So once again, a law regulating to sale of violent video games to minors was deemed unconstitutional. This time California took a stab at it and failed like so many other states. I'm still waiting for the day that these law makers realize that the term "violent video games" is far too vague to base a law around. What is a violent video game? What is inappropriate for young children to see? Is it the gun violence that's inappropriate? Is it the blood? How much blood is too much blood? Unless they can outline these things, I don't see one of these laws getting past a judge. As is, these laws would just be a free pass to fine game shops for selling anything the legislators deemed too violent for minors. "Gee, that Katamari Damacy has you rolling people up into a ball. That's pretty violent.", "Oh, that Mario game has you jumping on turtles' heads. Can't have our children copying that.". I realize that these are extreme examples, but it's never surprised me how far people will go to insist that games will corrupt little Jimmie's mind.
Back to California though, this quote from Governor Schwarzenegger baffled me the most: " I signed this important measure to be sure that parents are involved in determining witch video games are appropriate for their children. The bill I signed would be require that violent video games be clearly labeled and not be sold to children under 18 years old. Many of these games are made for adults and choosing games that are appropriate for kids should be a decision made by their parents. I will vigorously defend this law and appeal it to the next level." (Emphasis mine) Here, the governor and I agree. Parents should be deciding what games are and are not appropriate for their children, but why then make a law about it? Wouldn't that be like saying parents can't be trusted to make these decisions? Even without the law, parents have the power to decide what their children are playing, so how is helping to "appeal it to the next level"?
Until law makers learn to actually start wording these bills in a less vague manner, I can only assume that they are pandering to voters at the expensive of my beloved hobby. I politely ask that they stop.
