No doubt, most gamers are aware that this fall the United States Supreme Court will be taking up the legal challenge to California’s law that would limit the sale of computer and video games and chill the creative freedoms of our industry’s artists.
The issue at hand is whether a state can limit access to video game based on their content. If the California succeeds at the Supreme Court, then states across America could begin limiting access to video games and stores could stop selling games because they won’t know what titles fall under a particular state’s laws and which don’t. How does that affect you? Imagine walking into your local game retailer and finding out they don’t sell games you want because they’re worried about government intervention. This isn’t hyperbole; it’s a very real scenario that could happen if California succeeds.
This month, the industry achieved a milestone in fighting for video games. The ESA filed with the U.S. Supreme Court a legal brief that strongly defends the rights of gamers, video games, and the artists who work so hard to create those games.
Others recognize the seriousness of this situation and have stepped up to defend video games, the First Amendment and promote education about parental controls and the video game industry’s rating system. No less than renowned comic book creator, Stan Lee, who brought to life such iconic figures as Spider-Man, the X-Men, and the Hulk, has encouraged gamers to organize and take action. Stan highlighted the video game industry’s great work in helping parents by providing a leading rating system and parental controls—which, when taken together, help ensure that the games kids enjoy are parent-approved. His open letter encouraged everyone to join the Video Game Voters Network, which is the grassroots coalition of voting-aged gamers who want to be kept updated on legislative threats to computer and video games.
Following Stan’s lead, I’m writing today to encourage you to join the VGVN. Politicians will listen when their constituents weigh in on issues and we need gather an army to fight for games. Please consider joining the VGVN to aid in the defense of video games. And, tell three of your friends to do the same! Joining is free and easy to do. Go to www.vgvn.org and sign up!
We’ll keep doing our part in the Supreme Court, but we need you to do your part, too.
Thanks for joining!
Surprised to see this here.
did my part.
encourage all of us to do theres
*shakes head* Dang government trying to control us
*rolls eyes*
I remember the last post about this a few months ago, and whoever wrote that post had a whole load of false information in it. Makes it hard to believe anything.
This is great! Just joined and sending folks this link.
As a Canadian is there anything I could do aside from spread the word?
Sadly I can’t join since I live in Canada, but I’m at least spreading the word, and I urge everyone who can join to do so.
What does involving your politicians achieve? This challenge is before the Supreme Court of the United States. There’s nothing anyone can do about it, not your Senators or even the President. The ruling will be final and binding precedent.
I kind of lol’d at the line about “imagine walking into your local game retailer.”
The entire weight of this bill is based around games ending up being sold by retailers to minors. Proving one’s self to be an adult by using a credit card to order something online (say, via Amazon) pretty much nips that problem in the bud directly.
I couldn’t care less what happens to the game retail stores. At worst we’ll end up with a need to shop online and a stronger push for digital distribution.
The industry as a whole can and will survive this no matter the outcome.
i’m for this if we can start getting some more ‘mature’ games. sexy beach 4 for ps3? heheh… i feel dirty now.
Yeah… Scare tactics, eh? Not hyperbole? I find that EVERY political debate involves a disgusting level of hyperbole on all sides. Funny that nowhere did you mention the group the law is targeted at or why. Just “gamers”.
“Lazy parents”, right? Because no child ever balks at being monitored 24/7.
Hey, this is Rich. Thanks, everyone, for reading and commenting. Just wanted to jump in and provide more information. @SpyDudeFX, you’re right, you can’t lobby the Supreme Court. The Justices make their decisions irrespective of public opinion and solely are focused on the law. However, that isn’t to say that rogue legislators in state capitals around the county won’t introduce similar legislation. Now’s the time when we need to organize and be prepared to take action. In the last year, thousands of VGVN members wrote their legislators and affected real change. We hope you’ll consider doing the same!
i would rather the government contorls the raies then sony do to your fear of someone hacking your crap removing the otheros feature sorry sony can be trusted i bought my ps3 and if i want to turn the whole thing in to a walffe makker i will becuse i bought the thing i want it opened and hacked
Follow up…and by “county” I meant “country.” Sticky fingers from lunch!
Less children cursing at me on their mics when I headshot them isn’t something I have a problem with.
@Rich you should contact Jeff to get your blog replies to show up as official replies. Thanks for the response, that’s true and some Senator would likely introduce federal legislation if the Court upholds the law.
I would love to join the fight, but I’m not a U.S. citizen. Don’t worry I have my green card ;)
If it stops annoying kids from playing and squealing through their mics in M-rated games, then I support whatever California does.
Not signing.
All the idiots saying “lol I don’t like kids screaming in their mics in mp games” should actually inform themselves on this a bit beyond that.
All I can say is blame the parents for letting 10 year olds playing Call of Duty.
And now dam Templars want to control Gaming.
Sounds like a job to do hehe… ;)
i think lazy parents just need to monitor their kids as to justt not doing anything bout lil twerps playing violent games that are clearly mature. i call them twerps because one they could be anywhere from 9-14 playing games like metal gear online or something because unlike us adults they dont have to work a job or anything remotely responible. of course again this is because of lazy parents. with out these people there would be one huge less reason for games being slammed. u dont see a 12 year old kid buying gta4 why cause they are too young for the subject matter in it plus most parents would be like yea u wish kiddo maybe when ur 18 lol. that part makes me laugh but anyway point made
Meh the only way to get people in government to do anything, is by stuffing their wallets with campaign contributions. Sony, MS, and Nintendo as well as game development companies just need to start bribing them like every other corporation.
i agree with 18 – dont get ne wrng i love violent games; but im 36 years old also – if this bill passes games will be like movies – with ratings whats wrong with that? the op sounds very paranoid to me – retailers wont know what to do -how stupid – thats like saying blockbuster cant sell movies because they cant differnatie between pg and R.all this means is some less sales becasue a 13 year old cant buy a M game – GOOD – keep them off the online games –
Does anyone know how this law is any different than the laws governing the sale of R-Rated movies to minors?
Hey, Dogofthunder. Thanks for the question. There is actually no law in the entire country that restricts a minors’ access to R-rated movies…it’s all industry self-regulation on the part of theater owners. And, that’s what we’re talking about here. There’s a system in place (with ESRB ratings, retailer restrictions, and parental controls) that ensures the games kids play are parent-approved. A law is not only unconstitutional, but unnecessary.