Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Videogames

[Daaaah Whoosh]

I'm not going to say this decision isn't a good thing, but I'm kind of glad that I wasn't allowed to play M-rated games as a kid. But I guess that's never going to change, because minors still can't get M-rated games from anywhere without a valid ID.

 

[twm1709]

This one's for the history books I guess... Nice work guys

 

[Stabby Joe]

Well obviously on that note then:


I mean seriously, I don't even live in the US but I've been following this for a while since there are many great US developers and this could have affected them.

Gamers, we won!

 

[fierydemise]

Unfortunately, looking at some comments on the matter on other news sites, most people are still in favor of restricting video games in such a way.
Given the ignorance of many people on just how the ESRB and retailers work, even on this very site, I sincerely doubt this is the end.

I'm quite sure this is the end. Scalia's decision is broad and comprehensive, while the public may take time to come around to our side the legal challenges are for all intents and purposes over.

 

[ProfessorLayton]

Yeah, I knew we would win this one. Nice job, Supreme Court.

I don't fully understand the case, could someone explain to me what's wrong here?

I mean, they're voting for a law that prohibits the sale of adult rated games to minors. Isn't that how movies work as well? What's the issue here?

Sorry I'm not American so I don't really get it, just curious lol.

No, it never said anything about M rated games. It said "violent" games. So basically instead of it being a policy to not sell M rated games to a 10 year old like it is pretty much everywhere, it would be illegal to sell a game like say Ratchet & Clank to a 17 year old because it was deemed "violent." That's wrong.

And also the point isn't whether you believe M rated games should be sold to little kids, it's whether they believed that games are any different from films, paintings, novels, etc. So if it had passed, video games would have been treated on the same level as porn and cigarettes. That would have done a lot of damage to video games as a whole. We're already an industry that doesn't like to take risks, so if it would be illegal to take these risks, we'd seriously be dwindled down to nothing but Animal Crossing and while there's nothing wrong with Animal Crossing and nonviolent games like it, I happen to enjoy my LA Noire...

 

[Cropsy91]

I think this occasion calls for this:

 

[synobal]

Unfortunately, looking at some comments on the matter on other news sites, most people are still in favor of restricting video games in such a way.
Given the ignorance of many people on just how the ESRB and retailers work, even on this very site, I sincerely doubt this is the end.

Generally the supreme court is the end for just about everything. Also what websites are you looking at I cruised over to CNN.com and everyone there seem to be in favor of this decision.

 

[RonHiler]

I've read through (most of) the opinion now. This is the best part, IMO:

The State?s evidence is not compelling. California relies primarily on the research of Dr. Craig Anderson and a few other research psychologists whose studies purport toshow a connection between exposure to violent video games and harmful effects on children. These studies have been rejected by every court to consider them, and with good reason: They do not prove that violent video games cause minors to act aggressively (which would at least be a beginning). Instead, ?[n]early all of the researchis based on correlation, not evidence of causation, and most of the studies suffer from significant, admitted flaws in methodology.? Video Software Dealers Assn. 556 F. 3d, at 964. They show at best some correlation between expo-sure to violent entertainment and minuscule real-world effects, such as children?s feeling more aggressive or mak-ing louder noises in the few minutes after playing a vio-lent game than after playing a nonviolent game.

(Emphasis mine).

Good stuff.

 

[natster43]

This is great news. Rejoice everyone!

 

[Macgyvercas]

Fantastic a great Step towards acceptance.

Do we know if their is an appeal planne dor do SCOTUS Rulings prevent Appeal?

As far as I know, the SCOTUS is the ultimate last word on legal matters (i.e. you have one shot).

OT: HELL YEAH! This just made my week!

I believe some victory music is called for:


Yee, Ah-nold, Brown, Harris...you just got PWNED

 

[falcon1985]

I realy want to see the Fox news reaction to this. I'm predicting epic rants followed by meltdowns by several "reporters".

 

[Sarcastic_Applause]

take that you ignorant people who think videogames are a bad influence. Games have so much potential, this gives us the oppertunity to demonstrate this to the world and make this a change for the better.
Ludus Florentis Invicta! (or something like that)



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_17UlaToL3c&feature=related

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

IT'S A GREAT DAY FOR BLACK PEOPLE OF ALL RACES!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuC9bmxw1Bg#start=0:43;end=0:46

And gamers, I guess.

THANKS, JIM STERLING. You did good, man.

 

[DTWolfwood]

i actually yelled out loud at work upon reading this article! What fantastic news.

Well now them terrible politicians can finally do their job and actually spend them tax payer money on something useful.

 

[Kanodin0]

I realy want to see the Fox news reaction to this. I'm predicting epic rants followed by meltdowns by several "reporters".

Nah man they'll just tell people that the government is allowing children to play violent sexual games and that this is what is wrong with America.

 

[OManoghue]

Hey, old people aren't 100% useless, alright!

 

[The Dark Umbra]

Sweet im glad they ruled in favor of games.

 

[Sunrider]

Victory to common sense, for once...

This! As rarely as this occurs, it needs to be mentioned whenever it actually DOES occur.

 

[jhlip]

I am so glad for this and that the system worked they way it is supposed to for a change. Is this the end of all this nonsense that has been thrown at video games for the past twenty years?

I would say its the start of the end of this ignorance towards the industry. As for the news itself, HELL YES!!! Suck it Fox News!!!

 

[DeadDodo]

I don't fully understand the case, could someone explain to me what's wrong here?

I mean, they're voting for a law that prohibits the sale of adult rated games to minors. Isn't that how movies work as well? What's the issue here?

Sorry I'm not American so I don't really get it, just curious lol.

I'm not an American myself but from what I understand (having read about 1/3 of the pdf) the Californian law would have enforced parenting decisions onto parents.

Then again I may be wrong in that one (haven't finished reading yet).