gamepolitics: North Carolina Video Game Bill is Dead

Game Politics (

gamepolitics) wrote,
@ 2006-08-03 05:55:00

Entry tags:

julia boseman, legislation, north carolina

North Carolina Video Game Bill is Dead

A two-year struggle by State Sen. Julia Boseman to pass video game legislation in North Carolina has quietly failed.

Boseman's bill, S2, appeared to be on the fast track to passage in mid-2005. However, the measure, which would have prevented underage buyers from purchasing violent games deemed "harmful to minors", stalled in a North Carolina House committee after cruising through the State Senate in April of last year.

GamePolitics checked with Sen. Boseman's staff earlier this year and learned that the New Hanover Democrat still held out hope for S2's passage. However, the bill failed to move. North Carolina's legislative session ended earlier this week, thus rendering S2 dead.

Through a staff member, Sen. Boseman confirmed yesterday that she plans to revive the measure in next year's session - if she is re-elected. Boseman will be opposed in November by Republican Al Roseman in what is expected to be a hard-fought electoral battle.

(58 comments) - (Post a new comment)

	whitedingo 2006-08-03 10:51 am UTC (link)
	Boseman versus Roseman eh? That's one electoral battle that'll be hardest-fought by the folks who forgot their bifocals... (Reply to this) (Thread)

	gamepolitics 2006-08-03 11:05 am UTC (link)
	LOL... good point. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	skemodan 2006-08-03 12:51 pm UTC (link)
	DAMMIT! Beat me to it. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	philoetus 2006-08-03 02:11 pm UTC (link)
	Kinda sad their first names aren't so close, like Julia/Jules or Alice/Alex, now that would have made it real interesting. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	zero_beat_x 2006-08-03 04:01 pm UTC (link)
	The good news is, Republican candidates have had better luck with hard-to-read ballots than Democratic candidates. Here's hoping to a repeat of Florida in 2000, except this time it's good for most people that actually care. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	FYI - regarding comments today gamepolitics 2006-08-03 11:08 am UTC (link)
	It's a travel day for GP - coincidentally from North Carolina... which means that I won't able to unscreen your comments for much of today. (Reply to this)

	tollwutig 2006-08-03 12:30 pm UTC (link)
	Dennis, You were in NC and didn't stop in to see me? Anyways with as much crap as the Dems have been up to in the NC House, I look for them to lose a decent swath of the NC House. Anyways even if it passes I'm sure it'll be challenged. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	gamepolitics 2006-08-04 12:42 am UTC (link)
	yeah, just spent a week in Nags Head. Where are you? (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

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gabrielcelesta, 2006-08-04 01:00 am UTC

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gamepolitics, 2006-08-04 01:02 am UTC

	Well then yukimurasanada 2006-08-03 12:33 pm UTC (link)
	Heres hoping you don't get reelected you imbecile. Incase you aint heard, the industry just put down number 7 on it's list, and we're looking to put number 8 down in good ol Louisana, where you buddy thompsons supposed "Bullet proof" bill is about to get squashed. Sorry lady, but if your this dumb, I can't help but pray you loose this november. (Reply to this)

	grimm24 2006-08-03 02:42 pm UTC (link)
	Wow, this is a great time for the game industry! I mean a couple months ago it seemed like there were new game bills being introduced everyday and now they are constantly being shot down. That and even though E3 is dead it will be back in different ways. Now if we only get Sony to lower the price of the PS3 to $400? Ah forget it, its not gonna happen (Reply to this) (Thread)

	father_time89 2006-08-04 07:34 am UTC (link)
	Now if we only get Sony to lower the price of the PS3 to $400? Ah forget it, its not gonna happen give it time my friend give it time (Reply to this) (Parent)

traiklin
2006-08-03 03:54 pm UTC (link)

the thing that get's me with these bills is they all have one thing in common,

They never specify what is "Harmful to minors", some even go as far as to say that WWII shooters are illegal to sell to minors because they have you fighting other humans, even though it's contextual when it's rated T.

after the whole hot coffee thing what these bills SHOULD say is "Any game rated M cannot be sold to minors" and just be done with it, it seems stupid anyways cause the rating is for 17+ yet the AO is rated 18+, what is the big difference really? the only reason GTA: SA got it is cause the ESRB was emberassed about it so they hastely re-rated it.

The Punisher, this game is Rated M after a ton of rewoking by the developer because it kept getting AO ratings, you know what they ended on? Making the kill scenes black & white and have the camera looking away, Yet you can download hacks for the Xbox & PC version of the game that removes the Black & White screen and leaves the camera right on the kill scene, why isn't this one re-rated? where's the big stink about it? They never removed the scenes, Punisher and his victem don't just stand there doing nothing till the scene passes, you actually see the Punisher droping a window on someone, deep frying the guys head in oil and so on.

So if they left that stuff in, why was it rated M when with GTA it took a hack and a lot of modifying on consoles to unlock a sex game? is sex REALLY that bad anymore? or was it because the ESRB felt emberassed and made a hasty desicion?

I'm sure that the ESA and game companies wouldn't mind these bills if they were clearer. Saying "Violence against human beings" well that takes out RTS games, Games set in the future, WWII FPS's and if you push it hard enough, every sports game.

So why doesn't anyone sit down and actually try to figure out a bill that will work and not single out games only? make a bill that makes it illegal to sell a game to minors under the age of 18 for games carrying the M and up sticker, Movies carrying the R and up sticker (as in NC-17 & the vastly more popular Unrated versions of movies) and Music that caries the Parental Warning stickers.

Sure you will get people fighting it but the Movie ratings & Music stickers have been around long enough that it will be harder to fight on a constitutional basis, cause you aren't censoring anyone, you are just making it a law to enforce the ratings and if you don't then you face fines, The games industry wouldn't have to fight it cause the law is fallowing their ratings board, the movie industry wouldn't have to fight it cause it is fallowing their ratins board, so if either say the bill is flawed then they are admiting their own ratings board is flawed. I'm not sure how the music get's rated but if it carries that sticker it means more sales but there isn't really anything stopping kids from buying it which is the whole reason they put the stickers on in the first place.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

artemis120
2006-08-04 01:17 pm UTC (link)

The problem with that plan is that the standards of a non-government entity cannot be used to create the standards by which law enforcement operates. To do so would be a violation of due process. The ratings are not meant to be the end all be all of who can/can't play/watch/listen to something. They are meant to be a tool for parents, to help them decide what is appropriate for their own children.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

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bigman_k, 2006-08-04 02:00 pm UTC

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traiklin, 2006-08-05 02:28 am UTC

	zippydsmlee 2006-08-05 02:23 am UTC (link)
	Tossing a person into a chipper and smokeing a stoggy is completely difrent than havieng free boobs on females chatcers OMG the nuidty its life scaring....fing morons..... (Reply to this) (Parent)

nightwng2000
2006-08-03 04:09 pm UTC (link)

While I'm glad to have the lottery, the controversy centering around the lottery and how much money it's generated may actually be against her re-election.

I knew the bill had been sent back to the Judiciary II committee, but I didn't know the session had ended.

I was preparing to ask for some info about how to provide testimony regarding bills being considered, but I guess it's pretty much a moot point now. I know the VGVN asked for us to send in some testimony, but inclusion wasn't certain. So I thought I would find out more for my own purposes. Guess it'll have to wait til next year, or not at all, unless some other dolt tries to come up with such nonsense.

Oh, BTW, since this session is over, does that mean the tax break bill for publishers is also out for now? I don't remember anything new about that one being posted either.

nightwng2000
:: mumbling :: Gotta remember to buy some lottery tickets for the Saturday draw. $204 million isn't anything to sneeze at.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	gamepolitics 2006-08-04 12:40 am UTC (link)
	if bills weren't passed before the legislature closed session, then they're dead... I'm not sure where the incentive is... will check with someone who will know. I tried to buy some Powerball tix at the Food Lion in Nags Head the other day, their machine was down... :-( (Reply to this) (Parent)

	father_time89 2006-08-04 07:42 am UTC (link)
	I used to live in North Carolina but I moved to California around May 2005 and I never knew that NC got a lottery, when did that happen? It really sinks that in less then a year after I left North Carolina they get a lottery and the Hurricanes win the Stanly Cup (and I could've gotten tickjets since I live prtetty close to the RBC center). (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

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nightwng2000, 2006-08-04 04:11 pm UTC

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father_time89, 2006-08-04 05:58 pm UTC

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zippydsmlee, 2006-08-05 02:28 am UTC

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terminator44, 2006-08-05 02:45 pm UTC

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zippydsmlee, 2006-08-05 06:35 pm UTC

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nightwng2000, 2006-08-05 04:03 pm UTC

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zippydsmlee, 2006-08-05 05:43 pm UTC

	Her chances? lightwarriorr 2006-08-03 04:13 pm UTC (link)
	What are her chances of getting relected? (Reply to this) (Thread)

	Re: Her chances? gamepolitics 2006-08-04 12:38 am UTC (link)
	hard to say. It was a tough fight last time. The Republican opponent slung a lot of mud at Boseman for her sexual orientation (she is openly lesbian). The Republicans seem to feel she is once again vulnerable, so they will be working hard to get the seat back. I believe she will be re-elected. (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

Re: Her chances? -

braindead1, 2006-08-04 02:21 am UTC

Re: Her chances? -

gamepolitics, 2006-08-04 11:28 am UTC

Re: Her chances? -

father_time89, 2006-08-04 06:03 pm UTC

Re: Her chances? -

bigman_k, 2006-08-04 02:06 pm UTC

Re: Her chances? -

braindead1, 2006-08-05 01:49 am UTC

Re: Her chances? -

zippydsmlee, 2006-08-05 02:30 am UTC

Re: Her chances? -

bigman_k, 2006-08-05 09:20 pm UTC

Re: Her chances? -

zippydsmlee, 2006-08-06 02:37 am UTC

Re: Her chances? -

grimm24, 2006-08-04 07:50 am UTC

and this is from my state....

trenthowell
2006-08-03 06:36 pm UTC (link)

(Material. – Pictures, drawings, video recordings, video games, films or other visual depictions or representations but not material consisting entirely of written words.)

ummmmm k? Last I checked all that was classified as speech just as much as written words excluding stuff that was classified as porn.

((1) Graphic violence. – The realistic visual depiction of serious injury to human beings, actual or virtual, including aggravated assault, decapitation, dismemberment, or death.)

come on this is absolutely retarded. I can just turn on the news and see serious injury to human beings, actual aggravated assualt, dismemberment, and death. Especially these past couple of weeks.

(c. The video game lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value for minors.)

Hmmm haven't we seen this before in another law thats currently being challenged in Lousiana(and other states). So games are subject to not being literary, artistic, political, or scientific. Last I checked, ALOT(probably all) of games(especially RPGS) tell some sort of story(literary). Most are just nice to look at as well(artistic), it takes some skill to create those environments, basically its interactive digital art. Political, funny, Deus Ex and a large number of flash games come to mind. Scientific value maybe harder to pin down but movies(ex Star Wars) have influenced some scientific ideas.

(§ 14‑317.3. Video games that are harmful to minors shall be located in an area not open to view by minors.)

Ok that section is too long to put down on this post, but this is one of the parts that annoyed me the most. It essentially labels games as porn and if this got pushed through(which i pray it wont, and if it does, there WILL be a lawsuit) then the arcade which I went to would only have the a couple of racing games, the pinball machine, and the football games.

("§ 14‑317.4. Video game retailer and video arcade must inform customer that video game ratings are available)

This happens already, I have yet to step into a video game store that has not had the ESRB rating system posted someplace in the store, and its usually in the place where its easily noticable. But the above section essentially nullifies this since all games that would be considered harmful under this law(aka the ones that you would need to look at the rating for) would be shoved in a back room anyway.

Summary: This law is just as unconstitutional as the rest of them. This one needs to stay dead cause its just going to waste more tax dollars, tax dollars which can go into those struggling schools down there.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	Re: and this is from my state.... braindead1 2006-08-04 02:23 am UTC (link)
	In fact, Bioware (makers of many FINE RPG'S) actually has a very stiff requirment for you to write for them. You actually have to have two PUBLISHED novels before they even think of hiring you. And almost every single one of their RPG's has had an incredibly diverse and cool plot. (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

Re: and this is from my state.... -

absolutcalm, 2006-08-05 12:48 am UTC

Re: and this is from my state.... -

father_time89, 2006-08-04 07:46 am UTC

	In case you didn't know, I'm posting this pic everytime a law dies garbagepa1lk1d 2006-08-03 07:23 pm UTC (link)
	(Reply to this) (Thread)

	Re: In case you didn't know, I'm posting this pic everytime a law dies terminator44 2006-08-04 12:47 am UTC (link)
	C'mon, man. Even a picture as funny as that will get old after awhile. Why not post different pics? (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

Re: In case you didn't know, I'm posting this pic everytime a law dies -

garbagepa1lk1d, 2006-08-04 07:52 pm UTC

Re: In case you didn't know, I'm posting this pic everytime a law dies -

terminator44, 2006-08-04 10:33 pm UTC

	Pathetic. hayabusa75 2006-08-03 09:19 pm UTC (link)
	Her bill couldn't even make it to an actual judge before it got shot down, eh? Well, one less lawsuit the ESA has to deal with. (Reply to this)

	This is being too persistant! zmanzach007 2006-08-04 12:44 am UTC (link)
	First Pappas and now Boseman. Do these people really think that the decision will be any different the second time around? Seriously, what do you have to do to get the fact through their heads? These laws are unconstitutional and will not hold up! Just accept it! (Reply to this) (Thread)

	Re: This is being too persistant! gabrielcelesta 2006-08-04 01:01 am UTC (link)
	Do these people really think that the decision will be any different the second time around? Doing the same thing and expecting different results.... Ain't that the definition of insanity? ^_^ (Reply to this) (Parent)

Re: This is being too persistant! -

terminator44, 2006-08-04 01:03 am UTC

Re: This is being too persistant! -

sabin_blitz, 2006-08-04 02:01 am UTC

Re: This is being too persistant! -

zmanzach007, 2006-08-04 07:23 am UTC

Re: This is being too persistant! -

terminator44, 2006-08-04 12:53 pm UTC

	Sometimes, I want to run for the legislature one day . . . fyrhotburnkitty 2006-08-04 05:23 am UTC (link)
	Just so I can interject some common sense every once in a while. "Hey, uh, guys? I think other states have tried this, and it doesn't work. So I'm going home. Anyone want to come over and watch me play Elder Scrolls?" As a taxpayer, it makes me angry that our money is wasted this way. Texas had better behave itself, or I'll be contacting my local representative! A. (Reply to this)

	cyberskull 2006-08-04 05:59 am UTC (link)
	At least the taxpayers won't have to refund the ESA their court fees! (Reply to this) (Thread)

	Yeah, this time yukimurasanada 2006-08-04 11:51 am UTC (link)
	But if they do get one passed, then the ESA will make them pay. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	xiojade 2006-08-04 03:26 pm UTC (link)
	LOL. About time. (Reply to this)

(58 comments) - (Post a new comment)

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