In a House of Cards plot twist, it appears that the American GOP are taking aim at ‘violent’ game developers. According to The Washington Examiner, the U.S. House of Representatives’ Ways and Means Committee have completely singled out developers for violent video games in their long-awaited tax reform bill. The Republican bill proposes an “improved and permanent research and development tax credit, which has benefitted countless industries from manufacturers to software creators to food producers.” Now, this is a marvelous act that should be applauded as it will surely benefit everyone from upstart companies to those who are financially struggling. However, the real kick to the gonads comes in on a on page 24 of the very same reform bill. In a blatant case of personal prejudice, a provision calls for the removal of that newly proclaimed tax credit for any developers or creators of a violent video games. In a not so shocking case of irony, the paper also points out that on the next page of the reform bill it mentions “stoping the practice of using the tax code to pick winners and losers based on political power rather than economic merit.” Of course, this entire situation is troubling for three reasons:
1) As mentioned by the examiner, this plan will hurt companies who dabble in ‘violent’ video games and non-violent video games. For example, look at a company like EA. Sure, they make games like “Dead Space” and “Battlefield,” but they also make ” Madden” and “FIFA”.
2) Why should the government get to decide what is worthy of a violent tag? Where is the line drawn on what is deemed ruthless and savage? Look at the Lego series of games or “Ratchet and Clank.” Technically, there is punching, kicking, shooting and mass explosions in those games. But, should they really be considered violent?
3) Now pay attention to this one because it’s most important: Is it me, or does it seem like the committee is giving the ol’ middle finger salute to the First Amendment? In the past, The Supreme Court has ruled that, whether they are violent or non-violent, video games are a form of art. This means that they should receive freedom of speech protections. But by taking away the tax credit, the members of the House are essentially saying “We don’t see this as art. Therefore it is not art. So you get no such rights. Good day sirs.” Now if that’s not a case of altering the constitution, then I don’t know what is. In actuality this is nothing new. Throughout history we’ve seen surrealism deemed garbage because it wasn’t realism. We’ve seen rock music censored because it got people to move their hips. Hell, even earlier this year we saw cases of high ranking officials tearing down historic pieces of graffiti because they didn’t think of it as “art.” “Violent” video games will always be an easy scapegoat for those who don’ get it or don’t play. However, it’s downright criminal and authoritarian to persecute something because you are simply out of touch with the always evolving world. That’s my rant. Tell me what you think in the comments below.
