Fan Fare

California battle over video game violence rages on

The video game industry may have won another battle over whether violent games should be labeled as such and kept away from minors, but the author of a California video game labeling law that was struck down on Friday by a federal appeals court says the war is far from over.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the controversial law violated free speech protections that prevent the government from forcing its opinions on citizens — in this case by requiring video game makers to label games the state describes as violent. The court said lawmakers also failed to show a link between virtual violence and real acts among children who play the ultra-violent games.

The judges sided with the video game industry in finding that  the industry’s voluntary ratings system and stepped up parental controls were the best way to keep inappropriate games from kids.

But the law’s author, state Sen. Leland Yee, said letting the industry police itself is “like letting kids sign their own report cards.”