A new law penned by anti-gaming lawyer Jack Thompson and Representative Roy Burrell was passed into law last week, unanimously supported by the Louisiana State Senate. All that is awaited now is Governor Kathleen Blanco signing the bill into law, and in so doing introducing a raft of games restrictions across the state.

The new law makes it illegal for store workers to sell or rent games matching three criteria to minors. The first point of assessment is whether what the law terms an 'average person' would deem that game in question "appeals to the minor's morbid interest in violence." The second if the game "depicts in a manner patently offensive to prevailing standards." Finally, the third and potentially most contentious point restricts sale if the title "lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value for minors." Quite whether all of these rather vague criteria are enforceable or even assessable across the board, remains to be seen.

Regardless, those breaking the law face a 2000 USD fine and up to twelve-months in prison. The Entertainment Software Association are expected to launch a court case to block the law, as they have in the past, successfully arguing that such restrictions are 'unconstitutional'. New York senator Hilary Clinton hopes to see a bill restricting games sales to minors passed into law nationally soon, and has also called for more research into the effects of gaming upon children. Senator Clinton has also launched an guide to help advise parents, and aid responsible parental navigation through the modern media frenzy.

More on all this as we get it.

By Luke Guttridge