Video games are the new weed. Pointlessly cruficied for the political gain of a few, only to produce a scare fest where the next generation of stupid parents will refuse to buy their kids video games.

It reminds me of all the "rid the world of the plague called anime from the dark land of Japan" nonsense a decade ago.

Considering that the games that contain these elements are already M-rated and already are not supposed to be sold to minors, what the hell is the point of this bill, exactly?

Not really worth getting your feathers ruffled over. It's just some politician trying to build up his name with pointless legislation.

More of my fucking taxpayer dollars (I live in NYC unfortunately) wasted on crap like this. Does this asshole know anything about the first amendment?

If NY didn't have all of its eggs in one basket sucking off the teat (okay dick) of finance, NY wouldn't be in dire straits. If NY would have developed a solid video game industry, it would help soften the blow with tax dollars from that.

Instead we get more money wasted on useless legislation. Murders, robberies, assualts and rapes are up all over the city. Unemployment's antiquated computer system went down due to the large number of jobless. Bernie Madoff still isn't in jail, but under house arrest in his mansion. Living in NY is like living in the Twilight Zone; the last thing I'm worried about is a video game.

The last thing I want MY elected official to worry about is a video game.

As a citizen of the Empire State, it's time to start writing my governmental officials.

I know it isn't you Jim....but here we go with this "Antiquated Racism" thing again. Glad to see that we've conquered "prejudice" thereby making all assessments of stereotypes or the pointing out of preference moot with one snide snark filled "tag".

I may not agree with this assemblyman (or the legislation proposed), but games ARE saturated with stereo-types. Many sheltered suburban kids (lacking experiences with cultures outside of their own) are influenced by the images and characterizations found in games. If you don't think so, spend five minutes on Xbox live asking teens what their opinions are of various cultures.

I many cases, the individuals making the games are simply grown up versions of the culturally shallow minds they are now polluting. I can't wait for the Mind of Mencia future we are headed towards here in the US (queue the Mencia defense force that will totally miss the lager point I am making). If you don't want idiots like this trying to pass even more idiotic legislation, then stop portraying cultures using the same tired racist undertones people have been railing against for 40 fucking years. It really isn't that hard....nor does it take that much brain power to figure out.

@eternal
I've never been to either (the reference to the "tag" was just preamble).....what's your point?

My point: while the proposed legislation is asinine the stereotypes present in many games draw exactly this type of foolishness. If you want it to stop…be more responsible about what you are putting out there. If as a gamer you want your pastime to be accepted then the pastime (as a whole) will need be able to withstand scrutiny and criticism. Now, please go back to not commenting to me...

@Syn

Yea, believe it or not many people subscribe to Mencia's notion that racist epitaphs and concepts are simply silly and do no actual damage to the psyche of Americans (those using them or those who are victims of them).

Do I realize "something like this" would restrict games? What is "something like this" exactly? As I said, I think the bill is asinine, but if developers didn't rely on stereotypes so heavily and actually raised the bar they would be immune to these sorts of issues.

This bill would not actually affect me and after hearing many culturally insensitive teens yelling out n#gger on live or spouting off about Mexicans.....I have to wonder what my favorite pastime is doing to hurt or to help.

I am an adult, so I can still buy these games based on this bill. I also know that many kids simply lack the life experience needed to avoid making generalizations about the cultures stereotyped in games. As a result, I don't think children should be playing many of the titles available online.

As far as your examples...these stereotypes are much broader than "big black muscle head"...that actually made laugh and I don't think you have full grasp on the entire scope of what games have portrayed nor do you seem to be aware of how different cultures have received them.

There is one thing we seem to agree on. If we are to become more intellectual and less banal, then it is ok to expect more from developers in the way of characterization and cultural depiction. If gaming is going to become an art form respected by those outside of its fanbase, then these trials are simply growing pains. Not some clandestine effort to censor creativity. You want to evolve?........I agree, lets start by expecting developers to mature with regard to the way they craft their characters and stories.

No more Pokémon...

@Syn
no harm no foul...the bill is stupid, but game makers need to start making themselves more stupid-proof!