What is there to enforce?trenthowellSeptember 12 2006, 13:45:07 UTC
all games that are sold commercially in stores already get an ESRB rating, most stores that I know of wouldn't sell a game that didn't have an ESRB rating anyway and you never see an AO rated game, I've never known one to exist that was sold publicly.
And how are they going to enforce this part: "(2) any video game containing a content rating of `Mature' (as determined by such Board) to any person under the age of 17." Are they going to have an FTC operative standing behind the counter asking for ID's everytime someone comes in to buy an M rated game? Way to work around that, the parent comes in and buys the M rated game.
Bluntly put, there would be no change in the status quo and in the long run that Enforcement Act would be a waste. The intentions are good and it keeps the ESRB relitively in charge still, but theres no real way to actually enforce it. The ESRB is more succesful with its rating system than the movie rating system, why can't movies come under the same scrutiny and hypocrsy
Vote for ME, I'm PRO FAMILY!!verbinatorSeptember 12 2006, 15:24:42 UTC
Congressman Matheson is up for re-election in two months. Hence the legislation. It says "Look, I may be a Democrat in a Conservative state, but I'm still pro-family values." Utah, here's your opportunity to elect someone who understands the Constitution of the United States and it's amendments.
On the other hand, perhaps the Congressman would be willing to donate his salary (and convince his co sponsors to do do the same) to indy game developers so they can afford the ESRB rating process. Nahhh. I didn't think so.
Re: Vote for ME, I'm PRO FAMILY!!illspiritSeptember 12 2006, 17:24:53 UTC
It says "Look, I may be a Democrat in a Conservative state, but I'm still pro-family values."
Personally, I thought it just screams "Look at me, I'm a utopian hive-mind moonbat who's redacted the term 'personal responsibility' from the dictionary and wishes to shift the blame for all of society's ills onto random inanimate objects because, hey, even the criminals are victims too!" But don't mind me, I'm just jaded and bitter. ^_^
Re: What is there to enforce?zewrestlerSeptember 12 2006, 15:38:46 UTC
I see the price going way up considering ESRB is getting burned for not playing the game in its entirety. IF they did everything for every single game, imagine the price increase.
In other words, anything that can be called a 'Video Game' is ILLEGAL to be shared with another person in any way... unless it contains an ESRB rating, which costs a minimum of $5,000 (and you KNOW the price is going to go way up if this bill goes through, which I pray it does not).
Wait a sec. So if some Utah gamer decides to show his buddy Cave Story or Dwarf Fortress (Both unrated freeware games) That would be illegal?
Now I know there's no hope for enforcement, and even if there was I doubt some cop would arrest you for introducing people to NetHack, but isn't this just a tad insane?
The most blatantly unconstitutional law of its kind so farace_of_sevensSeptember 12 2006, 18:00:24 UTC
All previous laws only tried to restrict commercial distribution, but this hits everything. Requiring people pay $5000 for the right to distribute their speech is the most blatant encroachment encroachment on free speech since the alien and sedition act. I'll give Matheson the benefit of the doubt and say he just knows nothing abotu the video game industry rather than he's doing this on purpose. I'm fairy sure this won't actually pass, luckily.
Re: The most blatantly unconstitutional law of its kind so farbrainswarmSeptember 12 2006, 22:53:08 UTC
Even if some form of insanity hits the U.S. House of Representatives, the Senate, and the President doesn't veto it(but when does he veto anything), it still will never make it past the first court challenge, if past precedent is any indication.
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And how are they going to enforce this part: "(2) any video game containing a content rating of `Mature' (as determined by such Board) to any person under the age of 17."
Are they going to have an FTC operative standing behind the counter asking for ID's everytime someone comes in to buy an M rated game? Way to work around that, the parent comes in and buys the M rated game.
Bluntly put, there would be no change in the status quo and in the long run that Enforcement Act would be a waste. The intentions are good and it keeps the ESRB relitively in charge still, but theres no real way to actually enforce it. The ESRB is more succesful with its rating system than the movie rating system, why can't movies come under the same scrutiny and hypocrsy
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Because they had their time in the hotseat a few times already. Its our turn now.
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Well they certainly don't hide images of nudie bars in kids cartoons... um...
drat!
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On the other hand, perhaps the Congressman would be willing to donate his salary (and convince his co sponsors to do do the same) to indy game developers so they can afford the ESRB rating process. Nahhh. I didn't think so.
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Personally, I thought it just screams "Look at me, I'm a utopian hive-mind moonbat who's redacted the term 'personal responsibility' from the dictionary and wishes to shift the blame for all of society's ills onto random inanimate objects because, hey, even the criminals are victims too!" But don't mind me, I'm just jaded and bitter. ^_^
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Wait, those kind of politicians exist? I thought they were just a myth.
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Wait a sec. So if some Utah gamer decides to show his buddy Cave Story or Dwarf Fortress (Both unrated freeware games) That would be illegal?
Now I know there's no hope for enforcement, and even if there was I doubt some cop would arrest you for introducing people to NetHack, but isn't this just a tad insane?
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Not just a Utah gamer, but any gamer in any state. This is being proposed as a federal law, not a state law.
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