Eleven States Join California at the Supreme Court

[Booze Zombie]

Well, that can't be good... then again, if they all get defeated, they're going to have to explain how they wasted a tonne of time.

 

[nash_clovis]

This law is entirely unnecessary. It's not about rights or anything like that, though I guess you could say that: it's about an industry that already does what the politicians who are pushing this bill want when it comes to the ESRB.

The claims that the other states are making boil down to how they view parents nowadays: you can't control what your children are involved in, obviously, and let us tell you how to be a better parent. If you disagree and don't comply, you're criminally charged.

I'm more incensed that my state jumped into this. Let me get out my pen and paper and poison pen this jerk.

 

[jamesworkshop]

I'm not sure why this is a problem this law only brings America more line with the UK which already has such a legal system in place in a country that gave Manhunt and GTA to the world

 

[Cynical skeptic]

Well, that can't be good... then again, if they all get defeated, they're going to have to explain how they wasted a tonne of time.

The day government's primary function isn't the waste of time and resources is the same day humanity goes extinct.

 

[Jaded Scribe]

So, they'll restrict sales of 'm' rated games to minors?
Something like already exists for, say, pornography?

Could someone tell me why this is bad?
I'm genuinely curious.

"M" rated games =/= pornography. They are more on par with an R-rated movie.

I'm not saying M rated games are the same as pornography, I'm saying the government limiting what media minors can have access to is hardly a new concept. What about FCC regulations that limit what words are used on TV? Or what words can be said on the radio? This has been going on for decades.

I also fail to see how this limits freedom of speech.
They aren't stalling, or stopping sales of the games in general. The games are free to be made and sold. Just not sold to minors. Parents can still go ahead and buy the games for their kids, the kids just can't buy the games by themselves. People have already admitted that this is pretty much common store policy all over the place, so making it law would just make it mandatory store policy.
So the problem is what, exactly?

First of all, the FCC has come under fire numerous times with regards to violating others' First Amendment rights.

Second, it is a completely unnecessary law. Many stores *optionally* choose to restrict sales. Why does it need to be legally mandated, particularly when it shouldn't be up to the legislature. It's not so much the idea in general. It's that it is the first step down a very slippery slope. It is also ridiculous that Video Games are being treated differently than other forms of entertainment.

If the law said "legally restrict selling music with with parental advisories, R-rated movies and M-rated video games" I would protest (again, not the job of the legislature) but the outrage would be far less.

The main problem is that this sets the precedent that video games are not protected under the First Amendment the way music and movies are. This can lead to government restrictions on what content can, and can't, be in video games. It can lead to government restrictions on providing M-rated games to minors, period.

It is discrimination against the industry, and the first steps towards a level of government control that would destroy the industry.

 

[manythings]

So, they'll restrict sales of 'm' rated games to minors?
Something like already exists for, say, pornography?

Could someone tell me why this is bad?
I'm genuinely curious.

"M" rated games =/= pornography. They are more on par with an R-rated movie.

I'm not saying M rated games are the same as pornography, I'm saying the government limiting what media minors can have access to is hardly a new concept. What about FCC regulations that limit what words are used on TV? Or what words can be said on the radio? This has been going on for decades.

I also fail to see how this limits freedom of speech.
They aren't stalling, or stopping sales of the games in general. The games are free to be made and sold. Just not sold to minors. Parents can still go ahead and buy the games for their kids, the kids just can't buy the games by themselves. People have already admitted that this is pretty much common store policy all over the place, so making it law would just make it mandatory store policy.
So the problem is what, exactly?

Call me crazy but won't this just exacerbate the problem? Teenage drinking and smoking are super awesome precisely FOR this reason.

 

[crepesack]

Less screamers on live. Sign me up. I find it pretty reasonable to restrict violent games to adults. They are rated mature for a reason. I find it troubling that many kids seem to idolize the image of a murdering psychopath rather than play the game for actual stress relieving, depression alleviating fun.

Until all kids are mature enough to treat the game as a game, no kid can be trusted. I've seen and heard too many bevies of children droll on about blood and gore. Talking about blood and gore is only cool when I'm sure you aren't really interested in blood and gore. Same with racism: unless I know you're not racist and you're just trying to be funny, I won't laugh.

 

[Hoplon]

Wait... so there are no legal ratings in the USA at all? Not movies or anything?

That is a little fubar.

Okay, that's mind bendingly strange way to operate.

 

[thenumberthirteen]

I don't have a problem with this. Seriously I've lived with legal age restrictions all my life and we have yet to destroy free speech. Some times the Constitution can be a hindrance to proper enforcement of law in modern times.

 

[MrSnugglesworth]

COME ON! IT JUST HAD TO BE FUCKING VIRGINIA!


Now I actually have a more direct reason to care about this.

 

[Low Key]

Even though I don't see the need in more legislation regarding video games, I don't see exactly how this is as big of a deal as some are making it. Violating free speech? How? M rated video games will still be sold and I'll still be able to buy them. I also can almost guarantee there will be no change in how many minors play M rated games either.

 

[Dyp100]

From what I get from this, all this is idiots trying to put in place laws because of what they heard from there wife. (Or husband.) Seriously, the video game industry needs to stop minors playing violent games? We already have a fucking rating system, and studies you posted show, one that works a lot better than movies, so all I can see is old people talking out their collective arses. But hey, that's my opinion, why not go stamped across your countries own founding ideas? FFS, this is why I hate goverment. It's so baised.

 

[Dexiro]

I'm all for it. Kids shouldn't be allowed to buy anything that's above their age rating, even if they're singling the age ratings for games it's still not too much of a fuss.

As long as they don't do something ridiculous and stop violent games completely like they seem to be doing in Australia.

 

[Jack and Calumon]

And thus my decision to stay in England is finalized! Thank you rest of the world for not appealing to me.

Except you Canada. You're pretty cool.

Calumon: Yay for Flag Leaves and Tea!

 

[Jark212]

That reminds me, does anyone remember Jack Thompson???

 

[Irridium]

"The videogame industry should act responsibly - play nice, not nasty - and agree to sensible self-imposed restrictions that block children from buying the most violent games," Blumenthal said. "I am calling on the videogame industry to follow the leadership of the motion picture industry, which sensibly stops unattended children from viewing violent or graphic movies."

You mean like how it already does that with the ESRB?!
Plus it does it better than any other industry.

I mean seriously, do facts mean nothing to these people?

 

[Dyp100]

That reminds me, does anyone remember Jack Thompson???

Yep. Didn't he actaully say this was going a little bit TOO far? IDK, that might have been another harsh case in the last year. Apparently Video Games are treated as the Devils Work. I wouldn't be suprised if some of these 12 join on just because of that.

 

[squid5580]

So, they'll restrict sales of 'm' rated games to minors?
Something like already exists for, say, pornography?

Could someone tell me why this is bad?
I'm genuinely curious.

Are u american? if not its irrelevant to you.

If you are and would like to see your government follow the laws(amendments) it set for itself WITHOUT EXCEPTIONS, then this is very important ^-^

Youre giving the government an excuse to enact other amendment breaking laws if you let this slip. I just dont want there to be an exception if its based on an issue as frivolous as this one.

As Andy points out, the videogames industry ALREADY restrict sales of M-Rated games to minors. So y is there a need to make a LAW out of it all of a sudden? and at the same time make interactive media unprotected under the first amendment in the process?

WTF are you seriously that dense? You don't think this will have a bigger impact than your little country? Jesus if America enforces this they will invade any country that doesn't follow suit. Or the industry will lose another country that can't sell M rated games and soon enough not bother because they will be losing a large part of their consumers. And that effects all of us no matter where we live (except Japan).

 

[Macgyvercas]

Hello, Government! We already have the ESRB and most stores already require ID for the purchase of "M" rated games.

Why don't you try having the parents letting their children play violent games in the first place take some fucking responsiblity instead of taking their side when they ask why their children are so messed up? Or would that make too much sense?

/rant

Sorry, but I had to get that out.