Supreme Court to decide hte future of Video Games

[Drachen]

Originally Posted by kapol

Yes, but if this does pass through congress, then most, if not all states will be passing this same type of law. Many have tried before, but have been shot down in court because of the type of argument they were trying to use. The new type of argument, if it works, will allow all of those states to reimpose those laws.

The law being decided is a California state law. It has nothing to do with Congress... yet. My point was that California state law doesn't apply as such in Washington. If the Supremes do overturn this decision, yes, it would allow Congress or any state to regulate game sales.

Originally Posted by Clickme

It's also illegal for someone of-age to provide minors with alcohol, it's just a lot harder to regulate, but that's not hte point.

It varies from state to state, but in all states a guardian can legally give alcohol to a minor in their care at home.

Here's another thought: this isn't the big free speech issue everyone seems to think it is. It's about who controls the market decisions. Right now the big game companies (who as the ESRB rate games), the console manufacturers (who certify games) and the big retailers (who enforce sales policies and what gets placed on shelves) who regulate the market currently. The government and the moral crusader types want it to be the government so they can control the market. Both systems restrict artistic expression.

I guess I favor with the assholes rather than the douchebags on this one...

[tjlemke]

We should all be worried for this reason:
"Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups"
(Particularly idiotic pissed off moms)

[no-name]

Originally Posted by tjlemke

We should all be worried for this reason:
"Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups"
(Particularly idiotic pissed off moms)

"A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky, dangerous animals, and you know it."
-Agent K, Men in Black (1997)

For a movie about aliens and sci-fi comedy, don't you think this line fits the situation perfectly?

As far as I'm aware, the majority could care much less about the deciding fate of the gaming industry. For all I know, despite our very vocal community, it is the voices of a select few that will ultimately decide this, and sadly, most of those few are still caught up in the hype and propaganda that games like Doom and Call of Duty will usher in "another Columbine" or D&D is a cult of devil worshippers.
Granted, the latter is more related to tabletop gaming, but I find it hard to believe the average joe could even bother with the details.

Common sense may have prevailed so far, but all it takes is someone to agree with the opposing party and it's all over.

If it ever comes to that, I'll at least look forward to the chain reaction it will no doubt cause to all forms of media.

[Spero Mcgee]

I would think with all the stuff that America has to deal with these days, that they would focus their energy on more important matters. Yet there's still issues about video games?
Though I'm awfully worried, because alot of stuff that goes wrong there affects the world in some way or another and that's not only about video games.
Let's hope common sense prevails, but then again these days it might be rather uncommon or even rare. At least that's the feeling I get(have).

[insomniac]

Originally Posted by Spero Mcgee

I would think with all the stuff that America has to deal with these days, that they would focus their energy on more important matters. Yet there's still issues about video games?

Uhm, I don't know where you are from, but if you can hear me up on your high horse, fuck off because every country has debates about something that someone else doesn't find important. The American judicial system isn't grinding to a halt because of this. It's just an issue that someone brought up.

Anyway...

I think we all covered the bases:

1. Parents need to be more responsible

2. Even despite this, there will always be ways for kids to play violent video games.

3. There's a huge first amendment in the way of this law.

4. Game developers have been making their games for a target ESRB rating since it started.

Now, when the Manhunt 2 thing was going on, I remember reading a snippet from lead game designer on the team about the ESRB. The gist of it was, you send the ESRB a like 10 minute video of gameplay and/or a trailer. They then rate the game. That is all. They don't play through the game, they don't do anything other than see what they would assume is the worst of the content.

Now while I don't fault people for being proactive about this, remember that this law has continued to be struck down. And also laws like this. Also, this law is banning the sale of violent video games to minors. It's like cigarettes. You are not of age, you can't buy it. Shit, Walmart has carded me on video games when I was younger (and usually freshly shaven.) Also, just because California makes a law doesn't mean everyone will, or even if they do there is no guarantee it will pass.

[TF-Viewer]

Originally Posted by Spero Mcgee

I would think with all the stuff that America has to deal with these days, that they would focus their energy on more important matters.

Ah, see that's what you get for assuming that people can be rational and prioritize things properly. No no no, big issues go on the back burner in reality and tiny issues that are mostly irrelevant get made into huge debates. Backwards is the new forwards (well not "new" it's been that way for years).

[Spero Mcgee]

Originally Posted by insomniac

Uhm, I don't know where you are from, but if you can hear me up on your high horse, fuck off because every country has debates about something that someone else doesn't find important. The American judicial system isn't grinding to a halt because of this. It's just an issue that someone brought up. .

You?re absolutely right and I quote the next person after me because that sums up really well how I feel about it as well.

Originally Posted by TF-Viewer

Ah, see that's what you get for assuming that people can be rational and prioritize things properly. No no no, big issues go on the back burner in reality and tiny issues that are mostly irrelevant get made into huge debates. Backwards is the new forwards (well not "new" it's been that way for years).

I am from the Netherlands, but that doesn?t really matter does it now? Of course the system doesn?t stop just like that. Doesn't mean you should clutter up the system with multiple cases per year about tiny issues that get made into huge debates.

That's time and money spent that could otherwise been spent on a multitude of more pressing matters, that not only affect the country on a internal scale but also international.
For example by prioritizing you could say: Let's focus alot of attention on the small bullshit so we can get that out of the way so we can work on more pressing matters.

Or let's focus on that 1 certain thing because it's a really important issue that needs to be resolved during a certain time span and as such requires our undying attention.
We all have our own opinions regarding matters on what's important or not, but when it comes to things regarding politics or what not things really have to be prioritized.

And sorry if I sounded like a know it all which certainly wasn't my intention, but if an issue like videogames has been resolved multiple times(by the law of the first ammendment if I'm not mistaken). What other way can I as a non-american think of that as anything but silly and a waste of time.

[TF-Viewer]

Originally Posted by Spero Mcgee

You?re absolutely right and I quote the next person after me because that sums up really well how I feel about it as well.



I am from the Netherlands, but that doesn?t really matter does it now? Of course the system doesn?t stop just like that. Doesn't mean you should clutter up the system with multiple cases per year about tiny issues that get made into huge debates.

That's time and money spent that could otherwise been spent on a multitude of more pressing matters, that not only affect the country on a internal scale but also international.
For example by prioritizing you could say: Let's focus alot of attention on the small bullshit so we can get that out of the way so we can work on more pressing matters.

Or let's focus on that 1 certain thing because it's a really important issue that needs to be resolved during a certain time span and as such requires our undying attention.
We all have our own opinions regarding matters on what's important or not, but when it comes to things regarding politics or what not things really have to be prioritized.

And sorry if I sounded like a know it all which certainly wasn't my intention, but if an issue like videogames has been resolved multiple times(by the law of the first ammendment if I'm not mistaken). What other way can I as a non-american think of that as anything but silly and a waste of time.

I agree that it's a waste of time, that's why my comment was intended jokingly. It just always seems that the unimportant things get pushed to the front of the line while the big issues sit in the back and never get resolved. The video game issue has been covered so many times and keeps getting brought back up it's a little bit tedious. I can't imagine anything will come of this, the laws will just be shot down again and the debate and thread will be moot.

[sodacat]

Originally Posted by Spero Mcgee

I would think with all the stuff that America has to deal with these days, that they would focus their energy on more important matters. Yet there's still issues about video games?

This be an issue about the classification and sale of the products of an international industry larger than the movie industry. That be a big deal.

[mercury01]

Originally Posted by insomniac

Shit, Walmart has carded me on video games when I was younger (and usually freshly shaven.)

Wal-Mart is the reason that games are so tightly regulated as they are, considering it's the largest retailer of games in America (and possibly the world). You don't see too many AO-rated games because Wally-world refuses to stock them.

[Drachen]

Originally Posted by mercury01

Wal-Mart is the reason that games are so tightly regulated as they are, considering it's the largest retailer of games in America (and possibly the world). You don't see too many AO-rated games because Wally-world refuses to stock them.

As much as I like to bag on Wal-Mart, that's not completely true. Lots of other large retailers like Target, GameStop and Best Buy have the same policies. All pulled GTA:SA after the Hot Coffee nonsense.

[insomniac]

Originally Posted by Spero Mcgee

I am from the Netherlands, but that doesn?t really matter does it now? Of course the system doesn?t stop just like that. Doesn't mean you should clutter up the system with multiple cases per year about tiny issues that get made into huge debates.

That's time and money spent that could otherwise been spent on a multitude of more pressing matters, that not only affect the country on a internal scale but also international.
For example by prioritizing you could say: Let's focus alot of attention on the small bullshit so we can get that out of the way so we can work on more pressing matters.

Or let's focus on that 1 certain thing because it's a really important issue that needs to be resolved during a certain time span and as such requires our undying attention.
We all have our own opinions regarding matters on what's important or not, but when it comes to things regarding politics or what not things really have to be prioritized.

And sorry if I sounded like a know it all which certainly wasn't my intention, but if an issue like videogames has been resolved multiple times(by the law of the first ammendment if I'm not mistaken). What other way can I as a non-american think of that as anything but silly and a waste of time.

Shut the hell up?

You have your silly court cases too, save your America bashing for somewhere else. Every country is like that, and if you can't see that then please seriously go kill yourself because ignorant fucks like you are annoying and need to die. And it's not just because I'm from the US, I know for a damn good fact we fuck shit up all the time- but don't turn your nose up when something comes up that is 'silly' when this shit happens every day in every country. It's a known fact humanity can't get it's priorities straight, but the last thing we need is more fucks like you saying "I'm better than you because we only care about legalizing pot!" or did you forget that too? Oh yeah, there's similar battles for legalizing pot everywhere. We're trying to do it too. We aren't special, and neither are you.