Yee Dithers with Violent Video Games…Again

State Senator Leland Yee issued a press release yesterday warning parents to avoid purchasing the newest installment of the ultra-violent video game Grand Theft Auto produced by Rockstar Games.

Yee is the author of a 2005 law that would prohibit the sale of extremely violent video games to minors in California. The law was struck down in federal court and is currently being litigated in the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. A bill authored by Yee in 2004, which has gone into effect, requires video game retailers to post signs informing consumers of the video game rating system.

The controversy over the so-called ultra-violent video games has been a flash point for both the ultra liberal and the ultra conservative, both of which attack the games for a variety of reasons. The overall underpinning is that such video games will so poison the minds of our youth that the next generation will be entirely mass murderers.

Yee, a child psychologist, has authored some useful legislation but his record is tainted by this ill-conceived and hyperbolic saber rattling over video game content in the same way that past political leaders have blamed television, comic books, movies, popular music and every other new medium.

In response, the gamer bologosphere has exploded with indignation over Yee’s comments in an absolutely expected response. By creating media interest and controversy over this next gratuitously violent video game Yee has likely succeeded in getting some free advertising for Rockstar Games. Perhaps is Yee has stock in Rockstar his posturing may actually pay off.