Thursday, December 16, 2004

Heads of state who ride and wrangle

What could possibly be worse than being named Rod Blagojevich? Being named Rod Blagojevich while prancing around in a technicolor moron hat gets my nod. The current Governor of Illinois has actually proposed a law that would make the act of selling a violent or sexually explicit video game a criminal offense. As of right now he is limiting his proposed law to merely punish retailers who sell to minors. I really do not like the idea of implementing a fine for this. If movie theaters do not get fined for allowed minors into R rated movies, there is no reason stores should be punished for selling violent games.

Honestly, if a parent doesn't know what games their children have in their own homes they have no right being parents.

I wish the industry would get off their ass and do something before more politicians jump on this bandwagon. While there is a perfectly reasonable ratings system in place already, it is more for education than prevention. I think that, starting as soon as this post is published, all retailers should simply card gamers if they wish to purchase a Mature rated title. Most movie theaters do it and yet most retailers do not. Nick told me Electronics Boutique will finally start carding customers starting next year. Shocking that it took them so long, but at least it's something. Major retailers like Walmart and Best Buy really need to start doing this as well, though.

If the only way a child can obtain a piece of violent pseudo-art is by receiving the game from a parent, the parents will not have anything to complain about. While they will still find a way, their arguments will simply fall on deaf ears. There aren't any complaints about R rated movies being viewed by kids because theaters and rental chains are fairly strict in what they allow minors to see. If video games wish to get uneducated parents off their back they have to implement something fast.

Moving on...

To my annoying advertising note of the week:

You know those new controllers that are packed with a couple arcade games? I'm not finding a link for them so you better know what I'm talking about. It's just some cheap, plastic controller that has a few classic games, like Pac Man or the ultra original Ms. Pac Man, built right into it.

In commercials they say, "Just plug it in and play!" like this is some new-fangled concept. It's not like there is massive setup for an Xbox. With an Xbox, you just plug it in, put a game in, and play! Or, if you have a Sega Master System, it has a game built right in as well. Gee wizz! I have no problem idiot-proofing electronics, but don't use that as your main selling point. Anyone can handle the "setup" of a PS2.

Wednesday, December 15, 2004

Let's roll up to be a single star in the sky

I have a special treat for my loyal readers today: first pictures of Katamari Damacy 2!


It looks like the King of the Cosmos is back with a strategically placed sash this time around.


Yay! Now we can go after kids right where they live - in school. When is this game coming out anyway?

And if you want something more to actually read, check out my very first impressions of this game back in May. Some of it is clearly wrong... but I believe we were the first American site to have coverage of this game. Now it's all the rage, even being nominated for an award on Spike TV's god awful awards show we will never speak of again. Anyway, I'm going to dance with some pandas now.

Tuesday, December 14, 2004

Keep your jaw on the floor

You thought all of the crazy EA news was done for the day? Not likely. Take a gander:



Screwy, eh? World-shatteringly weird, eh? I can't imagine this is the last we'll see of the Mario Allstars either. Apparently Nintendo is getting desperate...well, at least we can all live out that Yoshi vs. Bird (Larry, not Birdo) fantasy we've been having for so many years.

Monday, December 13, 2004

Simply shocking

Picture this scenario: for the next five years every single action movie showing in theaters will be directed by Michael Bay. There will be no more movies headed by John Woo or Alex Proyas. Christopher Nolan now has to step away from his Batman: Begins project to allow Michael Bay to take over. While there can still be plenty of non-action movies released by these and other directors, every single action movie released worldwide will be headed by Michael Bay. Yes, even Ong Bak will either be delayed or reworked. Sorry guys. Even if you are a big fan of Michael Bay, and the general public certainly is, it's hard to argue this is a good thing. For starters, there will be a lot less movies released. Michael Bay is only one man. Also, there is no competition. Bay doesn't have to put much work into his movies now. If you want to see an action movie, you have no choice but to see a Bay-vehicle. Bad times.

Thankfully, this is not the case. The few John Woo fans left do not have to worry about Faceoff 2 being delayed until 2010. So why did I waste your time with that absurd scenario? According to Reuters, a relatively trustworthy news source, had an article today saying that Electronic Arts has signed a five year deal securing exclusive rights to make NFL related titles. While they did not purchase football as a whole (though I'm sure they are working on that) no longer will any other company be able to make a game with NFL players, teams or stadiums. When next September rolls around, you will have only two choices - buy Madden 2006 or buy nothing.



I am not even thinking rationally at this point. As many of you know, I did not like this year's edition of Madden. It was, at best, an average interpretation of what real NFL football plays like. An arcade passing system and a far too inconsistent running game made it far too much of a chore to play. ESPN NFL2K5, while not perfect, did an admirable job recreating what I watch every single Sunday. The passing system was extremely difficult and unforgiving, but once you understood how defenses worked it was possible to move the ball down the field. The running game didn't provide many outrageous 50 yard runs, rather you were held to 3 or 4 yards most of the time - just like in real life. Defense was a game of chess, trying to out think your opponent. The game was a joy to play.

I honestly have no idea how this is even legal. Capitalism is founded on the basis of competition. If there is only one NFL game each year, there is no competition.

I don't know what I'm supposed to do about this. Clearly, people do not care that EA treats their employees like crap. Clearly, people do not care that EA purchases every single small company with even a shred of talent and ruins them. Clearly, people do not care that they can buy better, and cheaper, products elsewhere. I am going to continue to boycott EA for as long as I play video games. I urge everyone else to at least inform ignorant consumers what EA is doing to our industry.

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