Florida Bill Aims To Curb Violent Videogame Sales

(Reuters) -- A Florida state senator has introduced a bill that would ban the sale or rental of violent videogames to minors, an aide to the lawmaker said Oct. 27.

Introduced Oct. 25 by state Sen. Alex Diaz de la Portilla, a Republican from Miami, the bill is a near clone of legislation recently signed into law by California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger -- Hollywood's "Terminator" -- who is portrayed in several videogames based on his action film roles.

Bills aimed at restricting sales of violent games to minors are the latest salvo in a long campaign by detractors and some parent groups to limit access to games with adult content.

Critics cite research suggesting that violent games can increase aggressive behavior in young boys. Game makers and retailers counter that videogames carry ratings similar to those found on films, and many store clerks ask for identification from young gamers to make sure they are not buying titles aimed at older audiences.

The battle over controversial videogame content flared anew this summer when game publisher Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. pulled its blockbuster title "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" from store shelves following the discovery of hidden sex scenes in its code.

Trade groups representing the $10 billion U.S. video game industry have sued to strike down the new California law and are fighting similar battles in Michigan and Illinois.

Courts already have blocked such legislation in Washington State, the city of Indianapolis and St. Louis County in Missouri, finding that the laws violated free speech guarantees in the U.S. Constitution.

Videogame industry groups already have Diaz de la Portilla's bill in their sights.

"The senator's proposal is clearly unconstitutional," Gail Markels, senior VP and general counsel of the Entertainment Software Assn., said in a statement.

But lawmakers, who grab headlines for taking on the makers of violent games, are undaunted and U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton is leading a battle on the federal front.

Take-Two's high-profile and best-selling "Grand Theft Auto" titles are a lightning rod for critics of violent games -- but they are not alone.

The upcoming title "25 to Life" has been dubbed a "cop killer" game by Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y. Delayed until next year, it was developed by Avalanche Studios and is being published by Eidos.

"50 Cent: Bulletproof" -- inspired by the rapper and self-admitted former crack cocaine dealer 50 Cent -- has attracted stinging criticism for its depictions of the underworld drug scene. Set for a November debut, the game's developer is Genuine Games. Vivendi Universal Games has signed on as its distributor.