http://videogamevoters.org/ en Copyright 2010 2010-07-30T14:35:50+00:00 http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/is_your_states_attorney_general_on_the_wrong_side_of_free_speech/ http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/is_your_states_attorney_general_on_the_wrong_side_of_free_speech/ Attorneys general from 11 states are trying to undermine the First Amendment by throwing their support behind the California game law that's been found unconstitutional. Take action and tell your attorney general that he or she is on the wrong side of free speech. 2010-07-30T14:35:50+00:00 http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/congrats_to_comic-con/ http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/congrats_to_comic-con/ If you're headed to Comic-Con, have a fantastic time and think about how comic books overcame the same prejudice that video games now face. 2010-07-22T13:56:48+00:00 http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/esa_responds_to_california_brief/ http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/esa_responds_to_california_brief/ California recently submitted their written arguments to the Supreme Court regarding Schwarzenegger v. EMA/Entertainment Software Association. Find out how the Entertainment Software Association responded. SCOTUS 2010-07-16T18:32:25+00:00 http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/create_a_new_vgvn_slogan/ http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/create_a_new_vgvn_slogan/ The Video Game Voters Network needs a new rallying cry. Help us create a new slogan to mobilize the gaming community! 2010-06-09T20:53:15+00:00 http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/june_is_entertainment_ratings_awareness_month/ http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/june_is_entertainment_ratings_awareness_month/ June is the Entertainment Ratings and Labeling Awareness Month — our month to celebrate the ESRB Rating Guide. 2010-06-07T14:26:22+00:00 http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/chicago_cant_block_ads_for_video_games/ http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/chicago_cant_block_ads_for_video_games/ The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois blocked the Chicago Transit Authority's (CTA) attempt to ban advertisements for M-rated video games on public transportation. 2010-06-02T20:34:14+00:00 http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/justice_oconnor_video_games_a_force_for_good/ http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/justice_oconnor_video_games_a_force_for_good/ Sandra Day O'Connor, the first female member of the Supreme Court, believes video games have the power to revitalize civics knowledge in the United States. 2010-05-28T18:50:08+00:00 http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/germans_rebuke_regulation/ http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/germans_rebuke_regulation/ German citizens and legislators have spoken: there will be no gaming regulations in Deutschland. SCOTUS, Video Games 2010-05-25T19:45:50+00:00 http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/solution_in_search_of_a_problem/ http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/solution_in_search_of_a_problem/ Michael Gallagher, President and CEO of ESA, refutes the link between video games and violence in a recent op/ed in US News and World Report. 2010-05-11T19:50:54+00:00 http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/nytimes_editorial_board_weighs_in_on_scotus_case/ http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/nytimes_editorial_board_weighs_in_on_scotus_case/ The New York Times came out with a well-reasoned and argued editorial about the Supreme Court's decision to hear the appeal of California's unconstitutional video game law. SCOTUS 2010-05-06T21:47:29+00:00 http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/yahoo_tech_questions_california_law_under_review_by_scotus/ http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/yahoo_tech_questions_california_law_under_review_by_scotus/ The Court's decision to review a law that has already been rejected on constitutional grounds, has garnered a lot of attention from first amendment proponents and gamers alike. SCOTUS 2010-04-28T14:26:41+00:00 http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/breaking_news_supreme_court/ http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/breaking_news_supreme_court/ The Supreme Court announced today that it plans to hear arguments on the California law regulating computer and video games. Computer Games, SCOTUS, Video Games 2010-04-22T19:40:52+00:00 http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/supreme_court_may_decide_the_future_of_video_games/ http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/supreme_court_may_decide_the_future_of_video_games/ Soon, the U.S. Supreme Court may decide whether to hear a case that could have a lasting impact on computer and video games. The case before the Court involves a law passed by the state of California attempting to criminalize the sale of certain computer and video games. Two previous courts rejected the California law as unconstitutional, but soon the Supreme Court could have the final say. Read on to learn how you can help. SCOTUS 2010-04-07T19:54:38+00:00 http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/vgvn_featured_at_sxsws_screenburn_arcade/ http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/vgvn_featured_at_sxsws_screenburn_arcade/ VGVN will be at South by Southwest (SXSW) this year as part of ScreenBurn Arcade, the festival's interactive gaming arcade. In hosting ScreenBurn Arcade, SXSW — one of the nation's largest music, film, and interactive media festivals — is recognizing the growing influence of video games. Computer Games, Video Games 2010-02-23T13:42:25+00:00 http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/a_victory_for_video_games_cta_must_stop_enforcing_its_ban_on_computer_and_v/ http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/a_victory_for_video_games_cta_must_stop_enforcing_its_ban_on_computer_and_v/ Yesterday, the U.S. District Court issued an injunction against the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), which had banned advertisements for certain computer and video games on its trains, buses, and stations. Yesterday's ruling means the CTA must stop enforcing its ban until the case is finally resolved. Computer Games, Video Games 2010-01-11T18:15:45+00:00 http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/report_says_computer_and_video_game_industry_outpaces_rest_of_entertainment/ http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/report_says_computer_and_video_game_industry_outpaces_rest_of_entertainment/ A Federal Trade Commission (FTC) report released today found that the computer and video game industry is leading in in consumer disclosure, retail compliance and enforcement of responsible marketing practices. Computer Games, Parenting, Video Games 2009-12-03T19:54:00+00:00 http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/an_opportunity_to_lead_in_california/ http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/an_opportunity_to_lead_in_california/ California State Senator Leland Yee, one of the main architects of the unconstitutional attacks on computer and video games, is receiving the First Amendment Coalition's Beacon Award for legislation supporting government transparency and journalists' rights. Computer Games, Video Games 2009-10-29T20:01:32+00:00 http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/insomniac_games_ceo_defends_video_games/ http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/insomniac_games_ceo_defends_video_games/ Insomniac Games CEO, Ted Price, sent an email to the Video Game Voters Network with an impassioned defense of free speech and video games. Take a moment to read Price's email and then invite your friends to join VGVN: Video Games 2009-09-15T18:53:47+00:00 http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/follow_vgvn_on_twitter/ http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/follow_vgvn_on_twitter/ Do you want to know the latest news about threats to video games and your free speech? VGVN's Twitter feed is just that place. Video Games 2009-09-14T20:10:54+00:00 http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/video_essential_facts_about_computer_and_video_games/ http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/video_essential_facts_about_computer_and_video_games/ The Entertainment Software Association has launched ESA TV, an online video blog series that provides audiences with compelling, creative and informative content about the computer and video game industry. The first video of the series, below, brings to life ESA's 2009 Essential Facts. Computer Games, Facts, Parenting, Video, Video Games 2009-08-03T15:06:24+00:00 http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/chicago_transit_authority_banned_video_game_ads/ http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/chicago_transit_authority_banned_video_game_ads/ The Entertainment Software Association has filed suit against the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), challenging its decision to ban video game advertisements. 2009-07-22T16:54:31+00:00 http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/stop_your_representative_from_sponsoring_federal_bill_to_mislabel_video_gam/ http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/stop_your_representative_from_sponsoring_federal_bill_to_mislabel_video_gam/ Rep. Joe Baca's (D-CA) sponsored H.R. 231 "The Video Game Health Labeling Act" - a misguided, unnecessary, and simply unconstitutional bill. In a letter seeking co-sponsors of this bill, Rep. Baca points to research claiming a causal link between video games and aggressive behavior, even though this very same research was rejected as faulty by a majority of federal and state courts. Action, Legislative Threat, Take Action, VGVN, Legislation 2009-04-24T13:18:25+00:00 http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/utahs_vgvn_members_bring_about_a_veto/ http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/utahs_vgvn_members_bring_about_a_veto/ Over the past several weeks, VGVN's Utah members worked hard to prevent the passage of HB 353, the anti-video game bill which would have amended the state's Truth in Advertising law and inhibited the promotion of the ESRB rating system. Despite hundreds of letters sent, the bill passed both the State House and Senate. However, Governor Huntsman heard Utah's VGVN members and he vetoed HB 353 because of concerns about violating the Constitution and undermining the ESRB rating system. Action, Industry News, Take Action, Legislation 2009-03-27T01:38:54+00:00 http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/demand_a_veto_contact_utah_governor_jon_huntsman_today/ http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/demand_a_veto_contact_utah_governor_jon_huntsman_today/ Once again, Utah state legislators are unfairly targeting video games. The anti-video game bill (HB 353) would expose game retailers to frivolous lawsuits. Under this bill, if the store promotes enforcement of the ESRB rating system, and then a sales clerk accidentally sells a M-rated game to a minor twice, any person could then sue that store for damages, and it could be fined! Action, Legislative Threat, Take Action, VGVN, Legislation 2009-03-16T19:20:37+00:00 http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/a_landmark_court_ruling_for_video_games/ http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/a_landmark_court_ruling_for_video_games/ In the case of Video Software Dealers Association v. Schwarzenegger, the judges ruled that the state could not enforce a 2005 California law that would have regulated the sale or rental of computer and video games. This is the 13th court ruling that supports video games as a form of protected speech. Action, Industry News, VGVN 2009-02-20T19:18:56+00:00 http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/join_the_video_game_rally_on_facebook/ http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/join_the_video_game_rally_on_facebook/ The Video Game Voters Network (VGVN) invites you to join the Video Game Rally, a new Facebook application enabling Facebook members to express their support of video games, take action to defend games, spread the word about anti-video game threats and win prizes! VGVN, Social Networking, Take Action 2009-02-12T15:53:24+00:00 http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/write_the_new_congress/ http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/write_the_new_congress/ As the new Congress settles in and begins developing its political agenda, it's more critical than ever that we let our representatives know where we stand on the regulation of video game sales: it is a waste of legislators' time and taxpayers' money! Take just a moment to write your elected representative and introduce yourself as a constituent who cares about video games and First Amendment rights. Legislation, Take Action 2009-01-16T20:27:27+00:00 http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/pennsylvania_task_force_to_legislature_video_game_regulations_are_not_neces/ http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/pennsylvania_task_force_to_legislature_video_game_regulations_are_not_neces/ Recently, the Pennsylvania Task Force on Violent Interactive Video Games released a landmark report to the state legislature, which makes the case for NOT enacting video game regulations. The report is a comprehensive study with input from a diverse group of participants including experts on First Amendment issues, social science, clinical psychology, members of the game and entertainment industry and law enforcement. Industry News, Report, Research, Study, Industry Support 2008-12-22T13:26:07+00:00 http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/esrb_launches_more_parental_tools_rating_summaries_mobile_site/ http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/esrb_launches_more_parental_tools_rating_summaries_mobile_site/ The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) recently launched two more initiatives to empower parents with the right information: rating summaries and an ESRB mobile site. More parental education efforts, rather than intrusive video game regulations, are the only way to ensure the protection of children, while protecting our favorite form of entertainment. Rating, Industry News 2008-11-19T13:06:30+00:00 http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/on_g4_new_e3_video_game_voters_network/ http://videogamevoters.org/blog/entry/on_g4_new_e3_video_game_voters_network/ The news of the new E3 Expo next year shook up the video game community this week. Rich Taylor, Senior VP of Communications & Research at the ESA (VGVN's parent organization), speaks with G4's Adam Sessler about the plans for the bigger & better E3, and the efforts of the Video Game Voters Network. Game 2008-10-24T19:53:54+00:00