Bigger games.

Two video game associations that have filed suits to prevent laws restricting the sales of violent video games won a court injunction in Michigan last week that could stop a similar law in California from becoming effective.

A U.S. federal judge ordered that a Michigan law barring retailers from selling violent video games to minors not become effective until the litigation gets resolved. The law was originally set to become effective on Dec. 1.

The law is similar to legislation signed into law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger that is supposed to become effective on Jan. 1. Violators must pay a $1,000 fine and are subject to prosecution by city and state governmental agencies.

Sean Bersell, vice president of public affairs at the Video Software Dealers Association, said he expects the Michigan ruling will help video game associations in their case against California.

"We'll include that decision in our arguments to the judge in California," Bersell said. "We'll be in court in San Jose on Dec. 9, making similar arguments to the judge, and we're confident (the judge) in San Jose will come to the same conclusion that the plaintiffs are likely to win."

In the California suit, the Entertainment Software Association and the Video Software Dealers Association claim that the new law restricts their free speech rights. They also say the law is vaguely written, particularly the definition of a violent game, which is described as one that "includes killing, maiming, dismembering, or sexually assaulting an image of a human being," the suit says.

The two groups also have sued to prevent a similar law from becoming effective in Illinois.