Hey guys! I just recently received an Atari newsletter via email with this as one of its features, and, as it has relevance to us, as gamers, I thought I'd see about posting it. ;)



Basically, it's to do with the gaming violence laws that morons keep trying to pass; but, this time, it has reached Supreme Court... :(

Schwarzenegger v. EMA is the case -- does anybody else see the irony in Schwarzenegger being against video game violence? XD I mean, really... Haha, anyway, follow the links to the ECA's (Entertainment Consumers Association) action page, where they have a form for adding your name to "The Gamer Petition", which they'll have submitted in support of the defense! "For nearly two decades, elected officials have tried to regulate which video games you can buy, rent and play. Every single time they’ve passed a law, the federal courts have struck it down as unconstitutional. But this may change this fall. It only takes a few seconds to speak out, http://action.theeca.com/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=1781. The Supreme Court of the United States has agreed to hear the State of California’s infamous ‘violent video game case,’ Schwarzenegger v. EMA. That means that this year, or early next, the Court is going to decide whether to agree with the lower federal courts or not. Agreeing would mean that they believe that video games are, and should continue to be, First Amendment protected speech; just like books, movies and music. The court disagreeing would mean that they think video games should be treated differently. This could lead to new bills and laws curtailing video game access in states across the country. Join others in signing The Gamer Petition, http://action.theeca.com/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=1781. It is no exaggeration to state that their hearing represents the single most important moment for gamers, and the pivotal issue for gaming, in the sector’s history."

Well, there you have it! If you want, you could also browse the rest of the site, which has other articles, info, and petitions in defense of games, gaming, and other related things. ;) Thanks, and seeya in-game! (or rather, in my cross-hair! >:3 ) ~Kotu