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Software ESA Supports Maryland Gaming Law
Michael Hoffman (Blog) - May 25, 2006 6:03 AM
Print 32 comment(s) - last by Xavian.. on May 26 at 8:32 AM
One more state to impose laws on violent video game sales to minors

Robert Ehrlich, Jr., Governor of Maryland, is the latest to support a video game obscenity bill, after he signed HB 707 into state law earlier this month.  The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has been quick to battle most pieces of legislation aimed at trying to limit minors from being able to play "violent" video games.  However, the ESA is supportive of the law that was presented by Wade Kach and Justin Ross in Maryland.  Part of the bill has a stipulation in which adults could face a $5000 fine and up to a year in prison for selling games rated Adults Only to minors.    

First-time offenders of the law could face up to a year of imprisonment and/or a fine up to $1000.  This comes directly on the heels of a bill already in the works for the Louisiana House proposing to institute jail time for serious infractions with regard to selling AO rated games to minors.

In related news, a gaming bill for the state of Oklahoma is moving forward.  HB 3004 would add extra factors into what is considered harmful to minors.  The piece of legislation will even stop parents or guardians from being able to show minors a violent video game.  Stores that offer video games would also not be allowed to have these games on display, unless the bottom part of the game box is covered up.

It is unknown how effective game-related legislation would be in the battle to keep violent video games out of the hands of minors. 

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Unknown
By TomZ on 5/25/2006 6:40:24 AM , Rating: 5
quote:
It is unknown how effective game-related legislation would be in the battle to keep violent video games out of the hands of minors.


Maybe it would be more accurate to say, "Is is unknown how effective game-related legislation would be in the battle to get re-elected."

A government that treats parents like they are children is not a government that respects its citizens. This is a government caught up in election-year politics and pandering to the religious right.




RE: Unknown
By Xavian on 5/25/2006 7:53:05 AM , Rating: 2
here in the UK, the ratings system is quite a bit different, its basically taken directly from our movie ratings system.

18 for 18 or older
15 for 15 or older
12 for 12 or older
PG for Parental Guidance (pretty much its up to the parent if they want their kid to watch this movie)
U for Universal (anyone can see this no matter what)

PG and U and 12 are dropped for the games rating but 15/18 remain. Basically it is against the law in the UK to allow under 18's get 18 rating movies/games and the same for 15 rating. It works well here and i really cant see why it cant be adopted by the US.

ofcourse i realise its a bit different over there, with AO being for 21 (?) or older and Mature for 17+(?) and Teen for 13+(?).


RE: Unknown
By TomZ on 5/25/2006 8:55:08 PM , Rating: 2
In the UK, is this encorced by the force of law, as is proposed in this case? Or is it being handled by the industry?


RE: Unknown
By Xavian on 5/26/2006 8:32:38 AM , Rating: 2
it is by the force of law, the law is enforced by the local authorities in this case, the local police. The classification system is handled completely seperately from the industry, a game or movie is send to BBFC to recieve a rating based on its content. The BBFC is an indipendent body which recieves support from the government.


RE: Unknown
By smitty3268 on 5/25/2006 9:49:58 AM , Rating: 2
More like pandering to soccer moms.


RE: Unknown
By BornStar on 5/25/2006 10:15:57 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
A government that treats parents like they are children is not a government that respects its citizens.


I disagree. This law isn't about treating parents like children; it's about treating children like children. The whole point of this law isn't to stop kids from getting their hands on an AO game, it's to stop the kids from getting their hands on an AO game without their parents knowing about it. If the parent thinks that their kid is responsible enough to handle an AO game, they can go out and pick it up for the kid.


RE: Unknown
By TheWarden on 5/26/2006 1:05:55 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
The whole point of this law isn't to stop kids from getting their hands on an AO game, it's to stop the kids from getting their hands on an AO game without their parents knowing about it. If the parent thinks that their kid is responsible enough to handle an AO game, they can go out and pick it up for the kid.


I think he was talking about the blurb at the end of the article...

quote:
In related news, a gaming bill for the state of Oklahoma is moving forward. HB 3004 would add extra factors into what is considered harmful to minors. The piece of legislation will even stop parents or guardians from being able to show minors a violent video game.


RE: Unknown
By xKelemvor on 5/25/2006 10:21:33 AM , Rating: 3
The problem with many parents is that they act like children. They take no responsibility for raising their kids, they don't care what their kids get into, and they have no common sense that would tell you to not let kids play violent games, not let kids go to R rated movies, not let kids post on myspace.com, etc.

So unfortunately, in today's society, I think we need more laws like this since many parents are too stupid to take care of the problem themselves.


RE: Unknown
By bob661 on 5/25/2006 5:22:20 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
So unfortunately, in today's society, I think we need more laws like this since many parents are too stupid to take care of the problem themselves.
How about some laws that punish these parents instead grouping EVERYONE in the same idiot boat?!


WHat in the hell happened to parents?
By patentman on 5/25/2006 8:24:06 AM , Rating: 2
I love how the U.S. government feels it needs to parent our children. I mean, if parents don;t want their kids tpo play violent games, aren;t they in the best position to put an end to it, and not the federal government.




RE: WHat in the hell happened to parents?
By AlexWade on 5/25/2006 8:34:30 AM , Rating: 2
One of the biggest problem is parents don't know and don't want to know what their kids are playing. And then when their child becomes too violent, all they can say is "I never saw it coming" and sue somebody.

It is sad that our government has to play big daddy because parents refuse too. All of this controversy could end if parents became parents once again.


RE: WHat in the hell happened to parents?
By vortmax on 5/25/2006 8:56:34 AM , Rating: 2
AlexWade hit it the nail on the head perfectly. Whether or not you like the US government's role in our childrens lives, know this...if they weren't 'stepping in', then our kids would be even more out of control then they already are.


By isaacmacdonald on 5/25/2006 10:23:06 AM , Rating: 2
Do you have any evidence for this, or is it just a blind assertion? I know plenty of kids in places like NH -- a state populated by people who abhor and at every turn thwart government intervention (seat belt laws, etc.) -- that are perfectly in control. I think this can be more realistically chalked to political posturing.


RE: WHat in the hell happened to parents?
By Trisped on 5/25/2006 12:52:28 PM , Rating: 2
Most parrents do understand the problem, don't know their child bought the game, or don't care. America is just trying to protect its future.


By epsilonparadox on 5/25/2006 1:15:48 PM , Rating: 2
If parents are so out of touch with their kids, they should put them up for adoption. The govt cannot be the parents for these kids. If you can't handle the responsibility for the task, then don't take it on. The US Govt should be taking care of other issues like being the "world police".


By Targon on 5/25/2006 4:53:03 PM , Rating: 2
Please don't make statements that arn't true. The US government doesn't care about those who live in this country at this point, and these laws are idiotic because they don't address the real problems in the industry.

The real problem is that MOST Americans don't pay attention when violence shows up in a game, but the moment sex is brought in, the idiots out there go crazy. Those in politics follow this, even when it's the violence in games that needs to be addressed.

If a politician wanted to do something RIGHT, they would push for penalties that apply to sales of mature or AO games to those under the listed age, not just AO. AO is generally only assigned to games with sex, not violence, and as a result, these laws do NOTHING to protect children from inappropriate material.


BAH!
By rushfan2006 on 5/25/2006 9:34:12 AM , Rating: 2
Well let's look around our neighborhoods..you'll see what happened to parents. Some people poke fun at the parents of my generation (I'm a 30something)...but I have to hand it to my folks, what they did raising the 7 of us is what REAL parenting is all about. Today, bah...you have half the parents not even mature enough for themselves and they have to raise kids? Kids raising kids. Its sad and pathetic to see a 15 year old mom...she's a damn kid herself..hell even 17 (and my own sister was that young with her first) is kind of young for that responsibility.

Then on the other half these days, parents want to be friends..they want to be "cool"...be "hip". Then because of this lets all be shocked, appalled and amazed at the complete attitude and lack of respect kids have today? I mean is really any wonder?

But everyone's right afterall, god forbid a parent says "NO" to their kid or punishes (in whatever form is appropriate for the offense) their kid....eegats...I'll lose "cool status" with my kid. My dad used to say to use one simple truth "because I'm the parent and your the kid". No parents have balls today, they are all cowards.

It pathetic...so all you folks bitching and moaning about "omg omg the government the government"....stfu....

If folks were decent parents, REAL parents...the world wouldn't be were its at right now. And also, this stuff largely isn't just the government only -- how juvenile is your mode of thinking..you think its just the government 100%? There's interests groups/lobbyists...activists...of guess what regular citizens that push and push and campaign and bug the crap out their congressmen and senators for such laws.

But just sit back, DO NOTHING and feel you can complain about the government...that's rich.




RE: BAH!
By goku on 5/25/2006 10:11:07 AM , Rating: 2
"because I'm the parent and your the kid". While I agree with the majority of your post, that quote just ticks me off. I understand if a parent doesn't want a kid to do something or go somewhere for a reason, but to say 'just cause I'm the parent' really ticks me off.


RE: BAH!
By rushfan2006 on 5/25/2006 10:39:50 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
"because I'm the parent and your the kid". While I agree with the majority of your post, that quote just ticks me off. I understand if a parent doesn't want a kid to do something or go somewhere for a reason, but to say 'just cause I'm the parent' really ticks me off.


Actually, I agree with YOU!. Notice I didn't praise that mind set as being nice. It pissed me off. The point here though is contrasting with the apparent modern day mindset of caving into the child.

I'd be flat out lying to you if I told you my dad never got me steaming mad, I cursed him in my mind some times. But you know -- from the way my parents raised me there was always respect there...getting mad is a human reaction -- today's kids though they don't just get mad, they have no respect so it over flows into disrespectful actions and sometimes violence.


RE: BAH!
By bob661 on 5/25/2006 5:30:42 PM , Rating: 2
Well put rushfan!!! On both of your comments!


LOL..am i the only one thats sees this??
By kattanna on 5/25/2006 10:39:56 AM , Rating: 2
"Part of the bill has a stipulation in which adults could face a $5000 fine and up to a year in prison for selling games rated Adults Only to minors"


LOL OK.... so big deal...

when was the last time you went into a store that was selling video games and it was someone over 18 helping you??

the bill has absolutely no teeth unless they also mandate that only adults can sell AO rated games..like you have to be 21 to be a bartender...

so..without that..the only thing you have to do to get around it is to make sure your employees are under 18..

WOW..that should be hard..

LOL !!!!!!!!





By Dustin25 on 5/25/2006 11:08:45 AM , Rating: 2
Good point


RE: LOL..am i the only one thats sees this??
By Trisped on 5/25/2006 12:58:33 PM , Rating: 2
Read the fine print. AO games. They aren't doing anything about M games that you can buy from Gamestop, Best Buy, and Wal-Mart.

How many AO games have you bought? I only know of 3 from my whole time as a gamer, so they can't be all that popular. And all those AO games were basically porn games (well, GTA was kind of a bit of violence with potential for porn but..).

The way I see it, nothing has changed. We don't sell porn to minors due to its addicting and mental poluting properties. Maryland decided to put a big fine on anyone who doesn't folow the law. Nothing to big there.


By epsilonparadox on 5/25/2006 1:18:48 PM , Rating: 2
But what happens when the govt changes the rating for the games that are currently M to AO. They've changed Oblivion's rating and thats not even a game based in a real world.


Pron
By blwest on 5/25/2006 9:16:46 AM , Rating: 2
Next we'll have all the adult video games in an establishment similar to an adult video/bookstore! This is absurd. We're slowly becoming an elected dictatorship. You can watch this, you can't watch that. These video games are legal, these are not. Currently, in Russia you watch TV, in the US, the TV now watches you. What's next, tell me what I can and can't do on my way to work, where I eat, and how much I can make?

The US isn't about freedom anymore, only the dollar--which is currently eroding in value.

I say screw all these anti-terrorism laws and let people protect themselves. I think I'm going to exercise my right to bear arms very soon. If a terrorist messes with me, I can protect myself and not worry about what the government will do.




RE: BAH!
By seamonkey79 on 5/25/2006 10:29:16 AM , Rating: 3
quote:
"because I'm the parent and your the kid". While I agree with the majority of your post, that quote just ticks me off. I understand if a parent doesn't want a kid to do something or go somewhere for a reason, but to say 'just cause I'm the parent' really ticks me off.


Only because you must still be a kid.

People don't understand that there certainly are things that parents are allowed to do that kids are not allowed to do. Why? Because one is a parent and one is a kid. Kids are to be taught how and what and when to do things. They aren't, at least, not by parents. Why? Because kids get ticked off when they get told they can't do something because they're a kid, so they go and do it anyway, and the parent can't punish because it's against the law.


RE: Pron
By Trisped on 5/25/2006 12:53:35 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Next we'll have all the adult video games in an establishment similar to an adult video/bookstore
AO is sold "in an establishment similar to an adult video/bookstore."


everyone mostly talking about the first part?
By UCanUnwind on 5/25/2006 2:41:10 PM , Rating: 2
There are really two stories in this. But it seems like everyone is mostly talking about the first part. I'd like to say that the second oklahoma law is just dumb.
"The piece of legislation will even stop parents or guardians from being able to show minors a violent video game."

And just as a side note, it's pretty awesome that sex and nakedness get rated so harshly. Heaven forbid our kids ever see sex or naked people until they actually experience it, and we all know nobody has sex till they are over 18.




By Scorpion on 5/25/2006 3:50:57 PM , Rating: 2
I've actually written the governor and some of the representatives about that part of the bill. I actually don't have a problem with the parts of the bill that keep minors from obtaining the games, but I feel that the laws regarding what parents can do INSIDE their own homes goes way too far into privacy. I'm urging them to take this part out of the bill.

Once the game is inside the home it becomes the parents responsibility to decide what's best for their kid, not the governments. I fully support minors not being able to obtain explicit games on their own though.


oklahoma law
By Gooberslot on 5/25/2006 11:26:40 PM , Rating: 2
That Oklahoma law has got to be a new high when in comes to moronic anti-game legislation. I live in Oklahoma and we have a lot bigger problems to worry about than a non-issue like games. Maybe, that's the point, distract everyone from the real problems. It worked for Bush.




pockets not full
By mindless1 on 5/26/2006 4:59:48 AM , Rating: 2
So we see only those stuffing legislative pockets get to introduce questionable content to society. By all means, let's censor sex. Ignorance is bliss.




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