The Terminator bans himself

California Gov. Arnold Schawzenegger, who played the title role in "Conan the Barbarian" and starred as a cyborg assassin in "The Terminator," signed a bill into law last week that would outlaw the sale of violent video games to minors.

The law is already facing challenges from the video game industry. And federal courts have overturned similar laws in Washington state, Indianapolis and St. Louis.

The legislation prohibits the sale or rental of games that depict violent acts such as killing, maiming or sexual assault. Violators are subject to a $1,000 fine. Passage of the bill followed the recent uproar over the inclusion of sexual content in "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" from Take-Two Interactive Software.

Reaction to the bill was mixed. While there were scathing comments from free-speech advocates, some gamers supported the measure, saying that the law could "take the heat off" the industry. Their reasoning seemed to be that any trouble caused by the sale of such games would be the responsibility of the retailers, and not the makers. But at least a few industry watchers said that if the law stands, the outcome could spell more trouble for the industry.

Blog community response:

"Never let it be said that politicians are easily embarrassed. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, best known for his roles in violent films like the Terminator series and Predator, proudly put his name to AB1179."
--Ars Technica

"While the obvious problem for lawmakers is creating a definition of adult-only violence that passes Constitutional muster, it has been done with pornography. It would seem inevitable that the courts--especially a Supreme Court stacked by the Bush administration--will eventually recognize a distinction between the First Amendment as it applies to adults and children in this instance. At that point it may very well be Judgment Day for the game industry."
--Freeper

"Hopefully the bill will cool down the flack that videogames have been getting lately, and possibly help promote its other merits–education being one of them. Heres to laws that make sense!"
--Gamechew