72 Percent of Adults Support California Game Law - UPDATED

[Speakercone]

I think that more robust enforcement of age ratings is a good thing to work toward provided that such enforcement doesn't penalise developers for producing more mature content.

I also think that people spreading lies and misinformation need my boot in their ass.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11284313


OK EVERYONE SCROLL DOWN TO THE PICTURE OF NOBLE SQUAD AND READ THE CAPTION!!!.

"mastercheif returns for another round of ultraviolence"

misinformation and a glib dismissive in regards to one of gamings most publicly recognised franchise's. doesn't that just drive you mad?! this is how the wider media reports on gaming they dont even bother to check there facts!.

I agree entirely. Fortunately, in picking their target quite poorly, they have shown themselves to be full of shit to the millions who are fully aware that Halo is pretty tame, whether or not they play it. I love it when uppity reporters shoot themselves in the foot

 

[Pandalisk]

If this passes i will actually cry for humanity, the gaming industry and for my lost entertainment.

If the unthinkable happens and this passes...What do we do?

 

[Andy Chalk]

If it came to keeping adults from buying games, let's be honest, that would never happen.

You, and everyone else out there who thinks it won't affect them because they're of legal age, aren't really thinking the matter through. It can affect you and it will affect you. Going to the counter at Walmart and proclaiming that you're 18 doesn't mean much if Walmart isn't carrying any games rated higher than T because it doesn't need the legal hassles that would result from accidentally selling an M-rated game to a 16-year-old. Nor is it going to do you much good when major game studios start toning down their releases because - surprise! - big retailers like Walmart and Target won't carry M-rated games anymore and without those sales channels, there's no way to make any money.

And I don't even want to imagine what sort of laws will follow a SCOTUS decision that videogames aren't a form of artistic expression, but should instead be considered a controlled substance.

Believe me, this is not something you want to happen.

 

[FightThePower]

72% of Adults are idiots.

 

[Keava]

Ah. I love polls. It's why i studied sociology in the first place and we had statistics for the whole first year. See, that's one of a smart polls that's aimed purely on propaganda effect. When you are faced with a question that goes "Should 12 year old kids have access to ultraviolent games?" it's obvious majority will answer "Hell no!".

The poll says nothing about how people feel about that given, specific law, it's out of context, provides no information about implications and is just simply biased. That's what polls are about anyway in most cases.

I don't know your local American laws tho, but at least in Poland, if a person below the legal age buys any 'expensive' (as in anything more expensive than food, sweets, etc.) product by themselves that product may be returned to the shop by the legal guardian, and the shop is inclined to return money unless they want to face charges.
For a society built around civic rights you sure have a messed legal system that seems to mostly do everything to limit your choices in the name of freedom.

 

[XJ-0461]

What the fuck?

Well, first of all, I believe there may be a strong bias agaisnt games in a survey carried out by people called "Common Sense Media", so whether these figures are representational or not is up for debate.

Secondly, games aren't just kid's toys. Like I said in my blog recently; games are a medium like film or literature, not simple child's play things. Like there is a distinction between movies for kids and movies for adults, there are games for kids and games for adults.

Finally, it isn't up for the government or the entertainment industry to stop kids from being exposed to massive amounts of violence, it's the parent's responsibility. I know loads of people have said that, but it really is the truth.

 

[Ken Sapp]

snip

snip

Actually... If games are viewed as having some sort of artistic, eductional or political value, then you don't have to worry about offence material.

The actual law that we're talking about is the law to "Ban minors from buying violent videogames". Most likely this will entail people following the ESRB to find out what kids can and cannot buy. Note, this is MINORS.
And I'm not saying I want this law enforced, but honestly if a 14 year old walks into a gamestop and tries to buy Silent Hill, you'd better believe I'd want someone would card him.

If it came to keeping adults from buying games, let's be honest, that would never happen. The video game induustry is the most profitable industry out there and trying to stop their unoffensive creation would be like trying to stop people from making porn. IT WON'T HAPPEN.

The problem is that once you place a law to regulate the sale you also have to introduce a governmental regulatory and rating body. And the government has a poor record of doing what is actually in the best interest of the public it supposedly represents. Isn't it Australia that has a law that completely bars the sale of any game without a rating? We could easily expect to see a similar law here in conjunction with the "Ban sales of Mature games to Minors" law if it isn't already in the wording of the law regarding minors. The government is then able to easily block the sale of any game containing "objectionable material" by failing or refusing to rate the game.

 

[Cid Silverwing]

I have my violent moments (to myself) but even I support not selling ultraviolent games to minors, much less anything ultraviolent at all.

But this poll just proves more and more parents are growing irresponsible.

 

[VanityGirl]

Doesn't effect me. Yay adulthood!

Yes, it does.

The law operates on the miller test. The miller test is, basically, finding a random person and asking them if the material offends them, is pornographic by their definition, and lacks any value. Which means any and every game could potentially be removed from every shelf.

Actually... If games are viewed as having some sort of artistic, eductional or political value, then you don't have to worry about offence material.

The actual law that we're talking about is the law to "Ban minors from buying violent videogames". Most likely this will entail people following the ESRB to find out what kids can and cannot buy. Note, this is MINORS.
And I'm not saying I want this law enforced, but honestly if a 14 year old walks into a gamestop and tries to buy Silent Hill, you'd better believe I'd want someone would card him.

If it came to keeping adults from buying games, let's be honest, that would never happen. The video game induustry is the most profitable industry out there and trying to stop their unoffensive creation would be like trying to stop people from making porn. IT WON'T HAPPEN.

Ever since the MPAA was established, pretty much all big budget movies shoot for a PG-13 rating, because teenagers are the largest spending demographic of entertainment products.

The miller test goes above and beyond the relatively reasonable (if slightly moronic) restrictions of the PG-13 rating. The biggest problem being, once someone says, "yes, it offends me," they're going to say 'yes' to the following questions.

So, if this law passes, all the big publishers stop making M rated games. They likely won't be able to get away with T, either. As those are still likely to trip the miller test.

Also, it is illegal to ship obscene materials via interstate means. The qualification of "obscene?" You guessed it, the miller test. Which means it is illegal to ship pornography or any product intended for a purely sexual purpose through the USPS, UPS, or FEDex. Brown paper packaging dances around this law, but if you ordered something pornographic from a country that doesn't have this law or is aware of the US's law, you go to jail, directly to jail, do not pass GO. This law also, technically, makes internet pornography illegal. But network neutrality sidesteps that.

Ok, first off I know what a Miller Test is... however.

The biggest flaw in what you're saying is that the main age for gamers is 25 - 40 year olds. Believe it or not, that is the age.

So therefore, based on your argument, publishers don't HAVE to make games for kids. Games are not movies. Also, the Miller Test will be blow out of the water if games are viewed as an art. You can not prohibit art. Art is allowed to be obscene.

Honestly, we're both right. I understand what you're saying.

 

[spectrenihlus]

You sicken me SF and LA.

 

[VanityGirl]

If it came to keeping adults from buying games, let's be honest, that would never happen.

You, and everyone else out there who thinks it won't affect them because they're of legal age, aren't really thinking the matter through. It can affect you and it will affect you. Going to the counter at Walmart and proclaiming that you're 18 doesn't mean much if Walmart isn't carrying any games rated higher than T because it doesn't need the legal hassles that would result from accidentally selling an M-rated game to a 16-year-old. Nor is it going to do you much good when major game studios start toning down their releases because - surprise! - big retailers like Walmart and Target won't carry M-rated games anymore and without those sales channels, there's no way to make any money.

And I don't even want to imagine what sort of laws will follow a SCOTUS decision that videogames aren't a form of artistic expression, but should instead be considered a controlled substance.

Believe me, this is not something you want to happen.

You're right, but as I said before, it's not something I want to happen.
And why would Wal-Mart not carry a M for Mature game? As I said before the highest demographic of gamers are age 25-40.
I'm not saying I want this to happen and my first bit about "Yay adulthood" was a joke. Sheesh.

 

[orangeapples]

My mom says that these parents are too worried about being "cool parents" rather than "good parents."

"good parents" end up being the cool parents.
"cool parents" end up being the bad ones.

and people today don't know how to think anymore. If they say something and NO ONE agrees, they don't take that information and process it as being wrong, but rather they will keep saying it until some other idiot comes along and agrees. Now we have two idiots to try to ignore, and this the US the size it is, we easily get over a million idiots who don't know how to admit they are wrong.

also parents need to learn what the ESRB is for. as a former Gamestop Game Advisor, Parents just don't care because they want video games to raise their children. Unfortunately they equate games to toys and believe that all video games are toys. there are realistic army people on the cover, there is a man carrying a gun on the cover, there is a half-naked girl on the cover, Its called Grand Theft Auto. No shit these games are not appropriate for children, then you have the balls to come back and complain after we warned you of the content at least twice and even offered it used in case you didn't like it? And I have to apologize for it? Well here's you store credit retard. Luckily for me I was only seasonal and could get away with sarcasm. Unfortunately some parents don't understand sarcasm. "Well I'm sorry you didn't enjoy the super ultra-violent game you bought for your child." "And you should be." Because somewhere in that whole process I did something wrong?

The game industry isn't doing enough? Gamestop will fire employees if it is found they willingly sold a M-rated game to someone under 17. What else can they do? not sell the games to parents? Ask parents to fill out a survey if they want to buy an M-rated game? Anything they would try would be too outrageous.

 

[johnsom]

Here's a more appropriate miller test. If your child is an impulsive bratty twat don't buy them a murder simulator.

 

[Zanaxal]

But cigarrettes, Cough cyrup, Spray canisters, Glue, Lighterfluid, The Entire Internett? are still a free for all so why would trouble children need video games.

Teens, Yes you are suppost to make pictures with this.

I'm glad my country is starting with some Web education to minors.

 

[manythings]

Depends are you going to start posting about how awesome halo is and pwning? If not you can stay... For now (Shakes fist)

Well Halo is awsome but I have never used the word pwning online.
Because I dont have it.
Also I hate stupid parents.

Who doesn't?

 

[darkmushroomm]

2100 is not substantial enough to be a trustworthy survey, since there about 300 million people in the US.