Well, if it wasn't an issue in the last U.S. Presidential election (somehow being eclipsed by gay marriage), it looks like Hillary Clinton has started the politicising of video game violence in time to approach the 2008 festivities. The Democratic Senator has spoken out against Grand Theft Auto in particular, focussing on the "prostitute problem" which has beleaguered video game proponents since the first player completed that mission in the back of that taxi.
As a great article on GGA explains,
"Is it me or do critics focus way too much on killing hookers in Grand Theft Auto? It's like when parents try to ban "Huckleberry Finn" because of certain colloquial. Critics are ignoring the context. I could be wrong, but I think it's the Supreme Court case of Miller v. California (1973) in which the court ruled that you must view the medium as a whole for its artistic, literary, or scientific merits rather than judging specifics scenes. I know that applies to obscenity and pornography, but work with me here. Lawyers want to ban games based on specific scenes of violence, not the game as a whole. Therefore, critics should be trying to criticize the game in its entirety, and not what amounts to a rather minor feature of the game.
According to Joystiq, in response to the various outcries against its content Rockstar North are adding contraception to a players' inventory and will arm the digital ladies of the night with their own arsenal in the next iteration of the series. However, there's a significantly deeper issue here. If a traditionally "liberal" politician is decrying the interactive form of media entertainment, will this result in a suspension of any of the funds the National Science Foundation, the Department of Defence, the Department of Education and other U.S. Government bodies are willing to put into the development of games? Who's going to draw the line between a video game that is worthwhile and something that isn't?
While many complain that the U.K. government is threatening to impose a nanny state, I'm sure glad to live in a country where the politicians are realistic about gaming entertainment, and appreciate that adult-rated games are for grown-ups. Well, most everyone. I won't mention that terrible event on Richard and Judy...
You can read Clinton's full speech here.
