EU may regulate development and sale of violent video games

Concerns are rising in Europe over the issue of violent video games. The EU is considering regulating the sale of some titles as a result.<BR><BR> Story

 

[AxMi-24]

Good to see that politicians here (EU) are not letting nonsense like facts or god forbid logic get in their way.

 

[morello]

MS & Sony are going to be in trouble if only kiddie games are going to be allowed to be sold and developed. Nintendo teaches kids manners and how to behave FTW! <BR><BR>Realism leads to violence, violence must be stopped, games are no longer allowed to portray anything resembling anything that could be interpreted as anything at all! <BR><BR>Stupidity ++

 

[Chris FOM]

Not being an expert on EU law, do they have anything akin to the 1st Amendment guaranteeing freedom of speech? From what I've seen, all attempts at video game regulation here in the US have been overturned based on 1st Amendment issues, but I have no idea what the EU equivalent is, if one exists. Can someone with more knowledge enlighten me?

 

[divisionbyzero]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by I Palindrome I:<BR>Concerns are rising in Europe over the issue of violent video games. The EU is considering regulating the sale of some titles as a result.<BR><BR> Story </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>For whatever reason, I expect this kind of thing from the EU, more so than the US. The EU throughout its history has censored anything that incites violence or hatred. They are much more lenient about anything that incites sex and lust. On the whole, I'd rather have that system than the one we have here in the US. All of that being said, this can be summed up in one word: hysteria.

 

[divisionbyzero]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Chris FOM:<BR>Not being an expert on EU law, do they have anything akin to the 1st Amendment guaranteeing freedom of speech? </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Yes, but it usually is trumped by social issues like inciting hatred: "The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union guarantees freedom of expression but currently merely has the status of a "solemn proclamation" and is not binding in law."<BR><BR>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_speech#European_Union

 

[diatribe69]

Why can't politicians work on causes instead of symptoms? <BR><BR>Because it's a lot easier to take a gun off the street then it is to keep it from being made in the first place.

 

[Kesh]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Rejecting market-driven solutions, Frattini told the European Parliament that "the protection of the rights of children is a priority of the European Commission," according to the Hollywood Reporter. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>"This is the United States calling. Our politicians would like their rhetoric back."<BR><BR>Seriously. This is just another rewording of, "Think of the children!"

 

[AxMi-24]

I've talked to few coworkers here in Germany (all Germans) and they are fully behind the ban. Some only for people under 18 years of age and some fully. No idea about going for the root of the problem. Most common reason being that going for the root of the problem is hard and not guarantied to work so we will just ban it and the problem will disappear.<BR><BR>I'm starting to think that Germans have some kind of genetic flaw since the WW2 as they seem to be extremely fond of baning approach.

 

[DSiglin]

According to the EU violence is not ok but, as divisionbyzero pointed out, they are more lenient on sexually explicit or suggestive material. The latter is more damaging since it often teaches men to view women as things to be conquered, or lusted after in a prize like manner. Having played violent games before I don't the violence to be as mind altering since often the violence is within the framework of a war or something similar. The sexualness of a game tends ellicit emotions that are less contained within a certain context. Of course there are variant games that are over the top on violence and glory in it. While I don't know if those should be banned they definitely are not a good thing.

 

[morello]

So how long until we start burning books again? I hear there's a lot of inciteful ideas in those things. Of course, since the internet exists, book burning isn't nearly as effective, but you can block all outside ISPs right? <BR><BR>Why even bother with schooling? Just truly brainwash everyone. Hell fuck people. Eliminate all the people entirely and you've solved the the problem for good. Kill everyone. Every last person. For they might cause violence.<BR><BR>Atleast with genetic/techonolgical advancements soon hopefully we can alter people so they have microchips in them that as soon a violent thought passes through your mind you can be programmed to be paralyzed across the body until turned off by the authorities. After questioning that is.

 

[CPX]

RIP<br>UbiSoft<br>200X<br><br>Alas, fare UbiSoft, we knew thee well and loved thy games. Legislation is no way to die.<br><br> <i>You will be remembered.</i><br><br>-- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif --

 

[Mister Morden]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by DSiglin:<BR>According to the EU violence is not ok but, as divisionbyzero pointed out, they are more lenient on sexually explicit or suggestive material. The latter is more damaging since it often teaches men to view women as things to be conquered, or lusted after in a prize like manner. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Sexually explicit material need not show women as "things to be conquered." Why do so many people assume that women are passive agents with regard to sex? Why do so many dismiss outright or not even consider that a woman may actually want to have sex and be an equal partner in the act, or even the initiator?

 

[zsouthboy]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Mister Morden:<BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by DSiglin:<BR>According to the EU violence is not ok but, as divisionbyzero pointed out, they are more lenient on sexually explicit or suggestive material. The latter is more damaging since it often teaches men to view women as things to be conquered, or lusted after in a prize like manner. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Sexually explicit material need not show women as "things to be conquered." Why do so many people assume that women are passive agents with regard to sex? Why do so many dismiss outright or not even consider that a woman may actually want to have sex and be an equal partner in the act, or even the initiator? </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>You mean women are supposed to enjoy and want sex? :O [I've been doing it wrong, haha]<BR><BR><BR>---<BR><BR><BR>After watching the thousands and thousands of hours of porn I have, I thought they just liked pleasing men and then making them a sammich. Just like the objects that they are.<BR><BR>Hint: People that would view females, or anyone, as objects to aquire, use, abuse, etc. have been around much much longer than sex on tv, or porn.<BR><BR>The same way that children who get pissed off at the world and react in a violent way (like shooting fellow students) have been around forever.<BR><BR>Given the millions and millions of copies of violent games out there (and porn, to help make my point), if there TRULY was a correlation of some sort, don't you'd think we'd see more than ONE kid blow shit up?<BR><BR>"Think of the children" = allow me to censor you, allow me to control your life<BR><BR>EDIT: after reading my post I realize that it looks like I'm replying to Mister Morden or attempting to argue with him, which is untrue as we likely share similar views judging from his response.

 

[Mister Morden]

Just to clarify, I'm just saying that while I acknowledge that most porn does depict women being treated as objects, it <I>need not</I> be the case.<BR><BR>I'm sorry for dragging this discussion so far off topic, but I couldn't let stand DSiglin's flippant comment about pornography being more dangerous than violent media "since it often teaches men to view women as things," as though that were somehow inherent to pornography.

 

[me15ter]

I honestly wonder what will happen when the generation who grew up with video games gains the right to vote.

 

[CPX]

me15ter> Not much, too many Baby Boomers still clinging on... *is one of Gamer Generation*

 

[DSiglin]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Mister Morden:<BR>Sexually explicit material need not show women as "things to be conquered." Why do so many people assume that women are passive agents with regard to sex? Why do so many dismiss outright or not even consider that a woman may actually want to have sex and be an equal partner in the act, or even the initiator? </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>No, it need not, but it often does. Zsouthboy has a point that these wrong thought patterns have been around before porn and violent video games. That's not my point though. My point is these things reinforce what is already in the mind. It's not debatable that watching violence desensitizes you to it. Just like watching porn that treats women as objects reinforces the idea that is already in the mind or plants it there then reinforces it. You can't ignore that you are, to a degree, what you watch and play.<BR><BR>That said, I don't agree with banning violent video games because we live in a country where the 1st Amendment is important. I'm not willing to weaken the 1st Amendment for my own beliefs. (yeah I know its the EU we are talking about and I'm not familiar with their system)

 

[Matrel]

The problem is that the video game content often doesn't really match the reality of the situation. For example I watched a child purchase a WWF wrestling game, but he had to wait for his Mum to come along because it was rated 16+. This is ridiculous as WWF is on the TV all hours of the day and is primarily watched by children (of any age!!). Playing the game is no different that watching it, you don't suddenly become a wrestler through pushing buttons and start chucking your friends around the playground. Kids do that from watching it.<BR><BR>Obviously I can understand that there are titles like Doom III that I don't want my kids playing. But I think Halo is great fun and my son and I often play through Halo II split screen. The other issue is that I can't let him play online because there is no control over the abusive, racist and generally unsocial behaviour. But then that puts me off as well. So safe to say, the rating scheme here is Europe works as well as the US, parents generally don't care until the tabloid press gives them a reason to be stupid about things.

 

[iobe]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by divisionbyzero:<BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Chris FOM:<BR>Not being an expert on EU law, do they have anything akin to the 1st Amendment guaranteeing freedom of speech? </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Yes, but it usually is trumped by social issues like inciting hatred: "The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union guarantees freedom of expression but currently merely has the status of a "solemn proclamation" and is not binding in law."<BR><BR>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_speech#European_Union </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>Good thing it's irrelevant <I>since each member nation has its own set of laws protecting free speech</I>, just like they always have. The EU is not an entity equal to the US.

 

[gsb445]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Why even bother with schooling? Just truly brainwash everyone. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>And viddy films I would. Where I was taken to, brothers, was like no cine I'd been in before. I was bound up in a straight-jacket and my gulliver was strapped to a headrest with like wires running away from it. Then they clamped like lidlocks on my eyes so I could not shut them no matter how hard I tried. It seemed a bit crazy to me, but I let them get on with what they wanted to get on with. If I was to be a free young malchick in a fortnight's time, I would put up with much in the meantime, my brothers.

 

[DMRSX]

Socialism at it's finest!

 

[the_leander]

<blockquote class="ip-ubbcode-quote">
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div>
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by AxMi-24:<br>Good to see that politicians here (EU) are not letting nonsense like facts or god forbid logic get in their way. </div>
</blockquote>
<br><br>QFT. <br><br>It never ceases to amaze me how politicians (all) seem to overreact to videogames. <br><br>Because as we all know, there were no murders, rapes or indeed any other crime whatsoever before them. <br><br>I've yet to see a single study that can show conclusively that videogames = real life violence.<br><br>Anyone would think that the countries pushing for this had a history of fascism and book burning... -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif --

 

[morello]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by gsb445:<BR>And viddy films I would. Where I was taken to, brothers, was like no cine I'd been in before. I was bound up in a straight-jacket and my gulliver was strapped to a headrest with like wires running away from it. Then they clamped like lidlocks on my eyes so I could not shut them no matter how hard I tried. It seemed a bit crazy to me, but I let them get on with what they wanted to get on with. If I was to be a free young malchick in a fortnight's time, I would put up with much in the meantime, my brothers. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Sounds like the writing of Stanley Kubrick, and lo and behold it is (even if I don't remember a damned passage, the style & language used is a dead giveaway). I wonder how much longer they will teach that book in schools, before they move on to banning it too. <BR><BR>Oh well, I wouldn't be surprised if we're all in for one hell of a ride these next few decades. These things will keep happening because as long as they isolate these things far enough apart, no matter how crazy what someone wants to do is, if you don't offend a big enough group to cause any damage, people will just go on and not care. The question is, as time goes by, will there be enough people left to care enough before it's too late? Guess we can all wait and see.<BR><BR>Actually what it all comes down to is the number of people who want the government to run their lives is overcoming the number of people who want to do it themselves. Whether that's a good a bad thing ultimately remains to be seen (i think), but my money's on the latter.

 

[Glaucus]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by diatribe69:<BR>Why can't politicians work on causes instead of symptoms? <BR><BR>Because it's a lot easier to take a gun off the street then it is to keep it from being made in the first place. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Good to know weapons are CAUSES of violence.

 

[Electricdawn]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by AxMi-24:<BR>I've talked to few coworkers here in Germany (all Germans) and they are fully behind the ban. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>I can assure you. I am German and I love playing video games. I used to play a lot of shooters. Now me and my wife play mostly WoW.<BR><BR>BTW, My age is 45 years.<BR><BR>v/r, E.

 

[glenrm]

Commissioner for Justice, Freedom, and Security, of course in perfect 1984 irony this guy's job is to take away freedom. Now France rejected the EU constitution as did several other countries, and yet the pols keep at it. Enough already. <BR><BR>Freedom for all.

 

[neffer]

lazy politicians. its easier than having to deal with their festering muslim minorities and neo nazis.<BR><BR>and seriously, these people are responsible for 6 million jews dead. 62million dead total during ww2 alone. not a video game in sight at the time. who the f*ck do they think they are kidding.

 

[Glaucus]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by neffer:<BR>and seriously, these people are responsible for 6 million jews dead. 62million dead total during ww2 alone. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>"these people" were at most teenagers when the Holocaust happened. Blaming all Germans for something that happened over a half-century ago is pretty ridiculous. And this is coming from a Jew who may have just discovered a branch of his family that survived the Holocaust in Ukraine.