NY Bill Would Require Seizure Warnings by Game Retailers

February 4, 2009 -

As we've said in the past, the New York legislature has something of an infatuation with video game legislation.

New York, of course, passed a largely symbolic video game law in 2008 and GamePolitics has already reported on two new content-related bills which have been submitted in the current Assembly session.

A third Assembly proposal seeks to warn consumers about the risk of game-induced seizures. A.4004, sponsored by Assemblyman Steve Englebright (D, at left), would require video game retailers to display such warnings. Failure to do so would subject retailers to a $50 fine. From the bill:

Around 1 in every 130 people is diagnosed as having epilepsy, whereas only 1 in every 10,000 have Photosensitivity Epilepsy. Among people with epilepsy, only an estimated 3-5% have seizures triggered by lights or patterns. Photosensitivity Epilepsy most commonly affects children.

This Bill would require that a warning be placed upon every video game warning people of the dangers of Photosensitivity Epilepsy.

Englebright has tried unsuccessfully to pass this legislation since 2001. The bill has been referred to the Assembly's Consumer Affairs and Protection Committee.

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Comments

Re: NY Bill Would Require Seizure Warnings by Game Retailers

Submitted by Neeneko on Wed, 02/04/2009 - 16:18.

I wish I could find a reference, but I can recall years ago something about a wine called "chateau de warning", with a giant warning as it's label

Re: NY Bill Would Require Seizure Warnings by Game Retailers

Submitted by lordlundar on Wed, 02/04/2009 - 11:48.

As we've said in the past, the New York legislature has something of an infatuation with useless video game legislation.

Fixed that for you Dennis.

Re: NY Bill Would Require Seizure Warnings by Game Retailers

Submitted by Cheater87 on Wed, 02/04/2009 - 11:40.

*Turns on a video game* OH there is the warning!!!!!!! ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS YOU SEE!!!!!!!!

Re: NY Bill Would Require Seizure Warnings by Game Retailers

Submitted by KayleL on Wed, 02/04/2009 - 11:39.

There is already health warnings on it. You see it on the back of every Wii game (atleast the Wii games I have) and every time you turn on the DS, you see a refer to manual about health warnings (and you can not disable that)

Re: NY Bill Would Require Seizure Warnings by Game Retailers

Submitted by Andrew Eisen on Wed, 02/04/2009 - 11:32.

Let's try a little experiment, shall we?

First, I'll grab the nearest video game. Oh look, LEGO Batman.

Now, I'll open the case and take out the instruction booklet.

Next, I'll start reading...

Hey! That didn't take long! Look at what's printed at the top of the first page (inside cover): WARNING - Seizures. "Some people (about 1 in 4000) may have seizures or blackouts triggered by light flashes or patterns, and this may occur while they are watching TV or playing video games..."

Wait, what's this on the back of the box? "WARNING: If you have epilepsy or have had seizures..."

Dear Assemblyman Steve Englebright,

There's no need for legislation. The seizure warnings are already there and have been for a long time.

Sincerely,

Andrew Eisen

Re: NY Bill Would Require Seizure Warnings by Game Retailers

Submitted by MaskedPixelante on Wed, 02/04/2009 - 13:38.

Unfortunately, since the warning doesn't seem to take up 90% of the back of the box, this is probably going to get a lot of attention

---You are likely to be eaten by a Grue.

Re: NY Bill Would Require Seizure Warnings by Game Retailers

Submitted by Papa Midnight on Wed, 02/04/2009 - 12:12.

Indeed. I was also under the distinct impression that the game publishers already made this perfectly clear. Hell, back in 2001 when Wizards of the Coast offered LAN parties, I remember going to play Unreal Tournament and was notified by a rather large notice "If you have epilepsy or sensitivity to repeated light patterns, do not play these games without first consulting a physician" or something along those lines, plus a disclaimer in case someone with that sensitivity indeed did choose to do so.

On that note, one of the players there suffered an epileptic seizure on the spot while playing Death Match on Morpheus. He was promptly assisted by paramedics who arrived within 5 minutes.

I dare say this legislation is not needed.

----
Papa Midnight
http://www.otakutimes.com
http://www.thesupersoldiers.com

----
Papa Midnight

Re: NY Bill Would Require Seizure Warnings by Game Retailers

Submitted by locopuyo on Wed, 02/04/2009 - 16:07.

Gotta love Morpheus, especially for instagib. I bet it was worth the seizure.

http://www.eliteownage.com/nice

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Re: NY Bill Would Require Seizure Warnings by Game Retailers

Submitted by olstar18 on Wed, 02/04/2009 - 11:31.

Aren't there already warning labels in the instruction manuals about seizures?

Re: NY Bill Would Require Seizure Warnings by Game Retailers

Submitted by barra_sadei on Thu, 02/05/2009 - 08:45.

Who reads instruction manuals? Well, I do, but I thought I was weird...

Re: NY Bill Would Require Seizure Warnings by Game Retailers

Submitted by JB on Wed, 02/04/2009 - 11:30.

Aren't there already warnings on or in the games/manuals? I could swear I've seen them somewhere...

"I'd far rather be happy than right any day."

Re: NY Bill Would Require Seizure Warnings by Game Retailers

Submitted by Austin_Lewis on Wed, 02/04/2009 - 12:02.

They're even before some games. I know they're before nearly every Wii game we own and every game I've played on my DS has them too...

Seems like a waste of money to me.

Re: NY Bill Would Require Seizure Warnings by Game Retailers

Submitted by DeepThorn on Wed, 02/04/2009 - 14:24.

Yeah, there are already laws in place that say that if a form of media can cause such a medical condition that it has to have a warning before hand. So it is a waste of money and redundant. Politicians trying to show they are doing something when they are doing nothing.

Epileptics already know what to be careful of, so yeah...

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Re: NY Bill Would Require Seizure Warnings by Game Retailers

Submitted by wrench on Wed, 02/04/2009 - 16:57.

First page of every manual going back to the original NES. I remember reading through mario bros. for the first time and reading it. than getting worried I might have problems....I was like 7 at the time though lol.

Just more waste to fix issues that don't exist. Good thing the country isn't going through an economic crisis or anything.

Re: NY Bill Would Require Seizure Warnings by Game Retailers

Submitted by DeepThorn on Wed, 02/04/2009 - 20:06.

Exactly, and that our politicians are so well paid too!

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Papa Midnight: Monte: That's honestly rather short-sighted. As has been proven with other persons who have been targeted, if it wasn't Quinn, it would be someone else.10/18/2014 - 6:26pm

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