But, if you read to the end, you might get a reward anyway.

Anyway.  In the interests of blogging integrity, I will start with a disclaimer that I work in the video game industry.  I'm also an avid gamer, so, aside from gaming being near and dear to my heart because it keeps the paychecks rolling in, I also just like to game.  So I pay attention to gaming stuff.

Several states have tried to pass legislation regulating the sale of Mature rated games to minors.  Every state that has tried to pass such legislation has been, in turn, bitch-slapped by State Supreme Courts, who have overturned the legislation under First Amendment protections.  The working theory is, if we can't regulate the sale of movies, or music, or books, then we can't regulate the sale of video games.  It is a protected form of speech.  And, frankly, gaming is becoming more and more the societal norm.  Not all gamers are pasty virgins living in Mommy's basement any more. 

Let's take a look at that, shall we?

According to the ESA:

• 68% of American households either console or PC game
• The average gamer is 35 years old
• Women now amount to 40% of all gamers
• 25% of game players are over 50 years old

You'll note my emphasis.

So, the fine Republic of California decided they were going to be the ones to bring this to the highest court, and, today, the Supreme Court decided to hear the case. 

If you've never played a game before in your life, if you occassionally play video games, or if you frequently play games - you should care about this.  Attempting to outlaw the sale of M-rated games to minors is not only a violation of the First Amendment, it will undoubtedly be bad for an all ready weak economy.  In 2009, according to NPD data, sales of games ammounted to more than 19 billion dollars ... in the United States.

This is one to keep your eye on.

And, since I promised rewards for reading something non-boobquake related on boobquake day, have an Emberpic:

Posted by: Ember at 06:50 PM | Comments (8) | Add Comment
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