Susan Arendt
Culture

New York Senator Wants Violent Games Kept Out of Kids' Hands

Remember New York State Senator Andrew Lanza? He introduced Bill S05888 last Thursday, and is pleased as punch that it’s passed. If you don’t feel like reading all the way through it to get to the good bits, here’s the Cliff’s Notes version: the bill requires New York retailers to put ratings stickers on all […]

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Remember New York State Senator Andrew Lanza? He introduced Bill S05888 last Thursday, and is pleased as punch that it's passed. If you don't feel like reading all the way through it to get to the good bits, here's the Cliff's Notes version: the bill requires New York retailers to put ratings stickers on all games (or have the rating clearly visible on a web site) as well as set up a "Parent-Teacher Anti-Violence Awareness Program to work with students and children on issues related to violence in video games."

Applying ratings stickers to games seems a bit redundant, given the ESRB rating, but educating adults about the games their kids might be asking to play is certainly a good idea. The bill would've been just fine if it had stopped there but of course, it didn't:

No person, partnership, or corporation shall sell or rent or attempt to sell or rent at retail a video game in contravention of the rating affixed thereto.

Ka-pow. What's that saying about repeating the same action, but expecting different results? Other bills with similar provisions have fallen before the might of the Constitution, so it seems likely this one will, too. In a press release about S05888, Lanza underscored the bill's importance by saying:

The recent release of ‘V-Tech Massacre,’ a sick game which exploits the
Virginia Tech University tragedy, is a painful reminder of the culture of violence which has severe consequences on our youth and society. The emotions and behaviors of our children are far too often shaped by the virtual reality of violent movies and video games. It is imperative that we find a way to prevent these virtual realities from continuing to fuel and teach the violent behavior which is corrupting our youth.

We're not going to hold it against him that a) he got the name of the game wrong (it's V-Tech Rampage), and/or b) his bill would have absolutely no effect on the game in question, are we? Of course we're not.

New York game bill mandates advisory council on media violence [ArsTechnica]