Blood Code: The History and Future of Video Game Censorship

INTRODUCTION ................................................................................... 571 I. FIRST AMENDMENT BACKGROUND ....................................... 573 II. THE ANALOGOUS HISTORIES OF FILMS AND VIDEO GAMES ....................................................................................... 576 A. Film Controversy and the Formation of the MPAA ................ 576 B. Early Video Game Controversy and the Formation of the ESRB ................................................................................... 580 C. Doom and Columbine ........................................................... 584 D. Jack Thompson and Grand Theft Auto ................................... 586 III. WHY VIDEO GAMES SHOULD NOT BE TREATED DIFFERENTLY THAN FILMS .................................................... 593 A. Violent and Sexual Content in Video Games is Distinguishable from Pornography and Obscenity. .................. 594 B. Violent Game Content is Similar to Violent Film Content. ..... 596 C. Positive Social Aspects of Violent Gaming............................... 597 D. Desensitization Will Lead to a Decrease in Political Outrage. ............................................................................... 604 IV. EXISTING VIDEO GAME JURISPRUDENCE .............................. 605 V. RATINGS AND LABELS AS UNCONSTITUTIONAL CENSORSHIP.............................................................................. 607 CONCLUSION ....................................................................................... 609