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[Stinkles]

After my massive self-ownage a minute ago with my Killzone retard story (I accept my beatings), here's something much more disturbing than CGI gameplay footage:

Senate passes game restriction bill


The most disturbing wording:

'Video games are not art or media,'

 

[human5892]

After my massive self-ownage a minute ago with my Killzone retard story (I accept my beatings), here's something much more disturbing than CGI gameplay footage:

Senate passes game restriction bill


The most disturbing wording:

'Video games are not art or media,'

What the hell? If they're not media, what the hell are they?

 

[Spencerr]

BRING FIRE UNTO ILLINOIS!

I submit we organize a non-voilent portable gaming sit in.

 

[Stinkles]

A kicking boy for politicians too fucking lazy and weak to deal with real political issues.

 

[Wario64]

haha, games aren't art. i guess that settles that argument.

 

[Matlock]

All this says is that you could be fined if you sold a M game to a child.

 

[Outdoor Miner]

Rod Blagojevich jogs by my house pretty often. Next time I see him I'll kick him in the nuts for you all.

 

[Battlezone]

The most disturbing part of that whole article is this:

Still, even some critics said they would not vote against the measure for fear it would be used against them politically.

"I'm going to vote for this bill, but I'm voting for it for one reason — because this is a political bill," said Sen. Mike Jacobs. "If I vote against it, it will show up in a campaign mail piece."

Disgusting, really.

 

[demon]

What is Super Monkey Ball simulating exactly? What is Tetris simulating? What is Ico simulating, and would this person kindly describe to me how such a game is not art? Hell, what is Halo simulating? Where can I experience the real-life counterpart that Halo is a simulation of?

"I'm going to vote for this bill, but I'm voting for it for one reason — because this is a political bill," said Sen. Mike Jacobs. "If I vote against it, it will show up in a campaign mail piece."

Do us a favor and hang yourself please. If I still lived in Illinois I'd consider voting against this piece of shit, tool of a politician just for this reason.

What I want to know is-- where the fuck are the videogame industry lobbyists?

 

[teiresias]

Hopefully those activist judges strike this down rather quickly, particularly for arbitrarily declaring whether something is "art or media." I mean, come on, I can see how the art thing is debatable, but NOT MEDIA! :lol :lol :lol

 

[aoi tsuki]

"Video games are not art or media," she said. "They are simulations, not all that different from the simulations used by the U.S. military in preparation for war."

"I grew up blasting aliens in video games, now I blast them in real life. No, no, I'm not Master Chief. I'm an immigrations security officer at the INS."

 

[Matlock]

Hey guys, let's RTFA. ALL IT SAYS IS THAT YOU MAY BE FINED IF YOU SELL M GAMES TO MINORS.

 

[Son of Godzilla]

The measure approved Thursday would require store owners to determine which games are too violent or sexually explicit for anyone under 18. Anyone selling them to a minor could be fined.

Something tells me this is going to work wonderfully. . .

 

[nubbe]

The US army wage war with Pocket Monsters and battle cards

 

[Wario64]

sega is fucked if they can't sell shadow the hedgehog to kids. sonic games sells the most on gamecube. think of the sales

 

[Outdoor Miner]

RTFA

I never have seen this before, but I'm guessing it means "Read the fucking article"?

 

[Phoenix]

Hey guys, let's RTFA. ALL IT SAYS IS THAT YOU MAY BE FINED IF YOU SELL M GAMES TO MINORS.

No, I'm afraid that's not all it says. One of the defenses that videogame companies have always had in a wide variety of lawsuits was that it was an artistic medium and this removes a fair amount of legal liability to game companies. What this does is reclassify them and remove them legally from that protection. If they are not art nor media, they fall into the rest of product liability and tort laws... and that's a bad thing.


I'll see if I can find more on how the bill is wording because if it does reclassify games within its texts, that IS very disturbing because it has far reaching implications.

Edit:

Nevertheless THIS is the most disturbing piece of the article

Still, even some critics said they would not vote against the measure for fear it would be used against them politically.

"I'm going to vote for this bill, but I'm voting for it for one reason — because this is a political bill," said Sen. Mike Jacobs. "If I vote against it, it will show up in a campaign mail piece."

When politicians aren't voting conscience and are instead voting a particular way to save their own ASS - we are in serious serious trouble.

 

[Justin Bailey]

"Video games are not art or media," she said. "They are simulations, not all that different from the simulations used by the U.S. military in preparation for war."

I agree, after a good run of Super Mario Sunshine I feel prepped to blow some shit up myself.

 

[suaveric]

As a voter in Illinois (and a gamer) I agree with this bill and I'm happy it passed. 13 year olds don't need to be playing GTA. If their parent's think they're grown up enough to understand it, then they can buy it for their kids. No one loses.

Edit: unless it changes shit like Phoenix is saying. Uh oh.

 

[Stinkles]

No, I'm afraid that's not all it says. One of the defenses that videogame companies have always had in a wide variety of lawsuits was that it was an artistic medium and this removes a fair amount of legal liability to game companies. What this does is reclassify them and remove them legally from that protection. If they are not art nor media, they fall into the rest of product liability and tort laws... and that's a bad thing.

Correct, now the next batch of GTA killed my baby cases, will be tried in Illinois to test the law. And seriously, the point about no video game lobbying is scary. As long as there's no money going into their pockets from this industry, we are going to be a fucking pinata.

 

[demon]

As a voter in Illinois (and a gamer) I agree with this bill and I'm happy it passed. 13 year olds don't need to be playing GTA. If their parent's think they're grown up enough to understand it, then they can buy it for their kids. No one loses.

RTFA

 

[border]

What this does is reclassify them and remove them legally from that protection. If they are not art nor media, they fall into the rest of product liability and tort laws... and that's a bad thing.

That is just a quote from one of the bill's supporters -- not the bill itself. Maybe you should RTFA as suggested.

 

[sonicfan]

State bill would ban adult games for minors

State bill would ban adult games for minors

May 11, 2005

BY DAWSON BELL
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

The drive to limit kids' access to violent and obscene video games in Michigan reached passing speed Tuesday with movement in both the state House and Senate to place new restrictions on retailers.

In the House, lawmakers approved, 108-0, a measure to add video games to the state obscenity statute, effectively making the sale or rental of sexually explicit video games equivalent to distributing pornography.

In the Senate, a more divided committee approved a proposal to ban the sale and rental of adult-rated video games to those under 17. It is expected to be voted upon by the full Senate by the end of the week, and it is expected to pass.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm, who has several times called on the Legislature to enact tighter video game restrictions, has said she is ready to sign any version that reaches her desk.

The Senate legislation is substantially more restrictive than that approved by the House, proposing criminal penalties for distributing to a minor a video game the industry has rated for mature or adult players.

Industry representatives warned again Tuesday, however, that the restrictions on violent games will be challenged in court and almost certainly will be found unconstitutional.

Gail Markels, general counsel for the Entertainment Software Association, said adding video games to obscenity statutes and treating them in the same way that movies, videos and magazines are treated, is legally permissible.

But attempts to single out video games with violent content have been struck down in jurisdictions all over the country as a violation of the First Amendment, she said.

Lawmakers, however, said they are under increasing pressure from parents to do something about the widespread availability of gratuitously violent and sexual video games.

State Sen. Mike Bishop, R-Rochester, said he frequently hears from parents at school events in Oakland County.

"They feel like it's just overwhelming ... and they don't know what to do," Bishop said. "They don't know how to protect their kids."

Rep. Leon Drolet, R-Clinton Township, was among three representatives who voted against a related bill that would require video game retailers to post a sign explaining the rating system for the games, including what scenes and situations are allowed for each rating.

Drolet said the bill is an attempt to interfere with private businesses.

Contact DAWSON BELL at 313-222-6604 or dbell@freepress.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

 

[King Jippo]

OMFG?!!? WELCOME TO JESUSLAND!!!!!

Wait a second...

I thought a majority democrat state with a democrat governor weren't supposed to pull this kinda shit.

 

[suaveric]

RTFA

What part did I misread? Unless there is specific language in the bill like Phoenix is saying (which the article doesn't mention) then I stand by my first paragraph. What's wrong with banning 13 year olds from buying GTA? It's not banning GTA from being sold altogether.

 

[Stinkles]

Democratic? Are you kidding? This is the one thing these fucks can agree on, because it's so easy to attack. The biggest anti-game guy is Lieberman, a democrat. Politicians like soft targets, gaming is one. And if you think this one-state toothless bill is inconsequential, you're forgetting the mass cultural meltdown we had over Janet Jackson's tit.

In the short term, this has more consequences for Illinois stores than game producers, but in the long term, it attracts more unwelcome attention to a non-existent problem.

And I agree, 10 year olds should not be playing GTA3. But it's another instance of politicians policing your morality.

 

[Phoenix]

Gotta love legal resource. Here are the good bits

Synopsis As Introduced
Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Creates the Violent Video Games Law. Provides that a person who sells, rents, or permits to be sold or rented, any violent video game to any minor, commits a Class A misdemeanor for which a fine of $5,000 may be imposed. Provides that a family member's purchase of a violent video game for another family member who is a minor does not constitute a violation of this provision. Establishes labeling requirements for violent video games. Creates the Sexually Explicit Video Games Law. Provides that a person who sells, rents, or permits to be sold or rented, any sexually explicit video game to any minor, commits a Class A misdemeanor for which a fine of $5,000 may be imposed. Provides that a family member's purchase of a sexually explicit video game for another family member who is a minor does not constitute a violation of this provision. Establishes labeling requirements for sexually explicit video games. Provides that these laws are severable. Effective January 1, 2006.

That's all good, nothing really dangerous here.

House Amendment No. 2
Adds reference to:
720 ILCS 5/11-21 from Ch. 38, par. 11-21

Further amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Deletes provisions concerning the distribution and exhibition of harmful material to minors and replaces it with the following provisions: (i) provides that a person is guilty of distributing harmful material to a minor when he or she knowingly sells, lends, distributes, or gives away certain material knowing that the minor is a person under the age of 18 or failing to exercise reasonable care in ascertaining the person's true age, or he or she admits a minor to premises where there is exhibited or to be exhibited such harmful material, (ii) provides that distribution of harmful material to a minor is a Class A misdemeanor, and (iii) establishes several affirmative defenses. Makes other changes.

This ammendment and in particular this provision leave some room for concern. But it doesn't in the law reclassify anything - so its all good.... unless you lend M rated material to a minor.


Eh?

 

[sonicfan]

In Michigan, the Dem Governor has been pushing hard for it, but then again, she's actually Canadian.

Granholm: Investigation shows children bought adult video games

May 4, 2005, 4:08 PM

LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Children bought adult-rated video games in nearly half the stores investigated during an April undercover operation in six Michigan counties, Gov. Jennifer Granholm announced Wednesday.

Granholm, who requested the investigation, said children ages 9 to 16 purchased adult games at 26 of 58 stores.

It is not illegal to sell or rent games like "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" and "Manhunt" to minors. But Granholm is pushing legislation to change that.

"We have clear evidence that adult-rated games are falling into the hands of children," Granholm said. "These investigations show that children have access to inappropriate material, and relying on a voluntary system to restrict sales to minors is not enough if we want to protect our children."

Both Democrats and Republicans are looking to pass legislation that would bar retailers from selling or renting violent or sexually explicit games to youths under 17. Sellers who violate the proposed law could face up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine under a Democratic-sponsored bill.

Democrats, including Granholm, have been calling for the Republican-controlled Senate to pass a bill immediately. But Republicans note that federal courts have struck down similar laws and ordinances in other states and municipalities. The courts ruled that such prohibitions violated First Amendment free speech rights.

"This is an area where we want to lay the groundwork very carefully," said Republican Sen. Alan Cropsey of DeWitt, who chairs the Senate committee considering video game legislation. "It will be challenged (in court.)"

Cropsey said before moving a bill, he wants to make sure it will pass constitutional muster.

Granholm first called on lawmakers to take up the legislation during her annual State of the State address in February.

Law enforcement officials investigated 58 stores in Cass, Lenawee, Monroe, Genesee, Ingham and Wayne counties.

According to Granholm's office, eight of 12 stores sold to children in Wayne, five of 16 in Genesee, five of 10 in Lenawee, four of 10 in Monroe, three of eight in Ingham and one of two in Cass.

------

The violent video game bills are Senate Bills 249 and 416, and House Bills 4593 and 4702.

------

On the Net:

Gov. Jennifer Granholm: http://www.michigan.gov/gov

Michigan Legislature: http://www.legislature.mi.gov

 

[Dalamar86]

This is all Chicago's fault. Democrat or not he sucks as a governor and the lower half of the state knows it. He won't show his face in Springfield anymore.

He raises prices on just about any liscence imaginable, puts on hold the majority of state restoration jobs, moves all the state jobs up to Chicago, and now to top it off hes screwing over gamers.

 

[border]

If the market for "mature content" is slashed like this, the industry will not make as many mature games (just like Hollywood is now scared to make R-rated blockbusters). Bad news for fans of blood n' guts.

 

[akascream]

I think if children want to fuck prostitutes and then blugeon them to death to get thier money back, that they should at least be able to do it in a videogame to hold them over. They're just whores.

 

[Dice]

Still, even some critics said they would not vote against the measure for fear it would be used against them politically.

"I'm going to vote for this bill, but I'm voting for it for one reason — because this is a political bill," said Sen. Mike Jacobs. "If I vote against it, it will show up in a campaign mail piece."

-1 vote Mike Jacobs, I live in IL.

 

[C- Warrior]

This (as all articles state) will likely be shot down thanks to Sony Legal!

Gotta love em!