Mexican Government Imposes Violence Tax on Games
The Mexican government is preparing to impose a new “violence tax” on violent games. The plan specifically targets titles with adult content and has generated significant buzz in the gaming community. While the tax’s negative psychological impact on young people is cited as justification, its fairness is being debated.
Violence Tax Draws Major Backlash in the Gaming World
Last week, the Mexican Chamber of Deputies approved an eight percent tax on violent games as part of a fiscal package. This regulation covers games rated “C” and “D” in Mexico’s own rating system. According to the ESRB, these labels correspond to games rated 18+ and for adults only.
The bill’s justification is based on research showing that “violent video games increase levels of aggression, isolation, and anxiety among young people.” However, the lack of concrete examples or sources of this research has fueled criticism. Players argue that the tax is a political decision rather than a scientific one.
The new regulation will apply to both physical copies and digital sales. For free-to-play games, the tax will be applied to microtransactions and in-app purchases. This could lead to significant changes in the revenue models of online games, in particular. Developers warn that price increases will be inevitable.
The bill is currently awaiting debate in the Mexican Senate. If passed, popular franchises like Grand Theft Auto and Mortal Kombat will be directly targeted by this tax. Gaming communities and industry representatives accuse the government of penalizing gaming culture “under the pretext of combating violence.” The tax’s implementation will be clarified in the coming weeks.
