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Illinois Ban On Explicit Video Games Is Unconstitutional

Posted by kdawson on from the let-slip-the-gods-of-war dept.

An anonymous reader writes, "A federal court has struck down an Illinois law that criminalized the sale of 'sexually explicit' video games to minors. In reaching this decision, the court held that the Illinois law was too broad, because it could be read to encompass any game which displayed a female breast, even for a brief second. Interestingly, the court chose the game God of War as the model of gaming art which must be protected. As the court explained, 'Because the SEVGL potentially criminalize the sale of any game that features exposed breasts, without concern for the game considered in its entirety or for the game's social value for minors, distribution of God of War is potentially illegal, in spite of the fact that the game tracks the Homeric epics in content and theme. As we have suggested in the past, there is serious reason to believe that a statute sweeps too broadly when it prohibits a game that is essentially an interactive, digital version of the Odyssey.'"

11 of 195 comments (clear)

  1. Wait... by frosty_tsm · · Score: 5, Funny

    Are we saying that Greek social values are trumping modern day ones?

    I see more parades on the horizon...

    1. Re:Wait... by morgan_greywolf · · Score: 5, Funny
      It has been said before but when the public wants to censor give them graphic violence and sex in a biblical wrapper and they won't censor...
      Sodom & Gomorrah Only on Xbox 360! Complete with homosexuality, rape, and brutalization! Will you survive the Wrath of God? Brought to you by Religious Right Software: Games With a Higher Purpose.
      --
      My blog
    2. Re:Wait... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      Is there going to be a secret alternate lvl when I don't offer my virgin daughters to the angry mob and instead throw my guests out to them to be sodomized? Cuz replayability is high on my list of game criteria.

    3. Re:Wait... by BakaHoushi · · Score: 2, Funny

      Public shifts blame of problems onto society. More on this story after our special report, "The Sky: It's Blue."

      Anyway, why should we be so unaccepting of the National Association of Marlon-Brando Look-Alikes? They are good people, and serve our communities well, even fending off pedophiles!

  2. upcoming video game titles based on this ruling: by circletimessquare · · Score: 4, Funny

    "the catcher in the rye", a very bloody fps

    "death of a salesman", the graphic language mmorpg

    "to kill a mockingbird", with an orgy scene

    --
    intellectual property law is philosophically incoherent. it is your moral duty to ignore it or sabotage it
  3. Re:upcoming video game titles based on this ruling by Bonker · · Score: 4, Funny

    "to kill a mockingbird", with an orgy scene

    Wait, what?

    Atticus better not find out about that or Scout and Jem are going to be in TROUBLE!

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  4. Re:Wait what? by Gemini_25_RB · · Score: 2, Funny

    Kratos is too awesome to be a spartan. Think more along the lines of god, and try again.

  5. Safety by cybereal · · Score: 2, Funny

    I gazed above
    as often I do
    the clouds had parted
    the light shone through
    I thought to myself
    as often I do
    "Teh boobies r safe!"
    I cried. "Woohoo!"

    --
    I read the script, and I think it would help my character's motivation if he was on fire. -Bender
  6. Re:WMD by popeye44 · · Score: 2, Funny

    No.. Breasts are weapons of MASS DISTRACTION.. get it right..

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  7. Re:upcoming video game titles based on this ruling by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Boob Radley?

  8. Re:Ummm... by sg_oneill · · Score: 4, Funny

    Well, thats assuming the good bard(s) who translated the King James didnt translate "cornhole" to "knew".

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