Game bill picks up steam in Illinois

[Tulenyre]

http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/03/18/news_6120702.html

Safe Games Illinois Act passed by state's Judiciary Committee; bill moves on to state Senate.

Among numerous long-struggling state bills and local ordinances that remain in various stages of implementation is HB 4023, a bill introduced into the Illinois State House last December by Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia (D-Aurora).

Called The Safe Games Illinois Act, the bill would supersede current ESRB ratings when it comes to video games with "violent and sexually explicit" content, according to that state's governor's office.

In effect, the bill would allow state officials to determine standards that would form the basis for a ratings system somewhat similar to what the ESRB currently has in effect.

In the case of HB 4023, however, the focus would be on isolating games deemed to have content not suitable for those under the age of 18 and would also attach a fine to retailers who violate the restriction on sales of those games.

According to the governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, who supports the bill, retailers would be required to label games determined to have violent and sexually explicit content in ways "similar to the Parental Advisory label found on music CDs." Retailers would be required to post signs explaining the video game rating system on the premises.

According to the governor's office, if a retailer fails to "properly label games or place proper signs," he or she risks a $1,000 fine for the first three violations and a $5,000 fine for each subsequent violation.

The bill, while passed on the Illinois House floor last week, still needs the approval of the state Senate before it goes to the governor to be signed into law.

LaVia said in a statement this week, "I believe children under 18 should not be able to purchase video games intended for adults. Illinois has the opportunity to lead the nation on this issue, and I'm determined to see this important legislation signed into law."

The bill passed the state House on a vote of 91 to 19. According to the governor's office, state Senator Deanna Demuzio (D-Carlinville) will be the lead sponsor of the legislation in the state Senate.

By Curt Feldman -- GameSpot

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I love this part:

-the focus would be on isolating games deemed to have content not suitable for those under the age of 18

Now, who is to decide what isn't suitable.. soon the only way to sell a game to someone under 18 will be dance games or something else with no violence in anyway what-so-ever... Gah! I hate meddling morons.

[attriel]

-the focus would be on isolating games deemed to have content not suitable for those under the age of 18

Now, who is to decide what isn't suitable.. soon the only way to sell a game to someone under 18 will be dance games or something else with no violence in anyway what-so-ever... Gah! I hate meddling morons.

Nah. Remember, someone collapsed playing DDR too long b/c they had a weak heart or something. Obviously, therefore, it's not safe for kids. No dance games.

[Greebo]

WIll they be able to sell Nepthy's game, or is it too violent because it has "bombs"? :)

[Raveneye]

Legislation like this is simply hurting retailers in the state it's passed in. Let's face it, if I own a store in Illinois I'm going to have to spend money to comply with this law, and I'll likely lose local business from people (over 18) who would have bought the games from me but are not willing to pay the extra cost I need to pass on or deal with possible hassle/embarassment and instead choose to purchase the title online from a retailer located out of state who does not have to adhere to the guidelines. I lose money, the local economy loses money, and all because my state legislature can't keep from playing big brother and trying to do parent's jobs for them.

We live in a very messed up time right now. We have so many parents of children who either just don't care what their kids are doing, or are so afraid of technology and so against learning to deal with it that they are willing to give up personal freedoms just so they don't have to be a concerned parent and take the time to learn about what their kids are doing on a daily basis.

[Okamekage]

the article sort of stats my take on this:

"...form the basis for a ratings system somewhat similar to what the ESRB currently has in effect."


Apparently parents are to dumb to read the rating system already on the box ,which does stat why it got that rating, so they want the retailers to take responsibilty for thier laziness by putting a new rating on teh box with big bodl letters saying VIOLENCE! or some such. ... Never midn teh fact that the guy on teh cover looks like a thug wielding a lead pipe and another guy with a chainsaw on teh covor of the game. (obviously that game would teach you about safty in the work place!)

I have no problem with them passing a law to put a fine on retailers who sell mature games to young kids, they do it with other things, but having to come up with your own rating system because the parents don't take an interest in what their kids are buying/doing is just stupid.