ECA Launches Campaign Against Videogame Warning Labels

[Andy Chalk]

ECA Launches Campaign Against Videogame Warning Labels

The Entertainment Consumers Association is calling on people join the opposition to California Congressman Joe Baca's bill calling for health warning labels on videogames.

Rep. Joe Baca stepped back into the spotlight a couple days ago with his third attempt at imposing legislation in California that would require all videogames rated E (Everyone) or higher to be labeled with warnings [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/116420-California-Congressman-Demands-Videogame-Warning-Labels-Again] that "exposure to violent videogames has been linked to aggressive behavior." Baca tried the same thing in 2009 and 2011, neither of which went anywhere, and the ECA wants to make sure that his 2012 attempt ends up the same way.

To that end, the ECA has launched a new action campaign calling on consumers to express their opposition to Baca's bill to their own Member of Congress. The Association says Congress is "misinformed" on the issue, noting that while Baca cites scientific studies linking games to violence, there are a great many more studies which say there is no causal link between violent videogames and "negatively aggressive behavior," and that some new studies have actually demonstrated that videogames can have a positive impact on the development of children.

It also warned that Baca's call for warning labels on virtually all videogames - only those rated EC (Early Childhood) would be exempt - could also lead to confusion and undermine the ESRB labeling system that already exists and which is, we will once again remind you, the FTC says [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/103555-Retailers-Turn-Away-80-of-Kids-Trying-to-Buy-M-Rated-Games] is the most effective media rating system on the market.

The process is almost entirely automated, requiring nothing more than a zip code [Americans only, I'm afraid] and a willingness to click the "Send This Message" button, so assuming you're eligible, there's no reason not to do your part. So take a couple of seconds out of your busy day, head over to action.theeca.com [http://action.theeca.com/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=5716] and get clicking!


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[Something Amyss]

Isn't the ECA part of the same nebulous alliances related to fighting the ESRB who then turned around and backed SOPA/PIPA?

Activism is fine, but is anyone else getting whiplash.

 

[Meight08]

Isn't the ECA part of the same nebulous alliances related to fighting the ESRB who then turned around and backed SOPA/PIPA?

Activism is fine, but is anyone else getting whiplash.

That was the ESA the lobbying arm of the videogame industry.
The eca is on our side.

 

[Roserari]

"We're already making em waste their time on these clowns... AGAIN, so we'd better make sure not to hold em up for long." Sound planning right there

 

[Cyfu]

This is good. the "exposure to violent videogames has been linked to aggressive behavior." is total BULLSHIT! how can they put something like this as a warning? Every mother would believe this to be true, when there is absolutely no proof whatsoever for this.
Christ, it's not video games that make me violent it's these guys who claim that video games do.WITHOUT ANY FUCKING PROOF!

 

[Andy Chalk]

Simplistically put, ECA is consumers, ESA is publishers, so if there's any kind of "us vs. them" going on, the ECA would represent us.

 

[The Great JT]

Congress is "misinformed" on an issue?
STOP THE FUCKING PRESSES!

This is what happens when you let the government watch Fox News.

 

[2733]

Could someone please vote this troll out of office? There is no reason why this walking yeast infection should still have a job.

actually I believe Baca is up for reelection this year, so come on district 43, you can do better.

 

[samsonguy920]

Simplistically put, ECA is consumers, ESA is publishers, so if there's any kind of "us vs. them" going on, the ECA would represent us.

One would think the ESA would have a say in this, as adding warning labels like these would potentially scare off customers who just wanted to get a Pokemon game for their kid. But we are talking about the same group who threw their support behind a bill that would have done a lot more damage to the gaming industry than this farce.

 

[thethird0611]

I think the big point here is that there is "no causal link between violent videogames and "negatively aggressive behavior,". Something that has inconsistent results like that should have no place becoming 'law'. Now, if they make a large sample study of the U.S. (or cali, since I think its only statewide), and prove that there's a connection, I say go for it.

 

[maddness666]

I feel for you Americans having to put up with this all the time. The British goverment is too busy buying porn with taxpayer's money or strangling themselves while masturbating to do this kind of thing. It's not as exciting as it sounds.

 

[personaitor]

This guy is stupid, this bill is stupid, and this entire thing is really, fucking, stupid idiotic.

our current congress, (all of it. more than 90%) are nothing but a bunch of fucking freeloaders who don't actually do anything, but have made a career looking like they do.


/rant-ish thing.

 

[Alex Tom]

Ok if u put warning labels for "mite lead to violence" then i get to go to Chicago and put labels on anyone running for Governor of Illinois saying "Warning: Running for Governor of Illinois mite lead to jail time"

 

[Chaos1228]

I'll say it right now, politicians are idiots. These labels would be very damaging to an entire industry and are soley based on biased scientific studies.

And i have yet to ever see a EC rated game in any store, meaning just rows and rows of games with these labels

 

[BehattedWanderer]

Nice to know they still have our backs over a few trite ideas. Congress is misinformed? Who knew. How about we just spend some money and properly promote the work the ESRB do, and continue to use the usually spot-on rating guide already in place.

I feel for you Americans having to put up with this all the time. The British goverment is too busy buying porn with taxpayer's money or strangling themselves while masturbating to do this kind of thing. It's not as exciting as it sounds.

Tradesies? We'll throw in some total clowns trying to pretend that people care about the next election cycle yet for free. I think I'd rather have the whole "he choked a bit too hard but at least he got "relief" in death" then the bunch of bickering, rotted ducks that we've currently got.

...Wait, no, ignore all that, that makes them look terrible, and you wouldn't want them. They vomit rainbows and sunshine, and their tears are beer! You guys over there need more sunshine and beer, right? See, perfect deal!

 

[Jodah]

This guy is stupid, this bill is stupid, and this entire thing is really, fucking, stupid idiotic.

our current congress, (all of it. more than 90%) are nothing but a bunch of fucking freeloaders who don't actually do anything, but have made a career looking like they do.


/rant-ish thing.

The problem is that whole 90% thing. That is why the fools keep getting voted in. It is the whole "Congress is stupid! Except my guy...he's a good guy. I'll vote for him again. The rest of you fools need to fix it!" Until we figure out a way to scrap it all and start over with new representatives it ain't gunna change.

 

[Furioso]

I feel for you Americans having to put up with this all the time. The British goverment is too busy buying porn with taxpayer's money or strangling themselves while masturbating to do this kind of thing. It's not as exciting as it sounds.

That's nearly normal compared to the shit we have to deal with, the 2nd place person in the running to be the next Republican nomination for President, Rick Santorum, wants to ban all pornography (and is against big government just to throw some hypocrisy into the mix)