April 11, 2004
CA Legislation on video game sales pending
On April 13th, the California General Assembly will consider two bills (AB 1792 and AB1793) regarding video game sales. AB 1792 prohibits the sale or rental of video games to minors that contain violent material by reclassifying games as "harmful substances" such as alcohol and pornography. AB 1793 mandates segregation rules for retailers to display games based on ratings issued by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB).
Full details on AB 1792 and AB 1793 can be found at the California State Legislature website.
A letter to the members of the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences states that "These bills treat video games differently from other forms of media." And, that they "would frustrate new major efforts undertaken by our industry and retailers to voluntarily increase awareness of the video and computer game rating system and prevent the sale of M (Mature) rated games to kids under 17."
In another letter from the International Game Developers Association, Program Director Jason Della Rocca states that "The IGDA firmly believes that games are a medium of expression that should receive the same level of respect, and protection, as other forms of art and entertainment. These bill are one more step on the slippery slope of government regulation, oversight and control over our creative endeavors."
Posted by tfullerton at April 11, 2004 11:37 AMComments
Classifying violence as a "harmful substance" does treat games different than other mediums, in that violence is the substance being targeted. However, films have the same policy for pornographic substance, as well as for the NC-17 classified films. Similarly, it has been federal law since, I think, 1999, that movie theatres cannot sell tickets to R films to minors who are not accompanied by an adult guardian. For what that's worth.
Games are receiving the same respect as other mediums, in that there is overwhelming public outcry to censor them. I agree that it is a form of censorship, but I hesitate to say that games are being treated that much differently than film, television, or radio, EXPECIALLY in this post Janet-tit era.
Posted by: kellee at April 12, 2004 11:32 AM
I realized I should mention that the R rating and it's meaning existed before 1999, but it became federally enforced at that time.
Also, expecially is actually spelled especially.
Posted by: kellee at April 12, 2004 11:34 AM
