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iPod factory admits to violating Chinese labor laws
Sounds like things might not be so squeaky clean in the "iPod City" after all, as Engadget has dug up some dirt on the Foxconn factory's admission of breaching Chinese labor laws. Specifically, Foxconn has admitted their employees work about 80 extra hours each month - which is a tad above and beyond the 36 extra hours that Chinese law allows for. To make matters worse though, Apple launched an investigation into the factory once this issue broke, "but has found no problem with Foxconn", to quote a factory spokeswoman from the ChinaCSR.com report. Here's hoping Apple is delving a bit deeper into the matter beyond what is likely a preemptive quote from a spokesperson eager for the issue to simply go away.
Griefing and self-governance in online games
The Guardian has produced an excellent column that addresses the problem of "griefers", people that abuse, team-kill and cheat other players of online games, particularly MMOs. Griefing has always been a problem where real players compete against their peers, although with massively multiplayer online games the problem has become much more serious. Earning a battleship in Eve Online or crafting a special item in World of Warcraft can take weeks if not months of game time. On top of that, the recent trend for people to sell items on auction sites like eBay has meant that rare online items have a monetary value.The article cites several high profile situations where griefers have bent moral codes with the Guiding Hand Social Club's ruination of Ubiqua Seraph in Eve Online and the funeral crash in WoW being the two main examples. Solutions that companies have come up with to limit these types of situations from happening are also looked at with the Xbox Live points system and strong community measures (like guilds and friend lists) being top on the list of letting players self-govern the problem. Effective community governance is essential if companies want to keep players inside the game and so that the owners don't have to resort to more drastic measures, like Blizzard does with its periodic account banning binges.Update: fixed a couple of minor grammatical errors.
ESA calls Oklahoma's bluff; lawsuit imminent
Like clockwork, the Entertainment Software Association's Doug Lowenstein has issued a statement regarded the passage of Oklahoma's HB3004, a bill that, by classifying them as "harmful to minors," would restrict the sale or rental of violent video games to minors*. GamePolitics has reprinted part of Lowenstein's statement, in which he writes:"The ESA is deeply disappointed by the actions of the Oklahoma Legislature. We believe HB 3400[sic] will restrict the First Amendment rights of Oklahoma's citizens, and intend to file suit in Oklahoma federal district court shortly, asking that the state's new video game law be overturned...""We do sincerely appreciate and respect the concerns that these legislators have. However, six courts in five years have struck down similar laws, ruling that they were unconstitutional and rejecting the unpersuasive claims made by states that violent video games cause aggression...""We hope that sooner or later state legislators and candidates will stop trying to seek headlines by subverting the constitution and frittering away desperately needed taxpayer dollars and instead enter into a constructive partnership to educate parents about the tools available so they, not government, can raise their kids as they see fit."*To answer the inevitable question of "What's wrong with keeping little Billy from killing hookers?" we'll direct you to star commenter 32_Footsteps' explanation: "the consequence of such laws will be that manufacturers will self-censor in order to prevent running afoul of the law. When a content producer self-censors to make something accessible to a wider audience, they risk losing something in the game." Legislation may result in new retail environments that would force publishers to reconsider the content of games or risk financial inviability. That means adults wouldn't be able to play GTA either. The ensuing discussion in this post is well worth your time. Thanks, guys!
Minnesota targets minors in new gaming law; ESA to file suit
Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty signed into law yesterday bill SF0785, which targets minors attempting to purchase M and AO-rated games. Such persons under the age of 17 (and thus, likely their parents) will be required by law to pay a fine "civil penalty of not more than $25." ESA president Doug Lowenstein has expressed his intentions to file a lawsuit to have the law struck down, citing how "six courts in five years ... have struck down similar laws, ruling that they were unconstitutional."We doubt the law, which theoretically could see 12-year olds receiving fines, will survive the lawsuit. According to Lowenstein, "to enact 'feel good' bills knowing they're likely to be tossed by the courts is the very height of cynicism." What both sides need to remember, however, is that they share one common principle: that children should not be playing ultra-violent games like Grand Theft Auto.Call us cynical, but frivolous legislation (and the subsequent lawsuits that strike them down) will be around for a very long time, until lawmakers have another target or ideal they can use to exemplify their "pro-family" platform. Books, dancing, film, rock and roll, television ... video games is just the latest in a long line of entertainment decried as moral decadence.
Minnesota fines minors $25 for M-rated games
Despite constitutional setbacks regarding similar bills across the country (most recently in Michigan), Minnesota state representative Jeff Johnson seeks to limit the sale of violent video games to minors with a new approach: fine the underage consumers of M or AO-rated games and not the retailers. Bill HF1298 also requires that retailers display signs explaining (the evidently not self-explanatory) ratings system that prominently marks (mars?) the packaging of every game sold in this country. While the bill has passed the Minnesota House, it still requires the signature of Governor Tim Pawlenty before it becomes law ... and before the gaming industry mounts its challenge. Speaking with GamePolitics, Johnson was cognizant of the constitutional issues saying, "...we are using the ESRB ratings. I can see a court saying you can't use private industry to create the law, but there's no way around that because everything else anyone has tried has been unsuccessful. The other piece is that so far no court has found a strong enough link (between game violence and youth violence)."I would urge Representative Johnson so consider why that is. It's not for lack of trying.
