Parents Television Council Calls Game Industry "Thugs" and "Bullies"

[Arachon]

The sad truth is: they are. This is either because 20, 40, and 60 years ago, the dumb ones died of at work accidents, or they have been allowed to procreate, causing there to be more stupid people out there.

Pray do tell, where did you get that information from?

Also:

"A societal intelligence, as a whole, is difficult to quantify given the uncertain definition of intelligence, and by extension, is impossible to argue either for or against."
-NewClassic [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/profiles/view/NewClassic]

 

[Senaro]

I don't see what the big deal is. Stores ALREADY restrict the sales of games to minors, which is what the ESRB is for in the first place. The only way I could see this really being a problem is if it banned the sale of ALL video games to minors, not just the ones that they're already unable to buy.

I was asking this question a lot at first. I think that part of the proposal is to redefine what is "appropriate" for children, and to put that redefinition in the hands of government agencies far removed from the industry (as opposed to ESRB), which is a big problem. Another part is to step up the punishment for breaking the law (as in, having a punishment at all). Companies that restrict game sales to minors do so of their own free will, and it's not perfect anywhere; "M" games still get into kids' hands. If it were suddenly law -- and the fines involved are nothing to sneeze at -- stores might find it more economical to just stop carrying "mature" (as now defined by the government) titles. Finally, if this law goes through, it would be a horrible precedent. If games are different from movies and books, we could start seeing restrictions that we never even considered, like laws restricting playing games around children, or even just having them out where kids can get them. See the extra credits video about it: we don't want games being treated like "controlled substances or soft-core porn."

I'd be happy to have someone elaborate on this for me however. I'm not particularly versed on the negative effects it would have on the industry.

I haven't missed an Extra Credits yet, I love that spot. Thanks for your input on this. It would be a serious problem if they decide to take the law even farther. If they make the first step, what's to stop them from taking the second, right?

As far as companies actually being punished for selling games to minors goes, I would see no problem with that part in particular. M-rated games simply shouldn't be sold to them, and every gaming store I've been in so far has upheld that rule. The Gamestops around here card everyone who looks like they might possibly be a teenager whenever you try to buy an M-rated game, so I don't see how that part would change anything at all, besides getting a few bad eggs to start doing their jobs properly.

I'm not siding with one or the other full-fledged, but I can definitely see how this first law can act as a stepping stone to some oppressive things, which would be horrible.

 

[RatRace123]

The PTC are a bunch of knee-jerk morons that want all media to be "safe tor children".
And most of the time, they have no idea what they're talking about... Case in point.

Hell, they complained about Jesus dying in The Passion of the Christ.
They don't know what the hell they talk about!

 

[Malyc]

The sad truth is: they are. This is either because 20, 40, and 60 years ago, the dumb ones died of at work accidents, or they have been allowed to procreate, causing there to be more stupid people out there.

Pray do tell, where did you get that information from?

Also:

"A societal intelligence, as a whole, is difficult to quantify given the uncertain definition of intelligence, and by extension, is impossible to argue either for or against."
-NewClassic [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/profiles/view/NewClassic]

It is my personal belief that common sense has been bred out of the human race. How else can you explain the number of Darwin Awards?

 

[Andy Chalk]

I don't think most people really seem to understand what the law actually does.

Actually, I don't think you understand what this law really does. What it does is deny First Amendment protections to the entire medium of videogames, rather than just to those games that already fall within the exceptions already defined by the US constitution. And if you don't think that could have a huge impact on the future of the industry, and on the games that are available to you as a consumer, you're just not thinking.

While you're at it, ask yourself this: California isn't trying to regulate the entire magazine industry based on the existence of Hustler, so why is it going after games?

 

[Whichi]

The sad truth is: they are. This is either because 20, 40, and 60 years ago, the dumb ones died of at work accidents, or they have been allowed to procreate, causing there to be more stupid people out there.

Pray do tell, where did you get that information from?

Also:

"A societal intelligence, as a whole, is difficult to quantify given the uncertain definition of intelligence, and by extension, is impossible to argue either for or against."
-NewClassic [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/profiles/view/NewClassic]

It is my personal belief that common sense has been bred out of the human race. How else can you explain the number of Darwin Awards?

Or as a lot of we Jarheads/Marines would typicaly say "Common Sense is an Uncommon Virtue"

 

[Arachon]

It is my personal belief that common sense has been bred out of the human race. How else can you explain the number of Darwin Awards?

Well, then I can only say that I disagree.

 

[AnAngryMoose]

This is starting to feel distressingly similar to several dystopian scifis I've been reading lately....

Either that or the USSR. Next thing you know the phones will be tapped.

Lol. Where have you been for the last nine years? The phones are already tapped. Does the term "Patriot Act" ring any bells? Cuz it should.

Not a US citizen. Just pokin' fun is all.

 

[Soushi]

I just love circular arguments, don't you?
"You are bullies and thugs if you stand up for yourself when we call you bullies and thugs."
I really hate to go about proving thier point, but the only hting i can say to the junk they are spewing, is that i can think of a few people who could benefit from an afternoon or two of electroshock therapy.

 

[ProtoChimp]

What the f**k are they talking about (does censoring myself prove a point? Ah, whatever).

What is it with parents anyway?

Does cranking out a child automatically instil a person with a zealous desire to rid the world of anything that might threaten the purity of their little darling?

Well they want to protect the child, obviously. However some think that protecting a child from bumping their knees calls for a suit of armour and the worlds most advanced forcefield technology.

OT:
This law will not pass. The opposition is massive and the last thing Schwarzenegger should want when he is in debt (He in particular due to less taxes being paid and more money being spent in education. Budget Derp) is the restriction of an entire industry.

"The PTC urges its members to stand up to the billionaire game companies that profit from selling sex and violence to children."

There are BIG labels on the game saying whatever the age rating is there. It's not hard. Also, when was the last time a game actually sold us sex? I'm talking detail and full frontal nudity here.

Calumon: Why would it be Hate Mail if I sent it with hearts on my letter?

Oh Calumon, I hope you stay that innocent forever.

This does actually seem like it will go through though. At first I thought I was being paranoid, but when you realise that a lot of people are going "LALALALALA I CANT HEAR YOU LALALALALA VIDEO GAMES ARE EVIL LALALALALA" I am genuinly scared this will go through through, there is a lot of support for this ban thing.

 

[Rofl-Mayo]

Once again, another stupid campaign about another stupid problem that doesn't even exist until they make it one.

 

[DayDark]

These people are so rage inducing it almost unbearable.

 

[andynater890]

Wel well well, it seems the anti-fun brigade and all their little 'concerned' friends have found their way into a court room and won the hearts of the gullible masses, most of whom have neither touched a video game nor the reproductive organs of the opposite sex.

 

[DayDark]

All this bullshit because some parents couldn't do something as simple as READ THE AGE RATING ON THE BOX

Not only that, the games industry self regulates itself better than movies and such. Like with parental locks integrated within the damn console.

This. So. Fucking. Much!

Any good parent engage in the basic knowledge of their kids hobby. If ANY of these people showed ANY interest in their childs hobby of choice, stuff like this would never happen. The whole thing is pathetic beyond belief, the ability to regulate your child's gaming experience is IT'S RIGHT UNDER THEIR FREAKING NOSES! You can even regulate the time the xbox should be available for gaming! Don't want your kids gaming after 9pm? Done.

%&#&%¤! *desolves into raging goo*

 

[DarkPanda XIII]

Well, at least they didn't call the Industry Hooligans, then they'd have to dress up with semi-macho clothes, drivers hats (or top hats) carrying baseball bats and going to bars in London >:3

 

[Jabberwock xeno]

Yeah, I'M gonna act like a thing and bully if this kind of utter stupidity doesn't stop...

 

[hngryGenghis]

They ought to hire Genghis Khan to take care of these bullies. I was the greatest defender of nerds back in my day in the schoolyards of Mongolia. I'd teach these cyberbullies (and real life ones) a thing or two. Hahahaha!

 

[mr_rubino]

Conservatives: For smaller government unless it can be used to destroy something that requires them to exercise good judgment or personal responsibility.