This just in:

A bill introduced in Congress last week would make it a federal crime to sell or rent violent video games to minors.
US Representative Joe Baca, D-California, introduced a bill in Congress last week that would make it a federal crime to sell or rent violent video games to minors. The Protect Children from Video Game Sex and Violence Act of 2002 would apply to games that feature decapitation, amputation, killing of humans with lethal weapons or through hand-to-hand combat, rape, carjackings, aggravated assault, and other violent felonies. Twenty-one other representatives cosponsored the bill, which was referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
That list would place a slew of popular titles out of the reach of teenagers, some of the biggest consumers of the games. The top-selling video game in 2001, according to research firm NPD Group, was Grand Theft Auto III, in which players steal and wreck cars, commit contract killings, and carry out other crimes. It has been banned in Australia.


I can understand it but I still don't like it. This is only the begining too. Soon, the decisions of congress will not only be toward the youth, but will affect every mature gamer in America, as well.

My settlements exactly. I can cope with it, but I don't like it.

Me myself, a 13 year old, don't mind it too much. If I want a game like that, I'll just ask for my birthday or christmas or something. My parents don't care. C'mon, video games. Geeze, Congress has always sucked, but they're only getting worse..

does this also stand in the UK(i live there)if it duz that sucks but as mentioned in above post get it for my birthday or christmas anyway:)

Originally posted by the one
does this also stand in the UK(i live there)if it duz that sucks but as mentioned in above post get it for my birthday or christmas anyway:)


Uh... I don't think the American Congress can make laws for residents in the UK.:D

thanks very much im very stupid!!!!!!:cool:

I live in canada so this wont realy affect me...I dont think they are gonna pass it though, they almost legalized weed for heavens sake.

Anyway I still think its a terrible Idea, and will destroy the gaming industry...heck all the FF games have violence in them dont they?

In conclusion..congress is slower than retarded molases. XD

I'm still a minor, so it really pisses me off but I'll be alright. I'm good friends with the guys that work at the place I buy my video games at, so they'll still let me have all my violent games. Take that congress! *shoots bird in general direction of Washington DC*

How old do you have to be to beconsidered a minor?

I'm 14 but I can pass as 21... :) (really but i'll be a 21-year old midget...)

Actually, some stores are checking for identification. And I believe under 18 is a minor.

Why me? Why me!? Oh well, I'm a minor, but I don't get those games anyway. As a matter of fact, I barely get any games! The games that I use most are Starcraft and Warcraft II Battle.Net. I can't survive life without them...

This does bother me pretty much, but only because game ratings are way overdone. If they were on the same level as movie ratings I'd have no problem, but think about it - most of today's M-rated first person shooters would be PG-13 if they were movies. It doesn't really effect me since I don't buy that many games anyway so I don't think I'll really run into much of a problem with it, but ugh... it still annoys me.

Well I am not a minor so I really don't care about that one. If I was a minor though I would be pissed off. People always banning things that are not real like games and movies etc. it's a joke if you ask me.

GTA 3 is however not illegal here in Australia, I heard it was, but every video game shop has it to buy and every video shop has it to rent/borrow. It's a good thing coz it is a kickass game for PS2, fun too beating up grannies and stealing cars.

I already think that most stores need you to be 17+ to buy the M-Rated Games...

Also RE was rated "M" and the movie was rated "R" even though it didn't show much to be "R"... SPiderman= "E" and the movie is PG-13...

bah, whatever


MGS 2 was rated M, but my parents bought it cuz they wanted to watch me play it, after having fun with watching MGS 1.

that stinks but oh well ill have to cope

It was introduced, not passed into law. Nothing's happened yet,
most likely nothing will. Adult games are already illegal for minors
and thats the only place I see a genuine limitation to age. I recall buying R movies without being checked. Anyways, good chances of dying in the supreme court, if precedent means anything in this country, and it does. On the other hand, game rating is screwed to "heck", so games that shouldn't be restricted will be called as such.


This does bother me pretty much, but only because game ratings are way overdone. If they were on the same level as movie ratings I'd have no problem, but think about it - most of today's M-rated first person shooters would be PG-13 if they were movies. It doesn't really effect me since I don't buy that many games anyway so I don't think I'll really run into much of a problem with it, but ugh... it still annoys me.


Of course it doesn't affect YOU. You play NINTENDO. A KIDDY system. You have fun playing kissy with Pikachu, and all of the REAL GAMERS will continue to get their murder simulator on with the PS2.

Just to clear things up: GTA3 was taken off the market in Australia for 2 weeks, to remove the scene with the prostitute. This was seen as offensive. Bashing a person to death with a baseball bat, however, was not.

...honestly, that bill with NEVER pass. Games have ratings for a reason. If video stores are stupid enough to rent MA games to kids under 15, its their own fault: THEY should be prosecuted.

Kids under 17, not 15.

What???? This is absurd! It totally takes away the freedom and rights of the *minors.* [exaggerates]

I really don't understand why people try to hide things from children. They're going to learn these kind of things anyways when they're older.

As for making it a crime, it's just ridiculous. That's why there are things called ratings on the games.

I am 17 year old so I have nothing to worry about. If I went to the store and got me a M rated game for my PlayStation2 & I need I.D I will just bring my Birth Certifirate.:)

Originally posted by Nanaki
Kids under 17, not 15.


...maybe in America, buddy. Over here, MA is 15+, R is 18+.

It is stupid to make it a crime to sell them to minors.:mad: I am 15, but I am always with my mother or brother(who is 17;) ) when I buy or rent movies and video games so I don't have anything to worry about since she doesn't care what I play, and my brother doesn't either(obviously). My mother gave me a card to blockbuster so I could rent movies without her and said to let me be able to rent anything(except X rated, but blockbuster doesn't have any of those, atleast not in Maryland) so that doesn't bother me either. But I agree that there are ratings on gams for a reason and Congress shouldn't be trying to find another way to restrict minors from seeing things only Adults can handle :rolleyes:

The games in question will be the ones with age restrictions on them. It would be incredibly stupid to refuse selling a crash bandicoot game to a 5 year old. I mean, if it gets to that the games business will suffer.

Well, I hope that it don't reach Canada...And Final Fantasy is classed Teens...ouf...I am 15...

The zombie thread army grows!

Well, I hope that it don't reach Canada...And Final Fantasy is classed Teens...ouf...I am 15... Do not bump threads for no reason. Christ, it's 2 years old.