Indiana Video Game Legislation Failed

2/3/06 - An Indiana legislative bill to penalize purveyors of violent video games to minors was discarded this week when the bill failed to garner enough backing.

The state's proposed bill is one of many across the country attempting to regulate control of video game sales to minors.

Many lawmakers have tried to connect sales of violent video games with juvenile delinquency and violence. Utah representative David Hogue tried to put forth a bill that banned the sales of pornography and video games, attempting to connect the terminology and treating each as pornographic offenses. The bill was turned down. Each offense would have been considered a felony.

Many video game bills have failed to be passed because of their percieved violation of constitutional rights. While lawmakers suggest that video games directly influence negative behavior, many video game enthusiasts and representatives have stated that censoring the production and sale of mature or violent video games is a violation of first amendment rights to free speech.

Also, amidst this legislative movement to ban video games, some scientists are finding a postive slant to video game use.

A study conducted by scientists Shawn Green and Daphne Bavelier in 2003 suggested that playing 'shoot-em-ups,'- usually first-person perspective games that involve gunfire and violence - enjoyed increased hand-eye coordination, problem solving skills and attention spans.

Source: gamesindustry.biz