Censorship of Video Game Content: Time to Fight Back

Speakers: Lawrence G. Walters

Track: IGDA

Format: Lecture

Experience Level: All

Description: This lecture will explore the past, present and future efforts to regulate or ban violent and sexually-explicit content in modern video games. Despite a string of industry victories in the courts, state and federal lawmakers persist in their attempts to restrict the sale, marketing and development of computer games depicting or involving controversial, yet common, human behavior. MMORPG’s allow players to engage in all manner of conversation and virtual activity – much of which would be illegal in the ‘real’ world. Given the First Amendment protection applicable to video games, can the government ever prevail in its attempt to establish legal restrictions based on content? Should the industry consider some level of voluntary self-regulation in the attempt to ward off mandatory legislation? The intent of this lecture is to educate the attendees regarding the current legal climate associated with video game content laws, and evaluate some potential future trends. Recommendations will also be made to allow the industry to better position itself to collectively pursue legal, legislative and policy challenges. Finally, discussion will ensue as to appropriate public outreach and media relations, designed to form critical alliances with influential social demographics, and to further isolate the radical elements who view video games as a primary source of societal downfall.

Idea Takeaway: Attendees will leave this session armed with the legal knowledge to make intelligent decisions regarding the legality of controversial game content while, at the same time, understanding the nature of the opposition. Those wishing to take action will receive guidance as to how to better position the industry in the upcoming legal and political battles centered on game content.

Intended Audience: Designers, executives, publishers, legal counsel and activists seeking to preserve expressive freedoms in the game industry against censorship by the government.