11/01/2005
Florida aims to curb violent video games
[ Friday, October 28, 2005 11:13:07 pmREUTERS ]
SAN FRANCISCO: A Florida state senator has introduced a bill that would ban the sale or rental of violent video games to minors, an aide to the lawmaker said on Thursday. Introduced on October 25 by state Senetor Alex Diaz de la Portilla, a Republican from Miami, the bill is a near clone of legislation recently signed into law by California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger who is portrayed in several video games based on his action film roles. Bills aimed at restricting sales of violent games to minors are the latest salvo in a long campaign by detractors and some parent groups to limit access to games with adult content. Critics cite research suggesting that violent games can increase aggressive behavior in young boys. Game makers and retailers counter that video games carry ratings similar to those found on films, and many store clerks ask for identification from young gamers to make sure they are not buying titles aimed at older audiences. The battle over controversial video game content flared anew this summer when game publisher Take-Two Interactive Software Inc pulled its blockbuster title 'Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas' from store shelves following the discovery of hidden sex scenes in its code. Trade groups representing the $10 billion US video game industry have sued to strike down the new California law and are fighting similar battles in Michigan and Illinois. Courts already have blocked such legislation in Washington State, the city of Indianapolis and St. Louis County in Missouri.
SAN FRANCISCO: A Florida state senator has introduced a bill that would ban the sale or rental of violent video games to minors, an aide to the lawmaker said on Thursday. Introduced on October 25 by state Senetor Alex Diaz de la Portilla, a Republican from Miami, the bill is a near clone of legislation recently signed into law by California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger who is portrayed in several video games based on his action film roles. Bills aimed at restricting sales of violent games to minors are the latest salvo in a long campaign by detractors and some parent groups to limit access to games with adult content. Critics cite research suggesting that violent games can increase aggressive behavior in young boys. Game makers and retailers counter that video games carry ratings similar to those found on films, and many store clerks ask for identification from young gamers to make sure they are not buying titles aimed at older audiences. The battle over controversial video game content flared anew this summer when game publisher Take-Two Interactive Software Inc pulled its blockbuster title 'Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas' from store shelves following the discovery of hidden sex scenes in its code. Trade groups representing the $10 billion US video game industry have sued to strike down the new California law and are fighting similar battles in Michigan and Illinois. Courts already have blocked such legislation in Washington State, the city of Indianapolis and St. Louis County in Missouri.
