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First, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas makes news after some dork hacks the code which re-enables a "hot coffee" sex mini-game, and now the governing bodies from Illinois have decided to try to pass a law to fine retailers who sell "M" rated games to kids under 17.
How many times does the U.S. government have to be reminded that when dealing with entertainment and art, the general public consensus is: "stay the F#CK out of our bedrooms and living rooms!?" It's been said time and time again: one man's filth is another man's art. What offends one, may titilate another. Keep your damn noses out of our private lives, please. And as for the whole "but we have to protect our children" argument, I say B#LLSH!T. We label "dirty" movies and games accordingly. It's up to the parents to filter out what they deem appropriate for their own kids. I don't think the government should raise our children any more than they already do.
Parents, show some responsibility and pay attention to what your own stupid kids are playing and watching. Leave all this censorship to places like Germany, China, and The Middle East. Let's try and at least maintain the illusion that America still cares about its citizens and their own, personal freedom of choice.
First, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas makes news after some dork hacks the code which re-enables a "hot coffee" sex mini-game, and now the governing bodies from Illinois have decided to try to pass a law to fine retailers who sell "M" rated games to kids under 17.
How many times does the U.S. government have to be reminded that when dealing with entertainment and art, the general public consensus is: "stay the F#CK out of our bedrooms and living rooms!?" It's been said time and time again: one man's filth is another man's art. What offends one, may titilate another. Keep your damn noses out of our private lives, please. And as for the whole "but we have to protect our children" argument, I say B#LLSH!T. We label "dirty" movies and games accordingly. It's up to the parents to filter out what they deem appropriate for their own kids. I don't think the government should raise our children any more than they already do.
Parents, show some responsibility and pay attention to what your own stupid kids are playing and watching. Leave all this censorship to places like Germany, China, and The Middle East. Let's try and at least maintain the illusion that America still cares about its citizens and their own, personal freedom of choice.
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Source, IGN.com (http://xbox.ign.com/articles/636/636355p1.html): "July 25, 2005 - Several forces in the videogame industry have filed suit to stop an Illinois bill which imposes strong fines on retailers who sell violent or sexually explicit games to minors. The bill was signed into law today by Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich.
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) is joined by the Video Software Dealers Association and the Illinois Retail Merchants Association in fighting Illinois HB 4023, which provides a $1,000 fine to individuals or retailers who sell mature-themed games to minors. The bill provides definitions of "violent" and "sexually explicit" separate from the ESRB ratings standards already adopted by the industry.
In a statement today, the ESA describes the Illinois law as a threat to First Amendment rights, and points out that similar laws were shot down in St. Louis, Indianapolis,
and Washington State.
"This law will have a chilling effect on free speech. It will limit First Amendment rights not only for Illinois residents, but for game developers and publishers, and for retailers who won't know what games can and cannot be sold or rented under this vague new statute," said ESA president Douglas Lowenstein.
The statement goes on to emphasize that the games industry, via groups such as the ESA and the ESRB rating system, is effectively identifying mature-themed games and preventing their sale to minors.
Of course, the issue of violence and sexuality in videogames is steaming hot right now in the wake of the Grand Theft Auto "hot coffee" scandal and its ensuing controversy. After investigating sexual content meant to be locked in the retail version of the game, the ESRB changed the rating of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas from Mature to Adults Only. The move had many industry critics questioning the effectiveness of the ESRB system.
The ESA points out that both the average game buyer and the average game player are adults, and that only 16% of games sold in 2004 were rated Mature. Given gaming's diverse audience, the ESA feels games should not be treated more harshly than other media, such as movies or music."
Source, IGN.com (http://xbox.ign.com/articles/636/636355p1.html): "July 25, 2005 - Several forces in the videogame industry have filed suit to stop an Illinois bill which imposes strong fines on retailers who sell violent or sexually explicit games to minors. The bill was signed into law today by Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich.
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) is joined by the Video Software Dealers Association and the Illinois Retail Merchants Association in fighting Illinois HB 4023, which provides a $1,000 fine to individuals or retailers who sell mature-themed games to minors. The bill provides definitions of "violent" and "sexually explicit" separate from the ESRB ratings standards already adopted by the industry.
In a statement today, the ESA describes the Illinois law as a threat to First Amendment rights, and points out that similar laws were shot down in St. Louis, Indianapolis,
and Washington State.
"This law will have a chilling effect on free speech. It will limit First Amendment rights not only for Illinois residents, but for game developers and publishers, and for retailers who won't know what games can and cannot be sold or rented under this vague new statute," said ESA president Douglas Lowenstein.
The statement goes on to emphasize that the games industry, via groups such as the ESA and the ESRB rating system, is effectively identifying mature-themed games and preventing their sale to minors.
Of course, the issue of violence and sexuality in videogames is steaming hot right now in the wake of the Grand Theft Auto "hot coffee" scandal and its ensuing controversy. After investigating sexual content meant to be locked in the retail version of the game, the ESRB changed the rating of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas from Mature to Adults Only. The move had many industry critics questioning the effectiveness of the ESRB system.
The ESA points out that both the average game buyer and the average game player are adults, and that only 16% of games sold in 2004 were rated Mature. Given gaming's diverse audience, the ESA feels games should not be treated more harshly than other media, such as movies or music."