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Judge Strikes Down Violent Video-Game Law
Laws designed to 'protect' minors from violent video games are being torn down in court rooms all around the country. The latest (warning: PDF) being Oklahoma's law which set up $1,000 fines for those selling or distributing violent video games to minors. But, like laws in California, Michigan, Minnesota, Washington, Illinois, and Louisiana, the Oklahoma legislation was found to be unconstitutional on the grounds that video games are a protected form of free speech no matter how violent, vulgar or just plain bad they might be.
Unlike some of the other decisions mentioned, the Oklahoma ruling was not just a victory for free speech; it was also a rather brutal denunciation of the rationale behind these laws. Along with her ruling, U.S. District Court Judge Robin Cauthron stated that, "[The] argument that 'common sense' dictates that playing violent video games 'is not good for children,' [...] completely fails."
However, this latest ruling doesn't exactly mean that freedom of speech for video games is intact. Take, for example. the recent flap over the video game, 'Manhunt 2' by Rockstar, publisher of the 'Grand Theft Auto' series. The game was deemed so brutally violent (disclosure: the first 'Manhunt' is one of our all-time favorites) that the Entertainment Software Ratings Board gave it an Adults Only rating. Both Sony and Nintendo vowed to never allow the game on any of its game consoles. That left Microsoft, except an Xbox 360 or PC version of the game would never have made it on store shelves since no major retailer carries AO-rated games. Ditto for a game that's unrated, which essentially makes the voluntary rating process not such a voluntary one at all. Rockstar ended up tucking its freedom of speech between its legs and re-made the game, making it far less violent in order to achieve an M rating.
So, repeal all of the video-game violence laws you want -- we're all for it. But, until things change from within the gaming industry itself, censorship will continue to prosper.
From Joystiq
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Comments
69
Subscribe to commentsConnorSep 19th 2007 7:33PM
@ Joe.
The problem is not video games in general, but playing them in excess. I find it very insulting that you think that video games have "Destroyed" my generation...
pookiemang69Sep 24th 2007 7:41PM
Ok! I can already see that some are confused having never played a vid game or just buying it to shut the kids up. I am a gamer and a parent. I have games that are suitable for the children. and some meant only for me. All games come with an esrb rating on the front of the package. very easy to understand. some parents just don't care what they buy as long as it shuts the kids up and when they think of vid games the remeber donkey kong or pac man. Things have changed a bunch. The game companies have dumped millions into educating parents on the esrb rating system.even using tiger woods in promo adds on screen at walmarts and target right at the game cases. truth most parents don't pay attention to what there kids read watch, play, or look at online. Get involved with your kids lifes more you are to blame for that game that has swearing and blood shed because as far as the stores concerned you bought it. William lee you have said the rest thanks.
Cookie MonsterSep 24th 2007 11:35PM
First I was for banning those violet games, then I thought what I just watched on DVD, it was had so many car crashes, blood letting and sex that I though each person should make there own decision. If's it's to horrible, turn it off. Wow $60.00 for a game, "OH PLEASE MOMMY, I NEED TO SEE ALL THAT VIOLENCE." ??
Petrolium AfricaNov 2nd 2007 8:50AM
Good for the judge. The judge must be a Black brother. Kills the White Man. Kills him. Kills...
Petrolium AfricaNov 2nd 2007 8:51AM
The judge must be a brother who understands the black man. Kills the White Man. Kills him...
matt luceNov 6th 2007 8:29PM
THIS IS AWFUL. LIVE LIFE EVERYONE AND WHY CANT YOU FIND ANYTHING ELSE IN THE MEDIA BESIDES THROWING THE VIDEO GAME INDUSTY UNDER THE BUS. WELL LETS SEE. MANY MOVIES ARE WAY MORE BRUTAL THAN MANHUNT 2. LIKE THE HOSTEL SERIES. WTF PEOPLE THESE MOVIES ARE AWFUL AND ALOT CHEAPER TO GET YOUR HANDS ON IF YOUR 9 YEARS OLD AND GOING TO BUY OR RENT A MOVIE. LOOK AT THE WORLD WE LIVE IN. THIS ISNT THAT BAD.
Dorothy TarantinoNov 4th 2007 8:34PM
I do not believe that "freedom of speech" should cover anything that is harmful to children. Common sense should prevail over nit-picking judicial contrivance. I also disagree that the pornography that is today considered legal would have been the intent of our forefathers. No wonder we have tragedies like Britney Spears et al who seem to have lost track of morality. I also am a firm believer that seeing violence, or even constantly reading about it, makes kids immune to the evil that it represents. One gets used to just about anything if exposed to it often enough and children tend to imitate what they see. We need some new judges, and FAST!
BexNov 7th 2007 12:55PM
Don't blame video games for ineffective parenting. All humans have the capability to be rapists, killers, car-jackers, and so on as soon as they're able to walk and manipulate the environment around them. It's not a fictional video game that shapes them into these horrible things.. It's their parenting, and what they grew up in. If you don't want your child to play this game, don't buy it. And if you do buy it for them, sit down with them and explain to them that what happens in the video game isn't real and that they shouldn't mimic it ever.
But of course blame is easier to give than recieve, isn't it? God bless America.
????Dec 14th 2007 5:58PM
Thank GOD!!!! parents need to stop blaming video games on everything
infact go on youtube to see why video games don't cause violence(there is language,you have been warned)