Video Game Voters Rally for First Amendment Rights as Supreme Court Case Looms
With the November 2 Supreme Court case focusing on videogame violence, gamers and developers unite
The Video Game Voters Network (VGVN) today urged members, game enthusiasts and the industry to stand together in a show support for preserving First Amendment protections for computer and video games. This call to action comes in anticipation of the Supreme Court's consideration of Schwarzenegger v. Entertainment Merchants Association/Entertainment Software Association on November 2.
"Today's action is a rallying point for anyone who is passionate about protecting video games from censorship," said Rich Taylor, senior vice president of communications & industry affairs at the Entertainment Software Association. "The more game enthusiasts and industry members that join VGVN in this day of action, the louder our message of video games deserving the same First Amendment protection as other forms of entertainment becomes."
VGVN is asking supporters to use their social media networks, blogs and other channels to show a united front in defending video games and the rights of creators. Supporters can join in the day of action by using the following messages:
For Facebook:
I believe video games deserve the same First Amendment protection as other forms of entertainment. Stand with me and the Video Game Voters Network on 11/2 as the Supreme Court decides the future of games. http://vgvn.org/act.
For Twitter:
Games=Free Speech. Stand w/ @VideoGameVoters on 11/2 as #SCOTUS decides future of games http://vgvn.org/act #GamersUnite
VGVN also is partnering with the International Game Developers Association, noted video game developer Warren Spector, and others to rally the industry to fight for their right to free speech as creators and artists.
VGVN has mobilized game enthusiasts around the country since 2006 and is continuing its effort in preparation for oral arguments in Schwarzenegger v. Entertainment Merchants Association/Entertainment Software Association. In September, the VGVN launched a Supreme Court Action center to educate members on the background of the case and keep them informed of developments.
The Video Game Voters Network is a grassroots organization committed to ensuring that video games are fully protected speech under the Constitution, and receive the same First Amendment protection as books, movies, music and cable television programs. The VGVN opposes efforts to regulate the content of entertainment media, including proposals to criminalize the sale of certain games to minors, or regulate video games differently from movies, music, books, and other media. For more information, please visit www.vgvn.org.
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John Gaudiosi
Editor-in-Chief
John Gaudiosi has been covering videogames for the past 20 years for outlets like The Washington Post, CNET, Wired Magazine and CBS.com. He has focused on the convergence of entertainment and videogames for outlets like Video Business, Home Media Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, The Hollywood Reporter and Variety. He currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of Gamerlive.TV and is also a freelance game columnist for Reuters and writes for outlets like Forbes.com, NVISION, Official PlayStation Magazine, EGM Now, Geek Monthly, PrimaGames.com, and Yahoo! Games. John also serves as the video game expert for NBC in Washington D.C. and has produced videogame documentaries for The History Channel and Starz Entertainment. John was named one of the Top 50 Game Journalists in the world by Next-Gen.biz in 2007. He is the co-author of Scholastic Books' How to Get into Videogames, Prima Publishing's Madden: Twenty Years of Videogame Football and Electronic Arts: The Official History.
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