Stop Wasting My Tax Dollars…
…On this bill thinly veiled as a failed scapegoat for youth violence.
Now, along with California’s Psychiatric and Psychological Associations, Yee has filed an amicus curiae brief with Court that elaborates on the reasoning behind the law. Within the brief (PDF) are some interesting quotes: “Parents can read a book, watch a movie or listen to a CD to discern if it is appropriate for their child. These violent video games, on the other hand, can contain up to 800 hours of footage with the most atrocious content often reserved for the highest levels and can be accessed only by advanced players after hours upon hours of progressive mastery.
This is bullshit. I’m sorry but this is complete and utter bullshit. Name me ONE game that had a pre-tense of innocent and childhood fun until several hundred hours in and goes “SUPRISE! I’m bloody and gory!” One. Find me one. And 800 hours? To say that’s a stretch is only barely covering it. Most games are hard pressed to give you more than 10 hours of gameplay, a rare game can keep it going for 100 hours or a bit more - but 800? No. That again - is bullshit.
Guys, this is purely about pointing fingers. It’s scare tactics at the most insulting levels. If a parent is concerned about what their child is playing - play it with them or watch them as they play. Too busy? What, watching TV? Get a DVR. Working on paperwork for your job? You can do it in the same room as your child playing the game. I promise you, you do NOT have to keep your eyes fully peeled and never blink to know what a videogame has in store. There are no hidden shots of people having sex or random decapitated bodies only the person with the controller can see. There aren’t (if you bring up the incredibly over-hyped and flawed argument of “hot coffee” - I’ll smack you). Christ people this isn’t some magical machine where only some people know how to “really” work it. It’s just a damn video game. Interactive media. Not friggin hard to figure out what your kid is playing - open your eyes!
If you really really really really REALLY want to make sure a violent videogame doesn’t appear in your house, you have to take initiative. Do NOT make the government be your nanny. It will solve absolutely NOTHING and make situations worse. Read reviews - there’s several hundred reviews of video games out there. Look at the DAMNED RATING on the DAMNED BOX. But don’t… DO NOT for one second leave it up to someone else to regulate what you and your family should be watching or playing.
Game developers are NOT crack dealers. They don’t get their rocks off tainted the youth. They’re making entertainment for all of us to enjoy. These people work so hard to give you great entertainment experiences. If you don’t appreciate it, that’s one thing. If you honestly believe that violent videogames have a negative influence on your kids - that’s fine too. YOU take care of YOUR family then. But don’t even try to tell ME that what you want for your family should be required for everyone’s families. Video games do not cause youth problems despite what you want to believe. I can point you to more accurate studies that show that statement couldn’t be farther from the truth. Hell, you can even read a book from two authors who spent TIME on their violent video game research, and who also weren’t funded by organizations who were looking for specific results to prove something that isn’t even true!
If this bill passes, it will be the first of it’s kind. Remember almost 20 years ago when Schwartzy’s own movies were under fire and they wanted to pass a bill to make it illegal to sell violent movies to minors? It didn’t pass. More importantly, the world didn’t blow up. So if this passes, video games will be the first media source to be viewed by the public as harmful to society. It’s just not true. It’s bullshit.
Travis linked a really great video by Penn and Teller recently. I thought it was pretty awesome, and right now I think everyone who wants this terrible bill to pass should be required to watch it. Language in it is brutal - but the message is crystal clear. 30 minutes long, but it’s all more than worth it for the last several minutes. It’s a really great video.
<3 Mary… I agree. Are you a member of the VGVN?