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Aussie ratings board to discuss an R 18+ rating at April meeting
A meeting in April might bring an end to the Australian video game bans that many gamers there believe to be overly repressive. Local Aussie website Adelaide Now says that the Australian National Classification Scheme could finally take a look at the ratings issue when it meets in April of this year. One widely-supported solution would be to establish an R 18+ classification for games over there -- currently, any games that don't match up to the MA 15+ rating are automatically banned, which leads to story after story of games that are rated for 18+ instead smashed with the banhammer down under. The one spoiler is South Australian Attorney General Michael Atkinson, who not only opposes the R 18+ rating, but hasn't gotten a very good impression of angry Australian gamers. He'll be at the meeting in April and will have veto power on any measures proposed, so unless he has a change of mind (or gamers who are organizing politically against Atkinson can oust him in an upcoming March election), the meeting in April could end in the same old disappointments for Australian gamers. [Via GamePolitics]
Dante's Inferno draws fire for baby murder Achievement
Dante's Inferno is getting flak from a nanny group over an Achievement for killing unbaptized babies -- not ironically, it's named "Bad Nanny." As GamePolitics points out, the International Nanny Association (INA) released a statement calling the 'cheevo "offensive to our association," as it seemingly defies the INA's goal to "promote and educate the public regarding the selfless work nannies do to support families." We here at Joystiq are thoroughly offended too, though mostly because we know that more than one person on staff will be once again be forced into a morally compromising position in the endless hunt for virtual grandeur.%Gallery-45836%
Online gaming revenues soar in China
Online gaming revenues soared in China to 6.18 billion RMB (USD 906 million) in the second quarter of 2009, according to Reuters. They cite data from Analysys International, a research firm which states China's online game revenues for Q2 2009 were up 39.5 percent over last year. Among the top three earners (trailing behind Tencent Holdings and Shanda Games) was NetEase, the company which is presently the licensed operator of World of Warcraft in China. Reuters states that NetEase saw revenues of 780 million RMB (USD 114 million) in the second quarter of this year. This continual growth of online gaming in China has been a key issue with legislators in recent years. The Chinese media's coverage of internet and gaming addiction has intensified, and there is now increased government scrutiny of the virtual currencies and economies these games have given rise to. It's not just a China issue, as foreign companies are either operating online games in the country or have been eyeing this lucrative market. As we mentioned on Monday, the issue of regulating foreign game operation in China may be coming to a head with the current struggle between the General Administration of Press and Publications (GAPP) and the Ministry of Culture. Whatever agreement is reached between these government agencies will determine the future of foreign online game operations in the country.[Via GamePolitics]
Sweden extending taxation into the virtual
Sweden is taking aim at online tax evasion and the estimated five billion Swedish krona (SEK) in annual undeclared income by the country's citizens. (This equates to roughly USD 645 million.) While much of this is revenue from "online marketplaces, porn, and astrology sites", undeclared income from games and virtual worlds are included in that figure. In fact, the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) looked at the sales of avatars and characters in 'computer games' over a 14 month period, with a collective advertised sum of 662 million SEK (USD 85 million). No income was declared on any of these transactions so it's a safe bet they'll be scrutinizing these sales moving forward. Although the specific virtual worlds and games aren't named, GameCulture adds that the virtual property Skatteverket is looking at exchanged hands between 7000 gamers and residents. Also interesting is what GamePolitics turned up on the situation -- "even U.S. citizens could be subject to Swedish taxation on such virtual transactions, according to the Economics of Virtual Worlds blog."
'Mental' episode features video games ... of the mind
Pushing hard into the series' fourth episode, Fox's "Mental" will be airing its fourth episode this week, featuring "an 8-year-old bipolar boy whose life is consumed by a video game he plays in his head." Oh noes! According to the show's main character/handsome devil Chris Vance (aka Dr. Jack Gallagher), the child won't stop twitching his hands in an, erm, controllerly fashion and apparently tries killing himself due to "the game in his mind." Dr. Gallagher chooses to approach the child's problem from the most logical angle available and -- no joke -- starts playing the imaginary video game with him. Problem: Solved. To check out the episode in all its glory, tune in to Fox on June 16th. Or don't. It's really up to you, ya big chooser.[Via GamePolitics]
Midway mystery man Mark Thomas settles with creditors, receives $5 mil
We'll be straight with you -- the whole Midway legal debacle is far from over. We are, however, one step closer to the dissolution of Midway as it stands now, with the company's creditors and 87% shareholder Mark Thomas reaching an agreement and ending at least one lawsuit. After purchasing the stocks from former majority shareholder Sumner Redstone for the low, low price of $100k, Thomas is cashing out -- he'll be receiving "as much as $5 million ahead of other creditors, whose claims aren't backed by collateral," according to Bloomberg. The lawyer representing Midway's creditors, Linda Dakin-Grimm, told Bloomberg, "The committee is satisfied with the settlement," noting that it would allow for efforts to collect on other debts to proceed. Warner Bros. Interactive has already put in its $33 million bid for the company, whose auction will end on June 29. Though many questions remain unanswered regarding the relationship between Sumner Redstone, Midway's Board of Directors and Mark Thomas, one thing is absolutely certain: the folks still employed by Midway are not profiting from the executive shenanigans. We wish them the best and encourage any employee who would like to speak up about their time at the troubled publisher to contact us, anonymity ensured.[Via GamePolitics]
Former detainee consulting on Guantanamo game
Moazzam Begg spent three years locked up at Guantanamo Bay after being arrested in Pakistan by the CIA as a suspected member of al-Qaeda. Now he's helping UK developer T-Enterprise develop a game based on the prison, aptly titled Rendition: Guantanamo, serving as not only a consultant on the reality inside but as a financier on the project. "This will not demean the reality of Guantanamo but it could bring those issues to people who would not usually think about it," Begg told Deadline Scotland. We're not sure if it's just us, but this is starting to sound a lot like Six Days in Fallujah in that it falls under the "probably not the best premise for a video game" category. Don't believe us? Check out the trailer after the break and decide for yourself.[Via GamePolitics]
Thai gov't shuttering gaming sites over boy's suicide
Citing "the encouragement of addictive gaming," the government of Thailand recently shut down approximately 72 websites "offering access to online gambling and games." The decision was made shortly after the tragic suicide of 12-year-old Pongsathorn Wattanabenjasopha, allegedly caused by his father banning him from playing PC games. While a variety of studies have simultaneously "proven" and "disproven" the addictive properties of video games, Bundit Sornpaisarn, director of the Rajanagarindra Child and Adolescent Mental Health Institute, told the Bangkok Post, "The boy's suicide reflected that children who were addicted to games and had an aggressive mentality were more likely to commit suicide than others." While we're not sure of the correlation with video games in Mr. Sornpaisarn's statement or why shutting down gaming/gambling websites in Thailand is the response to a child's suicide, we extend our condolences to everyone affected by the events.[Via GamePolitics]
Arrested Army game protester writes up her experience
In an op-ed piece written just one day after the events transpired, Elaine Brower details the actions taken by her and a group of over 300 others last week at a protest in Philadelphia. She and the group of protesters claim to be outraged at the existence of the "Army Experience Center" in the Franklin Mills Mall, a facility which allows folks aged 13 and up to get their hands on PC and Xbox 360 consoles running an iteration of America's Army. According to reports from GamePolitics (who "live Tweeted" the event, may we add), seven protesters (including Ms. Brower) donned "death masks" and were subsequently arrested after two warnings to remove the masks. In its report, GP states, "it seemed like the masked protesters planned to be locked up in order to make their point," something which seems a strong possibility -- especially when you watch the video of the events (that we've embedded for your viewing after the break). [Via GamePolitics] [Image]
ESA 'applauds' game pirate imprisonment
It's hard to convey the sound of two hands clapping through a press release, but the ESA has managed to do just that. Celebrating the recent 10-month jail sentence of Khuong Van Truong, a San Jose resident caught with "11,000 bootleg video games, 4,000 DVDs and 300 audio CDs," the ESA has released a statement today lauding the California courts which sentenced the man."We applaud the work of both the San Jose Police Department and the Santa Clara County Office of the District Attorney for their hard work and dedication to bringing this game pirate to justice," the statement reads. Van Truong was arrested last year after his two-year-old son was found wandering around a busy intersection. When police brought the chiild home, they discovered a large piracy operation as well as a variety of illegal drugs. Here's hoping Van Truong's family can take the child into custody during the sentence.
Canada prof calls US piracy report reliability into question
In case you hadn't noticed, Canada was recently added to the US "Priority Watch List" due to the country's allegedly less than strict laws regarding the piracy of various media (that includes games, folks). Canadians, however, are not taking the change lightly. University of Ottawa law professor MIchael Geist, citing a statement made by the Canadian government, says the process, "lacks reliable and objective analysis." The piece states that the criteria for determining who ends up on the list (and that country's priority level) is based around media industry lobbyists in the US, such as the International Intellectual Property Alliance. Geist hopes that Canadian politicians will take a stance against the inclusion on the list, though the recent ESA schmoozing of Canadian lawmakers may scatter those hopes a bit. Given Canadian member of Parliament Mike Lake's statements made less than two weeks ago though, we should see some serious change in Canadian piracy law, "in this Parliament." That is, if he can take a time out from playing NHL '09. [Via GamePolitics]
Fallout from Fallujah fiasco continues
Atomic Games' head Peter Tamte hasn't said much since his company's game, Six Days in Fallujah, was dropped by its publisher, Konami, this past week. Other than saying his team is still interested in completing the game, Mr. Tamte has done little to stand behind Atomic Games' foray into "documentary-style" gaming. Though during his keynote at the Triangle Game Conference this week, Tamte asked the crowd, "Are we really just high-tech toymakers, or are we media companies capable of producing content that is as relevant as movies, music and television?"Expounding on the reasons Six Days in Fallujah stands up to the relevancy of the aforementioned mediums, Tamte said, "It is the dilemmas you face, and the choices you make, that give you insight into the events that are shaping our world in a way that no passive form of media can." For instance, when we choose which limb to eviscerate on that super mutant barreling down on us, right? Okay, maybe not. He continued, "We hope that Six Days in Fallujah will have the opportunity to change expectations of what a video game can be." Though we're more than a bit wary of Mr. Tamte's lofty expectations for the game, we've yet to get our mitts on it and will reserve our judgment until that day comes.[Via GamePolitics]
Texas Gov. signs game developer tax break bill into law
When he's not busy keynoting major industry events and extolling the virtues of his state, Texas Governor Rick Perry is a swell guy. Further incentivizing the aforementioned game industry types, Mr. Perry just recently signed into law a bill that will extend the 2007 initiatives, according to the San Marcos Daily Record. House Bill 873 looks to increase state grants available to a variety of digital mediums, including games, film and other commercial prospects. The state is hoping the bill will encourage game development companies and film studios (among others) to bring their work to Texas, which Perry backed up by saying, "We are strengthening our state's investment in a vital industry that not only shows off our state to the rest of the world, but also draws investment and creates jobs for Texans." Considering the poor economy and tightening budgets, we're fairly certain this bill will work as intended.[Via GamePolitics]
ESA's head lobbyist bails in under four months
An ESA spokesperson has confirmed to Joystiq that Jennifer Manner, now former head lobbyist for the ESA, is no longer with the association. Manner joined the group in late February of this year, signing on as "government relations head" (government lobbyist) and, according to the National Journal, "didn't appear to have extensive Capitol Hill or administration experience." Advertised as a "long-time Democrat," Manner may have butted heads with current ESA CEO Mike Gallagher, a "former Bush administration official," GamePolitics hypothesizes. We're not sure of the full story just yet but we should point out that the ESA website mentions nothing of the loss and isn't advertising at the moment for someone to fill her spot, saying, "Currently there are no job openings at the ESA." Oh aren't there?[Via GamePolitics]
N.J. inventor says Sony ripped him off, tricked him out of cash
OK, you know we have little tolerance for anything that's more legally demanding than Phoenix Wright, so just try to hang in there with us. Inventor Craig Thorner has filed suit against Sony, saying that the company and a handful of lawyers tricked him out of some money he could have received for patents he owned on rumble technology.To put it as simply as possible: Thorner had some patents that both Sony and Immersion tried to get during their legal squabbling. Thinking it might net him some cash, Thorner licensed his patents to Immersion, which won its case against Sony. Immersion then went after PDP/Electro Source, which also licensed Thorner's patents after he believed his deal with Immersion expired. But (stick with us!) Sony and PDP/Electro Source had teamed up, and Thorner alleges that he wasn't informed of the deal, which made him license his patents to PDP for much less than he could have had he known (that's the "tricked him out of cash" part).God, that was exhausting. If you want even more detail (if not necessarily a better understanding) of the case you can read GamePolitics' full piece here.
Epilogue: After Utah game bill dies, state rep apologizes for Jack Thompson
Things haven't been going well for the Utah gaming bill that ex-attorney Jack Thompson penned and, for that matter, the gentleman himself. After sending out an email to a variety of Utah legislators a few weeks back, the man came under threat of legal action from Utah senate president Michael Waddoups. And today, GamePolitics is reporting that the bill's original sponsor, state representative Mike Morley, has written an email to his colleagues apologizing for Thompson's actions (printed in full after the break). Morley writes to his fellow reps that, "[Thompson] doesn't speak for me nor do I condone or appreciate his actions nor some his tactics," seemingly ending his relationship with Thompson. Unsurprisingly, Thompson has responded to Morley's email (also found after the break), claiming, "Mike Morley's apology is ridiculous. I didn't scandalous [sic] anyone with an image of two clad women." He further posits, "Your family values stance is a sham," refererring to the legislators he wrote. We're not sure of many things in politics, but we are sure of this: You probably shouldn't directly insult the people you'd like to support you. While this is likely the last time you'll hear about this Utah bill, we're 100 percent sure this isn't the last time you'll hear from Jack Thompson.[image source]
Jack Thompson takes his fight to Utah radio
Fueled by the recent veto of his Utah game bill and the constant thirst for more, Jack Thompson made an appearance on Utah radio show "Utah Eagle Forum" recently to discuss the merits of the bill and, well, to be Jack Thompson. Claiming the Columbine school shooting occurred due to "training on Doom" and saying the recent school shooting in Germany occurred due to the shooter's predilection for Counterstrike and Far Cry 2, Thompson immediately built a case for the audience to be concerned "why this is so terribly serious, to their own safety."As GamePolitics points out, at no point in the show does anyone make note of Thompson's lack of an actual license to practice law or of his disbarring. He is, in fact, introduced as "an attorney from Florida." An odd omission considering the theme of the show is "Truth in Advertising."
Ancel says 9/11 influenced Beyond Good & Evil
Thanks to the fine French-speaking folks at Eurogamer France, Eurogamer has a more thorough translation of Michel Ancel's interview regarding his upcoming game for Ubisoft, Beyond Good & Evil 2. According to their translation, Ancel reveals inspiration in "the theme of September 11 - the CNN show with army messages and the fear climate," among other, totally different things, like Hayao Miyazaki for instance. He also revealed that this sequel will be a direct continuation of the story from the original BG&E, saying, "The story continues and we'll react on important events of the first." We've still got no good information on platforms or release date but hopefully the upcoming re-embiggened E3 Expo will shed some light on the game. "Players who like the first should like the second," Ancel left the interviewer with. We're keeping hope alive. [Via GamePolitics] %Gallery-23890%
Pennsylvania legislators consider violent game tax
GamePolitics spent a little time at the Pennsylvania House of Representatives last week for its hearing on violent video games. During the proceedings, a pair of State Representatives questioned the Penn. Joint State Commission about ways violent video games could be targeted. For example, putting a 5% tax on violent game sales, with those funds being allocated to parental education programs. Another suggests withholding tax incentives from companies that make violent video games.To be clear, the meeting was exploratory, so it's a lot of talk and very little substance -- like most government conversation about video games (www.instantrimshot.com). If you're in the mood for watching congressional proceedings about taxing video games, check out the video after the break.
Midway owes millions to Epic, NBA, Warner Bros and many more
GamePolitics went digging through Midway's Chapter 11 bankruptcy records and found the company has $281 million in liabilities, with only $167 million in assets. The real eye opener, however, is the list of Midway's top 30 creditors. Just a small sampling: Wells Fargo Bank - $150,000,000 National Amusements, Inc. - $20,147,864 (Which most recently paid the manufacturing costs of Midway's holiday lineup.) NBA Properties, Inc. - $17,294,849 (Licensing and royalty fees) Warner Bros. Interactive - $6,654,203 Epic Games - $1,975,000 (Licensing and royalty fees -- perhaps for for Unreal Tournament?) The list goes on, check out the full roll at GamePolitics. Although there's a lot to snicker about in the full list, nothing really beats the $300,000 in severance pay to former CEO David Zucker -- the man who helped run the company into the ground. Then again, a lot of execs got rich at Midway while the company fell apart.
