We'll be the first ones to admit when video games cross the line in terms of containing content not suitable for kids -- GTA IV, for instance, contains a cornucopia of foul language and violence that youngsters probably shouldn't be privy to. In that respect, we can understand the justification behind a bill that would ban the sale of violent games to minors -- though we would strongly disagree with such a measure.
However, this latest piece of video game legislation is beyond all comprehension -- Illinois legislators (who attempted to pass a violent game ban in 2005 until it was -- of course -- found unconstitutional by a federal judge) recently passed a bill banning the advertisement, promotion or marketing of Alcopop beverages in children-centric video games (as well as theater performances and concerts). That means no more depictions of Boone's Farm and Smirnoff Ice in all T-rated and under titles -- assuming there are any such depictions to begin with, which we highly doubt.
Even if there's some unknown genre of kids' games that are just rife with Zima product placements, it's unlikely that there is a substantial enough state interest to justify the passing of such a regulation. Oh, screw it. We're not going to try to apply reason to an unreasonable government action. We want youngsters to stay away from Mike's Hard just as much as the next lot, but legislation banning its endorsement in a medium whose regulatory body already prohibits such endorsements is a complete waste of everyone's time.
Reader Comments (88)
Posted: Jan 4th 2009 12:05PM (Unverified) said
I guess the burning question of what politicians in Illinois do to maintain their popularity when they aren't raffling off the privileges of their office has been answered.
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Posted: Jan 4th 2009 5:18PM The Fiasco said
After living in Illinois all my life I must say, God I love Illinois politicians so much.
This really isn't surprising though. We have bans on brass knuckles, fireworks, and all sorts of other stuffs. Plus, Illinois does not allow concealed weapons at all. Even with a permit. And still somehow Chicago managed 500 murders in 2008.
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This really isn't surprising though. We have bans on brass knuckles, fireworks, and all sorts of other stuffs. Plus, Illinois does not allow concealed weapons at all. Even with a permit. And still somehow Chicago managed 500 murders in 2008.
Posted: Jan 4th 2009 6:06PM (Unverified) said
It's easy to commit a murder when you know they can't shoot back.
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Posted: Jan 4th 2009 1:50PM ALBGunner04 said
I'm afraid after some research, "Ef" was not an English word...
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Posted: Jan 4th 2009 5:20PM (Unverified) said
Thanks for clearing up all that confusion, J.
/sarcasm.
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/sarcasm.
Posted: Jan 5th 2009 2:04PM Duke said
Welcome to Illinois where instead of getting to the business of removing our corrupt governor, our legislature does this crap. Also, see us in all our glory as Chicago vows to fight the Supreme Court's decision in DC v Heller because how dare they make a 2nd Amendment decision that Daley disagrees with.
Flushing the people's money down the drains and propping up corrupt figures is all we know.
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Flushing the people's money down the drains and propping up corrupt figures is all we know.
Posted: Jan 4th 2009 12:32PM Rabidkeebler said
That was what I was thinking. Wasn't Zima taken off the market? I'll admit though, I do love the girly Alchopop drinks. Even though my friends rip me a new one when I drink one.
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Posted: Jan 4th 2009 1:50PM In A World said
"I do love the girly Alchopop drinks. Even though my friends rip me a new one when I drink one"
The solution, I've found, is to drink alone... in your bedroom... at night... while looking back on your bitter past. Actually if you're gonna do that might as well drink straight bourbon; use the Bacardi Silver as a chaser.
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The solution, I've found, is to drink alone... in your bedroom... at night... while looking back on your bitter past. Actually if you're gonna do that might as well drink straight bourbon; use the Bacardi Silver as a chaser.
Posted: Jan 4th 2009 3:56PM (Unverified) said
Don't forget the Cookie-Dough Ice Cream while you drink alone, then cry yourself to sleep.
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Posted: Jan 4th 2009 1:39PM (Unverified) said
@ vidguy: Only if the characters committing the act look like the Elephant Man. Scared straight!
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Posted: Jan 4th 2009 4:44PM (Unverified) said
Posted: Jan 4th 2009 12:19PM Bowser Rogozhin said
In London you get kids as young as ten drinking alcopops in the local parks. Hell, just yesterday we had to eject some girls after finding out they were 13. They had already tanked themselves on Bacardi Breezers, bloody vomit everywhere. This is not irregular behaviour.
It maybe the case that McElroy is out of the loop, America is just in a purer state that England, but what the legislators have done here seems rather logical. Jumping the gun and calling the measures 'beyond all comprehension' is rather short-sighted. They're clearly closing a loophole. You can't advertise alcohol while Barney is on, so why should Mario Kart be an exception?
If you work in the nightlife then you know what alcohol is all about. Anyway to discourage kids from partaking should be encouraged, IMO.
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It maybe the case that McElroy is out of the loop, America is just in a purer state that England, but what the legislators have done here seems rather logical. Jumping the gun and calling the measures 'beyond all comprehension' is rather short-sighted. They're clearly closing a loophole. You can't advertise alcohol while Barney is on, so why should Mario Kart be an exception?
If you work in the nightlife then you know what alcohol is all about. Anyway to discourage kids from partaking should be encouraged, IMO.
Posted: Jan 4th 2009 12:39PM (Unverified) said
Great point and I agree, but you forgot that chavs aren't people. These little assholes that pride themselves on being obnoxious and use ASBO's as a badge will still drink,vomit all over the place and beat up a random bystander to show how 'hard' they are regardless of such measures.
I see the purpose of this, but to me it's missing the point a little bit, because if you have a kid that's willing to drink at this age(influenced by the ads or not) than such 'alcohol depictions' would be the least of your worries.
Good kids(http://tinyurl.com/8unue7) are just as unlikely to drink while for scum like this: http://tinyurl.com/5rq4wv it won't make a difference.
Better safe than sorry, I suppose.
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I see the purpose of this, but to me it's missing the point a little bit, because if you have a kid that's willing to drink at this age(influenced by the ads or not) than such 'alcohol depictions' would be the least of your worries.
Good kids(http://tinyurl.com/8unue7) are just as unlikely to drink while for scum like this: http://tinyurl.com/5rq4wv it won't make a difference.
Better safe than sorry, I suppose.
Posted: Jan 4th 2009 1:35PM (Unverified) said
Bowser Rogozhin:
I think the reason the law would be "beyond all comprehension" is because of the fact that, as previously mentioned, very few games contain Alcopop, and if it did it would get an M rating from the ESRB anyway. Even the Fable games got M ratings for their innocent versions of drunkeness.
On another note, I don't understand what's wrong with drinking Alcopop. I mean if there's nothing wrong wtih drinking lemonade to begin with, how is it bad for someone to drink alcoholic lemonade? Excuse me for drinking an alcoholic beverage that actually tastes good. I guess that makes me a pussy.
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I think the reason the law would be "beyond all comprehension" is because of the fact that, as previously mentioned, very few games contain Alcopop, and if it did it would get an M rating from the ESRB anyway. Even the Fable games got M ratings for their innocent versions of drunkeness.
On another note, I don't understand what's wrong with drinking Alcopop. I mean if there's nothing wrong wtih drinking lemonade to begin with, how is it bad for someone to drink alcoholic lemonade? Excuse me for drinking an alcoholic beverage that actually tastes good. I guess that makes me a pussy.
Posted: Jan 4th 2009 1:38PM (Unverified) said
@Jakka
That second picture you have there, was that the "Future Douchebags of America Club?"
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That second picture you have there, was that the "Future Douchebags of America Club?"
Posted: Jan 4th 2009 1:44PM Bowser Rogozhin said
@Judd
I only know one guy who calls alcopops a bitch drink; it's some angry hikkomori-type dude. Sociable.
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I only know one guy who calls alcopops a bitch drink; it's some angry hikkomori-type dude. Sociable.
Posted: Jan 4th 2009 1:45PM (Unverified) said
@ Judd: lolwut? If you are 8, alcoholic lemonade is a poor choice in nourishment.
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Posted: Jan 4th 2009 1:48PM (Unverified) said
Delayed thought here, was there blood IN the vomit, or are you doing that British thing?
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Posted: Jan 4th 2009 2:03PM (Unverified) said
Nope, that's a typical English Chav - one of those stereotypes that are really alien to Yankees whenever a discussion arises, due to the closest US-slurs(Wigga and Gangsta) not even coming close to describing those peo...beings.
As I'm a good helpful person and love to help my American friends, save that picture, bookmark that link http://encyclopediadramatica.com/Chav and try to keep your head from asploding when I tell you that this entry isn't a giant hyperbole and is more often spot-on than not.
Given that Chavs already make up a large majority of the UK population and they fuck like rabbits, I'm not sure why people still wonder why I think the country I live in is going straight down and the setting of Idiocracy(or The Marching Morons, more accurately) is more realistic than everybody assumes.
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As I'm a good helpful person and love to help my American friends, save that picture, bookmark that link http://encyclopediadramatica.com/Chav and try to keep your head from asploding when I tell you that this entry isn't a giant hyperbole and is more often spot-on than not.
Given that Chavs already make up a large majority of the UK population and they fuck like rabbits, I'm not sure why people still wonder why I think the country I live in is going straight down and the setting of Idiocracy(or The Marching Morons, more accurately) is more realistic than everybody assumes.
Posted: Jan 4th 2009 2:22PM Professor Lario said
Just an FYI - got a bug from this link -
"httpx://encyclopediadramatica.com/Chav"
...added the x so that the link will not work
Reply
"httpx://encyclopediadramatica.com/Chav"
...added the x so that the link will not work
Posted: Jan 4th 2009 2:34PM spin cycle said
It bugs me when people use Chav for the people who do this kind of stuff. Yobbos existed a long time before the term Chav came about. And Chavs also brings in the idea of being obsessed with bling. You don't have to be obsessed with bling to go out and beat people up (ie. be an ASBO). The problem isn't the idiotic obsession with clothes or loud music, it's the loutish behavior that's the problem.
To me, there's just a huge difference here between the US and UK. I'm not claiming any kind of US superiority here, but for some reason the idea "let's get drunk and beat some people up" just isn't as popular in the US as in the UK. And I don't put it on any difference in drinking ages, since getting drunk is really popular in the US, it just isn't associated as much with street violence.
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To me, there's just a huge difference here between the US and UK. I'm not claiming any kind of US superiority here, but for some reason the idea "let's get drunk and beat some people up" just isn't as popular in the US as in the UK. And I don't put it on any difference in drinking ages, since getting drunk is really popular in the US, it just isn't associated as much with street violence.
Posted: Jan 4th 2009 2:39PM (Unverified) said
yea, don't click on that link. its suspicous.
Also, the US has Chav-like people. They come from Long Island
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y142/vwpower18/s4_df40c1810ccd8aa.jpg
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Also, the US has Chav-like people. They come from Long Island
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y142/vwpower18/s4_df40c1810ccd8aa.jpg
Posted: Jan 4th 2009 2:43PM (Unverified) said
Bowser: The second comment involving Alcopop being called a bitch drink was meant for the other people who insulted it. I just put it in the same post as my response to the "beyond all comprehension" comment.
Drew: I never suggested that it's a good choice for 8-year-olds. I'm just saying, if you're drinking, it's better than drinking something that tastes like crap.
Jakka: It's really funny because the American stereotype of the British is that they are people who are smug, aristocratic, elitist, high class and all that. In fact, there is a Starbucks Coffee training video where the guy speaking switches to a British accent when trying to appear intelligent. It's hilarious. Sorry that your country is actually full of douchebags though.
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Drew: I never suggested that it's a good choice for 8-year-olds. I'm just saying, if you're drinking, it's better than drinking something that tastes like crap.
Jakka: It's really funny because the American stereotype of the British is that they are people who are smug, aristocratic, elitist, high class and all that. In fact, there is a Starbucks Coffee training video where the guy speaking switches to a British accent when trying to appear intelligent. It's hilarious. Sorry that your country is actually full of douchebags though.
Posted: Jan 4th 2009 3:06PM (Unverified) said
@ Judd
Hehe, I wish every British person was just like Hollywood portrays them...
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Hehe, I wish every British person was just like Hollywood portrays them...
Posted: Jan 4th 2009 3:13PM chispito said
Bowser, those of us who think it's stupid do so because we'd prefer to avoid nanny-state regulations. It's not good for the industry if lawmakers show so little trust in the ESRB. There is alcohol and even drunkenness in children's movies (see: Ratatouille), and the last I heard it didn't lead to a spike in underage drinking.
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Posted: Jan 4th 2009 3:18PM (Unverified) said
@Jakka: Thanks for posting that link, douche.
As per AVG, got both "Trojan horse Agent.XTO" and "JS/Downloader.Agent".
Also had about 50 unrelated websites try to save cookies on my system.
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As per AVG, got both "Trojan horse Agent.XTO" and "JS/Downloader.Agent".
Also had about 50 unrelated websites try to save cookies on my system.
Posted: Jan 4th 2009 6:57PM spin cycle said
See strategy_panda, that's a great example. Basically, take a yobbo and add what that guy in the picture is and you've got (roughly) a chav.
But to say those people are like chavs is to miss the point made very well by the people above you. Those people (guidos, etc) you see have all the stupidity about bling and clothes but generally don't go out and get drunk and beat people up. And even though a few might even do that, it doesn't rise to the level it is in the UK. It's practically a sport to these jackasses. Like someone said above, "wear the ASBO badge with pride".
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But to say those people are like chavs is to miss the point made very well by the people above you. Those people (guidos, etc) you see have all the stupidity about bling and clothes but generally don't go out and get drunk and beat people up. And even though a few might even do that, it doesn't rise to the level it is in the UK. It's practically a sport to these jackasses. Like someone said above, "wear the ASBO badge with pride".
Posted: Jan 4th 2009 12:35PM falcomadol said
GTAIV is also rated M, and has specific disclosures on the packaging regarding the game's content.
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Posted: Jan 4th 2009 1:26PM darkinchworm said
Fuck, you beat me to it.
Seriously... "alcopop"? I have never heard of this term in my life until hearing about the news yesterday.
I'll stick to my liquor, thank you, celiac disease preventing me from enjoying "alcopop" and all...
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Seriously... "alcopop"? I have never heard of this term in my life until hearing about the news yesterday.
I'll stick to my liquor, thank you, celiac disease preventing me from enjoying "alcopop" and all...
Posted: Jan 4th 2009 12:57PM (Unverified) said
Unfortunately this, again, is not doing anything about the root of the problem. Why do kids as young as 12 (and even below that) feel the need to get wasted? What a fucked up world is this were children need to take drugs to cope? And if they don't do it out of escapism then what in the world did we do to them that they think getting drunk is cool? Oh wait, we show that to them wherever we can. There is no such thing as responsibility otherwise all these investment fraudsters would be in jail and why NOT get hammered all day if all these "values" everyone seems to be talking about are basically worthless and not in the least apply to anyone other than those who are subject to arbitrary measures.
If Paris Hilton gets airtime for being a DUI driving stupid billionaire whore why would anyone who sees this think they need to be better than that. If this apparently is all it takes to be a billionaire, why the fuck not. I'm exaggerating of course but I know from myself a good ten years ago how uncomplicated the world looks through someone that age.
As long as frat boy keggers are still the centerpiece of the social connective tissue there is nothing we can possibly do to keep them from drinking. We need a change of society to something, dare I say, more boring? We live in an overexcited state that wants to party every day all day as hard as it goes. Great role models that we are.
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If Paris Hilton gets airtime for being a DUI driving stupid billionaire whore why would anyone who sees this think they need to be better than that. If this apparently is all it takes to be a billionaire, why the fuck not. I'm exaggerating of course but I know from myself a good ten years ago how uncomplicated the world looks through someone that age.
As long as frat boy keggers are still the centerpiece of the social connective tissue there is nothing we can possibly do to keep them from drinking. We need a change of society to something, dare I say, more boring? We live in an overexcited state that wants to party every day all day as hard as it goes. Great role models that we are.
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