New York Passes Video Game Legislation
While all you guys are out having a GayGamer time in New York, know this: if you sell a mature rated video game to a minor, the law wants you, and wants you bad.
That's right, New York has recently passed legislation regarding video game sales, ratings, and violence in games. Introduced by Senator Andrew Lanza on May 18th, the bill requires the visible placement of a rating on any video game, as well as making it illegal to sell maturely rated games to minors. This is quite similar to other aspects of the entertainment industry, but New York is also forming an advisory council made up of parents, teachers, psychologists, child welfare workers and those within in the game industry to monitor the efficacy of the rating system. Funding will come from the fines that result in selling said games to minors.
Sounds a little bit like the Tipper Gore madness launched against risque popular music in the 90s. It will also be interesting to see if the so-called "advisory council" is at all useful. I suspect other states will follow NY's example as well, as a reactive witch hunt is continually called against video games as the scapegoat for violence that occurs among youths and in places of learning. Things will get worse before they get better, people. Video games are an easier target than elements of society itself, as they are filled with obvious examples of violence. Sigh.
For the full NY Senate press release, follow the jump.
New York Senate Passes Video Game Legislation [Destructoid]
[via Kotaku]
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Monday, May 21, 2007 http://www.senate.state.ny.usSENATE PASSES LEGISLATION TO CRACK DOWN ON VIDEO GAME VIOLENCE
Bill Would Establish Advisory Council On Interactive Media and Youth ViolenceThe New York State Senate today passed legislation, sponsored by Senator Andrew Lanza (R-I, Staten Island), that would take steps to crack down on video game violence, and combat and reduce children's exposure to violent and inappropriate materials within these games.
The bill (S.5888) would establish the Advisory Council on Interactive Media and Youth Violence to review the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) rating system and its effectiveness, and recommend additional steps that can be taken to curb children's access and exposure to such "adult-only" material. The advisory council would consist of nine members and six ex-officio members.
The bill would also require New York State's retailers to place ratings labels on all video games, and establish a Parent-Teacher Anti-Violence Awareness Program to work with students and children on issues related to violence in video games and seek to increase awareness of the ratings system on games.
"The recent release of 'V-Tech Massacre,' a sick game which exploits the Virginia Tech University tragedy, is a painful reminder of the culture of violence which has severe consequences on our youth and society," said Senator Lanza, Chairman of the Senate Task Force on Youth Violence and the Entertainment Industry. "The emotions and behaviors of our children are far too often shaped by the virtual reality of violent movies and video games. It is imperative that we find a way to prevent these virtual realities from continuing to fuel and teach the violent behavior which is corrupting our youth. My bill will provide parents with important information about violent video games so they are better able to make informed decisions."
"Everywhere we look, violence surrounds us and it is unfortunate that our children are exposed to this explicit material, whether found in video games, movies or on television," said Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno. "Our children our spending too much time watching television and playing video games without any adult supervision, and we cannot sit back and allow them to be exposed to this senseless violence anymore. I applaud Senator Lanza for his leadership and we will continue to push the Assembly to take action against these issues."
"No child should be playing 'games' that involve mutilating people with chain saws, having sex with prostitutes, or dealing drugs," said Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C, Brooklyn), Chairman of the Senate Critical Choices Task Force. "This hyper-violent material is mind-boggling in its brutality, and our kids should simply not be exposed to it. These commonsense proposals will better inform and empower parents throughout our State, while also helping to prevent our kids from gaining access to these video games."
Currently, video games are rated "E" for everyone, "T" for teens, "M" for mature, and "AO" for adults only. A study by a group of Harvard University researchers published in 2004 reviewed a random sample of 81 "T" rated video games and found that 48 percent contained violence, sexual themes, substance use, gambling, or profanity that was not noted on the game box as it should have been. In addition, a recent study published in Applied Developmental Psychology found that only twenty-five percent of parents surveyed said that they "always" check the industry rating of computer and/or video games before renting or buying them.
This legislation would establish the following:> Advisory Council on Interactive Media and Youth Violence -- would establish a new Advisory Council on Media, Entertainment Software and Youth Violence, which will review and make recommendations on the effectiveness of the current Entertainment Software Ratings Boards (ESRB) ratings system in keeping violent video games out of the hands of youth. The panel, which will include parents, educators, experts in child psychology, child welfare advocates, concerned citizens and industry representatives, will also develop policies relating to public education and advocacy against youth violence, examine efforts being undertaken in other states, and develop recommendations for additional ways of regulating the exposure of youth to these games.
> Rating System Labeling Requirement -- under current State law, there is no requirement that retailers place labels on video games sold in New York. To address this shortcoming, would establish a new requirement that every video game sold in New York by a retailer or over the Internet, whether new or for resale, must have a clearly displayed rating indication on the game cover or elsewhere (such as on a website). Individuals who violate these provisions will face fines and penalties.
> Parent-Teacher Anti-Violence Awareness Program -- would also establish a new Parent-Teacher Anti-Violence Awareness Program, which will empower parents and teachers to work with students and children on issues related to violence in video games. The program will also seek to increase awareness of the ratings system on games, and the importance of appropriate parental supervision. The Anti-Violence Program would be funded through fines on retailers who violate the new labeling law.
The bill was sent to the Assembly.
Pirate Prince
Posted to Hot Stuff on 22 May 2007
· Comments (3)
Other stuff like this: controversial, legislation, new york senate, video game ratings, violence
Personally, I don't think having legislation is necessarily a bad thing, as long as it doesn't end in censorship or banninating.
Half the time when you walk into a game store or any other store that sells M-rated games, you're going to see kids walking out with copies of Murder Simulator 8: Time for Rape (for example). Some places that I've been to are pretty good about that stuff, but honestly, it should be up to the parent, not the kid. If some dumbat mom wants to buy her 8-year-old that game, she can... But for the kid to be able to just walk in and end up exposed to that stuff without any kind of guidance...
It's sad to live in a society where something like this is needed, but honestly, isn't it?
We don't need the gov't to control one more thing in this country. This is pathetic and just an example of people with WAY too much time on their hands. Why don't they put some effort into helping save this planet instead of trying to save everyones children. How sad. I love the fact that most likely...these kids will still turn out rotten and then who will they blame.
Until American parent's aren't stupid enough to buy grossly inappropriate content for their kids, there's no real use for a restriction on minors buying it anyway.
We have it in Australia, and it would work well if it wasn't for stupid Bogun Parents telling the retailer that little jimmy can get what he wants - usual reply is 'theres nothing they haven't already seen on tv' - like wtf, develop some parenting skills.
The way it doesn't work is when mature adults cannot buy the content that they'd like to because the OFLC has decided that games are for kids and there is no place for R18+ rating. This even after they've brought in rating guidelines across the board to bring film and games in line with one another. (Inline as long as it's not mature content - because you know.. I have to reiterate again.. games are just for kids) ;)