Fri 04 Jul 2008

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Congress floats video games enforcement act

Repeat offenders

THE US CONGRESS is so concerned about the effect of violent video games on kiddies that it has decided to bring in a tough new law to make it more difficult for such dangerous gear fall into their little paws.

The Bipartisan Video Game Ratings Enforcement Act requires retailers to post AO- and M-rated game descriptions and the check IDs of purchasers

Kids attempting to buy video games bearing M (mature) or AO (adults only) ratings will have to show some ID first.

The law, proposed just as the two main political parties step up into election mode, claims that it will help parents protect their children.

However, what no one has noticed is that the law would bring about exactly the status quo that already exists for kids buying such games.

There are bucket loads of voluntary guidelines that the industry uses. Wal-Mart has programmed its cash registers to tell check-out staff to check the age of the customer when M-rated games are scanned. GameStop also wants ID checks before selling games.

The Federal Trade Commission recently found that the number of cases of stores selling M-rated video games to teens has plummeted since 2000.

The other problem for Congress is that courts have a nasty habit of overturning laws like this. µ

L'Inq
Gamespot

Comments

Enforecements

So now teens that are under the age to purchase games will have to get their parents to buy them those games or order online.

Additionally older brothers & older friends will be able to get the games for them.

If they cannot prevent alcohol getting into the hands of teens, they will definitely not be able to prevent games.

Maybe they need another RPG to take out this fly.
posted by : Someone Special, 14 May 2008

Creepy

A large electronics chain in holland called media-mart also has a sticker that says they won't sell 16+ rated material (games/movies) to under 16 and they will ask for ID if in doubt, and that while the country HAS NO SUCH LAWS that I know of and the labelling is merely advisory.
That's what you get from american "culture" creeping into societies if you aren't damn careful and watchful.
posted by : W.-, 14 May 2008

w is under 16

Perhaps media mart is actually paying attention to medical studies .... and they are playing up to the parents... let your kids come here they won't buy what you don't want them too....

and about being careful about "culture" creeping.... It would help you to have Americas medical culture creep into holland then you wouldn't have to worry about your doctor killing you if he thinks your not worth it.

So please cork the anti-America speech ... each democratic nation has its pros and cons but always blaming America for everything is lame.
posted by : some ppl, 14 May 2008

Taxes and rubbish policy are immortal

Times were a home-remedy such as honey and whiskey was mete for a moppet's nasty cough, but now lands a soccer mom in the hoosgow, if the plod hear of it. Now a poor pity's pence more is required for every piece of freedom nicking technology that comes down the pike. An old subjunctive mood were I was put out. Hard times.
posted by : â‚­arlsbad, 15 May 2008

Censorship and MAFIAA

Reminds me of the "MPAA" rating in the US, or the "FSK" in Germany. If a movie gets an R, X or NO (!) rating by the "MPAA", then it has almost no chance to be shown in a US movie theater. And who controls the "MPAA"? Watch "This Film Is Not Yet Rated".
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0493459/
posted by : Not Rated Yet, 15 May 2008

U.S. Military Makes Video Games

I'm all for the idea of keeping kids from playing games that's rated "M" or "AO".

Why?

Because have you played Alliance on WoW to be pwned by the Veteran players who started playing the Horde because of all the 11 yr olds playing Alliance that are experts at LOSING and screwing your team up?

FINALLY Age of Conan is about to be released with an "M" rating due to violence, language, nudity, and other wholly American high ideals and principles.

Now, I'm aware that it won't completely eliminate the 10-15 yrs olds, but it will certainly cut the numbers down, which means more ADULTS (and THINKING ADULTS) will be playing the game, which means you won't have as many IDIOTS screwing up the whole experience because they are only 10 years old and have yet to develope the brain capacity to understand that you cannot fight 5 PvP players (in PvP gear) by yourself.

With that being said...check out the U.S. Navy's new video game.

http://nte.navy.com/index.jsp
posted by : Rob, 15 May 2008

congress needs to get a clue

Wow ,with all the problems in america you would think the do nothing congress,would have more important things to do.
posted by : mikextx, 15 May 2008

Finally, an accomplishment...

... from the Democrat controlled Houses. They have successfully turned the status quo into law.

Now, THERE is change you can believe in!
posted by : Bill, 15 May 2008

NOT enacted

This bill has merely been proposed, and only last week. It hasn't even been considered yet, nor voted on. In no way is it "enacted."
posted by : GamePolitics, 17 May 2008
IThound
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