Games-News-Tax Incentive For Non-Violent Video Games
With all of these violent games like GTA 4, Manhunt 2, and Resident Evil 5 running amok, what can the US government do to reduce the number of violent video games? One word:taxes.
An Oklahoma state senator,Sen. Anthony Sykes (R), has proposed tax incentives for game developers – but only if their project is eligible for a T (13+) or lesser rating from the ESRB. The proposal will make game projects eligible for tax breaks which already exists for films, commercials and TV productions in the state. If it is passed, Oklahoma will join Texas as the only states tying to reduce violent video games through taxes. When asked about the proposal, a representative for the senator made this statement
“[Sen. Sykes]… would rather not include the ratings restriction. Unfortunately, as he went around to his fellow senators asking for their support, the first question out of their mouths was whether there would be ratings restrictions.
He is well aware of the [failed] game legislation of [2006] and many of the people who voted for that bill are still in office and were some of the people who demanded the restriction…
He also raised some concerns about [possible] lobbying against the bill… His final concern was whether he could get enough support during such economic turmoil. Oklahoma is facing a budget shortfall this year and that may not make such a tax break very appealing to many people.”
