There is a controversial bill on game tax policy in France. This bill puts the game industry on one side seeking policy support and the social voice on the other side to eliminate gender discrimination, and the other side is once again pushed into opposition.
The core demands of the bill
The core goal of this bill is to revise the tax exemption policy for video games currently implemented in France. It hopes to clearly stipulate that games with sexist and derogatory content about women will no longer be eligible to enjoy the tax incentives provided by the government. This exemption policy, called CIJV, was originally intended to support the development of the French local game industry.
Supporters of the bill believe that tax incentives are support from public funds and should not be used to subsidize products that spread harmful gender concepts. They directly relate the game content to social impact and believe that using economic means to guide it is an indispensable measure. This means that the discussion of social responsibility in games has entered a more specific policy level.
Specific content targeted
That bill specifically targets the commonplace depictions of pornography and extreme violence in games, especially those that are persecuting female characters. The supporting side stated that this type of content is not ordinary adult entertainment, but further strengthens the stereotype of gender violence, which will have potential harm to the value shaping of players, especially young players.
They further proposed that the review standards should be tightened from the broad "pornographic description" to the more specific "derogation of women" than before. Such a modification is intended to expand the scope of restrictions, so that any game content that objectifies, humiliates, or violently infringes on female images may face the risk of losing tax subsidies, and is no longer limited to naked pornographic expressions.
The background of the proposal
French female players account for about half of the total number of players, and their criticism of sexist content in the game is getting louder every day. The criticisms led to a 2023 parliamentary report on equal opportunities for men and women, whose recommendation 17 made it clear that eligibility conditions for gaming tax breaks would be reviewed.
It was this official report that played a driving role in putting this bill on the agenda. It did not appear out of thin air, but was a concrete manifestation of the extension of the gender equality movement in French society to the field of digital culture in recent years. As a popular cultural product, the values carried by games are being more strictly scrutinized.
Supporters’ position and strength
The bill, led by Catherine Couteil, the chairperson of the "Delegation for Women's Rights and Equal Opportunities for Men and Women" of the French National Assembly, was supported by a total of 13 members. Couteil publicly stated that the sexist content in the game has promoted old and bad habits in society, so it must be resisted by modifying the policy licensing conditions.
There are 13 supporters, who come from different political groups in the parliament, demonstrating the kind of concern for gender equality issues that crosses party lines. They clearly feel that the government must not provide disguised subsidies for harmful content, and public policies should guide the industry to develop in a healthier and more inclusive direction, which is in line with the interests of the broader society.
Mixed reaction from gaming industry
Regarding this proposal, French game developers have divided attitudes. Some developers appreciate it and feel that it can prompt the industry to reflect more and create more socially responsible content. However, more practitioners are worried about the feasibility of its implementation and the blurred boundaries it may bring.
Many developers stated that the French industry has actually paid attention to the feedback of female players for a long time, and the review of game content has also continued to improve. They worry that too broad and subjective "derogatory to women" standards will increase the uncertainty of development, and may even be abused as a tool for content censorship, thereby inhibiting creative freedom.
Broader controversy caused
The bill has been met with some criticism, mostly over its targeted nature. Critics have questioned why such restrictions are imposed only on video games, when sexist content is also widespread in other forms of media such as movies, music, and advertising, but are not included in similar tax penalties.
Questions raised about this "selective enforcement" have put the fairness of the bill to the test. Opposing voices believe that if the goal is to combat gender discrimination, then a unified evaluation and regulatory framework should be established across multiple media, rather than letting the game industry alone bear excessively heavy social responsibilities and compliance costs.
Do you think that using tax tools to regulate the value content in games is an effective way to promote the forward development of society, or will it constitute an inappropriate interference with creative freedom?
