2004 Web and Downloadable Games White Paper 

IGDA Online Games SIG 

1. 

Legal Issues 

a) 

Limiting Access  

In the financial projections of today 

s game developers, one assumes a worldwide basis for sales. 

Some countries and cities, however, have started to censor certain types of games. These 

countries/cities feel that they have a legal as well as a moral right to protect their citizens and their 

own revenue streams. 

(1) 

Saudi Arabia 

In March 2001 Pokemon videogames and cards were banned under an Islamic edict issued by 

Saudi Arabia 

s religious authority. 

(2) 

Australia and Brazil 

Australia and Brazil took the position that Take Two's Grand Theft Auto was a violation of the 

country's inherent moral and ethical code and banned the game. Yet in 2002, neither Australia 

nor Brazil banned Take Two's sequel, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. 

(3) 

China 

In November 2002, China banned all individuals under the age of 16 from Internet cafes as a 

measure of restricting Internet access. 

(4) 

Greece  

In 2002, due to an ongoing political scandal, the Greek legislature passed a law banning all 

computer gaming (gambling as well as console, online, and even handheld gaming). Arcades 

were shut down across Greece, tourists were instructed not to so much as bring a Game Boy into 

the country, and internet cafe owners were arrested for such things as allowing patrons to play 

online chess. In late September 2002, approximately 50 people had been arrested under the ban, 

at which point the Greek government issued regulations clarifying that the new law is only 

applicable to Internet gambling. The guidelines were welcomed by the gaming community, but the 

situation is still not entirely resolved.  

(5) 

Thailand  

In July 2003, Thailand imposed a strict curfew on online gaming which ordered access to online 

game servers be blocked between 10PM and 6AM every day, with Internet cafes also facing 

curbs to their business hours along the same lines. On September 8, 2003 this was changed to 

allow individuals age 18 and over will be able to opt out of this curfew, but only if they first 

registered with the government. 

(6) 

Honduras 

On October 12, 2002, a blanket ban on all violent videogames and toys was issued. The ban 

came into effect in June 2003. Among the banned games named are 

Resident Evil, ShadowMan, 

Street Fighter, Turok, Perfect Dark, Quake

 and 

Doom

.  

(7) 

St. Louis County, MO 

St Louis County passed an ordinance that made it unlawful for any person knowingly to sell, rent 

or make available graphically violent games to minors, or to "permit the free play of "graphically 

violent videogames by minors, without a parent or guardian's consent. On June 3, 2003 the 

United States Court of Appeals (8th Circuit) issued its opinion on 

Interactive Digital Software 

Association v. St. Louis County

, a constitutional challenge to the local ordinance. While the 

District Court had upheld the ordinance, the appeals court reversed. It held that the ordinance is 

an impermissible prior restraint of protected speech. 

(8) 

Washington State 

The Video Violence Law was signed into law in May 2003 and was to take effect on July 27th, 

2003. It would have imposed a fine up to $500 on anyone who sells or rents to anyone under 18 

any game that depicts violence against police officers. On July 11th, 2003, the U.S. District Court 

issued a preliminary injunction which temporarily blocked enforcement of the state law.  

The above types of legislation decisions can affect revenue streams in two manners: first, the loss of 

projected revenue from the country, and second, the potential litigation costs of trying to protect those 

revenue streams. It is important to note that it is not just the international community that is attempting to 

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