IndustryGamers - Informing the Games Industry

California Game Law 'Oppressive Censorship,' says IGDA

Posted April 30, 2010 by James Brightman

During this past week, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review the California violent video games law following an appeal by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Attorney General Jerry Brown. The law, which basically compares violent games to porn, fines retailers up to $1000 for selling violent games to minors. The International Game Developer's Association (IGDA) said condemned the legislation today and said that it's tantamount to "oppressive censorship."

The IGDA "asserts that video games are a form of expression whether they're intended for entertainment, simulation or training. Like books, film, and television, games are capable of conveying many messages and many points of view. Limiting forms of expression in video games limits the expression of game creators, which violates their constitutional rights to free speech in the United States and abroad as specified by Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights from the United Nations. In the specific case of the state of California's Schwarzenegger v. Video Software Dealers Association, 08-1448, which is coming before the US Supreme Court this fall, the IGDA's position is that limiting the sale of video games based on violence is oppressive censorship, singling out one form of expression based only on popular myth and biased research."

The association continued, "The IGDA is committed to the safety of children and supports fair and objective research on the effects of video games on the psychology of children and adults alike, as exemplified by the $1.5 million federally funded Harvard Medical study headed by Drs. Kutner & Olsen and provided to the public in Grand Theft Childhood: The Surprising Truth About Violent Video Games and What Parents Can Do.  The IGDA stands behind informing parents about their media decisions and allowing them, rather than governmental bodies, to decide for their children."

The IGDA noted that violence is conveyed on TV, the Internet and all media and that all these forms are protected by the First Amendment. Why should games be any different?

"Video games are at the heart of technical and artistic innovation," said IGDA Chair Gordon Bellamy.  "Singling out games from other media is not only unconstitutional, according to courts throughout the country, but it also stigmatizes a leading industry in our economy that's embraced by millions in all walks of life."

James Brightman has been covering the games industry since 2003 and has been an avid gamer ever since the days of Atari and Intellivision. He was previously the EIC of GameDaily Biz.