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ESRB ironically rates Bulletstorm 'Mature,' tries to summarize game
If you're not sure whether Bulletstorm exists to mock a 15-year-old's view of masculinity, or to celebrate it, the ESRB's rating summary isn't going to deliver any answers. The ESRB puts on a straight face as it describes Bulletstorm's inclusion of "Intoxicated Skillshots," references to "sexual acts, venereal diseases, and having sex with one's mother" and skillshots infused with sexual innuendo (e.g., Gag Reflex, Rear Entry, Drilldo, Mile High Club). The ratings board makes special note of one skillshot, "Fire in the Hole," which involves shooting at enemies' "exposed buttocks." Yummy!%Gallery-109508%
ESRB: Yes, 'Rayman 3D' is a 3DS game
The ESRB has posted its rating for Rayman 3D, previously rated in Australia. The ESRB's rating offers a bit of new information about the mysterious title -- specifically, the platform. If you want Rayman's disembodied, floating arms to get all up in your face, you'll have to get a 3DS to do so. There are still plenty of mysteries around Rayman 3D, like when it's coming out and whether it's an original game or a port -- and, if the latter, on which Rayman game it's based. There's no question, however, that Ubisoft has a lot of faith in the new handheld. This is the seventh planned 3DS game from the publisher.
ESRB suggests Bit. Trip Flux returns to Bit. Trip Beat's style
The ESRB has rated Bit. Trip Flux, providing a content description that confirms what we suspected from the first screens: that the gameplay in Flux resembles that in the first Bit. Trip game, Beat. The ratings board describes the sixth WiWare game as a "musical paddle game in which players move a vertical platform to deflect waves of dots that fly across the screen." In addition, "musical tones" accompany each successful deflection. In other words, it's the same kind of extreme Pong we saw in Bit. Trip Beat. With similar gameplay, but in reverse (the screens show the paddle on the right side, whereas it was on the left in Beat) Flux appears to work with Beat to bookend the series. Even so, we expect a few significant surprises out of Gaijin Games (if it's possible to expect surprises) as no two games in the series have had even remotely similar gameplay to date.
Vagrant Story, Xenogears, and more rated for PS3 and PSP release
For over a year, we in North America have been taunted by the presence of Yasumi Matsuno's PlayStation masterpiece Vagrant Story on the European and Japanese PlayStation Stores. Now, depending on how optimistic you feel, there's new information that is either encouraging, or just another taunt. It's been rated by the ESRB for release on PS3 and PSP, suggesting that Square Enix plans to release it here ... eventually. It's joined by ratings for other Square RPGs, including Threads of Fate, Xenogears, and Legend of Mana, along with Working Designs-published Arc the Lad 3 (and Ridge Racer Type 4, which doesn't fit the RPG theme at all, but is still noteworthy). We can't know from the ratings when these games will be published, but we're shocked to have some PSOne Classics on the way from someone other than MonkeyPaw Games.
Two 'Hot Shots Shorties' PSP collections rated by ESRB
The ESRB has revealed ratings and content information for two "Hot Shots Shorties" minigame collections for PSP. Hot Shots Shorties Green includes a boxing game, a minigame about a "a sword-wielding salt shaker that jumps around a kitchen counter to slice up rogue vegetables," and a third unidentified game. Hot Shots Shorties Blue contains a game about kicking a soccer ball to break objects, and two others. These games (and six others) were originally released in Japan as part of the retail game Minna no Sukkiri ("Hot Shots Refresh"). In our TGS 2009 preview we said, "If the individual minigames were offered as PSP minis, they would almost certainly go ignored." Good thing Sony has decided to bundle them into groups of three instead!
ESRB mobile app adds game box recognition, rated H for Helpful
The Entertainment Software Ratings Board has upgraded its Android and iOS mobile app, which allows responsible parents (or curious gamers) to search for ratings information on ESRB rated titles. The new upgrade allows users to simply snap a picture of a game's box to look up its rating and summary information. We snagged the Android version of the app and it seems to work like a charm. The free app is available now in the Android Market and iTunes. Check out a handy dandy explanatory video after the break.
ESRB enlists hockey players to attempt punny PSA
Listen here, Entertainment Software Ratings Board, if you're going to create a public service announcement for parents of young gamers starring Chicago Blackhawks players Patrick Sharp and Brian Campbell, you really can't use puns so halfheartedly. This commercial might be a noble attempt, but there are a lot of untapped hockey references you guys left hanging, like: "If you don't do a box check, you could find yourself in a stick-y situation." "Don't skate around your responsibilities as a parent, or you might end up in the penalty box." "Don't puck around with ratings, or else your kid might play an age-inappropriate shoot-er." "The icing on the cake? Something about Zambonis."
The Lawbringer: Self-regulation and the video game industry
Pop law abounds in The Lawbringer, your weekly dose of WoW, the law, video games and the MMO genre. Running parallel to the games we love and enjoy is a world full of rules, regulations, pitfalls and traps. How about you hang out with us as we discuss some of the more esoteric aspects of the games we love to play? Hello, friends. I hope you all enjoyed the discussion last week about Schwarzenegger v. EMA that took place in the article and in the comments. People get very passionate about the role of government, and I thought the conversation was a very positive one, so thank you. This week, I've got a little more self-regulation talk for you, so please come in, sit, and get ready for another fun look at the video games industry.
ESRB: Dragon's Lair 2 coming to DSi
You know that Dragon's Lair omnibus you've been working on? The one that details every single version of all the Dragon's Lair games? We're sure you thought it was finally finished and ready to send off to the publisher, but it looks like it's time for another addendum: According to the ESRB, Dragon's Lair 2: Time Warp is headed to DSi. The first Dragon's Lair was brought to DSiWare by Digital Leisure last year, so it's likely the same will be the case for Dirk's second adventure. We know -- now you have to sit through months of approvals, edits and, of course, the costly resetting of the printing press, but you want the omnibus to be accurate, right? [Image source: The Armchair Empire]
ESRB rates 'Mr. Bean' for Wii (note: it is 2010)
Here's a bad idea: making a cartoon in 2002 based on a TV series that ended in 1995, which relied entirely upon one actor's physical comedy skills, and featured very little dialogue. Here's a worse idea: making a Wii platformer in 2008 based on that animated series. The worst idea yet: Taking that 2008 game based on the 2002 cartoon of the early-1990s TV show about the near-mute man, and then releasing it in another country where that character isn't nearly as popular. Oh, and doing that in 2010 or 2011. Crave is doing just that. The ESRB's description of Crave's new "Mr. Bean" game -- including use of cooking pans and bug spray as weapons -- matches up with the gameplay in Mr. Bean's Wacky World of Wii, meaning that those of us stateside will be able to take part in Mr. Bean's search for 1,000 cat biscuits. Because that's what the game is about. That has to factor into the quality of this idea somewhere.
MMO Family: Parents as gaming gatekeepers
MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family, from tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate online games for everyone in the family. Does your child have the emotional levels it takes to tackle certain MMOs? The idea of parents as gaming gatekeepers all too often comes down to simplistic, ESRB ratings-based rulings passed down from on high by relatively disengaged parents. Deciding what and how your child should play is far from a black-or-white decision. Last time in MMO Family, for instance, we looked at how to tell if your child is ready for MMO raiding -- yet far too many commenters missed the point, assuming (from the topic alone, we can only presume) that we advocate a laissez-faire attitude that allows kids to abandon their other activities and strands them in front of a keyboard during every free moment. Come on, folks, it's not a choice between letting kids play to the detriment of the rest of their lives vs. not playing at all. It's about gatekeeping -- and this is where you, the parent, come in. The truth is, categorically forbidding kids who're interested in video games to play at all is no more thoughtful or balanced an approach than throwing up your hands and letting them log in during every waking moment. Your role is to help children learn to balance their interests and lives, with as light or heavy a hand as may be necessary for your kids. This week, we've brought you some thoughts from a mother and son who've been there, done that -- together.
'Mayhem' rated for multiple platforms by ESRB
Have things been too sane for you lately? Perhaps a touch of mayhem would spice things up? It appears that Evolved Games, developers of Raven Squad, has you covered, with the ESRB revealing an unannounced game from the development house, titled -- yep, you guessed it -- "Mayhem." The listing pegs Mayhem as heading to Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC, and describes it as a "racing game in which players compete in various demolition derby-style events to earn 'mayhem' points and unlock new levels." Outside of the destruction derby action, the listing hints at the game's visual style, saying "comic book-style captions" appear to highlight dramatic crashes. It also appears that this game could be digital, as Evolved Games is listed as both the developer and publisher by the Australian Ratings Board -- unless, of course, the studio has suddenly found itself flush with extra cash to publish a console game. Yeah, we're betting on the former too.
Two more Arc the Lads rated by ESRB
The first Arc the Lad game was re-released on PSN this week. According to the ESRB, it won't be the only game in the series to become a PSOne Classic. Ratings have appeared for both Arc the Lad 2 and Arc Arena Monster Tournament on PSP and PS3. In their original disc-based incarnations, the two games interact: Arc Arena Monster Tournament is an arena monster fighting game that takes monster info from Arc 2. Both were originally released in North America as part of Working Designs' Arc the Lad Collection. All that's left from the collection for possible PSN release is Arc the Lad 3 -- well, that and a documentary, cardboard standees of the characters, analog stick covers and a memory card case. Maybe for PlayStation Home?
ESRB rates Namco's 'Aero-Cross' for 360 and PS3
The ESRB rating for Namco Bandai's Aero-Cross (first seen in Australian and German ratings) includes a content description that confirms our suspicions about it being a follow-up to the surreal, arcade foot-racing game Metro-Cross. It's a futuristic racing game about a running man, just like Metro-Cross was, and places obstacles in front of that runner like "mines, hurdles, and rolling barrels." New to this game: robots that administer a shock to the racer, "resulting in a shocking effect that causes the racer's body to twitch." That's progress! Aero-Cross was rated for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, likely as a downloadable game. [Image: The Arcade Flyer Archive]
ESRB rates KOF Sky Stage for Xbox 360
[GAME Watch] You have to be just a little curious about a vertical scrolling shooter, starring a bunch of flying King of Fighters characters. According to the ESRB, those of us in North America will soon have the opportunity to experience the bizarre KOF Sky Stage for ourselves -- the ratings board has evaluated the Xbox Live Arcade port of the arcade shmup, making an American release likely. Meanwhile, in Japan, SNK released a PSP game containing the entirety of KOF Sky Stage as just one mode of another shooter. The XBLA version's compensation? A "still-frame image of a female character" wearing "a revealing outfit that accentuates her buttocks and displays large amounts of cleavage."
ESRB reveals unannounced Dance Central tracks by warning about lyrics
The ESRB, in its noble quest to protect young ears from potentially offensive songs that were on the radio twenty years ago, has inadvertently revealed some unannounced Dance Central tracks. The ratings board identified several problematic lyrics, which Siliconera matched with their origin songs (warning: we're about to reproduce the offensive lyrics!) "Did your girl's butt" and "You're bound to get shot" can be found in Craig Mack's "Flava In Your Ear," "Meet him at the door with nothin' on" comes from Christina Milian's "Dip It Low," and, best of all, "Body is soft, makin' me wanna squish her" means that Wreckx-N-Effect's "Rump Shaker" is in the game (yessssssss). Other cited lyrics that Siliconera didn't identify include "The interior like suicide wrist red" (from Snoop Dogg's previously announced "Drop It Like It's Hot") and "Remove your underwear," which we can't quite identify either. We Googled it, but ... yeah.
ESRB: Hudson setting up 'My Aquarium' on PS3
My Aquarium, a $5 WiiWare app that allows players to design and populate a virtual fish tank, is headed to the PlayStation 3, according to an ESRB listing. The content description reveals such scintillating features as the option to "learn facts about a variety of different species," and the ability to "use rocks, plants, and coral formations to customize their tank." But it wasn't a hit on WiiWare for its engaging gameplay. My Aquarium's appeal is in its function as a sort of customizable screensaver, which would only be enhanced by an HD port. Meanwhile, My Aquarium 2 was released on WiiWare today. Kind of weird timing for a reveal of a ported version of the original, which, we suppose, is why we're seeing an ESRB "leak" today and not an official Hudson announcement.
Super Scribblenauts ESRB description confirms mermaid-murdering computers
Were you concerned about whether or not you'd be able to create a man-eating bicycle in Super Scribblenauts? Parents, do you have a strict "no homicidal houses" policy for your kids' entertainment media? The ESRB has stepped in to offer a few (extremely) random examples of what's possible.
MMO Family: A parent's look at Fantage
MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family, from tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate online games for everyone in the family. Now that we've established that kids aren't gaming snobs and will dig into a good Flash game with as much relish as we grownups attack any top-rung MMO title, let's look at another up-and-coming Flash title for kids. Fantage (short for "Fantastic Age") has attracted nearly 7 million users since April 2008 almost entirely by word of mouth -- how's that for kid power? I suspect the reason Fantage tickles my 9-year-old playtester's fancy is tied to the advancements she's been making with her real-life character this summer. The achievements are flowing: she's figured out how to use the Page Up and Page Down buttons to snag [Swimming in the Deep End], she's acquired her first epic mount [Big Brother's Hand-Me-Down Bike] and she's become fascinated with the possibilities of /dance... We're even breaking away from class-specific gear sets to farm all the mats for her [Tier 4 School Supplies] individually via hotly contested minigames all over town. So while she's still utterly captivated by the sparkling magic of a game like Pixie Hollow, this evolving little personality is hooked on Fantage's opportunities to show off her own style and personality via her avatar and accessories. Different game, different flavor -- so let's investigate the attractions.
ESRB lists Fatal Labyrinth for PS3 and Xbox 360
The early Sega Genesis roguelike Fatal Labyrinth was released on PC download services last week, but Sega doesn't appear to be done re-releasing it yet. The ESRB listing for the game shows, in addition to its existing PC and Wii (Virtual Console) releases, plans for Mac, PS3, and Xbox 360 versions of the game. Fatal Labyrinth is actually already available on PS3 and Xbox, as part of Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection, but a separate ESRB listing for those platforms suggests a standalone downloadable release, like those given to games like Gunstar Heroes, Sonic & Knuckles, and Phantasy Star II. Good news for those of you who don't want to spend around twenty dollars for the fantastic deal that is the Ultimate Genesis Collection.
