Tag Archives: entertainment consumers association

Video Games and Media Don’t Cause Violence

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take actionWith recent tragedies on everyone’s minds, some people are looking for a cause and culprit other than the shooters and perpetrators of the Aurora and Sandy Hook tragedies. Unfortunately some are blaming media, including video games, for violent behavior in individuals. We know this isn’t the case; banning or regulating media content even more won’t solve the issue.

As if a repeat of a television show we’ve seen before, there’s talk of more hearings and federally funded studies. Christopher J. Ferguson, the chair of the Texas A&M International University’s department of psychology and communication, among others including federally funded studies, have shown there’s no link between violent video games and real world violence like mass shooting, bullying or youth aggression. There’s no need for more federal studies, when there’s been federal studies completed. Past research has been mixed, at best, and often weakened by substantial methodological flaws.

The facts also back up no connection. While video game sales have increased, according to the FBI’s own statistics, violent crime has been steadily decreasing. In 2011, violent crimes nationwide decreased 3.8% from 2010. Since 2002, it’s decreased 15.5%. This is all during the time when games like Call of Duty and Halo have dominated sales.

CensorshipAt the same time, federal courts – including the Supreme Court – have routinely held that government regulation of media, including video games, is unconstitutional.  Funding more studies – or passing laws that then get fought out in courts – costs taxpayers millions of dollars. That’s money better spent on treating the mentally ill or shoring up and improving background checks for weapons purchases.

We’ve seen these same conversations before. In the 1950s comic books were blamed for truancy, violence and homosexuality in youth. This lead to hearings in the United States Senate. We look back on this piece of history and laugh out how ludicrous this claim was then. It’s just as ludicrous today when the conversation turns to video games and their affects.

Act Now!

The Entertainment Consumers Association has put together an easy to send email that will send a message to your Representative in the House, two Senators and President Obama. It takes less than a minute to do and adding your voice to reiterate that entertainment does NOT cause violence might help the focus turn to factors that actually do.

There’s no easy solution to prevent violence like these events. But focusing on the wrong things isn’t the answer. Make your voice heard today.

Full Disclosure: Brett Schenker is a consultant for the ECA

DC Universe Online, Purchase at Your Own Risk?

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DC Universe OnlineThe President of the Entertainment Consumers Association, Hal Halpin, in a guest editorial on IGN takes on DC Universe Online which has made news for its licensing of the game, like PC games, rather than ownership, which is usually the case with console games (the game is available on the Playstation 3).

The game’s DRM limits the ability to rent, trade, or sell the video game after purchase.  With each disk comes an activation key, and you must use that key to load the game.  By doing so it connects the key with the Playstation account that the key was activated with.  This “locking” of the activation key prevents the game to be used with any other account other than the original account is was loaded with.

While this is common with PC games, it’s new for console games and the fact is this wasn’t disclosed on the packaging.  The PC game also retails for $10 less than the console game.  As a non-PC gamer and new to MMOs this fact and process was new to me, and even though I don’t sell back my used games the inability to do so makes me less inclined to pay for one in the future and the lack of transparency also makes me feel one has pulled over me.  Also, I contemplated switching to a new Playstation Network ID.  If I do so, I’d no longer be able to play the game I purchased.

As Halpin points out:

Console gamers were almost instantly up in arms about the perceived deception, as there was no disclosure about the required PSN key or license limitations on ownership and use. PC gamers on the other hand, were decidedly less offended and perhaps even feeling a little vindicated, thinking, “Welcome to the party!” The issue at first seemed like a non-issue from their perspective: MMOs have always been single use DRM locked games, so what’s the problem? The problem, of course, is that console games are sold and the ownership conveyed, along with rights. That’s one of the reasons that licensed products have a lower value proposition. In this case, the PC version of DC Universe Online sells for ten dollars less than the PS3 version.

Many were caught off guard by this.  No where on the outward facing packaging informs you it’s not a “traditional” console game.  In fact after reading through the entire terms of service there’s no mention the activation key is locked to one PSN account.  In fact there’s explicit language about the pre-order bonus and that you can only download it to one account.

The ECA is running a poll to see how this might affect people’s decisions about purchasing the game.  You can take the poll here.

Full disclosure: Brett Schenker consults for the Entertainment Consumers Association

Stan Lee Supports Free Speech, So Should You

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The Video Game Voters Network sent out an email to it’s video game playing list “from” Stan Lee.  The issue is the upcoming Supreme Court case, Schwarzenegger v. EMA.  The court case would restrict sales of video games to minors.  In a letter penned to the audience the comics legend runs parallels between the pogroms run against comics and today’s attacks on video games.

From his letter:

Comic books, it was said, contributed to “juvenile delinquency.” A Senate subcommittee investigated and decided the U.S. could not “afford the calculated risk involved in feeding its children, through comic books, a concentrated diet of crime, horror and violence.” Comic books were burned. The State of Washington made it a crime to sell comic books without a license. And Los Stan LeeAngeles passed a law that said it was a crime to sell “crime comic books.” Looking back, the outcry was — forgive the expression — comical.

The more things change, as they say, the more they stay the same. Substitute video games for comic books and you’ve got a 21st century replay of the craziness of the 1950s. States have passed laws restricting the sale of video games and later this year, the Supreme Court will hear a case about one of those laws, this one passed in California. Why does this matter? Because if you restrict sales of video games, you’re chipping away at our First Amendment rights to free speech and opening the door to restrictions on books and movies.

First they came for comic books, then they came for video games…..

But Stan Lee is right.  Video games deserve similar free speech protections that comic books, movies, music, television, radio, books and so many other forms of entertainment enjoy.

So, what can you do to help in this fight?

Yesterday we ran an article about the Entertainment Consumers Association‘s Gamer Petition.  The ECA represents video game consumers, and is submitting an amicus brief in the court case.  Along side this amicus brief is the petition which shows California doesn’t speak for the people and there are folks who don’t agree with their law.  Even though lower courts across the country have agreed such laws are unconstitutional, the Supreme Court will hopefully be settling this issue once and for all.

Sign the Gamer Petition, tell your friends, family, coworkers, yell out the window.  We need to speak out more than ever.

Full disclosure, we consult for the Entertainment Consumers Association

Care about Free Speech, Sign the Gamer Petition

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On April 26, 2010, the Supreme Court granted the state of California‘s petition for certiorari (cert) in Schwarzenegger v. EMA , the so-called “violent video game” case.  This will be the first time that the Supreme Court has agreed to hear arguments on any of the state laws attempting to restrict or ban certain video games. Until now, all such laws have been struck down by lower federal courts as unconstitutional restrictions on Free Speech protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution.

The Court will hear oral arguments on November 2, 2010. At that time, the Court will also review all friends of the Court briefs (amicus briefs) that will put forth additional information for the Court to consider. The Entertainment Consumers Association will be submitting such a brief on behalf of American digital entertainment consumers and will be attaching the gamer petition.

Take action now, sign the petition and support free speech.

Full disclosure, we consult for the Entertainment Consumers Association

On This July 4th Stand Up for Free Speech

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Happy July 4th from Graphic Policy.  Each year on this day we should reflect on one of the major tenants that this country was founded on, free speech.

In recent months and weeks, we’ve seen this right attacked both here and abroad, whether it being court cases having to do with possessing certain contents, threats over content, or outright bans by countries.

This upcoming session the Supreme Court will be hearing a case that doesn’t have to do with comic books, but instead video games.  Schwarzenegger v. EMA if decided the wrong way will have a chilling effect on what we can buy, rent and play when it comes to video games.  It’s not guaranteed the court will decide that video games are the protected free speech they are.

That’s why we’re asking you to take a few moments to sign the Entertainment Consumers Association’s petition which will be included with other official court documents related to the case.

And this could have a ripple effect when it comes to our comic books making content creators weary of their creations, leading to self censorship.

If you’re looking for a cause more comic book related you can also become involved with the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.

And most importantly while you enjoy the parades, bbqs, fireworks and beer, reflect on the many things that make this, the best nation on the planet.

Have a happy, fun and safe 4th of July!

Disclosure: Brett Schenker is a consultant for the Entertainment Consumers Association.

Scott Johnson’s Experience Points Coming to GameCulture

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Artist Scott Johnson’s webcomic, Experience Points, is coming to the GameCulture website.  The comic originally appeared on Crispy Gamer, but with the demise of the editorial side of that site, he has agreed to bring the comic to GameCulture.

The comic will begin on Monday February 8th with a new comic debuting each Monday.

GameCulture sat down with Scott to talk to him about the web series.

Full disclosure, I consult for GameCulture’s parent company, the Entertainment Consumers Association.