The ECA is a non-profit consumer organization that was put in place to stand up for interactive media and their consumers. The ECA is there concerning the idea of Washington putting together a special task-force to look into the effects of video games on the youth. This could lead to sweeping regulations for the video game industry, which could be argued good or bad.

On Friday, the Entertainment Consumers Association headed to Capitol Hill in Washington, DC to discuss video games and recent legislation introduced in the Senate and House of Representatives. We came away convinced more than ever that we need to stand up for our rights. Vice President Biden said we “shouldn’t be afraid of the facts” when it comes to whether there is a connection between video games and violence. Well, even when presented with the facts, those we talked to ignored them, instead relying on their personal tastes.

Senators are convinced that there’s a connection between video games and violence. One has even said that a proposed study is simply “laying the groundwork for new regulations on video games.” We know that’s not true – so write to them today.

Yes, even when presented with the facts that violent crimes have decreased since 1980, while video game sales have increased, and that other nations that consume more video games than the United States don’t see the same level of violence, those we talked to pressed forward with the need to legislate video games and waste money to find a connection between games and violence we know doesn’t exist. These Senators believe that playing games leads to real world violence. They have even gone so far to say in private discussions they disagree with the Supreme Court’s decision that video games are free speech.

We’re not going to take these insults and lies. Video games don’t lead to violence and are protected free speech. That’s reality. We need gamers to speak up and tell Congress this. Write to your elected officials and then spread this action everywhere you can.

This year is going to be a rough one. No matter how many facts we present, folks seem to want to stick to their fantasy that we gamers are time bombs waiting to go off. It’s insulting to me, it’s insulting to you, it’s insulting to us and just not true. Take action now.

Keep on gaming,

Brett Schenker,
Online Advocacy Manager
Entertainment Consumers Association (ECA)

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