NY bill to impose limits on racial/religious violence in games

New legislation proposed in New York State by Rep. Keith Wright is set to block sales of games that depict racist and religious violence to minors. The bill A00547, if passed should block games that depict advocate or glamorize: commission of a violent crime, suicide, sexual violence, violent racism, religious violence, and illegal use of drug and alcohol.

GamePolitics reports that Rep. Wright’s bill also calls for Retailers to place such games in an adults only section. Retailers would be required to check ID for buyers who appear to be under 30. The bill has been referred to the Assembly’s Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection.

GamePolitics further notes that while proposed legislation would affect games sold at retail, it won’t affect games that are spread through online, non-commercial distribution.

While we agree with this bill’s good intentions, and we note that this is one of the better bills that has attempted to define violence in video games, we have to point out that racism in games is a bit hard to define. Take for example a cliche group of eager heroic knights slaying a bunch of orcs, and calling them “filthy cur” or something. Standard fare for any teen-rated game, or movie for the matter, but it could be considered by some overzealous folks to be “violent racism.” And don’t get us started on all those WWII shooters.

Moreover, courts have previously disallowed restrictions based on violence alone. This bill might encounter a lot of difficulty getting passed.

Via GamePolitics

New legislation proposed in New York State by Rep. Keith Wright is set to block sales of games that depict racist and religious violence to minors. The bill A00547, if passed should block games that depict advocate or glamorize: commission of a violent crime, suicide, sexual violence, violent racism, religious violence, and illegal use of drug and alcohol.

GamePolitics reports that Rep. Wright’s bill also calls for Retailers to place such games in an adults only section. Retailers would be required to check ID for buyers who appear to be under 30. The bill has been referred to the Assembly’s Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection.

GamePolitics further notes that while proposed legislation would affect games sold at retail, it won’t affect games that are spread through online, non-commercial distribution.

While we agree with this bill’s good intentions, and we note that this is one of the better bills that has attempted to define violence in video games, we have to point out that racism in games is a bit hard to define. Take for example a cliche group of eager heroic knights slaying a bunch of orcs, and calling them “filthy cur” or something. Standard fare for any teen-rated game, or movie for the matter, but it could be considered by some overzealous folks to be “violent racism.” And don’t get us started on all those WWII shooters.

Moreover, courts have previously disallowed restrictions based on violence alone. This bill might encounter a lot of difficulty getting passed.

Via GamePolitics