[Source Game Politics]

Yee Pares Violent Games off Xmas List

December 3, 2009

If you are on the receiving end of a holiday gift from California State Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) don’t expect to receive a violent videogame.

The Senator is urging parents and holiday shoppers to avoid the purchasing of violent games in the coming month, referring to their potentially harmful effect on minors.

“It is vitally important that parents and grandparents consider the content in video games before making holiday purchases,” said Yee.  “There is mounting evidence that ultraviolent video games have negative effects on children, and can cause real behavioral changes.”

Yee cited a Common Sense Media list of games to specifically avoid, which includes Manhunt, Resident Evil 4 & 5, Dead Rising, Grand Theft Auto IV & San Andreas, God of War II, Mortal Kombat: Deception, MadWorld, Gears of War and Saints Row 2.

He urged parents to avoid first and third-person “killing” games altogether and to check a videogame’s age rating and descriptors before purchasing.

A list of Common Sense Media approved games for the holidays can be found here.

The only reason I really post this is because despite this being a raving idiot, he actually has a point too.

While the studies he cites probably aren't the best studies and the results really aren't real and the games he lists are laughable, he's at least right in saying that parents should take a more active role and pay attention to what their kids are getting.

How can one man be so right and so wrong at the same time?

I'm more surprised where this is coming from.

Sweet, the original God of War isn't violent at all

so should my parents let me buy a certain game you're working on?  ;)

Not my choice, it's your parents choice, assuming you're a minor of course.  If you're not a minor, then what do they care.  :-p

I agree that parents should have an active role in buying their kids games. However, teens+ should have resp. for game selection. Btw, I don't think the govt should have a role in telling which games are "bad" or "good."

I actually don't mind the government interfering with the ESRB type organizations. I'd prefer them not to and we don't really need them to at the moment but I also don't think it would be a horrible thing.

I'm all for whoever is selling a game to absolutely not sell a game to someone that doesn't meet the rating without a parent present, I just think it's a stupid idea to outright ban a certain type of game. Something is rated a certain age for a reason and people over that age should have every right to buy that game.

I agree 100%. I remember the day ODST came out, this kid was livid because he wasn't old enough and the guy at Gamestop refused to sell him a copy. I was actually happy (not because the kid was angry, that was annoying) but that they refused to sell it to him.