Should Violent Video Games be Regulated?

myFOXDetroit.com Staff - Violent video games have moved from the court of public opinion to the nation's highest court. Last week, the Supreme Court heard arguments on a challenge to a California law that bans the sale of violent video games to minors.

If this sounds familiar, that's because Michigan lawmakers tried the same thing back in 2005 and failed.

Right now, kids can buy games that show violence and even nudity. It's up to the video game industry to regulate itself through its own rating system and individual stores.

What could be the most popular game of the year, "Call of Duty: Black Ops", came out at midnight Tuesday. It carries a mature rating, but thousands of underage teenagers will likely buy and play it.

Infinity Ward, the studio that created the series, could make over $400-million dollars in sales Tuesday alone!

Our cameras were there as hundreds of kids, teens and adults waited in the cold outside of a GameStop store in Troy. All of them pre-ordered the game and were waiting to get their copy.

We even found parents in line with their kids to get the game. They said they know the game is filled with violence, but it's okay. Some parents even admit their children are addicted to it.

"We try to be careful that he's not playing the games with all the blood and all the guys shooting all over the place," said one parent. "I know that might be a little bit inconsistent in terms of what violence is and isn't, but..."

"It's real life, part of what's going on in the world. I don't think it's violent," one man told FOX 2. "Three stooges were violent in my era."

"Honestly, If I knew how to use the controllers, I would play," one woman said.

A lot of parents in that crowd paid absolutely no attention to the "M" for mature rating on that game, which says only kids 17 and older should be playing it. So, if they're not, should the government help them out?

Joining FOX 2's Huel Perkins and Monica Gayle to talk about this issue is Chris Boyer, who is the CEO of Variant Interactive and the chairman of the Detroit Chapter of the International Game Developers Association. Click on the video player to watch their conversation.

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Take the informal quiz below to test your knowledge. Sound Off your thoughts in the comment module below the quiz.  Let us know whether you think violent video game sales need more regulation.

Q: HOW OLD IS THE AVERAGE GAMER?

A: 34

B. 13

C. 8

D. 21

Q: HOW LONG AS THE AVERAGE GAMER BEEN PLAYING

A: 12 YEARS

B. 2 YEARS

C. 7 MONTHS

D. 6 YEARS

Q: HOW MUCH MONEY DID THE VIDEO GAME INDUSTRY MAKE IN 2009

A: $10.5 BILLION

B. $500 MILLION

C. 1.2 BILLION

D. 800 MILLION

Q: WHAT PERCENTAGE OF AMERICAN HOUSEHOLDS PLAY VIDEO GAMES?

A: 67%

B. 33%

C. 50%

D. 10%

Q: WHAT PERCENTAGE OF VIDEO GAME PLAYERS ARE WOMEN?

A: 40%

B. 25%

C. 10%

D. LESS THAN 5%

Q: WHAT PERCENTAGE OF VIDEO GAMES ARE NOT CONSIDERED VIOLENT

A: 82%

B. 50%

C. 33%

D. LESS THAN 10%

Q: WHAT PERCENTAGE OF GAMER PARENTS SAY THEY PLAY VIDEO GAMES WITH THEIR KIDS?

A: 80%

B. 40%

C. 25%

D. LESS THAN 10%

Q: HOW MANY HOURS PER WEEK DOES THE AVERAGE GAMER PLAY ONLINE?

A: 8

B.12

C. 4

D. 15

The answer to all the questions asked is A.

SOURCE: www.theesa.com

SOURCE: www.npd.com

LINKS:

http://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/08-1448.pdf  - Supreme Court Case on Violent Video Games

www.theesa.com - Video Game Industry Site

http://www.igda.org/  - Video Game DevelopeAr association

http://www.med.umich.edu/yourchild/topics/video.htm - University of Michigan Resources on video games and kids

http://www.mavav.org/  - Mothers Against Video Game Addiction and Violence

http://www.parentstv.org/ptc/videogames/main.asp  - Parents TV Council on violent video games

http://www.esrb.org/index-js.jsp  - Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB)