From today's Gamespy newsletter:
I'm not sure what I think. I guess it seems to be favoring the police, because there are lots of games about killing or doing violence against someone. It sort of reminds me about the furor over NWA or Public Enemy back in the day...
And another:IEMA Comments on Washington Law - Prophet
The IDSA isn't the only trade group displeased with Washington State's HB 1009, signed into law on Tuesday by Governor Gary Locke. The Interactive Entertainment Merchants Association also issued statement today expressing its concern about the validity of the law and to announce its plan to draw up a formal complaint against the law along with other trade groups and its partners. The law makes it a crime, punishable by a $500 fine, to sell or rent videogames that depict violence against police officers to anyone under the age of 17. Here's the statement issued by the IEMA today, in its entirety:
"The nation's leading retailers of computer and video games were dismayed to see that Washington State HB 1009 made it through the legislative process and then disappointed to find that Governor Gary Locke had signed it into law. Over the past several years retail members of the IEMA (Interactive Entertainment Merchants Association) have made significant and voluntary investment and progress in working with parents in stemming the sale of inappropriate games to minors. This law does nothing to aid in our on-going effort, but instead acts as a clear violation of the First Amendment and a dubious effort of censorship. We remain committed to our customer's rights and firmly believe that parents are the best and most directly responsible party to determine appropriate entertainment for their children. To that end, we have chosen to join our trade partners in preparing a formal complaint." Hal Halpin, President, IEMA.
I couldn't decide if this should go in General Gaming or here, but it seems more political so here it is...IDSA To Challenge Washington State Law - Celeryface
In a report from Reuters today, The Interactive Digital Software Association (IDSA) stated that it would challenge the bill signed yesterday by Washington State Gov. Gary Locke, in court.
The bill makes it illegal to sell or rent video games to minors (under the age of 17) that depict violence against police officers. The IDSA says that the bill violates the right to free speech and would go to court to put an injunction on the enforcement of the bill. Here is a quote from the report:
"If the goal is to keep games out of the hands of kids for whom they are not appropriate ... then the answer is to focus on parental education and awareness of the (ratings system), not to try to turn retailers into parents," IDSA President Doug Lowenstein said in a statement.
I'm not sure what I think. I guess it seems to be favoring the police, because there are lots of games about killing or doing violence against someone. It sort of reminds me about the furor over NWA or Public Enemy back in the day...