Illinois Senate OKs Violent Games Bill

The Illinois senate has approved the violent games bill proposed by Gov. Rod Blagojevich. The bill was also passed by the House, but the Senate stripped the possibility of jail time out of the wording before approving it. The House must now reconsider the bill before it can be passed into law. From the article: "The sponsor, Sen. Deanna Demuzio, denied the measure would interfere with free speech rights.'Video games are not art or media,' she said. 'They are simulations, not all that different from the simulations used by the U.S. military in preparation for war.' Apparently I have been misinformed as to what exactly I've been doing for the last twenty-odd years. Thank you, Illinois Senate, for correcting my error.

Comments

Done.

[astro_ripper]

"The measure approved Thursday would require store owners to determine which games are too violent or sexually explicit for anyone under 18."

The ESRB already has a rating system. Games too sexually explicit are rated 'A' and many retailers don't carry them.

I guess that doesn't cover violence though.

Ridiculous

[tourvil]

From the article:

"Video games are not art or media," she said. "They are simulations, not all that different from the simulations used by the U.S. military in preparation for war."

So what exactly does the Mario games simulate? Or Tetris? I know she is specifically thinking of violent shooter-type games when she says this, but come on.

Also:

"I'm going to vote for this bill, but I'm voting for it for one reason -- because this is a political bill," said Sen. Mike Jacobs. "If I vote against it, it will show up in a campaign mail piece."

You gotta love what our democracy has become... :/

What does the science say?

[mc6809e]

Violent Video Games Can Increase Aggression

Report Shows 'Unequivocal Evidence' That Media Violence Has Significant Negative Impact On Children

Violence Is A Learned Behavior, Say Researchers At Wake Forest University

Gratuitous Media Violence Can Increase Violent Responses To Provocation, Acceptance Of Violence, Studies Show


Violent Music Lyrics Increase Aggressive Thoughts And Feelings, According To New Study; Even Humorous Violent Songs Increase Hostile Feelings


That said, the decision to ban violent video games should be a local one. If people wish to accept the risks the might come with allowing violent video games in their city, town, etc, that's fine and it's no one else's business.

Likewise, places that don't wish to accept the risks shouldn't be forced to.

If people want to live in "Safetyland", let them create such a place.

And if people want "Anarchyville", let them create a place.

But we should never advocate that one philosophy be THE single philosophy over the entire country. Let people find or make the place that's right for them.

I bet Valve, Blizzard, EA, etc., will have...

[Bonewalker]

something to say about this.

I hope they send a very clear message to Illinios politicos that video games are very much an art form and worthy of comparison to movies, literature, and photography. Hell, video games are outselling every other medium out there these days.

So, I really hope that all gaming company execs will take a few minutes today to send an email to these boneheads in Illinois.

Don't like it?

[A Name Similar to Di]

Let her know how you feel demuzio@senatedem.state.il.us I know I am.

-Diomedes

The Last Straw...Write Her!

[blueZhift]

Video games are not art or media? WTF! That's the last straw, I'm going to writing some real mail to express my displeasure with the idiocy coming out of the state house here. If you live in Illinois, I would encourage you to write as well. Here is a link to contact info for Sen. Deanna Demuzio.

http://energyaction.ase.org/legdirectory/Index.asp ?s=y&step=8&id=++++52845

Capitol Address
Senator Deanna Demuzio
M106 Capitol Building
Springfield, IL 62706
Phone: (217) 782-8206
Fax: (217) 854-5311

District Address
Senator Deanna Demuzio
140 Carlinville Plaza
Carlinville, 62626
Phone: (217) 854-4441
Fax: (217) 854-5311

demuzio@senatedem.state.il.us

Re:Not art?

[Pluvius]

If anything like this ever passes, whether or not it's art (or speech) is a matter that the courts will have to decide on.

Which has already happened. Interesting factoid: In Missouri, some district judge named Limbaugh (ha!) said that video games are not protected speech, but the appellate court responded basically by pointing out that believing that opinion would be really stupid and/or ignorant. This all led to a St. Louis ordinance against violent video games being declared unconstitutional. Which, BTW, means that this will also likely be declared unconstitutional if it passes.

http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=132627 0

Rob