TecnaDigit writes "Today, after sitting on the bill for nearly a month and constant political pressure, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Assembly Bill 1179, the bill that would prohibit the sale and rentals of violent video games to minors. Again, the Entertainment Software Ratings Board and the Video Software Dealers Association (VSDA) are challenging the bill. According the the VSDA, the bill is faulty in that a game is decided whether or not it is 'violent' by juries, and different juries could have different opinions on what is defined as 'violent'." Commentary on GamerGod. California Passes Violent Games Bill Log in/Create an Account | Top | 272 comments | Search Discussion Display Options Threshold: -1: 272 comments 0: 265 comments 1: 196 comments 2: 132 comments 3: 43 comments 4: 28 comments 5: 19 comments Flat Nested No Comments Threaded Oldest First Newest First Highest Scores First Oldest First (Ignore Threads) Newest First (Ignore Threads) The Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way. Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity (Score:5, Insightful) by technoextreme (885694) on Sunday October 09, @01:48PM (#13751274) Let the parents decide what is too violent and what isn't and be done with the whole thing. If parents cared then we would not be in this whole entire mess. [ Reply to This Re:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity (Score:5, Insightful) by Coneasfast (690509) on Sunday October 09, @01:51PM (#13751287) Let the parents decide what is too violent and what isn't and be done with the whole thing. If parents cared then we would not be in this whole entire mess.what mess are we in? are we still assuming that violent video games lead to violent behaviour in real-life? we've been over this argument a dozen times. [ Reply to This | ParentRe:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by technoextreme (Score:3)Sunday October 09, @01:53PM Re:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity (Score:5, Funny) by Meagermanx (768421) on Sunday October 09, @02:12PM (#13751382) Have you seen this Mario dude? He kills these little mushrooms and turtles by smashing them with punches, kicks, and landing on their heads. He hits stuff with hammers and burns his enemies with the fireballs he throws.The game is also racist. ALL Goombas are evil, ALL koopas are evil, and ALL of bowsers children are automatically evil. What happened to judging people on the content of their character? Is this the kind of game you would want your 12 year old playing? Are we going to let some punk kid deal this to our children from orders handed down from an evil corporation called "EBGames", it's true intentions hidden behind a veil of technical legality? Gentlemen, I propose a witch hunt. [ Reply to This | Parent Re:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity (Score:5, Funny) by Shakrai (717556) <tchaika@gmail.com> on Sunday October 09, @02:53PM (#13751575) (Last Journal: Monday September 19, @10:39AM) Have you seen this Mario dude? He kills these little mushrooms At least he's on the right side in the War on Drugs.... [ Reply to This | Parent Re:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity (Score:5, Funny) by Genevish (93570) on Sunday October 09, @02:57PM (#13751597) (http://www.genevish.org/) At least he's on the right side in the War on Drugs.... Not true. He also eats the "magic mushrooms" which give him "special powers". Druggie... [ Reply to This | Parent Re:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity (Score:5, Funny) by Shakrai (717556) <tchaika@gmail.com> on Sunday October 09, @03:00PM (#13751606) (Last Journal: Monday September 19, @10:39AM) Like I said, he's on the right side in the War on Drugs ;) [ Reply to This | ParentRe:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by raoul666 (Score:1)Sunday October 09, @08:42PMRe:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by hazah (Score:1)Sunday October 09, @09:59PM1 reply beneath your current threshold.Re:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by c00lant (Score:1)Sunday October 09, @02:58PMRe:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by Lehk228 (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @07:20PMRe:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by lemaymd (Score:1)Sunday October 09, @09:55PMRe:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by hazah (Score:1)Sunday October 09, @10:23PM2 replies beneath your current threshold.Re:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by rdoger6424 (Score:1)Sunday October 09, @02:49PMRe:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by Mozk (Score:1)Sunday October 09, @02:56PMRe:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by keraneuology (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @02:13PM Re:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity (Score:5, Interesting) by Shakrai (717556) <tchaika@gmail.com> on Sunday October 09, @02:47PM (#13751551) (Last Journal: Monday September 19, @10:39AM) People who oppose this bill are anti-family That's one of the nice buzzwords used by Republicans and the religous right to discredit people in debates, but WTF does it mean? How can somebody be "anti-family"? Does that mean you wish for divorce? Spousal abuse? I hate that fucking term and it needs to get it's own Goodwin's Law. this has nothing to do with the sale of these types of games but with the right of parents to control what comes into their homes. If a parent sees nothing wrong with the game they can buy it, end of discussion. People who oppose this bill are the types who gripe when movie theaters card for an R rated movie And parents need a law to control what comes into their home? How are the kids going to buy it unless the parents give them money? And what happens exactly if they do buy it and the parents don't approve? They can't take the damn thing away? That's what my parents would have done -- no laws required.And I am one of those people who complains when I get carded for an R-rated movie and I refuse to show my ID. If they refuse to let me in (hasn't happened yet) then I'm going to get a refund of my money. As an adult I think I've earned the right to enjoy a movie without being carded. Besides which, this type of nanny state attitude leads to some pretty ridiculous occurrences -- like when I got carded at Wally-World for buying "Peacemaker", but not for buying beer the next day. This bill has nothing to do with the games but seeks to reinforce the concept of parental control. Period. My parents managed to have control without needing the state to enforce it for them. This bill has nothing to do with parental control and everything to do with the culture war and grandstanding politicians looking to impress people. Period. [ Reply to This | Parent Re:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity (Score:4, Interesting) by Vitriol+Angst (458300) on Sunday October 09, @05:03PM (#13752355) Wait, is this Arnold Swarzennegar we are talking too?Unless he repents all his movies -- which were mostly aimed at the same kids this bill is designed to "protect" -- isn't there a mental disconnect?I saw "Collateral Damage" -- and it was "sorta fun". But this violence filled fantasy has nothing practical about solving societies ills, other than the timeless virtue of killing a few innocent bystanders as long as you "get the bad guy".Anyway, I'll agree with everyone saying "parents" .... but we can't control everything a kid comes in contact with. The current games are labelled (which just means they sell better). But I just look back on how violent people were before TV and video games and have to wonder why the world wasn't cured of all evil back then.If people really want to reduce violence, then they'd be better off improving kids diets in the schools. Perhaps giving courses on conflict resolution. And, paradoxically, martial arts or fight training. People who feel threatened, angry, or weak will get more violent. I don't see how a video game would change this other than in the most empty life. [ Reply to This | Parent Re:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity (Score:4, Insightful) by keraneuology (760918) on Sunday October 09, @05:41PM (#13752576) (Last Journal: Tuesday September 20, @07:48PM) How can somebody be "anti-family"? By undermining the concept that the parents are responsible for their children and what comes into their homes.And parents need a law to control what comes into their home? When merchants will sell anything to anybody, yes, they do. The government can't do anything about parents who give sips of wine to their kids at dinner but it can certainly prevent merchants from selling merlot to a nine year old. This law lets parents do what the parents want with their kid and seeks to ensure that the decision remains with them.How are the kids going to buy it unless the parents give them money? Um... maybe the kid has a job? A paper route? Mows lawns and shovels snow and is paid in cash? Perhaps the kid tutors other kids on the side? Maybe sells hacking services to a foreign government? You were kidding when you suggested that the only source of money for a 15 year old is his parents, right?My parents managed to have control without needing the state to enforce it for them. What was the equivalent of GTA:SA that your parents needed to worry about being brought into the home?This bill has nothing to do with parental control This bill has everything to do with parental control... please reconsider: a law that says that shopkeepers aren't allowed to sell things to minors that their parents don't want them to have certainly doesn't do much for anybody else... [ Reply to This | ParentRe:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by Shakrai (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @06:52PMRe:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by keraneuology (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @07:06PMRe:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by slothman32 (Score:2)Monday October 10, @12:18AM3 replies beneath your current threshold.Re:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by tyrione (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @08:04PMRe:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by Sigma 7 (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @10:02PMSubjectivity by any other name... by Penguinoflight (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @10:20PM2 replies beneath your current threshold.Re:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by Cruxus (Score:1)Sunday October 09, @11:43PM1 reply beneath your current threshold.Re:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by mclaincausey (Score:1)Sunday October 09, @05:55PMRe:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by syousef (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @08:31PMRe:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by keraneuology (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @08:59PMRe:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by drsmithy (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @09:13PMRe:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by KDR_11k (Score:1)Sunday October 09, @04:00PMRe:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by KDR_11k (Score:1)Sunday October 09, @06:46PM1 reply beneath your current threshold.Re:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by Vitriol+Angst (Score:3)Sunday October 09, @05:16PMRe:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by homeobocks (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @05:26PMRe:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by Vitriol+Angst (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @05:27PMRe:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by keraneuology (Score:1)Sunday October 09, @05:46PMRe:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by keraneuology (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @06:11PMRe:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by keraneuology (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @06:41PM1 reply beneath your current threshold.1 reply beneath your current threshold.Re:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by keraneuology (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @06:21PM1 reply beneath your current threshold.7 replies beneath your current threshold.Re:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by syukton (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @05:24PMRe:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by jinxidoru (Score:1)Monday October 10, @12:18AMRe:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by Steel Grey Monk (Score:1)Sunday October 09, @01:55PM Re:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity (Score:5, Interesting) by Geoffreyerffoeg (729040) on Sunday October 09, @02:03PM (#13751344) If parents cared then we would not be in this whole entire mess.Which is precisely the point. Too many parents don't care. Most of them do, but there is a minority that's way too anarchic with their children. I don't have much of a problem with organized anarchy, but it doesn't really work for raising children.The real solution would be to find the parents that don't..well..parent, turn the kids over to child protecive services and then a loving adoptive family, and castrate the parents. (Hopefully if you catch the parents while the child is young enough, it won't be too traumatic.) And then monitor the child in case the bad parenting is genetic.The very existence of the need for a government agency of child protection is proof that there are parents who don't parent. [ Reply to This | ParentRe:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by technoextreme (Score:1)Sunday October 09, @02:29PMRe:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by rsklnkv (Score:1)Sunday October 09, @08:34PM1 reply beneath your current threshold.Re:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by Shakrai (Score:3)Sunday October 09, @02:10PM Re:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity (Score:5, Insightful) by compjinx (733142) on Sunday October 09, @02:10PM (#13751376) Correct me if I am wrong, but this law simply restricts minors from purchasing/renting "violent" games without their parents' knowledge. This simply forces the parents to get involved. If a parent doesn't think that the game is too violent, then that parent can simply authorize the purchase (ie: purchase it for the child). This law seems to really be made for parents who don't care to get involved with their child; it simply governs the child when the parents fail to. [ Reply to This | ParentThat's what the law is for...sadly. by ari_j (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @02:19PMStates' Rights by Douglas Simmons (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @05:24PMRe:States' Rights by ari_j (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @06:37PMRe:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by bigtrike (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @02:20PMRe:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by Comatose51 (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @02:40PMRe:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by linzeal (Score:1)Sunday October 09, @03:21PMRe:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by The_Quinn (Score:1)Sunday October 09, @03:22PMRe:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by tehwebguy (Score:1)Sunday October 09, @04:42PMRe:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by outsider007 (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @05:29PMRe:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by RWerp (Score:3)Sunday October 09, @07:48PMRe:Ackkk I hate freaking subjectivity by scottblascocomposer (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @11:38PM2 replies beneath your current threshold. Why, oh why.... (Score:5, Insightful) by zappepcs (820751) on Sunday October 09, @01:50PM (#13751278) (http://www.asomaworld.net/zinn | Last Journal: Tuesday October 04, @08:28PM) Do we need legislation to set up ratings schemes? Once its rated, selling to minors is illegal already.No matter how much law is enacted, they still won't be able to enforce the law with anything that approaches what people envision. Grandmothers and family members will still buy games and movies for kids when they shouldn't....What a gigantic waste of time and money... pfft! [ Reply to ThisRe:Why, oh why.... by soft_guy (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @01:58PM Re:Why, oh why.... (Score:5, Informative) by NoMercy (105420) on Sunday October 09, @02:29PM (#13751455) In the UK some games are rated by the official censor, notably those with adult content or excessive violence, which get legally binding age marks on them. But yes the ESRB stuff is all voluntary everywhere I believe. [ Reply to This | ParentRe:Why, oh why.... by Frogbert (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @10:03PMRe:Why, oh why.... by rob_squared (Score:2)Monday October 10, @12:29AMRe:Why, oh why.... by JP205 (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @02:34PMRe:Why, oh why.... by jadavis (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @04:59PM1 reply beneath your current threshold. Define irony (Score:5, Insightful) by Pluvius (734915) <ploov@NosPam.charter.net> on Sunday October 09, @01:52PM (#13751288) (Last Journal: Friday October 07, @10:22PM) A man best known for starring in violent movies that mostly appeal to adolescents signs a bill prohibiting the sale of violent video games to adolescents.Rob [ Reply to ThisRe:Define irony by johnjaydk (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @01:58PM1 reply beneath your current threshold. Re:Define irony (Score:5, Funny) by Geoffreyerffoeg (729040) on Sunday October 09, @01:59PM (#13751328) Heh. The Terminator just terminated terminating. [ Reply to This | ParentRe:Define irony by DigiShaman (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @02:41PMRe:Define irony by iDaZe (Score:3)Sunday October 09, @02:04PMRe:Define irony by Pluvius (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @02:07PMHe doesn't deserve a break. by CyricZ (Score:3)Sunday October 09, @02:27PMRe:He doesn't deserve a break. by Anonymous Coward (Score:1)Sunday October 09, @05:06PM1 reply beneath your current threshold.1 reply beneath your current threshold.Re:Define irony by alan_dershowitz (Score:3)Sunday October 09, @02:45PMRe:Define irony by Pluvius (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @03:05PMRe:Define irony by Slow Smurf (Score:1)Sunday October 09, @03:38PMRe:Define irony by alan_dershowitz (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @03:43PMRe:Define irony by Fulcrum of Evil (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @04:05PMRe:Define irony by alan_dershowitz (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @04:24PMRe:Define irony by Fulcrum of Evil (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @04:32PMRe:Define irony by alan_dershowitz (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @04:42PMRe:Define irony by Fulcrum of Evil (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @09:18PMRe:Define irony by poopdeville (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @03:47PMRe:Define irony by jfalcon (Score:1)Monday October 10, @12:29AMRe:Define irony by alan_dershowitz (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @03:51PM1 reply beneath your current threshold.Re:Define irony by syousef (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @08:25PM1 reply beneath your current threshold. Where in the world is Larry Flynt? (Score:1) by beheaderaswp (549877) * on Sunday October 09, @01:55PM (#13751305) How the heck do you define what is too violent?We cannot even define "pornography" in a global sense- except by an ill defined "community standard".CDA on the internet, Patriot Act in the USA, and California on Crack. [ Reply to ThisRe:Where in the world is Larry Flynt? by poopdeville (Score:1)Sunday October 09, @03:54PMRe:Where in the world is Larry Flynt? by Trinn (Score:1)Sunday October 09, @04:02PMRe:Where in the world is Larry Flynt? by beheaderaswp (Score:1)Sunday October 09, @05:26PMRe:Where in the world is Larry Flynt? by poopdeville (Score:1)Monday October 10, @12:01AM Won't someone think of the children? (Score:4, Insightful) by Raleel (30913) on Sunday October 09, @01:55PM (#13751308) Like, the parents perhaps... [ Reply to This Welcome to the jury system! (Score:5, Funny) by Entropius (188861) on Sunday October 09, @01:55PM (#13751310) They're complaining that juries give inconsistent results?That a jury might rule one way one time, and another way the next?These guys need to start submitting Slashdot stories. They're experts at old news. [ Reply to ThisRe:Welcome to the jury system! by Dachannien (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @02:24PM juries on trial (Score:5, Insightful) by moviepig.com (745183) on Sunday October 09, @01:56PM (#13751313) (http://www.moviepig.com/) According to the VSDA, [a game's violence] is decided] by juries, and different juries could have different opinions on what is defined as 'violent'.Indeed. Although we routinely use juries to decide matters of actual life or death, using them to judge video-game violence is beyond their competence... [ Reply to ThisRe:juries on trial by RexRhino (Score:3)Sunday October 09, @02:38PMRe:juries on trial by Galvatron (Score:3)Sunday October 09, @02:53PMRe:juries on trial by hunterx11 (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @03:24PMRe:juries on trial by mOdQuArK! (Score:1)Sunday October 09, @06:25PMRe:juries on trial by hunterx11 (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @07:20PMRe:juries on trial by mOdQuArK! (Score:1)Sunday October 09, @08:17PMRe:juries on trial by werewolf1031 (Score:1)Sunday October 09, @03:43PM1 reply beneath your current threshold. I just have to say... (Score:2, Funny) by imboboage0 (876812) on Sunday October 09, @01:56PM (#13751314) (ftp://darkfiles.servebeer.com) H0w wi11 12 y3@r 01ds be 1337 at CS if th3y @r3n'7 @110w3d t0 p14y i7? [ Reply to ThisRe:I just have to say... by PW2 (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @09:30PM1 reply beneath your current threshold. Violent Games... sigh (Score:5, Funny) by Kickboy12 (913888) on Sunday October 09, @01:58PM (#13751318) That's right, violent games make violent people, and Tiger Woods PGA Tour makes professional golfers. [ Reply to ThisRe:Violent Games... sigh by Turn-X Alphonse (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @02:25PMReversal of Cause and Effect by Anonymous Coward (Score:1)Sunday October 09, @03:08PM1 reply beneath your current threshold.Violent media, in year 4xx BC by DrYak (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @06:43PMRe:Violent Games... sigh by StikyPad (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @11:50PMRe:Violent Games... sigh by Bastian (Score:2)Monday October 10, @12:56AM2 replies beneath your current threshold. Last time I checked, (Score:4, Informative) by DJCacophony (832334) <cacophony@syncre ... g minus math_god> on Sunday October 09, @01:58PM (#13751321) (http://www.syncreate.org/) California, along with the rest of the U.S. already has a system like this in place. It's called the ESRB ratings system. M (mature)-rated games can only be sold to people 17 and older, and AO (adults only)-rated games can only be sold to 18 and older. http://www.esrb.org/ [ Reply to ThisRe:Last time I checked, by nekojin (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @02:04PMRe:Last time I checked, by Mnemia (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @03:06PMRe:Last time I checked, by Smauler (Score:1)Sunday October 09, @06:07PMRe:Last time I checked, by KDR_11k (Score:1)Sunday October 09, @06:15PM1 reply beneath your current threshold. Please (Score:1) by isaf (912891) on Sunday October 09, @01:59PM (#13751329) Think of the children. [typepad.com] [ Reply to This Ignorant laws... (Score:4, Insightful) by macshome (818789) on Sunday October 09, @02:00PM (#13751332) (http://www.afp548.com/) I heard Schwarzenegger on the radio and he was saying that when he was an actor he felt that the ratings system kept kids from seeing violent content, and stating that games needed similar ratings.Um? Hello? You mean like the ratings system they have now? The one that is more granular that the MPAA system? With movies I get a general "R" rating. WIth games I get a breakdown of what that "M" is for, similar to the TV ratings system.So do the people who come up with this stuff simply not realize that there has been a game content rating system in place for YEARS now? If not, that's just woefully ignorant. [ Reply to ThisRe:Ignorant laws... by Bri3D (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @07:14PMRe:Ignorant laws... by macshome (Score:1)Sunday October 09, @07:38PM Ratings=good (Score:2, Insightful) by heiders (811021) on Sunday October 09, @02:01PM (#13751337) Since movies are rated for violence, why can't video games be? Movies don't have to make kids more violent to be controlled, but apparently games do. Same for sexual content, if you are going to put it in entertainment, expect it to be controlled.Parents don't want to watch every movie beforehand to see if it is suitable for their child, same goes for games. Rating is perfectly acceptable way to do it.For that matter, why don't people challenge movie ratings? The juries that rate movies are generally quite fair, can the game rating people not be fair? [ Reply to ThisRe:Ratings=good by Compenguin (Score:3)Sunday October 09, @02:33PMRe:Ratings=good by Zerathdune (Score:3)Sunday October 09, @02:35PMRe:Ratings=good by hunterx11 (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @03:26PM2 replies beneath your current threshold. What about sexuality? (Score:4, Insightful) by Ignorant Aardvark (632408) <cydeweys@ g m a i l.com> on Sunday October 09, @02:01PM (#13751338) (http://fyre.sytes.net:8007/ | Last Journal: Tuesday April 06, @01:42PM) Does this bill only mention it being violent games that cannot be sold to minors? What about sexuality? If it doesn't mention sex - hooray! Finally a law that realizes that violence is worse than a normal human activity! [ Reply to ThisRe:What about sexuality? by Ignorant Aardvark (Score:2)Sunday October 09, @02:11PM1 reply