Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[CT senator proposes bill to ban minors using fake guns in arcades]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/20/ct-senator-proposes-bill-to-ban-minors-using-fake-guns-in-arcade/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/20/ct-senator-proposes-bill-to-ban-minors-using-fake-guns-in-arcade/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/20/ct-senator-proposes-bill-to-ban-minors-using-fake-guns-in-arcade/#comments Connecticut state Senator proposing bill that bans under18s from games with light gunsConnecticut State Senator Toni Harp proposed a bill in January that would ban anyone younger than 18 from playing "violent point-and-shoot" video games in arcades or other public establishments. The bill defined "violent point-and-shoot" games as any entertainment device that used the "facsimile of a firearm as an essential component of play," which would include games such as House of the Dead, Area 51 and Duck Hunt.

The bill also called for research into the effects of violent video games on young minds, through a committee called the Violent Video Game Task Force within the Department of Children and Families. The task force would advise the Governor and General assembly on state programs that "may reduce the effects of violent video games on youth behavior," suggesting before the research was done that violent video games have an effect on children's actions.

The bill's Statement of Purpose offered a clear position on violent video games' impact on young minds, again presented before any research began: "To prevent minors from using violent point-and-shoot video games in public arcades and to create a task force to study the effects of violent video games on youth behavior."

This bill joined an influx of attention on video games in relation to real-world gun violence, following the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut. Senator Harp's suggestions mimicked and magnified President Obama's proposal to research violent video games and enact other forms of potential gun-violence prevention.

[Thanks, Seth.]

JoystiqCT senator proposes bill to ban minors using fake guns in arcades originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Feb 2013 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>connecticutgun-violencelight-gunSenatestate-senatetoni-harpviolenceviolent-video-gamesZapperWed, 20 Feb 2013 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Mass. removes violent games from turnpike rest stops]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/11/mass-removes-violent-games-from-turnpike-rest-stops/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/11/mass-removes-violent-games-from-turnpike-rest-stops/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/11/mass-removes-violent-games-from-turnpike-rest-stops/#comments Mass Turnpike removes violent games from rest stopsIn response to a complaint and the events in Newtown, Connecticut, the state of Massachusetts has removed nine violent games from rest plazas controlled by the state. The service plazas affected were in Charlton, Ludlow, Lee and Beverly.

If you're curious, the Mass. towns of Charlton, Ludlow, Lee and Beverly are 100 miles, 83 miles, 80 miles and 170 miles away from Newtown, respectively.

"Bottom line is I think there isn't a person who doesn't ­believe that there isn't too much violence in our society, and games can glorify that," Mass. Transportation Secretary Richard Davey told The Boston Globe. "A video game in a public space could be used by anybody of any age."

Meanwhile, Mayor Robert Dolan of ­Melrose, Mass. (158 miles), is starting an initiative to persuade families to dispose of their violent video games, movies and toys by offer­ing deals at local businesses and maybe even "get out of homework free" coupons.

Representatives from the games industry met with Vice President Joe Biden today to discuss the role of violent video games in regards to gun violence.

JoystiqMass. removes violent games from turnpike rest stops originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Jan 2013 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>connecticutMassachusettsNewtownviolent-gamesFri, 11 Jan 2013 17:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony's failure to report data breach incurs CT Senator Blumenthal's wrath]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/26/sonys-failure-to-report-data-breach-incurs-ct-senator-blumentha/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/26/sonys-failure-to-report-data-breach-incurs-ct-senator-blumentha/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/26/sonys-failure-to-report-data-breach-incurs-ct-senator-blumentha/#commentsConnecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal is "demanding answers" about why Sony Computer Entertainment of America failed to inform customers of the data breach of the PlayStation Network on April 20.

"When a data breach occurs, it is essential that customers be immediately notified about whether and to what extent their personal and financial information has been compromised," Blumenthal said in a release. "Compounding this concern is the troubling lack of notification from Sony about the nature of the data breach."

Of course, Sony just issued a statement that it says will be emailed to "all of our registered account holders" but, as we noted in our post, it's been nearly six days since the "intrusion" first took place. Blumenthal elaborated, "Although the breach occurred nearly a week ago, Sony has not notified customers of the intrusion, or provided information that is vital to allowing individuals to protect themselves from identity theft, such as informing users whether their personal or financial information may have been compromised."

Sen. Blumenthal also sent a letter to SCEA President and CEO Jack Tretton, which can be found after the break.

Continue reading Sony's failure to report data breach incurs CT Senator Blumenthal's wrath

JoystiqSony's failure to report data breach incurs CT Senator Blumenthal's wrath originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 17:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Connecticutincursionoutageplaystationps3PSNpsn-outage-2011pspRichard-BlumenthalsonyTue, 26 Apr 2011 17:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Conn. State Sen. Slossberg wants confirmation of GTA IV rape scene]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/25/conn-state-sen-slossberg-wants-confirmation-of-gta-iv-rape-sce/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/25/conn-state-sen-slossberg-wants-confirmation-of-gta-iv-rape-sce/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/25/conn-state-sen-slossberg-wants-confirmation-of-gta-iv-rape-sce/#commentsFiled under:


Go ahead and Google: "Connecticut State Senator Gayle Slossberg." Now, just imagine how different that page is going to look once news spreads that Sen. Slossberg (D) wants confirmation of the rape scene in Grand Theft Auto IV. The New Haven Advocate reports that Slossberg admits she's never played GTA IV and still needs to confirm the "rumored" rape scene. Apparently, that's not going to stop her from being afraid of the game corrupting children, thus prompting her to introduce legislation requiring better warning labels.

We're not going out on a limb and saying there isn't a rape scene buried under all that code -- remember what happened last time? But Slossberg does have a serious problem. She seems a bit confused as to what to put on these warning labels, telling the newspaper: "I mean what would it say? 'This game will make you a sociopath'?"

Best of luck, Sen. Slossberg! A Google search of your name will never be the same again.

[Via GamePolitics]

JoystiqConn. State Sen. Slossberg wants confirmation of GTA IV rape scene originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Jun 2008 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>connecticutgayle-slossberggrand-theft-autogrand-theft-auto-ivgta-ivslossbergWed, 25 Jun 2008 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Lvl 70 Republican specced legislative candidate LFG]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/08/lvl-70-republican-specced-legislative-candidate-lfg/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/08/lvl-70-republican-specced-legislative-candidate-lfg/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/08/lvl-70-republican-specced-legislative-candidate-lfg/#commentsFiled under: , ,


There's usually a wide chasm between video games and the politicians who make decisions that affect the sale and content of said games, so whenever we hear of a civil servant with a ludological streak, it warms our heart. Sure, their trysts with gaming are usually not major aspects in their lives, as a majority of their free time is spent appeasing constituents and kissing babies. However, a Republican candidate for the Connecticut legislature recently outed herself as having an extreme fondness for World of Warcraft, evidenced by her main character: a Level 70 Orc Hunter.

Jeanne Stevens, the aforementioned WoW fiend, is a mother of four and a local business owner in addition to being a legislative hopeful, making us wonder where she finds the time for late night excursions into Zul'Aman. We guess it helps that her father, uncle and kids are all suckling WoW's luminescent teat as well. We only hope that Stevens' story inspire other political figures to reveal their own gaming tendencies -- we hear Cheney can five-star "Psychobillly Freakout" on Expert.

JoystiqLvl 70 Republican specced legislative candidate LFG originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 08 Jun 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>connecticuthunterjeanne-stevensjeannestevenslegislatorlevel70PCworldofwarcraftwowSun, 08 Jun 2008 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Kill Jim Liebowitz mocks all sides of gaming politics]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/11/kill-jim-liebowitz-mocks-all-sides-of-gaming-politics/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/11/kill-jim-liebowitz-mocks-all-sides-of-gaming-politics/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/11/kill-jim-liebowitz-mocks-all-sides-of-gaming-politics/#commentsFiled under:

Both sides of the video game violence divide are mocked in the satirical Kill Jim Liebowitz. The video tells the tale of Jim Liebowitz, an anti-games Republican senator from Connecticut who is obviously a composite of Jack Thompson and Joe Lieberman, and how the video game Kill Jim Liebowitz messes with his life.

Violent video game creators are also mocked as the developer of Kill Jim Liebowitz explains that any similarity to Liebowitz is coincidental and you don't have to kill Liebowitz in the game if you don't want to. Soon after there's a scene where a man in the background is using a Wiimote -- in a way we wish would actually be that satisfying -- to eviscerate the Liebowitz character to very dramatic sounds. The developer even makes a great causality argument equating video games to corn bread. Following an attack on Liebowitz blamed on the game the developer says, "These kids love cornbread. Should we ban cornbread? I love cornbread."

So, what happens at the end? Watch the video and find out a potential fate for violent video games.

[Via GamePolitics]

JoystiqKill Jim Liebowitz mocks all sides of gaming politics originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Oct 2007 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>connecticutjackthompsonjoeliebermankilljimliebowitzThu, 11 Oct 2007 16:59:00 EST<![CDATA[PS3 shooter may have been running scared]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/12/ps3-shooter-may-have-been-running-scared/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/12/ps3-shooter-may-have-been-running-scared/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/12/ps3-shooter-may-have-been-running-scared/#commentsFiled under: ,

The Norwich Bulletin has obtained court documents in the case of the Putnam, Conn. PS3 line robbery that show one of the suspects may have been trying to flee a murderously jealous ex-con. Seriously.

Alleged robber Andrew Patnaude said in a signed statement that a Mr. Mayheu "stuck a gun, a long-barreled revolver, in [Patnaude's] face," two nights before the robbery because Patnaude had begun dating Mayheu's girlfriend while Mayheu was in prison. What the article doesn't tell you is that the girlfriend just recently woke up from a coma believing she was her evil, half-twin Bernice.

The article also reveals portions of a 911 call made by victim Michael Penkala and testimony from a second suspect, William Robertson, who said he reluctantly took part in the robbery to help Patnaude. Because if you're not willing to help with armed robbery, what kind of a friend are you, really?

Previously on "PS3 Line Shooter Theatre":
Initial reports
More about the victim
Two suspects arrested
Third suspect arrested

JoystiqPS3 shooter may have been running scared originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Dec 2006 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>connecticutPS3ps3 shooterPs3ShooterputnamrobberyTue, 12 Dec 2006 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Safe sex UCONN video game up for bids]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/25/safe-sex-uconn-video-game-up-for-bids/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/25/safe-sex-uconn-video-game-up-for-bids/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/25/safe-sex-uconn-video-game-up-for-bids/#commentsFiled under:


The University of Connecticut has opened up bidding for developers to produce a Safer Sex Video Game. Although there was a mandatory pre-proposal teleconference to begin the process last week, we're talking about academia here, so everything is negotiable. To start, there is a 43-page document to download, which includes all the requirements for the project and qualifications for bidding.

Safe sex games are nothing new, especially as educators look for other outlets to communicate sexual education messages in countries with strict sex education policies, like the U.S.'s "abstinence only" programs.

The Europeans have taken a far more in-your-face approach to getting out safe sex messages with advertisements -- like the one seen above (minus our puritanical black bars) -- and games like Iffy Stiffy, Scratch My Box and Catch the Sperm.

[Additional info from IGDA Sex SIG]

Continue reading Safe sex UCONN video game up for bids

JoystiqSafe sex UCONN video game up for bids originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Sep 2006 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Connecticutsafe sexSafeSexsexuconnUniversity of ConnecticutUniversityOfConnecticutMon, 25 Sep 2006 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Did video games lose it for Lieberman?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/10/did-video-games-lose-it-for-lieberman/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/10/did-video-games-lose-it-for-lieberman/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/10/did-video-games-lose-it-for-lieberman/#commentsFiled under:

Was support for video game regulation a significant factor in Joe Lieberman's primary loss to Ned Lamont in yesterday's Democratic Connecticut Senate primary? That's the theory put forth by one blogger, who says that the young children who remember Lieberman from the 1994 video game hearings are now of voting age and out for revenge!

We're not buying it, though. For one thing, 18- to 24-year-olds are a historically unimportant voting bloc -- only 36 percent of them voted in the 2000 presidential election (though this group is growing: 47 percent voted in 2004). For another, exit polls (.pdf) show that issues like the war in Iraq and Lieberman's close relationship with Bush were foremost on voters' minds -- video game issues don't even make a blip.

Despite the loss, Lieberman has announced he will still be running as an Independent, which means his vociferous calls for game regulation might yet continue to ring through the Senate. Even if he does lose in November, other Senators like Hillary Clinton have shown they are more than willing to take up the cause.

JoystiqDid video games lose it for Lieberman? originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 Aug 2006 09:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ConnecticutJoe LiebermanJoeLiebermanlegislationLiebermanpoliticsregulationsenateThu, 10 Aug 2006 09:35:00 EST