Should The Government Be Getting Involved In Our Video Games?
 

New Law Stating ESRB Rating Info Should Be Posted
Some Early Ratings Laws

Now, what I'm referencing is currently un-sourced, save for a passing story on Electric Playground - however I'm currently working on that.

The province of New Brunswick is thinking of passing a law for video games that mirror the liquor law - they will only be allowed to be sold at licensed stores, with age checks for higher rated games. The host commented on such a law by asking how long it was until the government looked through out Playstation Eyes or Bluetooth cameras to check ages.

I'm kinda up for this, even though it would make shopping a little more difficult. It'd assuage some of the parents fears, as well as completely defeat the arguments of some politicians.

http://www.redefinemag.com/07-082004...lence-esrb.jpg

That. That is where I'm seeing problems. Otherwise, eh, I don't think it'd be such a radical change...Wait a second, did they change the ratings? Wasn't M 18+ and AO 21+?

Don't think so. You're considered an adult who has to take care of yourself when you hit 18, the only thing you don't get is beer. And I know mature has always been 17+

I approve of this.

I also approve of this. Video games are a media, just like television and film. There is no good reason as to why they haven't been regulated up to this point.

Slippery slope argument fails. As it stands there is no invasion of privacy, save for having to prove your age.

Truth.

So it's totally cool for the government to regulate how and where to sell these video games, but then soon it's pretty cool for them to rule on what content can be in these games and the ratings system becomes even more of a tool and weapon for crusaders against games like GTA to have them banned from "acceptable shopping locations" such as Wal-Mart and Target and shit. Meanwhile Gamestop and the large chains either have to file for likely expensive licenses or open new franchise stores or become teen-friendly, adult gaming begins its slow and painful demise as it becomes evident that it's no longer profitable to make games that can only be sold in certain location. It's censorship with new clothes. (Granted this may only be in New Brunswick but if it passes in one location it's sure to spread.)

What they SHOULD do is make the ratings system as it currently stands enforceable with penalties and fines. You don't sell cigarettes to a 17 year old because you don't want to get fined or fired. So, apply that to games, instead of requiring some ridiculous license.

The slipper slope argument doesn't fail. It's very easy to take this and begin applying it to other forms of media. It's easy to take this, get the ratings board to decide "fuck" warrants an M or AO rating, and the game vanishes from "reputable" sources. Parents don't take their kids to the liquor store to buy them something and the same would be likely to happen. This would put way, way too much power in the hands of the ratings authorities and owuld restrict civil liberties and freedoms enjoyed right now.

I think they should just goddamn enforce the ratings.

Don't businesses need certifications to be able to sell cigarettes? I'm pretty sure they do in Kentucky and a few other states, at least.

Not to mention that if it's a goverment run monopoly, prices might be higher.

Yes, let's invest regulatory government power in a private body run by large corporate entities. What could possibly go wrong?

So here's my idea - let's all spend a couple years pretending like anybody actually cares about comic books, then the politicians can get their rocks off running that into the ground again and everyone can move on.

Hmm...The problem, really, seems to be:
1) Moral guardians.
2) Stores getting games by relying too much on the ESRB.

Thanks to 1 there's a bunch of problems everywhere because, hey, TV is more explicit than most video games! The problem is that that argument ends up causing "Oh don't worry, we'll block TV too!" so, yeah. And on 2, goddamnit, we all know ESRB exists only to hurt sales because most kids/teens who want games end up getting them with a little more trouble or just ask their parents for it, who buy them without question, most of the time. Wouldn't it be better if we just got rid of the ESRB rating? I hate how there's so many stuff that happens and then people blame games for them.