Law Would Put Health Warnings on Games

[Green0scar]

A new congressional bill would require that a label be placed on any title rated Teen or higher, warning consumers of violence in videogames. The label would appear on both retail and digitally distributed games.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Joe Baca (D-Calif.), is titled the Video Game Health Labeling Act of 2009 and would create a new rule in the federal government's Consumer Product Safety Commission that would place this label on all games rated T or higher:


WARNING: Excessive exposure to violent video games and other violent media has been linked to aggressive behavior.

Source: http://ds.ign.com/articles/943/943993p1.html

 

[Hadrian]

I guess they haven't seen the many reports that it doesn't.

Also, this is the law as in police, not Law as in the member.

 

[Law]

I guess they haven't seen the many reports that it doesn't.

Also, this is the law as in police, not Law as in the member.

I was just about to post "No I wouldn't : (".

And isn't there already a warning on the damn box? Usually on the back?

Seriously, parents just need to learn to read and research before buying games for their kids.

I think a lot of games rated 18 already have warnings about graphical violence/gore before the title screen loads anyway. If that isn't enough for a parent to take the game away from a 6 year old, I don't know what is.

 

[Doomsday Forte]

Seriously, parents just need to learn to read and research before buying games for their kids.

I think a lot of games rated 18 already have warnings about graphical violence/gore before the title screen loads anyway. If that isn't enough for a parent to take the game away from a 6 year old, I don't know what is.

Quoted for truth because no one does.

"Mommy I want that game!"
"Okay, Junior."

And then Mommy walks in and sees Junior raping a prostitute and is aghast. Gee, I wonder who's responsible for him playing that game?

"Why, the creators of that Satanic-themed game, of course!"

Responsible Parenting 101 (lol).

 

[RupeeClock]

on all games rated T or higher:
WARNING: Excessive exposure to violent video games and other violent media has been linked to aggressive behavior.

Uh huh wha?

Aside from research also showing that this generally isn't true, just because a game has a T-rating does NOT mean it's violent.
It could be rated T because of alcohol, cartoon violence, crude humour, profanity, nudity, gambling, sexual themes, drug reference, mischief, or tobacco.
NONE of those are violence! At least not the typical Manhunt, GTA or FPS violence that they keep targeting!

http://www.esrb.org/ratings/ratings_guide.jsp

 

[Link5084]

I hate these stupid laws that pass time to time that affects violent video games and they are trying to prevent these titles from reaching young children, but this law isn't going to affect anybody.

 

[Diosoth]

People don't pay attention to the big letter stamps anyway. Poeple also don't pay attention to the "this product can cause severe illnesses" warnings on cigarette packages, so I don't see how this will make any difference.

 

[Seven]

You'd usually think the large "M" or "T" on the back would usually signal something, but I guess people today don't bother to read labels at all.

 

[Heran Bago]

Democrats love censorship and regulation when it comes to video games. Guess who's got the majority of the senate. Get used to it guys.

I'm all for a sticker on the front though. When metal music had to get a sticker it had a positive effect on sales.

 

[Hop2089]

It won't do much since the average age of gamers who buy T and M rated games are already 17 or above. It's just a waste of time and taxpayer dollars and why target only violent media. Also, it's the realistic violence which is the so called "problem" not the animated violence. The government either needs to include all factors or drop it preferably drop it but having the warning level on the games may make gaming a status symbol or a rite of passage for teenagers and adults which would increase sales and make matters worse for the government who decided to shoot themselves in the foot.