Violent games outlawed in Venezuela

Having begun its journey through the Venezuelan court system last August, violent video games have now officially been banned in the formally Spanish-owned South American republic.

Games Thirst reports that the Law for the Prohibition of Violent Video Games and Toys came into effect last Wednesday that prohibits the sale, import, manufacture, rental or distribution of any game deemed to be violent.

These are described as video games or programs that can be use on personal computers, arcade systems, consoles, portable devices or mobile telephones, or any other electronic or telephonic device, that contain information or images that promote or incite violence and the use of weapons”.

Those found guilty face between three and five years in jail. The purchase or promotion of offending titles is now punishable by fine.

Colourful and outspoken Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez in January claimed that video games are a capitalist tool designed to sow violence and aid the sale of arms and drugs.

Those games they call PlayStation are poison,” he claimed. That’s capitalism, the road to hell.”