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NEWS: Connecticut Rep. Calls for End to Gun Licensing in Video Games


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Clyde_Cash



Joined: 03 Dec 2011
Posts: 376
PostPosted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 1:40 am Reply with quote
If he really thinks banning gun licensing in games is going to cut down crime and violence, he should go pet his unicorn.
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TsunaReborn!



Joined: 08 Sep 2012
Posts: 4713
Location: Cheltenham UK
PostPosted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 1:53 am Reply with quote
Quote:
Sharkley references Adam Lanza's use of the Bushmaster rifle, a gun that is featured in Call of Duty, which Lanza allegedly played.


Unless they can show that this was the gun that he used and can prove that he wanted to use that gun because he used it in Call of Duty the reference made is irrelevant. It's obvious what would cut a greater extent of gun crime and its not games.

It's a little annoying that the sane have to suffer because of the very small minority that has to get kicks through other means, which they would do if they didn't play games and just watched films.

Just blame everything on games and films, its so much easier. Wink
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Mr Adventure



Joined: 14 Jul 2008
Posts: 1598
PostPosted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 2:00 am Reply with quote
If cartoon camels can't sell cigarettes, video games not hawking firearms seems perfectly all right.
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walw6pK4Alo



Joined: 12 Mar 2008
Posts: 9322
PostPosted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 2:05 am Reply with quote
This is a bit of a deeper and more nuanced issue, since licensing means your money does filter back to the gun companies when you buy your game. Not like it's going to remove fierarms from games, just that financial connection, and I find myself agreeing with it.
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samuelp
Industry Insider


Joined: 25 Nov 2007
Posts: 2248
Location: San Antonio, USA
PostPosted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 2:17 am Reply with quote
How about instead of banning video game companies from licensing rights from gun companies, they instead ban the gun companies from selling those rights in the first place, be it to video games or movies or TV or whereever. I.e. legislate that all usage and likenesses of deadly weapons are by default in the public domain and can't be sold as intellectual property.

Seems to me that video game makers are again being unfairly targeted when there's just as much gun product placement going on in various action movies, etc...
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Lady Multi



Joined: 11 Dec 2004
Posts: 675
PostPosted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 2:17 am Reply with quote
Wait? Is this someone in a government position that actually makes sense?

I, honestly, see exactly what he's talking about. Basically, he's asking for the games not to, essentially, advertise specific guns that truly exist.

If a gun is a fictional representation mock only created for the game, it doesn't exist, so the want to have the gun in your favorite game in your own possession becomes un-obtainable. That, and by using the gun in the game, you can see what it can do. Sure, it's not the same as learning to shoot the gun in real (game controllers =/= gun usage), but you can see what it -can- do...
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Yttrbio



Joined: 09 Jun 2011
Posts: 3672
PostPosted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 3:05 am Reply with quote
Or, alternatively, people can decide on their own what is or is not appropriate, and tell government officials to take their opinions on the matter and shove them. Why is there any obligation to "say something in defense" of the practice?
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ikillchicken



Joined: 12 Feb 2007
Posts: 7272
Location: Vancouver
PostPosted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 3:41 am Reply with quote
It's really disheartening that this thread has already been peppered with the exact same dramatic responses that we always see when a politician goes on some inane rant linking games to violence even though this guys is doing virtually the opposite. Hell, he's actually saying that there is no established link between games and violence and explicitly reiterating the fact that games fall under the first amendment. And he's not trying to legally force his stance on anyone. (Seriously, you guys ranting about a "ban" did you even read his actual comment!?) His point is extremely reasonable even if you don't agree with it and yet it is being met with the same knee jerk outrage regardless.

Evidently being a gamer doesn't make you a killer. Except of healthy debate.
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mgosdin



Joined: 17 Jul 2011
Posts: 1302
Location: Kissimmee, Florida, USA
PostPosted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 4:27 am Reply with quote
It's a non-starter.

Next.

Mark Gosdin
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simona.com



Joined: 20 Apr 2007
Posts: 338
Location: Tokyo
PostPosted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 4:44 am Reply with quote
I really envy people with as much spare time as this guy.

Don't envy his brains though.
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Wrathful



Joined: 08 Mar 2010
Posts: 372
PostPosted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 4:53 am Reply with quote
It's bit annoying, every blame goes back to gaming, no wonder there's not a single positive response. If has there been any incident where teen goes off driving unattended and commit hit and run, the majority of politician would've blamed GTA for giving them the idea of driving simulation.
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mewpudding101
Industry Insider


Joined: 07 Apr 2009
Posts: 2210
Location: Tokyo, Japan
PostPosted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 4:59 am Reply with quote
I think he has a point, though. The license EA did with the gun manufacturers was a HORRIBLE idea. I don't buy those games, but if I knew that my money from buying Atelier games was going towards companies that sell cigarettes, I would have to stop buying new. It's just sick.
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Fencedude5609



Joined: 09 Nov 2006
Posts: 5088
PostPosted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 5:17 am Reply with quote
HEY. GUYS.

READ THE [expletive] ARTICLE.

Quote:
Games designed to recreate the experience of wartime carnage and criminal violence constitute free speech under the provisions of the First Amendment. But there is little to be said in defense of the industry-wide practice of arranging licensing deals with gun manufacturers for rights to use the make, model and visual design specifications of their real-life weapons.
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jet_



Joined: 06 Jun 2013
Posts: 398
PostPosted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 5:20 am Reply with quote
This made my day.
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Animehermit



Joined: 05 Aug 2007
Posts: 964
Location: The Argama
PostPosted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 7:57 am Reply with quote
I remember reading something a little while ago about EA (at least I think it was) not using gun licensing anymore in their games. They would continue to use real guns, but not pay the manufacturer of the guns any royalties.

It came down to the fact that games companies don't technically have to pay these manufacturers any money at all, but they do so out of courtesy and not wanting to be sued. Companies like EA and Activision are big enough to not give a shit.

Overall I think this is a positive thing for gaming. Cutting ties with gun manufacturers may help clean the image of some games as being in bed with them to promote gun culture (whatever that means).

Edit: It was EA

Source: http://kotaku.com/ea-wont-be-paying-for-real-guns-in-video-games-anymore-494940003
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