Censoring Video Games
Censoring Video Games
Carlos Martinez
HIS220-015 American Civilization
March 16, 2014
Instructor Melissa Davis
Censoring Video Games The on-going debate of power of state government vs. the power of federal government has existed since the Articles of Confederation and the US Constitution came into existence. The effects of this debate have affected the video game industry today by the amount of power and censorship a state has over the video game industry. In 2011, the US Supreme Court heard a case about whether states can restrict video games based on their content. The Supreme Court 's groundbreaking decision striking down California 's ban on the sale of violent video games to minors represents a landmark moment for the gaming industry and lifts a threat to its creative development. (USA Today, 2011) This decision allowed the gaming industry to continue with their creativity and production of the controversial video games. In my opinion, the gaming industry should be treated the same way that other industries are treated, with respect to censorship. For example, the porn industry is allowed to produce movies, video games, and other products that could potentially come into the hands of minors. As the years go by, more and more items are produced and the industry seems to keep growing in leaps and bounds. As far as I know, there is not much being done to stop that industry from producing products that could potentially affect a child’s future. The production of video games with violence or sexual content is something that will continue as long as people buy the products. There is nothing that will keep a minor from obtaining these products. There will always be a way to get their hands on these products. When I was a teenager in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, the “in thing” was rap music. Much of the rap music we listened to had abusive and vulgar language in it. You could buy a censored version of the tape or
Carlos Martinez
HIS220-015 American Civilization
March 16, 2014
Instructor Melissa Davis
Censoring Video Games The on-going debate of power of state government vs. the power of federal government has existed since the Articles of Confederation and the US Constitution came into existence. The effects of this debate have affected the video game industry today by the amount of power and censorship a state has over the video game industry. In 2011, the US Supreme Court heard a case about whether states can restrict video games based on their content. The Supreme Court 's groundbreaking decision striking down California 's ban on the sale of violent video games to minors represents a landmark moment for the gaming industry and lifts a threat to its creative development. (USA Today, 2011) This decision allowed the gaming industry to continue with their creativity and production of the controversial video games. In my opinion, the gaming industry should be treated the same way that other industries are treated, with respect to censorship. For example, the porn industry is allowed to produce movies, video games, and other products that could potentially come into the hands of minors. As the years go by, more and more items are produced and the industry seems to keep growing in leaps and bounds. As far as I know, there is not much being done to stop that industry from producing products that could potentially affect a child’s future. The production of video games with violence or sexual content is something that will continue as long as people buy the products. There is nothing that will keep a minor from obtaining these products. There will always be a way to get their hands on these products. When I was a teenager in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, the “in thing” was rap music. Much of the rap music we listened to had abusive and vulgar language in it. You could buy a censored version of the tape or
References: Biskupic, Joan, Snider, Mike. USA Today, Supreme Court Rejects Ban on Violent Video Games. June 28 2011. Retrieved from http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/washington/2011-06-27-supreme-court-violent-video-games_n.htm Brinkley, A. (2010). The Unfinished Nation: A Concise History of the American People, 6th ed. p. 117, New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Retrieved from http://vizedhtmlcontent.next.ecollege.com/CurrentCourse/bri85522_ch05.pdf