Oklahoma game bill signed into law

Governor signs HB3004, making games with "inappropriate violence" harmful to minors; such titles will be subject to same restrictions as sexually explicit magazines, videos.

Democratic Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry yesterday signed into law HB3004, which revises the state's definition of what is harmful to minors to include games with "inappropriate violence." Previously, the only content that would qualify something as harmful to minors involved sex or sadomasochistic abuse.

In a statement, Henry criticized violence in games that he said had grown "to epic proportions." He added, "While parents have the ultimate responsibility for what their children do and see, this legislation is another tool to ensure that our young people are not saturated in violence. This gives parents the power to more closely regulate which games their children play."

Under the law, no person, not even minors' parents or guardians, would be allowed to give or show them an inappropriately violent game. Retailers would also not be able to have such games on display where minors could see them, unless the lower two-thirds of the boxes were hidden behind "blinder racks," of the sort commonly used for sexually explicit magazines.

The law defines "inappropriate violence" as any depiction in a game that, when taken as a whole, has the following characteristics:
"a. the average person eighteen (18) years of age or older applying contemporary community standards would find that the interactive video game or computer software is patently offensive to prevailing standards in the adult community with respect to what is suitable for minors, and
b. the interactive video game or computer software lacks serious literary, scientific, medical, artistic, or political value for minors based on, but not limited to, the following criteria:
(1) is glamorized or gratuitous,
(2) is graphic violence used to shock or stimulate,
(3) is graphic violence that is not contextually relevant to the material,
(4) is so pervasive that it serves as the thread holding the plot of the material together,
(5) trivializes the serious nature of realistic violence,
(6) does not demonstrate the consequences or effects of realistic violence,
(7) uses brutal weapons designed to inflict the maximum amount of pain and damage,
(8) endorses or glorifies torture or excessive weaponry, or
(9) depicts lead characters who resort to violence freely"

While the definition of inappropriate violence specifies that it must take place in a game, the new definition of "harmful to minors" specifies "any description, exhibition, presentation or representation, in whatever form [emphasis added], of inappropriate violence." This means that video footage showing the violent gameplay, a review of the game in question, or even a newspaper editorial decrying the violence in the game would be classified as harmful to minors, according to a lawyer GameSpot consulted on the matter.

Several weeks ago, GameSpot interviewed the bill's co-author, Republican Representative Fred Morgan, and asked if that was the bill's original intent. At the time he said he needed to examine the language of the bill before answering, but later on he commented that he did not agree with that interpretation.

Neither the state nor national branches of the American Civil Liberties Union returned GameSpot's phone calls regarding the law. The Entertainment Software Association was not available for comment but is almost certain to file suit in this case, as it has in California, Illinois, Minnesota, Washington, and other states where restrictive gaming legislation has been passed.

The law is slated to go into effect November 1.

356 Comments

  • someguy503

    Posted Jan 23, 2007 5:35 pm PT

    Law didnt pass no worries

  • desanvium

    Posted Oct 12, 2006 12:47 pm PT

    I have only one question for these people:
    Did you even SEE Sin City?
    Me:1 Govn: 0

  • X_Kane_X

    Posted Sep 8, 2006 11:55 pm PT

    God damnit, I think it's about time I started that anti-government group that we all know we want, the ones that is located at a heavily armed base somewhere underground in Mexico...

  • inYuashiaZero

    Posted Aug 20, 2006 5:27 am PT

    i loathe stupid people with the firey burning passion of a googleplex menstruating females.
    ill just leave it at
    beat your kids
    and teach them

  • Scorpion16

    Posted Aug 18, 2006 12:52 am PT

    "Futhermore, if you look in stores or in the public eye just pay attention on how children act around their parents you'll see children cursing their parents or calling them names, saying "no" to them when asks repetively to stop doing something and even hitting or kicking them. And you see this from the age 9 or younger. This rebellious attitude starts younger than you think. Most of the parents "beg" and "plead" with them or simply do nothing and let the child run "wild" and do what they want. This is VERY different from years past and has gotten worse. My parents were more "old school" and did not tolerate this kind of behavior from me or my brothers. If don't see this or in denial then there's nothing more I can say to you."

    And this is related to videogames how? If you honestly think that this is some how connected to kids getting their hands on violent games or other media than your a bigger idiot than I thought. Yes your parents may have not tolerated this but that is the problem today. Parents aren't teaching thier kids right from wrong. And yes I have seen that kind of behaivour but rarely. Kids rebel, it's nobody's fault but the parents.

    "But since you've reverted to name calling simply because my view differ from yours I have nothing to say anyway except you have a VERY long way to go in communicating with people in a civilize respectful manner even if you don't agree with them. You have alot of GROWING up to do."

    Calling you what you are isn't disrespectul it's the truth. Your A Self Rightious B Arrogant C Ill-informed and D Gulliable. And I also have NO respect for people like you who believe the goverment should run our lives. If you want that, than go to Cuba. It's only 90 miles away.

  • Benaresu

    Posted Jun 14, 2006 9:58 am PT

    So now instead of kids looking for their dad's porn collection, they'll be looking for his mature game collection. Funny.

  • soulknight63133

    Posted Jun 13, 2006 1:30 pm PT

    Futhermore, if you look in stores or in the public eye just pay attention on how children act around their parents you'll see children cursing their parents or calling them names, saying "no" to them when asks repetively to stop doing something and even hitting or kicking them. And you see this from the age 9 or younger. This rebellious attitude starts younger than you think. Most of the parents "beg" and "plead" with them or simply do nothing and let the child run "wild" and do what they want. This is VERY different from years past and has gotten worse. My parents were more "old school" and did not tolerate this kind of behavior from me or my brothers. If don't see this or in denial then there's nothing more I can say to you. But since you've reverted to name calling simply because my view differ from yours I have nothing to say anyway except you have a VERY long way to go in communicating with people in a civilize respectful manner even if you don't agree with them. You have alot of GROWING up to do.

  • ElHypno

    Posted Jun 13, 2006 9:00 am PT

    I was a rebel at 8, but then again my parents were hippie freaks.

  • soulknight63133

    Posted Jun 13, 2006 2:29 am PT

    The MOB(for the most part} were not TEENS and CHILDREN! And if you actually READ my previous postings I already said that video games were not solely responsible{ I gave a listing on page 4. on some of the contributing factors with PARENTS #1 on the list). Learn to pay attention.

  • Scorpion16

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 9:50 pm PT

    Haha I'm misinformed? Read these charts you tool

    http://www.gamerevolution.com/oldsite/articles/violence/violence.htm

    There is no epidemic of youth violence. The media just likes to cover it more often. And the entertainment industry has nothing to do with violent acts commited among children and teens. 50 years ago we didn't have the Crips and Bloods, most of the street drugs(such as crack), or the horrendous conditions in the poorest areas of town. We had the mob and of course there was still poverty and maybe some drugs but not to the extent now. Of course people like you are dumb enough to believe everything the media feeds you without doing any research. And oh yeah there was an explosion of gang violence durring the 80s and early 90s. I guess that the evil violent games were responsible for that and not the fighting over control of the crack cocaine trade and the increased power of inner city gangs like the Crips and Bloods. And most of these school shooters were not "normal" kids. The two Columbine killers were associated with a neo-nazi group, hung out on Satanic websites, worshipped Hitler, and were obsessed with death(One even wrote a story about the Charles Manson murders for school). Yet nobody caught on to this. They were also bullied and harrassed daily which seems to be common among these school shooters. Of course it wasn't what I mentioned above that caused them to do what they did, no it was because they played Doom and listened to Marilyn Manson!(end sarcasm). Oh yeah and just because your kids might be ok now don't mean that they will grow up that way. 8 years old is pretty young to be rebelling. They usually won't start that until their pre-teens.

  • Kfoss

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 9:32 pm PT

    what a joke...yea this will get struck down....cause it needs to apply to all media to be fair...MUA HA HA HA...bunch of wako-nut jobs!

  • soulknight63133

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 9:14 pm PT

    By the way the topic was about violent teen and child behavior, The "great depression" largely was an adult issue. Learn to stay on topic. So you shutup..?..lol OOHH NNOOO....lol guess that makes me a hypocrite..oh well it was a good debate while it lasted.. Class Dismissed!

  • soulknight63133

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 9:07 pm PT

    Scorpion16- You are #1 Misinformed, #2 Presumptuous, #3 Uneducated, and #4 Delusional. I'll start with "misinformed" If you think that teens and children are not more disrespectful and violent now than the generation before then you need to check YOUR statistics. There are more violents acts amongst children and teens(urban and domestic) such as school shootings, assaults or murders against their own relatives, drug related killings, and killings during thefts in the last 10 years than the previous 20 years combine. Just google search "committed violent crimes by children or teens. Then condense your search by decade and you will see my point. Next, "presumptuous" I don't own a PS2, I have an Xbox and a X360. My children, the two who are in school are both "honor" students and I have not once (knock on wood} gotten a call from their schools for behavior or abusive speech problems{ though the 8yr old is having a problem with division and fractions}. And one day out the weekend (usually Saturday mornings {I don't let them play during the week) we play a couple of hours of video games(mostly racing games}. And no I don't let them listen to "rap" music. And believe me, I can tell the difference from the children who do. Next "uneducated". I applaud your strong passion even though some it disrepectful on how you feel, but when you enter a heated debate with someone EVERYTHING will be under scrutiny. Be sure to dot all your "I's" and cross your "T's". Last I checked the word is spelled "righteous". And this point holds VERY true in real life. No matter what point you're making, if you come off as some ignorant, uneducated, ranting idiot, then your point (even if right} will be ignored. And lastly "delusional". Telling someone to "shutup" is a command, and commands ONLY matters "IF" it's heeded and if not? There should be some serious consequences to pay! And you hold no such authority over me, but if saying something like that makes you feel better KNOWING it's an empty word that you can't back up, be my guest.

  • majindan

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 4:19 pm PT

    Good stuff here...got a problem with it? Get of your arse and VOTE!! If your too young to vote get friends/family that are to vote for you. Otherwise, this is a perfecet example of the overall laziness of American parents.

  • KillerFPS

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 3:33 pm PT

    This bill almost makes me laugh. So now games are as bad as alcohol? I'm gonna die laughing if a 16 year old goes to jail for posessing 20 M-Rated videogames.

  • Scorpion16

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 2:09 pm PT

    Violence is higher than it was 50 years ago? By who's statistic dumbass? My oldest relatvies grew up in the depression era who could hear machingun fire in the streets by simply opening up their windows and the depression was 70- 80 years ago. I'll tell you to shut up if I want because your another closeminded, self rightious idiot who wants the goverment to run our lives. People like you I despise. But yeah if parents were doing thier job we wouldn't have this but unfortuntitely we have people like you who are too lazy to raise thier kids properly and rely on the PS2 to teach them morals. Yeah our kids are really screwed up, just like it was rap that was doing it, than TV, than rock, than comics, and probably something else before that. Your the one who needs to wake up here. Do some research before you talk. This moral crisis is a Red Harring and isn't relevent to anything. In fact this whole issue is a red harring.

  • alpha_company

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 12:11 pm PT

    Woohoo...ban ban ban....i don't know what i'm talking about. wooohoo

  • Video_Game_King

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 11:57 am PT

    Just a note, but isn't this the same government that made a useless Homeland Security Advisory System and raised it to Orange when Bush went to frivolous war with Iraq? God, our government is full of dumb, gullible liars.

  • anjul

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 11:53 am PT

    OH, FU*CK!!

    ....That really sucks........
    Well, feel good about THIS thought........ When the current generation of teens is the new group of 35 year old conservatives, YOU'LL be screwing things up for YOUR kids, cuz you know what's best!! This happens everytime with everything.... just sit back and keep biching, do something when you can, and wait for the old ba$tards that are running the show to get alzheimers....or shoot each other and induce fatal heart attacks thanks to bird(?) shot getting too cozy with the heart valves.....
    Not that I have anyone in mind when I mention that.... ;-P

    Hamarabi2006 has the right idea, submit letters, get involved.

  • K1LLSWITCH

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 11:46 am PT

    What we need in this country, are intelligent people to work as judges that know the difference from right and wrong. The judges are the one's allowing parents and politicians to sue just about anybody because they feel that they're kid is being subjected to violence, sex, or whatever. Instead of asking the parent if they knew what was in the game, or if the parent was around when the kid was playing it, they slam the gavel down and rule that video games are the root of all evil. It's unbelievable how blind people really are to not see in big black and white lettering the rating of a game. And from there a decision should be made for they're child. Instead of taking the matter to court.

  • shizwill03

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 11:42 am PT

    That is not right.

    It should be up to the PARENTS if they want their kids to play M rated games. Now you take that authority away and block anyone from doing so.

    It is wrong and should be vetoed out.

  • GCN49

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 11:36 am PT

    at work the other day, a woman came up to me and said "do you know that you have adult magazines at a child's eye level?"

    i got to thinking after she left, that a comment like that actually shows how bad of a parent she is. If you see your child looking at an "adult" magazine that you, as a parent, don't want them to see, then you should talk to you child, not complain to the store. I mean, do some freakin' parenting.

  • starcutter20000

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 11:20 am PT

    THIS IS AN Atempt to kill the gaming industry nothing more. Blockbuster, best buy do not carry pornography. Gas stations and porn shops do not carry games. The only thing we would have is ordering them online, and since it's illegal to advertise games with mature content on tv, thousands of people won't even hear about the game. Which sends us back to the days of cute charecters with simple A-moral stories. Maybe we should call up the "Comic Book Code Authority" and have them put the seal of aproval on games that will have no "offensive" material whatsoever!

    Thats ok I'm sure a bunch of idiots will make death threats or resort to name calling to further fuel their support.

  • Odin897

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 10:56 am PT

    There is no way that this bill will be found constitutional in court. I can't believe it was even signed into law. I mean for God's sake, even a kid's PARENT can't buy the game for them. That is just a ludicrous power grab by the state government into affairs that do not concern them.

  • Lucribis

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 10:30 am PT

    Hamarabi2006 is absolutely right. While venting our frustrations to each other on these types of sites might be therapeutic for us, it would be better to channel all of our energies towards enlightening those "in charge" as to the erroneous beliefs they are promoting. From my understanding, there are ALOT of us video gamers out there, and not just "the kids" either. YOU are the ones that should be standing up for yourselves, instead of just griping about what "they're" doing to our country.

    In addition to the links he has given above, check out the Video Game Voters Network and use it to speak out to your government. Let them know we won't take this lightly.

  • re-raid

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 10:23 am PT

    so I guess war games where you kill dozens of people with weapons created to do just that would be ok because it shows the "consequence" of violence and is contextual to the game? Iono, Im just glad that no game laws apply to me. i dont care about younger gamers that much... Im sure I can find something similar that fits into a category that younger gamers i know can play.

    besides, I dont live in OK haha

  • whitefox1602

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 10:18 am PT

    Im not going to get to bend out of shape anout this. I live in Tx where we have the good ole deat penalty. I'll be at least 18 before they pass a law like that here.

  • Legir

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 9:24 am PT

    This is a bit too far. I can see punishing retailers for selling this product, but if a parent wants a kid to have something in the home then that's their buisness. And yes, it seems far too subjective (though this might give room for a loophole) and who decides this? Seems a very slippery slope.

  • jmie76

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 9:19 am PT

    The sad thing is that alot of the posted comments about this article can now be fuel to the fire for the politicians. I'm not talking about the people that said they are for the bill or the ones that stated they were against it. I'm talking about all the individuals who wrote in stupid outbursts and ravings. I don't support the bill it. But after reading alot of the negative comments, I can see the politicians using those posts as support to there cause in the future. Think about one of the main reasons for the bill Violence then read some of the posts. Draw your own conclusions.

  • sonic143196

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 9:15 am PT

    AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA I live here too dangit.........This place blows.....

  • MM_Knievel

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 8:59 am PT

    I've played violent video games for about as long as I have been playing video games, and I've never used violence or even had a violent behavior. But this Jack Thompson idiot makes me violent, can't they make a law against him to prevent youngsters like myself to go rioting the streets?

  • xXAdventChildXx

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 8:52 am PT

    that su*ks

  • Guggz

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 8:47 am PT

    Even though this sucks for people under the age of 18, I think it's good to know that they focused on the violence in videogames instead of the sex.

  • ReyWing

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 7:54 am PT

    "This gives parents the power to more closely regulate which games their children play." Ummm... i dont think so. It gives the GOVERNMENT more power to more closely regulate what children and teens see. THIS is the start of a police/censorship government. BAD BAD BAD BAD BAD! We better go ahead and start up a rebel base right now.

  • Seraphim_24

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 7:42 am PT

    This bill actually takes the power of content regulation out of the hands of the parents and forcefully puts it into the hands of a hypocritical and tyranical and irredemebly corrupt government. The power of the government needs to stop at our doors. This has happened because the American people have allowed it to. People need to be more activly involved with politics. If I feel my kid is mature enough to handle Resident EVil 4 it should be my choice, as his parent, whether or not he can play it. The Unisted States Constitution never intended for the government to have this kind of power, and this is a huge step toward a totalitarian regime. Whether or not you agree with violence in the media, you would be a complete moron if you deny the dangers in allowing the government to sieze this kind of power.

  • SHAZ101

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 7:28 am PT

    "Under the law, no person, not even a minors' parents or guardians, would be allowed to give or show them an inappropriately violent game."
    Nothing there says we can't get ahold of them ourselves.

    Also, this never states anything in which games like Halo or Gears of War relate. Basically, this makes games that make violence seem unreal banned. lol LOOPHOLES
    Hope this never comes to Wisconsin.

  • Hamarabi2006

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 7:01 am PT

    I can't believe this will last very long. There are probably all kinds of groups lobbying against this action. Try to find out what groups are doing so and see what you can do to help, even if it's just signing a petition.

    I have to admit that I am very irritated by this. I really hate the way our government is set up! These politicians can just make something up and take it to congress to get it passed, without even consulting the general public. If they poll 100 people or even 1000, who are they polling? People that think just like them, I have no doubt. I seriously doubt the people called for this sort of thing. There is no way the majority of the population in this state is that ignorant. Some fanatic Governor took this into his own hands. How did he even get elected?

    It goes to show you that you don't have to have great intelligence to be in politics, just connections.

    The people have to rally and lobby against this to have it overturned. If we give them an inch, they will ......

    Here are some links that you can follow in order to get involved. Write one letter and submit it to all of them!:

    http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/

    http://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/feedback/fb_news_form.shtml

    http://feedbackforms.usatoday.com/marketing/feedback/feedback-online.aspx?type=18

    http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form1.html

    http://www.usnews.com/usnews/usinfo/infomain.htm

    http://www.pbs.org/newshour/letters.html

    http://nationaljournal.com/help/feedback.htm

    http://washingtontimes.com/contact-us/

    Try to spread the word, and the people will win this fight. We can only win if we take action. We can't just hope it gets fixed on it's own!

    Hamarabi2006

  • Red122

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 7:00 am PT

    Well I dont agree with hiding game boxes and comparing violent games to porno (I think Jenna Jameson or Silivia Saint would be embarassed if we did), but I think it should be left up to the parents the government sticks their noses in where it dont belong. And I think teenagers are more violent by nature these days because of our sucky society more then videogames. Videogames cause Violence like flies cause garbage.

  • naruto498

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 6:50 am PT

    Someone call Phoenix Wright,Edgeworth,and all the Attorneys in the series to set these guys straight >__>

  • Sweendrix

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 6:35 am PT

    To Right Wing Conservative Christian Republicans: I am in know way supporting or disrespecting any viewpoint, I believe that everyone has the right to vote and that everyone should voice their opinions through ballot. Speak your mind whatever side you support. Make your voice heard.

  • Sweendrix

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 6:30 am PT

    Violence in games is becoming an increasingly important issue in our society. Thereshould never be censorship of artist in the United States especially considering that this is one of the founding principals of our country.

    Censorship should be left to parent's within the home. This law seems to deal with this issue in an unfair manner in respect to video game journalism. This is censorship in a blatently irresponsible manner and is the exact opposite of the ideals and values in which the United States founded itself to seek reprieve from oppression. In an age where the average 13 year old can get on to a computer and witness acts of incredibly detailed pornography on the internet, I find it incredibly hard to believe that the lawmakers in our country are publicizing violence in games to the extent that they are.

    After thinking critically on this issue, I believe that the chief issue with these lawmakers is not actually the games or violence that they are truly concerned with but merely a platform, or let's say a crutch on which they can rely to gain votes from right wing conservative christian republicans.

  • roadrunner1178

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 6:14 am PT

    I'm from Oklahoma and I agree with the law. This will help parents regulate what their kids play. The games will still be accessible to the gamers that they are intended for.

  • ultimatlifeform

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 6:12 am PT

    I admit that minors probably shouldn't play games that have such bad content, but going THIS far to limit a minor's ability to see mature content? Definitely a democratic move.

  • Paganstar

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 6:08 am PT

    I agree that the government has no place in telling parents what they can or cannot allow their children to watch or play. The parents do need to pay more attention to what their kids play and watch. As a gamer and a parent I do just this. I decide what is appropriate and what is not for my two children and will continue to do so. That being said I also do think there is way to much gratuitous violence in games and am hoping this wave of negative reaction will convince some of them to go back to having actual content in their games instead of just base violence.

  • Razgriz18

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 5:49 am PT

    thank god its not happening in Europe!!

  • appleater

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 5:20 am PT

    The people saying it's unconstitutional are right, you're wrong, and you'll disappear from GameSpot or post under a different handle when a judge laughs at, squishes, and then burns this proposed law, and we'll still be here.

  • OPOLO

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 5:20 am PT

    this is mad crazy

  • Hellblazer27

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 4:43 am PT

    Go Canada Go

    I feel bad and at the same time sorry for americans. I feel bad for the kids who put up with this crap. I feel sorry for the government who has nothing better to do to make these laws.

  • maximilian3082

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 3:32 am PT

    Uh, and what exactly stands between a minor getting the console fitted with a modchip and getting the games through bittorrent?

    Damn, these politicians know how to make jokes!!!

  • soulknight63133

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 3:13 am PT

    Scorpion16- I question your upbringing already, you can't even voice your opinion without being disrespectful. Telling someone to "shutup" is definately the WRONG way to speak to anyone. I guess your parents didn't teach you that you can get your point across WITHOUT trying to insult someone. And save your "commands" for your OWN children(If you have any). And if parents were DOING their jobs then THIS a law wouldn't be in existence. And if you OPEN your eyes you would see that violence is a BIG problem. Just go and ask anyone who's been around for atleast 35 to 45yrs or more if violence is worse now compare to what it was about 50yrs ago. Finally, maybe you shouldn't post since you haven't learned to ALWAYS speak to someone the way you would like to be spoken to, ESPECIALLY if it's a disagreement. It will increase your chances of getting positive results and the person will be more incline to listen instead of putting them on the defensive.

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