In one of those fun, yet uncomfortable, instances where real life and
video games interact,
Fox News has uncovered a dusty (and old, very old)
PlayStation controller during a raid of an Afghanistani farmhouse, which doubled up as a munitions depository. Lying there, in among rockets, grenades, plastic explosives and tank shells, was this humble blue-hued PlayStation appendage, which we're told can be
rewired to act as a remote detonator. Should you question just how seriously the US government is taking this
growing tide of console-aided terrorism, below you'll find a press release (seriously, a state-issued press release) detailing the detainment of four men in connection with the illegal transportation of digital cameras and
PlayStation 2s to a "terrorist entity" in Paraguay. If convicted of the most egregious charge, they face 20 years in prison... for contraband consoles. Face, meet palm.
posted March 1st 2010 4:52AM
I guess the terrorist knows which console is reliable
@jjacinto This was on BBC news last week.
@ratchetnclank
Josh Topolsky is a very busy man, he can't keep up with all non-iPad related news 24/7
@jjacinto
No, actually they know which console is worth blowing up.
@Jeff P
+1
@Jeff P
If you don't have the time to read the article at least watch the short clip... the controller is used as an initiative device not as an explosive.
@Skwidwerd Yes, yes, but will it be backwards compatible with older missiles or rockets?
@jjacinto Yet they took these controllers from the garbage, so obviously it wasn't reliable enough to keep. From the source article, "It is an enemy they can build weapons even out of garbage. The garbage Harrigan refers to includes a clear-blue original PlayStation controller, one that’s so old it pre-dates the dual analog sticks." You hear that, they called the PS controller garbage, which is the only reason I don't play it because their freakin controllers were made for the hands of a 6 year old.
@engadgetcomexcludeengadget
Nah, they had a choice from all the different consoles. They chose the PS2 for stability and backward compatibility.
"We failed to hit the games store last night because of a controller malfunction!!"
"Dammit. Take this back to (insert your least favorite console maker's name), and we'll try again in 4 weeks."
if they obtain MW2, they'll have access to our military techniques!
also, isn't it "afghani", not "afghanistani"?
@notbuttershift1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghanistan#endnote_crownnone , enough of these language-related issues!
@pavelgr ah, thank you, my apologies.
@notbuttershift1
Any idiot can just edit anything into wikipedia and you should NOT take that as authoritative.
@notbuttershift1 don't apologize, i am afghan and if anyone ever called me or something an Afghanistani i would slap them across the face for their pure ignorance...its Afghan...Pakistani =/= Afghanstani...wtf? Even when someone says Afghani I cringe but it's a bit more bearable but this is the first time ever I've heard Afghanistani...
In my native language of Farsi we say, "Ma Aafghaan astum" meaning "I am Afghan" no "MA AAFGHAANASTAANI ASTUM" serious.. gtfo k im done ranting :)
@notbuttershift1
Its the Afganistanani's with Aids.
@tike0rz
Interesting statistic: Afghanistan - HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.01% (2001 est.)
Source: CIA factbook
Wow, so this is Nintendo's answer to Sony's ad campaign...
Next weapon is controlled by Wii Remote, when you move it forward it stabs with a knife and when you throw it it launches the rockets..
@Dking7 well, if I was a terrorist, I would definitely be using the wiimote. However, the economy is bad over there even for terrorists. (Try getting a job with "terrorist" on your resume.) So I imagine that's where the decade old console comes in.
@Dking7 There are going backwards...
http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/18/use-a-ps2-controller-for-your-next-missile-launch/
@Frozenbytes
Well, if it is "there" you still can try to get a job as a professional, if you have some key achievements. Most valuable skill: know where to buy a nuke.
why the negative undertones against the US government taking this seriously? I'd rather them do and throw a few suspected terrorists in jail for a long time, than not doing anything so that potentially more people get hurt.
@g0atse
lol.
Nice name, lmao.
@g0atse
It isnt a problem until the suspected terrorist is you, i guess.
@g0atse
couldn't the terrorist be using the PS2 to play some PES or something for some good ol' R&R?
@g0atse i seem to remember another country that threw people it suspected of being criminals in jail without proper evidence and all... hmmm... Oh yeah, IRAQ when Saddam was in charge!
@g0atse
So, should any of us playing missions in games as the bad guy be arrested too? Heck, wait till they find out I played the Nod campaigns in C&C! I must be a fundamentalist.
@Duke
Infidel!
I keeel you!
uhm ... they face up to 20 years for aiding terrorism, not console related anything. Vladislov's face, meet palm
Um, wouldn't it need to be a *wireless* controller to do that job effectively? I'd be pretty suspicious of a wire running to a brick in the middle of the street, esp. if some raghead was holding the other end.
Don't you guys go forgetting the fears raised when the PlayStation 2 was first released. Japans Ministry of Trade believed it could be used to launch Nuclear Missiles...
Here's an old radio transcript discussing it. http://www.abc.net.au/pm/stories/s119754.htm
@Vylen
Not launch but guide, according to the interview.
I would understand the playstation controller could have somewhat use as a detonator if it were wireless, but that isnt. Even the switches on it are lousy, worse than a stick and 2 wires, for used as a detonator.
Even a wireless controller would be pretty lousy, for poor range, and difficult to get the receiver.
If the US Government is worried about Afghani terrorists using controllers in conjunction with bombs, shouldn't they ban other stuff as well?
Are they gonna ban soap, cause I've watched Fight Club and that stuff seems pretty lethal.
Fox news, and you are taking this seriously.. Laugh and move along
@f2000372
You realize it was on BBC as well. You know that really respected news company?
@f2000372
They sometimes do report things that happen in the world. When the story is not really about politics, it just might be accurate.
But, yeah, they really do need to add in quotes ... Fox "News"
And then with ANY other news source, they can label it LIBERAL news, or is that just implied anyway?
@Drybones5 I remember the time BBC had some respectability, seems a century ago now, although it's only about 10 years ago or so.
@f2000372
Yeah maybe we should use some real reliable news sources like media matters and the huffington post.... You make me laugh my friend.
Using a Playstation controler "with cable" for this kind of job...? Hmmm not very smart I think...
ah, you mean in the same way that a light switch can be rewired as a detonator!!! JEEZ!!!
@ecobore
Don't forget paperclips, bent peices of metal, or any other simple switch that can be fashioned!
I cannot wait for the TSA to start confiscating anything with microswitches.
ugh!
@ecobore Lets just hope that nobody wants to bring his cell phone to those terrorists! (they make very good _wireless_ detonaters though...)
@hj
Who even needs a designated switch? Tapping two bare ends of wire together accomplishes the same thing. OMG, we must regulate the sale/resale/disposal of anything conductive in the name of security!!!
the Console support terrorists with tons of hrs of entertainment. Lets destroyed each and every one of the game console existed so we all can live in a safe environment :)
amen.
A PS controller as a initiator? YEA OK... How's that going to work? More like there using the wiring and maybe internal parts at best. These guys aren't the brightest when it come to making Tech.
@n0ne
I guess you could hack a ps2 with a bomb and set it so that the bomb is hooked up to the controller port and goes off when a button is pressed and it picks up the electronic signal.
Imagine if you would some troops busting down a door and a terrorist is sitting on a couch waiting for them to get in range and then he presses the button and boom.
It would only be practical for them in a urban environment though.
Maybe even forcing a kid into being the one to press the button.
I feel sad now, thinking about people using video game consoles to kill people.
@zero1221 That's it, no more Hollywood bullshit for you.