Linda Stender, a New Jersey assemblywoman, is set to propose legislation that will limit the availability of videogames with mature content in public venues. Here’s the specific language of her press release:
“Assemblywoman Linda Stender will introduce legislation that prohibits any kind of public accommodation—movie theaters, rest stops, bowling alleys, arcades—from making games rated Mature or Adults Only available to the public for play.”
What, precisely, will this limit? Not much, given that the language relies on ESRB ratings that are only doled out to console, handheld, PC, and some mobile games. Arcade cabinets are not regulated in this regard. That said, it could affect public gatherings (such as LAN parties) that involve Mature-rated shooters. It could also affect the games that are available for play-on-demo units in electronics and gaming stores. Most of the time, though, those are already well-regulated by the corporations themselves, which clamp down on M-rated game sales to underage gamers with almost draconian consequences.
Is legislation this non-functional really necessary?
Source: Kotaku