious mumbo jumbo. Your magical prophesies and ultimate fairy tales about ancient and modern Israel are pathetic at best.
I laugh at the excessively glorified turd called the Torah, the ridiculously excessively glorified pig-fart called the Talmud, the overvalued Quran, and the overrated New Testament. These fake Holy books are a combination of some facts mixed with lots of fiction.
@Utahraptor_ You only cited 2 websites that really had anything to do with the topic. The first one, "ifamericansknew" did not have proper sources. The only one it had was from the UN. Do you not know that the UN has tons of Islamic leaders in it, and that they are constantly attacking Israel's stand and their defense, saying they should give their land to Islamic countries?And the second one, about Israel's borders, really doesn't prove anything. What it does prove is that God is giving Israel back it's land, which was prophesied to be given back to them before the End Times. They are taking back what has "already" been stolen from them in the past. And yes, I'm a Christian. But that has nothing to do with the topic, so I'll leave it at that.
U failed to provide proof of your false statement.
A few days ago, you replied to me: "I'm more concerned with the thousands of missiles Palestine shoots at Israel's women and children every single day, to tell you the truth..."
Then you replied to me again: "Could you provide sources to your claims please? Here's mine:This has plenty of sources to back it's claims(Or you can look up the claims like I said to earlier):http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palestinian_rocket_attacks_on_Israel"
Your Wikipedia source, which is filled with both facts and fiction, does NOT state Palestine shoots THOUSANDS of missiles at Israeli women and kids EVERY SINGLE DAY.
There is a big difference between firing thousands of missiles per day for every day, and firing 8,700 missiles spread out over 8 years. There is a big difference between firing missiles at women and kids, and firing missiles at invaders.
------------------------------------------------------------------
This website shows Israelis slaughter Palestinians at a far higher rate than the other way around: "http://www.ifamericansknew.org/".
Here is a liberal news article about US aid to Israel: "http://www.counterpunch.org/2009/03/05/u-s-military-aid-to-israel/".
Here is a neo-con news site and article about US assistance Israel. US neo-cons believe God commands people to assist Israel: "http://www.wnd.com/2002/07/14431/". US neo-cons use the Christian RELIGION to create and justify US government policies at home and abroad, which is a violation of the US Constitution.
Here is a website about the US government spending many years covering up Israel's vicious attack on the USS Liberty: "http://www.gtr5.com/".
This news article is one out of many stating how the US sends FAKE AID to Egypt and other nations. America's fake aid are really bribes to pay Egypt and other nations to act friendly towards Israel: "http://cnsnews.com/news/article/muslim-brotherhood-warns-us-aid-cut-may-affect-egypt-s-peace-treaty-israel".
This website shows historical maps of, pictures from, and artifacts about Palestine. It also shows modern maps and pictures of modern Israel systemically destroying and replacing Palestine: "http://whatreallyhappened.com/WRHARTICLES/mapstellstory.html".
Here is a website talking about France secretly assisting Israel's development of nuclear power and nuclear weapons: "http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/israel/nuke/".
Etc.
@mario-nin-freak I wouldn't be proudly referencing Wikipedia if I were you. I don't have a side in your debate (not my country, not my problem), but anyone can alter Wikipedia articles. Not to say that all articles are false, but when your argument hinges on a single, slightly arbitrary fact (i.e. number of missiles), you should probably find a more reliable source.
@Utahraptor_ Could you provide sources to your claims please? Here's mine:This has plenty of sources to back it's claims(Or you can look up the claims like I said to earlier):http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palestinian_rocket_attacks_on_Israel
The complete truth and nothing but the truth is certainly not found in the Torah, Talmud, US/EU/Israel mainstream media, and in what you replied to me. 2 days ago, you replied to me with these words: "I'm more concerned with the thousands of missiles Palestine shoots at Israel's women and children every single day, to tell you the truth..."
Fact: Palestine does NOT launch THOUSANDS of missiles at Israeli women and kids EVERY SINGLE DAY. Palestine lacks the capacity to sustain such an attack.
Modern Israel has been thoroughly aided by the US & the EU ever since modern Israel's beginning. Israel uses the gigantic aid to systemically wipe out and displace Palestine.
The more Israel viciously assaults Palestine, the more Israel screams out in agony.
We're bombarded by propaganda news about human rights abuses in Tibet/China, blacks in America, blacks in Europe, dissidents in Iran, Darfur/Sudan, rebels in Syria/Libya, etc. We're suppose to give a blank check to Israel no matter the horrors Israel inflicts upon Palestine & other "unchosen, unholy people".
Surprise, surprise. I'm an "unclean, godless gentile" who refuses to be brainwashed by political correctness.
@Utahraptor_ Your obviously not very informed on the matter. I don't see a sense in trying to tell you the truth when you can go look it up for yourself.
He who cheats, wins... Isn't that what the oh so important economy needs saving for? If we don't work our asses off to recover it, all the businesses that boned the world to get to the top will no longer be able to mooch off of it anymore and that makes me a saaaad panda.
Lost it a bit towards the end, but it's hard to care when you're brought up to believe money is more important than life.
Who CARES?! Enough with this political correctness cr@p! I want my gaming, make it affordable and we should all be happy! If I have to be concerned about how my console or PC works then it would defeat the purpose of immersing myself in a fantasy world!
Wow Another Hit Piece From Hack Gamespot - no surprise here
Every week its a Negative article on the Wii U or Nintendo itself
and how Digital games are the Future from every corporate Shill
Gamespot is owned by CBC Interactive HMMM does CBS interactive have a stake in Social Media Gaming or a Stake in Digital Distributor .
CBC interactive please give a full disclosure because your Bias is too Obvious
2 Like Not to sound like I am defending Nintendo, but why "The Enough Project" would give any company a 0 score, if the company in question have not answered any of the outreachs by "The Enough Project" and/or have no handed suchs reports? What about the good old N/A or something similar???? I mean if they deserve the score with facts and information then I have no problem with it, and they for sure deserve the blame.
Also, what does it mean for other companies like Apple (not picking on them or anyone, just an example) are 38% better (according to the website) that the previous year. Does that means that Apple is less "evil" than those who are below it, but they still using "blood/conflict minerals"?
No matter how much companies try to show to the world how green, good, friendly, etc they are, there is always someone along the company supply line, chain production, retail, etc, is getting the end of the stick.
What about the conflict minerals that are mounted to jewelry and sold at ridiculous prices for massive profit? I have a much bigger problem with the jewelry industry than the gaming industry.
@rarson The Jewelry Industry has largely cleaned up it's act in most of westernized culture and in fact Conflict Diamonds a fairly rare to find these days. Electronics manufacturers however are and always have been far worse than even the jewelry industry so you should probably be much more concerned about conflict minerals (which includes low grade diamond not fit for jewelry).
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@Suikogaiden You mean then.. I have more to add but why take the time to add it when you won't listen?
1 Like @rarson Of course it is, Captain Obvious, but there are other considerations IN ADDITION to profit.
Which is the entire point of this article.
6 Like Yes this IS news. Don't you want to know what it took to get your kick-ass electronic device? This is good information. As long as profit prevails all else we will have these issues. I personally feel this is very thought provoking and that is what real news is about, not just what you want to hear.
@jbahari If practices like this only include a profit if the public despite being aware continues to purchase products from companies that engage in this type of action. If people actually speak with their wallets it will be lost profit that corrects this behavior. Passing laws and treaties to try to address activities that are already illegal does nothing to help the situation the best thing to do is to hold all electronics manufacturers responsible by simply not buying their products.
1 Like Agreed. Thank you. If fanboys and Limbaugh worshippers can't deal with it...fuck'em.
Last I checked the Center for American Progress, is what funds the Enough Project not Limbaugh . Im not defending him cause im no fan . But get your facts straight . THe Center for American Progress, is a liberal think tank. funded by George Soros.
i agree with the other post that this is news, but its old news. Until the companies label these electronic devices most consumers wont know
@nate1222 Actually it's because of regulated capitalism that these companies get away with this. If it was unregulated and word got out from the start that companies were doing this people wouldn't have bought the products leading the businesses to either 1. Keep up the business practice leading people to not buy their products or 2. End the practice to get people to buy their product. It goes even farther when you consider the U.S. is very rich in these materials but can't mine them due to environmental regulations, and also that manufacturing in the U.S. is so expensive because of all the various regulations hence leading to companies manufacturing overseas and more humans rights violations because of it.
Dude, read.
I never stated that Limbaugh has anything to do with it. I said "Limbaugh worshippers". That is because those who favor UNregulated capitalism often DON'T want to acknowledge the very negative aspects of it. That includes insecure, culturally out-of-step, white males who sit around beating off Limbaugh and Glenn Beck.
Now, get YOUR facts straight.
And this has what to do with games as a whole? I get some of the article but really, don't put it on Gamespot for crying out loud. Talk about, ya know, video game stuff. :P
Not a big fan of Big N, but this sounds like the Congo needs to clean up their act. It all boils down to supple and demand.
2 Like The Nintendo Wii: made from the severed limbs of 3rd world peasants.
Meanwhile, back in American factory farms:
workers are subjected to human rights violations and animals are made to live in cramped, feces drenched pens while pumped full of steroids and GMOs.
Gotta love the corporate machine!
@nate1222 Please point to one human rights violations in American factories or Farms.
As for the animals they are being bred to die, they would not exist otherwise, and considering the animals don't care I have a hard time caring because you are trying to place human emotions and feelings into beasts that plain and simply do not experience them. In short the animals don't give a fuck as long as they're fed.
1 Like Working conditions, moron!
And the conditions the animals are raised under leads to chemically pumped and bacteria infested meat...moron!
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