California Bans Sales of Violent Videogames

[rxdoga]

Here we go again... :/
http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/8082/C...ames-to-Youth/

Here's a little news for people who like to share P2P style.
http://news.com.com/Prison+terms+on+...ml?tag=st.prev

[VACRMH]

Link?

[Duncan]

"The bill defines violent games as those that appeal to a minors’ morbid interest in violence, inflict serious injury upon human beings or creatures with human characteristics."

...like those in Monkey Ball? Or Mr. Driller? :/

I can't stand over-reactive crap like this. I'm all for restricting sales of M games from minors if it can be done reasonably, but this is way too vague.

There's no way this can pass a vote if anyone in the California House has their head on straight. And if, God help us, it does pass, it opens up a lovely legal precedent for EVERY OTHER TYPE OF MEDIA YOU CAN THINK OF.

By the way, I find it hilarious that the article at Team Xbox was accompanied by a large ad for Doom 3.

[Famidrive-16]

I'm sure everyone here just skipped their eyes over the text that read 'to the youth'

[Duncan]

Some fun highlights from the bill (my emphasis in bold:

(f) (1) "Violent video game" means any video game or any copy of an electronic game that meets all of the following criteria.

(A) The game may be played using a portable electronic device or hand held gaming device using a television or computer.
(B) Taken as a whole, to the average person, applying
contemporary statewide standards, the game appeals to minors' morbid interest in violence.

Ahem...what was that last bit? "To the average person"? Find him or her, and I'm sure some marketing people would love to get in touch. There is no such thing as an "average person"...

(C) The game enables the player to virtually inflict serious
injury upon human beings or characters with substantially human characteristics in a manner that is especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel.
(D) Taken as a whole, the game lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value for minors.

Okay, hold up again. So something like Brothers in Arms is okay because it involves World War II? And how could you argue that Mortal Kombat doesn't have "political value"? It's what got this whole mess started - should we deny children the chance to learn about this pivotal entertainment experience?

(2) "Violent video game" does not include a game in which the visual depiction of violence occurs as a result of simultaneous competition between two or more players in which the game's violence may be committed only against characters or entities controlled by other players.

Unreal Tournament or Half Life 2 are just fine, then! No problems there! :/

(g) (1) For the purposes of subdivision (f), a visual depiction of violence shall be deemed "especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel" if it contains each of the following elements:

(A) It depicts exceptional pain or suffering on the part of the victim and is accompanied by a graphic depiction of the victim's injuries.
(B) The violence is accomplished in the commission of acts that would be punishable as crimes.
(C) The circumstances surrounding the violence indicate that it is committed without conscience, pity, or empathy.
(D) It is accompanied by auditory or other sensory elements that serve to enhance the realism of the visual depiction.

Which means as long as Master Chief says "Aw, crap! I'm sorry, Mr. Alien!", everything's golden.

Pray that this poor excuse for legislation dies quickly and quietly, as it deserves to.

[RockyRaccoon]

and once for this , Non-locked one.



It's So True!

[MegaDrive20XX]

Rocky hits it on the nail. That is too funny lol

Also to point out

"the game appeals to minors' morbid interest in violence"

So are you saying all children or the "average" person is Morbid?

[Gamereviewgod]

A game store should never be forced to be a parent, and that's what stuff like this does.

[AFGiant]

A game store should never be forced to be a parent, and that's what stuff like this does.

Agreed. Let parents be the parents, for goodness sake.

[RetroYoungen]

and once for this , Non-locked one.



It's So True!

Greatest soccer mom representation EVER.

I can't believe this. Not because I'm under 17 or anything, but because I just can't believe people are so willing to make the government or some other body of power to do a job that they should be taking on themselves. If you don't want your kids playing violent video games, teach them about WHY you don't want them playing violent video games.

And it just HAD to happen here in CA... dammit. I promise, that's not an accurate representation of all Californians.

[stevec1636]

and once for this , Non-locked one.



It's So True!

banning games *sigh* i hate people who think they have the right to choose whats right or wrong for other people. but i think you hit it right on the head, that is Awesome!!!

[slip81]

I'm not suprised in the least. Video games are the new EC Comics, and besides, banning the sale of "offensive" material to minors has been going on for years with movies, magazines, and music, so I see no big deal here.

Just because this is something new doesn't mean everyone has to get all pissed about it. I don't hear anyone here ranting that a group of 15 year olds can't get in to see the latest R rated Porky's rip off.

[Mangar]

Will be declared unconstitutional, because it is.

[FantasiaWHT]

Will be declared unconstitutional, because it is.

To this person and other people who ridicule this....

would you want pornography to be able to be sold legally to minors?

Not committing one way or another to this particular law, just trying to draw a parallel.

btw, restricting the sale of something isn't unconstitutional. Restricting the PRODUCTION of it would be.

[Cryomancer]

So then the kids will give their 50 bucks to the guy outside the store to go buy it, instead of their 5 dollars to the guy outside the gas station to get them cigs.

Hey maybe if society didn't force the opinion that anything that isn't bloody and profane is automagically "kiddie", and liking that and not being under 14 is HORRIBLE AND YOU SUCK AS A PERSON FOREVER, this wouldn't be such an issue. If people would relax about everyone else's hobbiest and tastes, then maybe kids would like the kiddie games too since they don't all suck. Now they will be looked down upon by their peers, and even parents, if they like something with bright colors or whatnot.

source: my ass

edit: i second the idea of TALKING TO YOUR CHILDREN and EXPLAINING THINGS to them. the lack of this is seriosuly causing more problems today, and in the future (and the past for that matter) than like...anything i can think of offhand.

[XxMe2NiKxX]

Is anyone other then me sitting in my chair laughing my ass off and thanking god that I live up here in Canada where we're too drunk to make stupid laws?

[Mythik]

...or better yet...the parents should do a better job.

[RetroYoungen]

Is anyone other then me sitting in my chair laughing my ass off and thanking god that I live up here in Canada where we're too drunk to make stupid laws?

To be perfectly honest, sometimes I do. I don't know much about Canada, I just know that there are so many people doing this sort of thing in my country that I do get sick sometimes.

But then, I do live in CA where we all live on the beach, smoke marijuana and know somebody who knows somebody who's friends with the sister of the cousin of some B or C-level celebrity, so I can't complain TOO much.

[Jorpho]

"Minors' morbid interest in violence" ? I say, if minors have a morbid interest in violence, what exactly can anyone do about that in particular?

[Aussie2B]

I really don't understand this kind of crap. Isn't this what the ESRB is for? If a kid looks under 10, don't sell them an E-10 game. If the kid looks under 13, don't sell them a Teen game. And if the person looks under 17, don't sell them a Mature game. If they argue, tell them to prove their age or bring in a parent to buy it, otherwise they get no game.