Game Makers Could Be Liable For Violent Games

Christopher Reimer writes "KOMO 4 News of Seattle, Washington, is reporting that state law makers are considering a bill that would make video game companies liable for illegal activity that players under 17 are responsible for. From the article: 'Should the people who make and sell "violent video" games be held accountable if someone commits a crime because of playing them?'"

Comments

Anyone but....

[Rolan]

Lets blame anyone and everyone but the kid and his parents... After all, why should the parents have any involvement in what their kids are doing? Blame it on those damn games!

Give me a break, just more stupid laws.

Re:Anyone but....

[Rolan]

If we accept this logic, then we must also accept the conclusion that minors should not be exposed to influences that might cause them to go "over the edge".

And it's the game companies' responsibilty to not expose them to it? Bull. It's the parents' responsibility. The games are clearly marked for the age ranges they are intended for, if parents let others play the games, then the parents and child are responsible.

Re:Anyone but....

[Rev Wally]

However, as gov't is becoming more paternalistic towards children, it only follows that everyone is going to have to take a larger responsiblity in ensuring children aren't exposed to this type of contect as well. Don't be so complacent about letting that happen. Think about it: if the gov is more involved in how my children are raised, it follows that what values I teach my children will be regulated by said gov. think my wife and I are going to have a hard enough time finding common ground between our two belief systems, and how we want to raise our kids, let alone trying to parent by mass-majority.

Re:Anyone but....

[ReverendLoki]

If we were to follow this line of logic, though, then why single out video games? The nightly news usually has as much if not more violence than video games.

I'm all for protecting our children, and yes, the legislature does have responsibility to that end, but it's almost gotten to the point that publishers and such need a law protecting them from consumer's lack of common sense.

(Comment about "never taking out 115 with one blast in a video game, even with the luckiest of 'deemer shots", removed for matters of taste, then included down here, thus defeating the purpose.)

Personal Responsibility?

[bStrom]

Sweet! I'm going to Washington.

"What?? I only stole cars because I play [insert video game here]."

Too bad I'm not 17 anymore....

What happened to personal responsibility? Also, how do you determine if kids were going to break the law whether or not they played the video game? It's just ridiculous.

yes, if provable

[nes11]

"Should the people who make and sell "violent video" games be held accountable if someone commits a crime because of playing them?"

If you can PROVE that they committed the crime BECAUSE of playing the game, then yes. I'd be really impressed to see that proof though.

Re:yes, if provable

[2megs]

You don't have to prove it. You only have to convince twelve people dull enough to end up on a jury that it's true.

I'd give pretty good odds that anyone who owns a copy of Halo or GTA would be stricken from that pool.

no shit "c'mon"!

[Naikrovek]

From the article: 'Should the people who make and sell "violent video" games be held accountable if someone commits a crime because of playing them?'

k for the last time - no one commits a crime because of playing a video game. no one. not anywhere, ever, under any circumstances. if you commit a crime after playing a video game, you were going to commit a crime anyway. i've played a LOT of very, very violent video games and never once have i ever even considered reproducing the game in real life. if you do, you have issues beyond any video game or television program...

its basic psychology. you are either inclined to commit crime or you're not, and if you are, its usually because you were psychologically damaged as a child.

lets do something about parents who abuse their kids and raise murderers instead of trying to create a law that criminalizes a harmless video game.

Re:no shit "c'mon"!

[Godman]

Basic psychology would also suggest that violent video games can prevent violent crimes, by giving kids an outlet for their aggression and anger. The silicon chip doesn't care if you call it a name....

Lawmakers should go back to doing stuff like worrying about the war or something.

Enough is enough

[FidelCatsro]

This has gotten out of hand , the scape goating and Buck passing mentality of these people is truely juvinile .
First off , if you want to blame anyone for your children commiting crime , i would take a long hard look at yourself.
Sure they may immitate a game , but if it had not of been the game it would of been a movie , a cartoon or even a book.
I have played games like Grand theft auto , Counter strike, Manhunt , Eternal darkness and DOOM , I dont worship satan , i have a clean criminal record and have no urges to go out and car jack someone , paint Pentegrams on my forehead or blow people to bits(although if i had a rocket launcher and a clean sight at the RIAA offices ...).
Infact non of my freinds have , Im well beyond that age range now , but even when i was 12 or so , i used to play games that were just as violent , they were fun and still are .
Children still play cops and robbers , or cowboys and indians ,Run around shooting each other and playing dead ,they have played these types of games in the plagrounds for years and will continue to , and these games simulat just as violent situations , yet we view them as more holesome.
nothing new here , just some politians trying to ride there way to greater office on the back of a whitch hunt

I agree...

[charlie763]

I agree with this law because video games actually *do* make children commit crimes.

I remember one time as a child a kid started throwing hammers at me from the top of a table. At first I didn't know what to do, but then I saw a bird in a turtle shell and jumped at the opportunity (no pun intended, I'm being serious here). I took the remaining shell and threw it at the other kid. He paused for a second and then continued to throw hammers at me. I found a second turtle-bird thing and repeated the process. The kid fell through the floor and was never heard from again. I, on the other hand, was hit by a hammer that was still flying through the air.

For the fifteen years after that event I have come to enjoy being a dwarf. It makes it easier to get under certain floating brick walls. I think I would like to one day be big again, but I still have not found the right mushroom, only the ones that make fire shoot out of my arse.

Washington State

[BrookHarty]

As a Washingtonian, I can tell your our state is majorly fucked up when it comes to personal rights.

When it comes to children, the state would rather you put your kids on drugs than spank. Put them into counseling, and get them a probation officer.

Men's rights are HORRIBLE, if you meet a girl with a kid, you date her for a few months, you could be made to pay child support, even though the kid is not yours.

Then we have State ran liquor stores, where they choose what liquor you can have. They are closed on Sundays, the weekend when you normally do your shopping.

Gay rights is having tough times passing when most of the states believe gays are sinners and shouldn't be allowed near children.

Medical use of marijuana is believed to be morally wrong, so it doesn't pass every time it comes up to vote.

If you have been following the news here, we just had a Police officer under investigation for kissing his girlfriend, while he was in uniform. Her job? A stripper, so it must be something illegal going on. If it was a teacher, nobody would have said anything.

And speaking of Strip clubs, they don't serve food or alcohol, due to zoning laws. WTF?! In Texas, you can go to a nice place, order a big steak, drink a beer, and watch hot women on stage that are of super model quality. Nothing lewd going on, its what mens clubs should be like.

People are even considering splitting up the state into Western and Eastern Washington, so the Seattle side can get some stop having the moral majority pass this RELIGOUS that censor everything we do.

I love my state, I just wish we could get our heads out of our asses and start working on real issues, like roads, schools and internet access in rural areas. We don't need more censorship, all TV's come with Vchips, and Video games have warnings.

Nanny nation is right, stop trying to protect everyone. Freedom has risks, and the risks are worth it.

Re:Can I be the first to say...

[gnarlin]

I'm very much afraid that this is not the most stupid thing I have ever heard of.