(Another) Game violence bill passed in New York State

The New York State Senate has just passed new legislation that seeks to (once again) curb video game violence. Bill S.5888, sponsored by Senator Andrew Lanza, was introduced just last Thursday (May 17) and was subsequently passed Tuesday of this week (May 21).

According to the press wire that’s in circulation, this bill’s agenda is to first create the Advisory Council on Interactive Media and Youth Violence, a board that’s designed to review the current Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB).

The two other provisions of this bill include a requirement for all New York State retailers to place rating labels on their games, and to establish a Parent-Teacher Anti-Violence Awareness Program.

What I find counter-intuitive (and a little absurd) is that while the bill’s provisions seem sensible, Lanza added this statement in the press release in order to make it seem more imperative to pass the bill into law:

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.

We assume he means V-Tech Rampage, Ryan Lambourn’s highly controversial Flash game, which Mr. Lanza also attempted to parallel to Rockstar’s upcoming Grand Theft Auto IV.

Indeed, while I agree with the legislation’s movements for increased awareness, it’s unsettling to know that the primary motivations for this legislation appear to be a knee-jerk reaction to the Virginia Tech incident and a game not affiliated with the large-scale video game industry. Of course, that’s just my two cents on the matter – time will tell what revisions will play out as this bill goes through its paces.

What about you, QJ readers – what’s your take on this new bill? We’ve posted a read link for the original press wire which details the bill’s full mechanics. Read up on that and feel free to post a reply.

The New York State Senate has just passed new legislation that seeks to (once again) curb video game violence. Bill S.5888, sponsored by Senator Andrew Lanza, was introduced just last Thursday (May 17) and was subsequently passed Tuesday of this week (May 21).

According to the press wire that’s in circulation, this bill’s agenda is to first create the Advisory Council on Interactive Media and Youth Violence, a board that’s designed to review the current Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB).

The two other provisions of this bill include a requirement for all New York State retailers to place rating labels on their games, and to establish a Parent-Teacher Anti-Violence Awareness Program.

What I find counter-intuitive (and a little absurd) is that while the bill’s provisions seem sensible, Lanza added this statement in the press release in order to make it seem more imperative to pass the bill into law:

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.

We assume he means V-Tech Rampage, Ryan Lambourn’s highly controversial Flash game, which Mr. Lanza also attempted to parallel to Rockstar’s upcoming Grand Theft Auto IV.

Indeed, while I agree with the legislation’s movements for increased awareness, it’s unsettling to know that the primary motivations for this legislation appear to be a knee-jerk reaction to the Virginia Tech incident and a game not affiliated with the large-scale video game industry. Of course, that’s just my two cents on the matter – time will tell what revisions will play out as this bill goes through its paces.

What about you, QJ readers – what’s your take on this new bill? We’ve posted a read link for the original press wire which details the bill’s full mechanics. Read up on that and feel free to post a reply.