While the video game industry is obviously very happy with this morning's Supreme Court ruling ensuring that games enjoy the same Constitutionally protected Free Speech as books, movies and other forms of entertainment, there is one man who is particularly unhappy: Leland Yee. California Democrat Yee was the author of 2005 law that was deemed unconstitutional.
“Unfortunately, the majority of the Supreme Court once again put the interests of corporate America before the interests of our children,” said Senator Leland Yee in a statement. “As a result of their decision, Wal-Mart and the video game industry will continue to make billions of dollars at the expense of our kids’ mental health and the safety of our community. It is simply wrong that the video game industry can be allowed to put their profit margins over the rights of parents and the well-being of children.”
“While we did not win today, I am certain that this eight year legislative and legal battle has raised the consciousness of this issue for many parents and grandparents, and has forced the video game industry to do a better job at appropriately rating these games,” said Yee.
Yee's Bill -- Assembly Bill 1179 – was designed to prevent the sale and rental of violent video games that "depict serious injury to human beings in a manner that is especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel" to persons who are under 18 years of age. Retailers who violated the Act would have been liable in an amount up to $1,000 for each violation.
Yee plans a press conference for later today.
All of the best people are following Stephen Johnson's twitter feed. Also, email me if you wanna.
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DogFootball
To make the change Lee desires, be the change and support the solutions. In my case, I started a game studio focused on quality family entertainment including our first game Jerry Rice & Nitus' Dog Football. We produce products you can be happy your kids are interacting with and provide you an opportunity to play along with your kids. I recommend Lee buy a copy and tell his friends to do so... then we will make more products like these. :) A bonus would be if Obama would fix the Accredited Investor requirements so that people who wish to invest in our company would be allowed to do so... you know... support that whole "small business is the answer" and "opportunity for wealth for all" concept he claims to believe in... www.judobaby.com
Jax009
HA! The system works...for once.
BR4CR
The nice thing about the American legal system is that all these histrionic fools who decry gaming (or gay men, or lesbians, or rock and roll music or Ravel's 'Bolero') as the downfall of human kind, must PROVE with EVIDENCE that their idiotic theories have any basis in reality. Naturally, they are doomed from the start.
brownieball
So why is it different from the sale of R rated movies?
If anything, video games can be worse because players actually act out the violent actions. It's true that this sort of legislation shouldn't be necessary, but there are plenty of people out there who have no desire to watch their kids.
I have to say, this isn't the worst thing the fed has tried to do. They're just trying to save people from themselves and hold someone accountable.
Scarfo
I guess it never aquired to Mr. Lee, that it's the responsibility of THE PARENTS, on what their children are exposed to. Politicians needs to stop trying to regulate on matters best left up to individual choices and responsibility!
xexplosiveegg
Why do democrats always have to watch over every little thing Americans do. If parents dont want their kids planning these games. Dont purchase the games for them! Its that easy...
I dont see why the government is trying to assume the role as the parents for every single child out there.
I wish I could punch that dude in the fact, for wasting so much tax payers money on such a stupid cause!
idtirba
I love how Lee sidesteps the real issue that is whether or not the GOVERNMENT should be allowed to regulate what kind of video game material can be presented to minors... Demonizing the video game industry and retail markets such as Wal-Mart undermines the responsibility of adults for their children; the availability of violent video games to be purchased by ADULTS is not a direct cause of any detrimental harm to young children and their mental health. It is, rather, the neglect of parents to apply their "due diligence" in the lives of their own children and the unwillingness to, perhaps, realize their impact on their child that the youth have become more prone to harm by being negatively persuaded by "controversial" media.
BryanHelp
*Sigh, kid's playing FPS' online continues... Good thing I don't play FPS'. =]
doinyomama
I'm 12 years old and if I didn't have violent video games like GTA4, Fallout 3, and Dead Space 2 I would be a serial killer. I have a lust for blood violence and explosions. I dare you to take my games away.
hafizlordfeast58
I know why he react like this. Considering about the news on how a Chinese kid Warcrafted himself to death, a Chinese man killed his own friend for owned an MMO real money weapon and how a woman killed her own boyfriend for playin to many games, he started to get a bit paranoid. Not that I can blame him or the way his people in his country behave but some people JUST TAKE GAMES TOO SERIOUSLY.
Games shouldn't be a problem or put in a court. The example of these unstable people should get educated and put in a court.
tcs0
Parents need to be more attentive to children. that's how you stop violent video games from scarring them. Nothing more.
WraithMastah
Oh Leland... I never want to hear from you again -.- Go away.
scorpian876
Yeah this douche bag Yee needs to S.T.F.U.! And get the hell out of our country telling us video games are bad and crap! And he sided with corporate America? Wow Mr.Yee we caught you in your lies! And I agree that parents should watch and know what their children are playing and parents should know what kind of video games their buying for their children .lol
lngun4311
Mr.Yee please get your head out of your own ass. Siding with the interests corporate america?? What are you trying to prove? The Supreme court is siding with the interests of the constitution it just so happens that the decision favors corporations. You went in to this fight with the best of intentions and Kudos for that but to make such a ignorant statement after the ruling can only be seen as callous and defensive. Video games can be violent, gory, and brutal in every sense but they are FUN. And at the end of the day for most of us that's all it is fun and then we continue on with our daily lives. So yes maybe you have point but please don't superimpose some radical idea that has nothing to do with anyone's argument. Suck it up, maybe if you played some of those violent video games you would grow a pair.
lngun4311
lngun4311's comment is abusive and has been removed.
Roxorz
protect the rights of parents? here's an idea parents, pay attention to your children and filter things yourself. It's not the govts job to raise your children
lngun4311
lngun4311's comment is abusive and has been removed.
Federer343
Federer343's comment is abusive and has been removed.
rifleshoot
i think mr. yee knows that there are a lot of negligent parents out there, so he just wants the government to do what the parents should have been doing in the first place.
Cyphin
Yee could stop wasting state money on stupid legislature and do something useful like help create jobs or improve education.
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