Brazilian Senator Valdir Raupp is no friend of videogames. In fact, he finds them so offensive that he recently drafted a bill to make it illegal to make, sell or import any videogames deemed troublesome in the eyes of the Brazilian government. Rather than deal with real criminal issues, the Senate has approved the proposal, which means it will now be voted on in the Committee on Constitution and Justice.
Raupp aims to “curb the manufacture, distribution, importation, distribution, trading and custody, storage, the video games that affect the customs, traditions of the people, their worship, creeds, religions and symbols.”
“Therefore,” he continues, “we seek to protect the principle of equality — for many the greatest of constitutional principles — with the characterization of such discriminatory conduct as a crime by making provision in the law.”
Brazil has banned games such as Carmageddon, Postal and Grand Theft Auto in the past, and if Raupp gets his way, many more bans will follow. Anybody caught breaking this law could face up to three years in prison. Yes, prison — all for the crime of making a videogame.
What on Earth is wrong with human beings?
