A Brief History of Videogame Legislation

Joystiq is running a new column by Dennis McCauley (who you may recognize from the Game Politics blog). This week, he's got a post up looking at the history of gaming legislation. Starting in the 90s with the creation of the ESRB, McCauley walks us through some of the more notable skirmishes gaming and the body politic have had with each other. From the article: "In 2002 the city of St. Louis took the Indianapolis law one step further, prohibiting not only coin-op play, but retail sale or rental of violent games to minors. Different approach, similar fate. The 8th Circuit Court tossed the law for much the same reasons that doomed Indy's. A city attorney expressed bitter disappointment, called the Federal Court ruling 'a blow to the parents of St. Louis County and the kids.' That was three years ago, and, last time we checked, St. Louis hadn't been overwhelmed by a GTA-like wave of youth violence. As a matter of fact, youth crime levels have been trending downward for years."

Comments

Mid 1990's Carmageddon contributed to violence

[saskboy]

I wonder where the wave of car violence was in the mid 1990s when everyone was playing Carmageddon and Carmageddon II Carpocalypse Now where the aim of the game was to crash into other cars, including police, and run over pedestrians in creative ways? I see my CD label shows the game was set as M for Mature by the ESRB. So maybe no children ever played it because parent didn't buy M games for kids back then? ;-)

Re:Mid 1990's Carmageddon contributed to violence

[saskboy]

What is wrong with you buddy? The people scream and go splat with eyes and guts going everywhere. If that isn't a realistic enough depiction of it, I don't know what is. You want to smell the guts before you'll admit it's a depiction of real gore? Where's the blood in Roadrunner?

Eventually the old farts will die off

[grapeape]

Most of the legislation today isnt introduced by parent aged politicians its grandparents. This is no different than politicians speaking out against rock & roll in the 50's or Long Hair on men in the 60's its basically just something that they arent familiar with and do not associate with other forms of media such as books, movies, etc. I have no problem with the ESRB in fact I think its a good idea, but until parents are responsible to buy into it, its not going to work. In the meantime the old folks who dont understand will raise a stink about the erosion of values and need for regulation. Its the same old story different generation.

for the children

[Anonymous Coward]

'a blow to the parents of St. Louis County and the kids.'

And that sums up why it is bad law. It is law that does not 'help' the community but polices parents. Stopping crime, building better roads, better infrastructure etc... Yet they want to legislate morality.