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Salon on Video Games and Free Speech

Posted by timothy on from the e-ticket-to-the-slippery-slope dept.

EyesWideOpen writes: "There is an article at Salon that covers a U.S. District Judge's ruling that computer games don't deserve First Amendment protection. The ruling is in response to The Interactive Digital Software Association's request for the dismissal of an ordinance that requires parental consent before children under 17 can buy or play violent or sexually explicit video games. From the Salon article: 'From his ruling, [US District Judge] Limbaugh appears to believe that no amount of contextual information, or additional narrative, in a game is enough to make it a work of art or expression worthy of the name 'free speech.'' The judge's deliberations were based in part on his review of four games: 'Fear Effect,' 'Doom,' 'Mortal Kombat' and 'Resident Evil'."

6 of 282 comments (clear)

  1. nice picks by Kunta+Kinte · · Score: 5, Funny
    'Fear Effect,' 'Doom,' 'Mortal Kombat' and 'Resident Evil'.

    with that list I'm suprised he didn't make video games illegal.

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  2. Let me guess.. by Disevidence · · Score: 2, Funny

    The Judge's first name was Rush?

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  3. He played these games, eh? by qslack · · Score: 5, Funny
    The article mentions that he made his decision after playing 4 games. I can see why he thinks the way he does.

    I offer this as an example of what probably happened to him while he was playing.

    JudgeLimbaugh: Hello kids, I am a federal district judge. I'm just playing...

    JudgeLimbaugh was shot in the head by TEH_CS_MASTAR with M4A1

    JudgeLimbaugh: Sorry, can we just pause the game for a second so you all can help me with...

    JudgeLimbaugh was slapped by hahaUsukk (admin)
    JudgeLimbaugh was slapped by hahaUsukk (admin)
    JudgeLimbaugh was slapped by hahaUsukk (admin)
    JudgeLimbaugh was slapped by hahaUsukk (admin)
    JudgeLimbaugh was slapped by hahaUsukk (admin)
    JudgeLimbaugh was slapped by hahaUsukk (admin)

    JudgeLimbaugh: Anyway, as I was saying...I am trying to decide whether free speech should...

    Jenny17F: d00d i duncare abut free speach, do u got ne free beer? im only 14 so...thxd00d!!11

    JudgeLimbaugh: Do these games have ANY artistic value whatsoever?

    iaml33t: articistic value? no but i fukked mona lisa once!1111

    Jenny17F: d00d relly? thats cool. UR THE MAN1111111
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    qslack.com
  4. From the article by inerte · · Score: 2, Funny

    The time for a counterstrike is now.

    Supreme LAAAAAAAAAN Party!

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  5. An early retirement by inerte · · Score: 2, Funny

    [T]he Court simply did not find the 'extensive plot and character development' referred to by the plaintiffs in the games it viewed

    Someone should donate Everquest so the Judge can play it. I bet in three months he will be out of courts. Wearing black rags with a sword in his hands, and shouting "l00t!".

    Than we can talk if it doesn't help to develop a character...

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  6. agreed by redtoade · · Score: 2, Funny

    do you know how frustrating it is to post the same opinion before you (twice actually), and not have anyone read it?

    I brought this up before...

    and above in this very thread also

    The moderation system is just so frustrating these days...