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Innocuous California Game Ratings Bill Passed

Posted by simoniker on from the no-jail-after-all dept.

Thanks to GamePro for its article noting that a newly revised bill "that requires video game retailers to clearly display signs of the game ratings has been passed by the state senate in California." The bill, "now waiting to be signed by Governor Schwarzenegger", was originally paired with a more controversial bill which "called to define 'atrocious or cruel' video games as 'harmful matter to children'", but that pairing failed to advance, despite support from bill sponsor Leland Yee, leading to a straightforward "requirement to have game ratings clearly displayed, and also have information about the ratings system readily available to parents purchasing games."

3 of 82 comments (clear)

  1. Sign, sign, everywhere a sign. by Bluesman · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm about to move out to California. What's it like out there? There must be warnings every three feet.

    I recently installed a new drain pipe in my bathroom sink. It came with this warning label:

    "This product is known by the State of California to contain materials known to cause cancer in labratory tests. Plumbers must notify the customer of this before installation."

    Isn't this all going a bit far? I'm concerned that my dirty water and used toothpaste might get cancer, but let's assume a bit of common sense.

    --
    If moderation could change anything, it would be illegal.
  2. Re:Good news... by black+mariah · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Exactly. I welcome ANYTHING that will keep idiots off the ass of gamers. I like my GTA as much as the next guy, and I don't want some dipshit buying their 7 year old the game and then getting pissed because there are hookers and drugs. Stores should have been prominently displaying rating information for a long time. I generally don't like laws such as this, but it makes it so much better for those of us with at least half a brain to continue about our carnage without morons butting in.

    --
    'Standards' in computing only impress those who are impressed by things like 'standards'.
  3. Big visible warning by Chemisor · · Score: 5, Funny

    > Putting big visible warning labels on packaging

    Doesn't a gory image of a blood-spattered dismembered zombie with blood-shot eyes and half-flayed decaying skin, reeling from a shotgun blast that put a ragged, gaping, gore-dripping hole in its torso, qualify somewhat as a visible warning label?