No I.D., no game? U.S. bill proposed. - by Homoludens
Homoludens on 6/5/2002 at 21:21
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A bill introduced in Congress last week would make it a federal crime to sell or rent violent video games to minors.US Representative Joe Baca, D-California, introduced a bill in Congress last week that would make it a federal crime to sell or rent violent video games to minors. The Protect Children from Video Game Sex and Violence Act of 2002 would apply to games that feature decapitation, amputation, killing of humans with lethal weapons or through hand-to-hand combat, rape, carjackings, aggravated assault, and other violent felonies. Twenty-one other representatives cosponsored the bill, which was referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
That list would place a slew of popular titles out of the reach of teenagers, some of the biggest consumers of the games. The top-selling video game in 2001, according to research firm NPD Group, was Grand Theft Auto III, in which players steal and wreck cars, commit contract killings, and carry out other crimes. It has been banned in Australia.
Violators of the act would be subject to fines of up to $1,000 for a first offense and up to $5,000, plus 90 days in jail, for multiple offenses.
(
http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2864179,00.html) Full news story, 5/6/02
All I can say is that I'm glad I'm a grownup. :D (or am I?)
armcommander on 6/5/2002 at 21:32
Sex in video games???? Theres adult themes in games like Final Fantasy(which is rated T for Teen) but sex in video games. That is nonexistent to any game rated by ESRB that actually came out. They arent protecting kids from games. Just another unjust law. Like the Safe Schools Act. We only need probably half as many laws as we have.
Chade on 6/5/2002 at 22:42
To minors??? Isn't that 21 years old in the U.S.? That's bullshit, not to be able to buy a game like thief, or maybe even more harmless games AoE untill you're 21 (do you think strategy games would be included in this bill, they do include killing things after all).
Furthermore, some of that stuff doesn't even appear in computer games (or hasn't yet, for which we can be gratefull), and by banning it many people will think it does, giving games a further bad name.
The guys who want to pass this bill probably think that the selling point of games is the violence and blood. They should try some games and see the truth before banning them.
But the real sad thing is that most kids will still get the games they want, but they will do it illegally, and piracy will just get a bigger foothold in the gaming industry. That's what the main effect of the bill will be.
Agent Monkeysee on 6/5/2002 at 22:59
I find it hard to get worked up over Congress applying the same standards to the video game industry that they do to the movie industry. You can always have the parent purchase the game for the child.
V. Equinox on 6/5/2002 at 23:02
I wonder how that would affect secondary markets, like eBay. I don't see many eBay sellers checking IDs for naughty items. Heck, I'll just stand outside a game store like EB and tell kids I'll buy 'em a viiiiolent game for $5 extra. :cheeky:
Muzman on 7/5/2002 at 00:22
Enterprising! (course it's not like booze, they can just copy it. Oh well)
I can't tell you how much it stings being the new 'western' benchmark for conservative stupidity in game rating and being bandied about the world's media. Truly bag-over-head material.
armcommander on 7/5/2002 at 08:58
Congress keeps passing these unjust laws. Just tell me? How is this law gonna help people? Just like how the Safe Schools Act is gonna make schools safer? The politicians don't know shit about kids or video games so they should leave it alone.
Tonamel on 7/5/2002 at 09:07
The age you have to be in the USA to be considered an adult is 18. 21's just the drinking age, since a bunch of congressmen didn't want people getting drunk while they were still in school.
Tonamel
Felonious Punk on 7/5/2002 at 11:27
Quote:
A bill introduced in Congress last week would make it a federal crime
Note here that it would be a
federal crime, out of the jursidiction of states and localities. I pretty much agree with Monkeysee, but making it a federal crime is ridiculous. Leave it to the states. It sounds like Dean Wurmer threatening double secret probation.
Quote:
I can't tell you how much it stings being the new 'western' benchmark for conservative stupidity in game rating and being bandied about the world's media. Truly bag-over-head material.
Don't worry, after the Erfurt shooting, the political parties here in Germany are trying to out do each other in submitting legislation to outlaw violent video games altogether. This is already a country that makes its localizations heavily edit game content (green blood in SS2 anyone?). Hilarious - every 1. Mai the "autonomous" youth in Berlin run wild smashing stores, property and burning cars, now more or less with official indulgence, but those evil video games - they are the real threat that must be stopped.
Das heisst Ursachenbekämpfung, Genossen! :rolleyes:
buglunch on 7/5/2002 at 12:10
Some parents will just buy the games and the kiddies will burn them for their buddies.
