Dictator
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Dictatorship simulator cuts too close to the bone for Thailand's dictator
In Tropico 5 you play El Presidente, the dictator of a small island, given free reign to build the world according to your whim while violently suppressing your opponents. Unfortunately, tongue-in-cheek games about that sort of subject don't go down so well with an actual military dictatorship, like the one running Thailand right now. The junta, which has already censored the internet and banned Facebook and Bitcoin, has now outlawed sales of the game. The only reason given is that Tropico 5's content might have somehow affected peace and order in the country -- possibly by showing the wider population how dictatorships work. Stefan Marcinek from the game's developer says that the move sounds like it "could have come from one of El Presidente's own edicts." Between this and Manuel Noreiga's decision to sue Activision, it's time the military dictators of the world learned the meaning of that phrase about glass houses and throwing stones.
Former Panama dictator Manuel Noriega is suing Activision for putting him in Call of Duty
The studios behind the Call of Duty series may have garnered some extra sales by putting real people into their over-the-top shooters, but it looks like that strategy could land them in court. Former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega has sued the games' publisher, Activision, for using his likeness in Call of Duty: Black Ops II without his permission. He argues that he's entitled to damages because his presence both violated his publicity rights and helped "heighten realism," leading to added profits that should have been his.
Grundig Digta 7 stakes claim as world's first Bluetooth dictation device, period, line break
Grundig reckons its customers still prefer "dictating with a professional dictation device," rather than merely "recording" themselves with a smartphone. Say what? Nevertheless, the company's new Digta 7 Premium BT voice recorder does embrace modernity in its own particular way, by sharing files wirelessly at up to 30 feet with Bluetooth-equipped smartphones and PCs. A Blackberry app is also in the works that will allow the customized routing of audio files via email. No official word on pricing, or when the app will be available, but our secretary tells us that the device is already selling in the UK for a stutter-inducing £500 ($800). We're still looking for justification in the PR, after the break.
