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ESRB outs NBA Jam on Xbox 360 and PS3
Though EA continues to dance around a version of NBA Jam for consoles beyond Wii, the United States' ESRB is the latest ratings agency to announce the game for Xbox 360 and PS3. The German USK listed the cherished basketball game for high-def consoles earlier this month. We're -- once again -- following up for official comment from EA. We know the ratings boards can't be the only ones looking for the game on more systems. Update: The ESRB has pulled the rating -- still no word from EA. %Gallery-89317%
Eleven states issue support for California game law
[Image Source] If you thought a bill banning the sale of violent video games to kids was misinformed, unfair and wrong-headed when it it was being pushed forth by California, you'll be tempted to add "downright scary" to the list when you read this: Gamasutra reports that 11 states have joined together to form a Voltron of Wrong in support of the bill. If you: (1) Believe that a medium that's doing a fine job of regulating itself shouldn't be regulated by the government just because their old, old thumbs can't work the controllers and (2) live in Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Texas or Virginia, now would be a fine time to call your local representative.
ESRB: Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Predator headed to PSP
While it pains us to report that our hopes for a Predator-infused Ghost Recon game have gone down the drain, it's not all bad: the ESRB has tossed up a classification for Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Predator. It's apparently "an action game/third-person shooter" for the PSP, in which "players engage in combat missions as part of an elite military unit." The listing also mentions a variety of modern weapons and promises "realistic" gunfights. Perhaps the most interesting thing about this story is the disparity between the two listings -- the initial OFLC classification pegged the game for multiple platforms (as is the case with next year's Ghost Recon: Future Soldier), while the ESRB listing places the game solely on PSP. We've contacted Ubisoft for clarification and will be sure to relay whatever we hear back.
ESRB issues apology for mass email blunder
Following last night's email gaffe, the ESRB has issued a statement today apologizing to the nearly 1,000 folks whose emails were unwittingly exposed. The software ratings board calls its "reply all" message, which revealed Real ID complainants' email addresses, a mistake made during an "effort to respond quickly to the thousands of gamers who wrote to the ESRB." Apparently, (and thankfully), the email did not include the addresses of all those who had contacted the organization, as the aplogy claims that only a "limited" portion of email recipients were affected. Further, the ESRB statement places fault for the issue on "one of our employees" before promising to do "everything we can to ensure it will not happen again in the future." We've placed both the ESRB's public statement and its email to those affected just after the break.
ESRB issues apology over email leak
Yesterday, we learned that the ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) accidentally emailed the names of people who had complained about Blizzard's potential use of Real ID names on the official Blizzard forums. The ESRB has since sent out this apology: Yesterday we sent an e-mail to a number of consumers who wrote to us in recent days expressing their concern with respect to Blizzard's Real ID program. Given the large number of messages we received, we decided to respond with a mass e-mail so those who'd written us would receive our response as quickly as possible - rather than responding to each message individually, as is our usual practice. Through an unfortunate error by one of our employees, some recipients were able to see the e-mail addresses of others who wrote on the same issue. Needless to say, it was never our intention to reveal this information and for that we are genuinely sorry. Those who write to ESRB to express their views expect and deserve to have their contact and personal information protected. In this case, we failed to do so and are doing everything we can to ensure it will not happen again in the future. The fact that our message addressed individuals' concerns with respect to their privacy underscores how truly disappointing a mistake this was on our part. We work with companies to ensure they are handling people's private information with confidentiality, care and respect. It is only right that we set a good example and do no less ourselves. We sincerely apologize to those who were affected by this error and appreciate their understanding. Sincerely, Entertainment Software Rating Board I am glad that the ESRB apologized, and it is telling that they have also acknowledged how ridiculous the mistake was in light of the subject matter. Suffice it to say, good on the ESRB for not only apologizing but understanding the issues present over online privacy. Hopefully this whole debacle can be used as a teaching moment.
ESRB accidentally releases email addresses of Real ID complainants
In an ironic turn of events this evening, it appears that the Entertainment Software Ratings Board has revealed the entire list of email addresses belonging to people who appealed to the ESA's rating group over Blizzard's recently proposed and then retracted Real ID implementation. According to our World of Warcraft-focused sister site WoW.com, the ESRB issued a response letter to the nearly 1,000 folks who had emailed with complaints about Blizzard's decision -- unfortunately, it seems that rather than hide everyone's email addresses, someone hit "reply all." We've dropped the letter itself beyond the break, which, as WoW.com points out, concludes with a statement espousing the ESRB's "Privacy Online" program. Whoops! All that said, mistakes will happen from time to time. Unlike Blizzard, however, the ESRB can't simply take this back.
ESRB unintentionally exposes email addresses of people who filed complaints over Blizzard's Real ID system [Updated]
digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/ESRB_exposes_emails_of_gamers_who_filed_privacy_complaints'; Update: The ESRB has since issued an apology. During the recent Real ID catastrophe on the forums, many players decided to appeal to an industry source that might have been able to sway Blizzard to change its mind. These players contacted the ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) as a Better Business Bureau-type middleman in this situation with their concerns. The ESRB itself has championed such causes in the past with its Privacy Online program, which is designed to help companies meet various privacy laws like the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Since Blizzard recanted its decision about the forums, the ESRB faithfully followed up with those concerned. Unfortunately, in that followup email, the ESRB exposed individuals to a new set of privacy concerns. The letter and more information after the break.
ESRB rates Blockids, Magical Drop F for PS3
During E3, MonkeyPaw's John Greiner told us about his company's plans to re-release classic Japanese games in the US, though he declined to reveal any of the games that the company was working to localize. Now, it looks like the ESRB has beaten Greiner to the punch, listing two games for the PS3, both with MonkeyPaw noted as publisher: Natsume's Blockids, a 3D Breakout clone of sorts; and Magical Drop F, an entry in Data East's longstanding puzzle series (which is pretty great, incidentally). Both titles are likely headed to the PSOne Classics library on PSN. Check out footage of both games after the break.
ESRB rates JellyCar 2 for Wii and DSi
If you've never experienced the impossible magic of JellyCar, the XNA and iPhone platforming sensation, then you might not get as excited as we are about these two recent ESRB listings for JellyCar 2. The ratings board recently slapped an E (as in, for Everyone) on the sequel, which is apparently expanding from its current home on the App Store to the WiiWare and DSiWare platforms in the near future. On one hand, we're excited about the proliferation of the JellyCar franchise in any way, shape or form. On the other hand, we're still pretty upset that Disney didn't take our suggestion for the game's title, which was, of course, JellyCar 2: 2 Fast, 2 Gelatinous. We'll feign indignance, but we anticipate we'll purchase at least one of these new versions of the game once they hit their respective platforms.
ESRB: Bomberman Fantasy Race joining PSOne Classics
If you love the Bomberman characters, but you hate the Bomberman gameplay, you might be interested in the latest PS1 game rated by the ESRB for re-release on PSN. Bomberman Fantasy Race takes the familiar helmeted characters out of their explosive comfort zone and into a racing game in which they ride cartoon animals. We presume it'll sell for the standard "PSOne Classic" price of $6, which means it's cheap enough to be worth a purchase if you want a non-standard kart racer -- or if you want to be a pedant and use it to correct people who tell you that "all Bomberman games are the same."
ESRB rates Sonic Adventure (and DX) for Xbox 360, PS3
Dreamcast classic Sonic Adventure and its "director's cut" edition, Sonic Adventure DX, have been rated for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 by the ESRB. Sonic Adventure was recently classified by the Korean ratings board, and briefly appeared in January in tandem with an "extend package," purportedly seen on the Xbox marketplace. Sonic's companion on the great Sega ratings board journey, Crazy Taxi, has apparently not yet been re-classified for current consoles by the ESRB. We've followed up with Sega for details on both titles, but with E3 next week, the publisher likely wants it to be a "reveal" for the show. Start practicing your "we had no idea" face for the surprise next week.
Alien Breed 2: Assault rated by ESRB
You come to Joystiq for the scoops, and we've got a dilly for you. The ESRB has recently posted a listing for Alien Breed 2: Assault, presumably the follow-up to Team 17's Alien Breed: Evolution for 360. Scooped! ... Well, you probably want to put this news up on your Tweetos or FaceZone, so we'll leave you to it. ... What's that? You say that Alien Breed was announced as a trilogy, so a listing for a second one is about as surprising as a sunrise or a Lady Gaga image reinvention? You say that we're desperate to make anything a news story because it's Memorial Day, and everyone's busy grilling meat and memorializing things, not making games? Well, great, now you've made things uncomfortable for everybody. Look at Ludwig, he ran off to his room because you hurt his feelings so much. Look Deborah -- can we just not do this today? Can we, for once, spend a holiday eating our Jell-O salad in silence and acting like a family? For once?
ESRB rates BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger for PC
With BlazBlue: Continuum Shift set to fight its way to the Xbox 360 and PS3 this summer, a cuter spin-off called BlazBlue: Battle x Battle coming to DSiWare and a PSP port of the original fighter due soon, no platform is safe from Arc System Works' sprite-fueled fighter. Not even the PC, according to an ESRB listing. The certificate makes no mention of when BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger will launch on PC, but it does remind us just how raunchy that game was: "includes still images of female characters -- in provocative poses -- wearing outfits that expose deep cleavage or barely cover their breasts." Remember when fighting games were just, you know, fighting games?
MMO Family: A parent's look at Pixie Hollow
MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family ... From tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate niches for every family member, MMO Family offers you advice on MMO gaming of the family, by the family and for the family. I wasn't planning to include a 2-D Flash game in MMO Family's initial sweep of children's games -- but then my daughter tried Disney's Pixie Hollow. Initially dismissive of the idea of slumming it in 2-D, she found herself utterly captivated by its magpie collection quests and friendly community of players. In the eyes of this 8-year-old road tester, Pixie Hollow delivers an enjoyable, social experience in an online world ... And I was forced to admit that this world suits her own interests as well as deeply immersive MMO worlds hold mine. We're not going to get into gender wars here. Obviously, some girls won't like the fairies theme, and we're sure grownups will continue their snarky debates over the game's recently added male characters ("sparrow men"). Beyond that, what's most apparent is that Pixie Hollow successfully snares both kids who are enthralled with the Disney Fairies franchise and those who simply enjoy a glittery, web-based spot to flutter and chatter.
Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project gets some from the ESRB
It would appear the side-scrolling shoot-em-up PC Gamer called "a blast" back in 2002, Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project, will eventually find its way onto Xbox Live Arcade. It's happening, right? Like, we've seen a couple ratings pop up for the game, so it's gotta be a done deal -- come on, will somebody just officially announce this already? The latest indication (and hopefully precursor to a real announcement) comes from the ESRB, which offers the listing you see above. Duke Nukem 3D creator 3D Realms, whose last project was Prey Invasion for the iPhone and iPod Touch back in June of 2009, is listed as the publisher on the potential XBLA title. We've sent in word to both 3D Realms and Microsoft for comment and will let you know what we hear back.
ESRB: Dariusburst is approaching fast
Providing further evidence of a localization for the US-trademarked DariusBurst, the ESRB has rated the PSP shmup. It was released in Japan on both UMD and as a download on Christmas Eve of last year. For those of us who have never played any shooter before (ever), the ESRB describes the gameplay: "From a side-scrolling perspective, players navigate through outer space while shooting at the numerous enemy units. Ships, objects, and enemies explode when hit, sometimes with realistic or slow-motion effects. " We love this new world in which developers are selling shmups again. They were ridiculously popular in the 8- and 16-bit eras, but North American releases were few and far between for most of the last three generations. And now we're seeing this and RayStorm HD from Taito, DeathSmiles from Cave, and even an iPhone version of EspGaluda 2 in the the same year -- oh, and Cho Aniki.
Jason Rohrer Anthology gravitating to DSiWare [update]
Diamond Trust of London, the strategy title about the diamond trade, isn't the only game from Sleep is Death designer Jason Rohrer headed to the Nintendo DS. The ESRB lists an "Alt-Play: Jason Rohrer Anthology" featuring three of Rohrer's previous games, published by Sabarasa Entertainment. Included in the set are Gravitation, the two-player Between, and Rohrer's best-known game Passage, which is also available on iPhone. This DS collection, then, will be another option for those who want to feel terrible about their mortality on the go. Sabarasa's recent press releases list the Alt-Play collection as an "upcoming project," and confirm that it's being made for the DSiWare platform. It certainly makes sense as a download: it may be three games, but those are three very brief games. [Update: Sabarasa press releases also mention that Rohrer's puzzle game Primrose will be released separately on DSiWare.]
ESRB: Cute BlazBlue spinoff bound for North American DSiWare
If you prefer your fighting games adorable, you've probably been keeping an eye on BlazBlue: Battle x Battle, a four-player DSiWare fighter starring chibi versions of the characters from BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger. The ESRB just telegraphed plans by Aksys to localize the downloadable fighter -- under the strange title Blayzbloo: Super Melee Brawlers Battle Royale. Why "Blayzbloo"? Arc System Works differentiated the DSiWare game from the original title by spelling "BlazBlue" in Japanese hiragana, rather than the English alphabet used for the main series. To preserve the change without using a different writing system, Aksys spelled it differently. It's pretty whimsical. Speaking of whimsy, the ESRB description of the arena fighting game describes the following modes: " last-man standing, hitting opponents to collect soba noodles, and capture-the-flag." We're contacting Aksys to find out when you'll be able to fight for noodles.
'Sid Meier's Pirates!' rated for Wii by ESRB
Sid Meier's Pirates!, a game that sails the line between casual and core, has been given an ESRB rating for the Wii. Pirates! has had a long career since setting out for adventure in 2004, finding new booty across PC, Xbox, PSP and Mac. The game was rated E 10+, so parents be warned: there's "some female characters [who] wear low-cut dresses that expose a lot of cleavage." We've contacted 2K Games for more information about how the Wii's features will be implemented and when the game will pull into Port Retail.
ESRB: Joe Danger popping wheelies on the PC
Hello Games always planned to release Joe Danger on all digital distribution channels (Xbox 360, PSN and PC) but, as of right now, the game is only confirmed for release on PSN. However, according to an ESRB certification, the time for Joe to shine on the PC could be nigh -- a move we endorse entirely. Based on our time with the title back at GDC, we think the game should be on every platform imaginable (y'know, because it's fun), but the ESRB listing makes no mention of an Xbox 360 release. We've reached out to Hello Games for clarification on which platforms Joe will light up with that million dollar smile of his. We'll keep you posted.
