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[VP Joe Biden: 'No legal reason' the US can't tax violent media]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/vp-joe-biden-no-legal-reason-the-us-cant-tax-violent-media/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/vp-joe-biden-no-legal-reason-the-us-cant-tax-violent-media/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/vp-joe-biden-no-legal-reason-the-us-cant-tax-violent-media/#commentsBiden says there's no legal reason the US can't tax violent media Vice President Joe Biden has been on the front lines of the gun violence debate since the mass shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, in December. In January, Biden led a task force assigned by President Barack Obama to examine possible means of curtailing gun violence in the US, and his findings prompted Obama to call for scientific research into the effects of violent media on young minds.

Earlier in May, Biden met behind closed doors with 20 representatives from faith-based organizations to discuss gun control and immigration, and he briefly addressed video games, Politico reports. Franklin Graham, son of evangelist Billy Graham, proposed to Biden that "media and entertainment that portray violence should be subject to a special tax, with the proceeds going to help victims and their families," according to Rabbi Julie Schonfeld.

Biden replied that there was "no restriction on the ability to do that; there's no legal reason why they couldn't" place a tax on violent media, Sister Marjorie Clark told Politico. Biden again emphasized the need for more research into the subject, Clark added: "He said they really need a good scientific study, which they've done on things like smoking."

During his initial fact-finding meetings in January, Biden expressed particular interest in speaking with inter-faith organizations, though he met with a wide swathe of communities, including entertainment companies, advocacy groups, youth organizations, the mental health community and the NRA.

JoystiqVP Joe Biden: 'No legal reason' the US can't tax violent media originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 May 2013 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gun-violencejoe-bidenpoliticstaxtaxesunited-statesUSATue, 14 May 2013 16:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Nancy Pelosi says violent media research should be 'comprehensive']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/11/nancy-pelosi-says-violent-media-research-should-be-comprehensiv/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/11/nancy-pelosi-says-violent-media-research-should-be-comprehensiv/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/11/nancy-pelosi-says-violent-media-research-should-be-comprehensiv/#comments Nancy Pelosi doesn't think we need to research violent video gamesDemocratic Minority Leader of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, spoke with Fox News anchor Chris Wallace about President Barack Obama's proposal to research the link between media and violent acts. Pelosi presented a comprehensive approach to research and reform, noting that current evidence didn't suggest violent video games equate violent people.

"I'm a mother, I'm a grandmother, but the evidence says that in Japan, for example, they have the most violent games than the rest and the lowest mortality from guns," Pelosi said. "I don't know what the explanation is for that except that they might have good gun laws."

Wallace challenged Pelosi, suggesting that it was obvious violent video games had malicious consequences, behind a slide of Black Ops 2 and Grand Theft Auto footage.

"We don't need another study, respectfully," Wallace said. "We know that these video games where people have their heads splattered, these movies, these TV shows - why don't you go to your friends in Hollywood and challenge them, shame them, and say, 'knock it off.'"

Pelosi stepped away from anecdotal evidence and said she wanted hard facts and evidence about violent media, as well as mental health care and assault weapons reform.

"I think we have to do it all, and that's why we included in there we have to take a look at what these games are," Pelosi said. "I don't think we should do anything anecdotally. We have a saying here, 'the plural of anecdote is not data.' So we want to know, what is the evidence, what will really make a difference here? And I think it has to be comprehensive."

Wallace and Pelosi began discussing media and gun violence at the 9:55 mark in the linked Fox News video.

JoystiqNancy Pelosi says violent media research should be 'comprehensive' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Feb 2013 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dschris-wallacefox-newsgun-violencemacmicrosoftmobilenancy-pelosinintendopcplaystationplaystation-vitapoliticsps3pspsonyviolenceviolent-video-gamesvitawiiwii-uxboxMon, 11 Feb 2013 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Events 2012: SOPA]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/02/events-2012-sopa/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/02/events-2012-sopa/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/02/events-2012-sopa/#comments The Stop Online Piracy Act, had it been successfully enacted, would have given US law enforcement agencies the ability to legally bar search engines from linking to websites that were deemed to host copyright-violating content (whatever that may be), provided said agencies were able to obtain a court order.

It also would have given law enforcement the ability to bar advertisers and e-commerce payment providers from doing business with offending websites, but the bill's real party peace was its ability to block access to infringing websites at the ISP level.

If you think that sounds oddly familiar, that's because it's essentially what The Patriots were trying to accomplish in Metal Gear Solid 2, although the bill's less clandestine methodology wouldn't have required the construction of a massive submersible aquatic fortress.
  • As troubling as all that sounds, internet legislation isn't really in our wheelhouse since we're a video game website and everything. Once Nintendo, Sony and EA all put their weight behind the bill, however, the issue suddenly fell under our jurisdiction and became much more complicated, especially once Microsoft, Apple and a consortium of other tech giants expressed their support.

JoystiqEvents 2012: SOPA originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Jan 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>billcensorshipcongressevents-2012house-of-representativesinternetlawlegallegislationPIPApoliticssenateSOPAWed, 02 Jan 2013 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Civilization 2 10-year-game predicts nuclear wasteland future, Sid Meier 'can't believe' it]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/15/civilization-2-10-year-game-predicts-nuclear-wasteland-future-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/15/civilization-2-10-year-game-predicts-nuclear-wasteland-future-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/15/civilization-2-10-year-game-predicts-nuclear-wasteland-future-s/#comments Sid Meier 'can't believe' 10yearlong Civ 2 game's nuclear wasteland future scenarioA few days ago, a thread on Reddit revolving around a tense Civilization 2 match received quite a bit of attention. Within the thread, user Lycerius detailed a scenario within the game that has been in play for about ten years. The American, Viking, and Celtic nations in his decade long battle remain locked in a 1700-year-long war, fighting over what little resources remain following years of nuclear carnage; in-game the year is 3991 AD. Now Civilization's mastermind, Sid Meier, has weighed-in on the nearly two thousand (in-game) year conflict.

"My first thought was, 'Wow! I can't believe anyone has been playing Civ II for that long,'" Sid Meier told The Associated Press (via Yahoo) in an interview. "It's been more than 15 years since we released that game, and I don't think any of us expected a decade-long game would come out of it. It would be amazing if we could come back in 2025 and find out if someone's had a 10-year game of Civ V going."

We note, for future generations, not to look to the global landscape in Lycerius' Civilization 2 match for hints into our own destiny. It's just a game. We wouldn't want this intense match to become the Mayan calendar equivalent for our family in the far-flung future.

JoystiqCivilization 2 10-year-game predicts nuclear wasteland future, Sid Meier 'can't believe' it originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Jun 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>civilization-2Firaxis-GamespcpoliticsredditSid-MeierFri, 15 Jun 2012 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[R18+ bill goes before Australian parliament in February]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/r18-bill-goes-before-australian-parliament-in-february/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/r18-bill-goes-before-australian-parliament-in-february/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/r18-bill-goes-before-australian-parliament-in-february/#comments
A bill to allow an R18+ rating for games in Australia will be introduced to the parliament in February, Gamespot AU reports. Federal Minister for Home Affairs Jason Clare plans to introduce the bill during the first session in parliament this year, expected to commence February 7.

Once introduced, the bill has to make its way through both houses, which have shown support for the bill. Even after all that, depending on the speed of the Classification Board, the R18+ rating could take some time to be in use. The point of the R18+ rating is to create an equivalent to the United States' ESRB "M" and Europe's "PEGI 18," allowing games deemed unsuitable for those under 15 years-of-age to be sold in the country. The current classifications regularly result in the outright banning of games in Australia, or massively toned down versions being produced for the continent.

JoystiqR18+ bill goes before Australian parliament in February originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiaaustralian-classification-boardpoliticsR18ratingsTue, 24 Jan 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EA explains lack of SOPA stance]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/17/ea-explains-lack-of-sopa-stance/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/17/ea-explains-lack-of-sopa-stance/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/17/ea-explains-lack-of-sopa-stance/#comments Responding to a Reddit reader, Electronic Arts corporate communication head Jeff Brown has detailed the publisher's lack of position on the "Stop Online Piracy Act" (SOPA).

"EA has not expressed a position on SOPA," Brown wrote in the letter, noting there was confusion over the holiday about the company's stance on the bill. "We never supported so, naturally, never withdrew. We tried to correct the record but there is still plenty of confusion."

"The game industry's representatives in Washington, Entertainment Software Association, has expressed support for SOPA ... OK true, EA is a member of ESA, and ESA supports SOPA, but we don't think that implies our support. Among ESA members, some support, some oppose, some take no position."

SOPA is currently shelved while the House "address outstanding concerns and work to build consensus."

JoystiqEA explains lack of SOPA stance originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic-artsesajeff-brownpoliticssopaTue, 17 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[ESA members asked individually about SOPA, some respond]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/06/sopa-list-esa/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/06/sopa-list-esa/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/06/sopa-list-esa/#comments Rock, Paper, Shotgun collaborated in obtaining responses.
The Entertainment Software Association's support of the "Stop Online Piracy Act" has led us to ask every member of the video game industry's lobbying and political group to publicly declare its stance on the bill. The ESA's continued support means every member, by proxy, is a supporter of the bill.

Some companies have pulled their logos from supporting SOPA documentation to dodge ire, while others are hiding behind rhetoric, as you'll see below. Joystiq contacted every member of the ESA and requested a declarative statement on SOPA. After the break we've listed the responses we've received, along with others we found. We continue to seek clarity on this issue from every member of the ESA.

This will become the page we update as we receive responses and clear declarative statements, so feel free to bookmark.

(Joystiq does not support SOPA, nor does our parent company.)

Continue reading ESA members asked individually about SOPA, some respond

JoystiqESA members asked individually about SOPA, some respond originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>345-games38-studios505-gamescapcomdeep-silverdisneydisney-interactiveeaeidoseidos-interactiveelectronic-artsEntertainment-software-associationepic-gamesESAfutureher-interactiveignition-entertainmentkonamilevel-5microsoftnamconatsumenexonnintendonivalnvidiao-gamesperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpoliticssegaslangsonysony-online-entertainmentSOPAsquare-enixstop-online-piracy-acttake-twotake-two-interactivethqtrionubisoftwarner-bros-interactivewbieFri, 06 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[ESA member Epic Games speaks out against SOPA [Update: So do 38 Studios and Trion]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/05/esa-member-epic-games-speaks-out-against-sopa/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/05/esa-member-epic-games-speaks-out-against-sopa/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/05/esa-member-epic-games-speaks-out-against-sopa/#comments Epic Games, developer of the Gears of War series and member of the Entertainment Software Association, last night came out against the proposed "Stop Online Piracy Act" (SOPA).

"We do not support the current version of SOPA," Epic Games senior PR manager Dana Cowley wrote in a public letter posted to the North Carolina company's forums. "We are members of the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), a trade organization that is working with legislators to refine the bill," she said, referring to the ESA's letter of support for the proposed legislation released earlier this week.

She added, "Epic Games supports efforts that would stop overseas websites profiting from pirating our games, but we have to do that in a way that's compatible with freedom of speech and due process of law."

Epic is the first member of the ESA - the political lobbying arm of the game industry - to speak out against SOPA, but we suspect it won't be the last. We've dropped a list of remaining ESA members after the break who have yet to rescind support for the proposed legislation.

Update: 38 Studios is also against SOPA, writing on its Facebook wall, "Based on the SOPA bill's current structure, 38 Studios believes that the bill requires further restructuring and review to ensure it both preserves rights and protects intellectual properties. Please know that we take this issue very seriously," as spotted by Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Trion also has come out against the proposed legislation, writing on its forums, "We definitely do not support SOPA. We'll be calling the ESA about this after the holiday weekend."

Continue reading ESA member Epic Games speaks out against SOPA [Update: So do 38 Studios and Trion]

JoystiqESA member Epic Games speaks out against SOPA [Update: So do 38 Studios and Trion] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 08:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dana-cowleyentertainment-software-associationepicepic-gamesesalobbyingpoliticssopaThu, 05 Jan 2012 08:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo, EA and Sony also rescind SOPA support]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/30/nintendo-ea-and-sony-also-rescind-sopa-support/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/30/nintendo-ea-and-sony-also-rescind-sopa-support/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/30/nintendo-ea-and-sony-also-rescind-sopa-support/#comments Nintendo, Electronic Arts and Sony Electronics have apparently followed the example of Microsoft and the Business Software Alliance, and have removed their corporate monikers from the list of supporters for the increasingly unpopular Stop Online Piracy Act. None of the three companies have commented on why they reversed their position on the controversial bill, but we imagine its because endorsing it makes the internet pretty angry with you. When asked, EA corporate told Joystiq this afternoon, "EA never expressed a position for or against SOPA." Sony and Nintendo had yet to respond as of publishing.

Note that not all of Sony's miscellaneous branches have rescinded their support, as Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Sony Music Entertainment and Sony Music Nashville still appear on the list. Also, the Entertainment Software Association is still shown as a supporter -- an organization which the aforementioned publishers (among others) belong to. Whether the group will remain on an endorsement list which exactly zero of its members appear on remains to be seen.

JoystiqNintendo, EA and Sony also rescind SOPA support originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Dec 2011 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dscongressdseaelectronic-artsnintendopiracyplaystationplaystation-vitapoliticsps3pspsonysopavitawiiwii-uFri, 30 Dec 2011 18:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Real-world political campaigning headed to Farmville]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/26/real-world-political-campaigning-headed-to-farmville/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/26/real-world-political-campaigning-headed-to-farmville/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/26/real-world-political-campaigning-headed-to-farmville/#comments You can tell a lot about a person based on their agricultural lot in Farmville: For instance, one look at our fertile lands, and you'll know we're firm supporters of firm arugula, well-fed livestock and laying out pumpkin patches in the shapes of genitalia. Also, if you check back in a few months, you'll be able to tell how much we love ex-New York gubernatorial candidate and Rent is Too Damn High Party founder Jimmy McMillan, because we'll have his campaign signs plastered all over our farmgrounds.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, political marketing consultant Michael Hendrix says Farmville will allow players to post candidate signage and do door-to-door campaigning later this year. Hendrix works for the Michelle Bachmann presidential campaign, and didn't specify whether users could campaign for any other candidates. We've contacted Zynga to find out the specifics.

Also, we should be more specific: We're talking about campaigning for real-life political positions. Not the mayor of Farmville, a position we'd still probably vote to fill with Jimmy McMillan. (Come on, that facial hair? How could we not?)

JoystiqReal-world political campaigning headed to Farmville originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>facebookfarmvillepcpoliticssocial-networkingzyngaMon, 26 Sep 2011 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GOP presidential candidate quoted Pokemon: The Movie 2000. Four times.]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/13/gop-presidential-candidate-quoted-pokemon-the-movie-2000-four/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/13/gop-presidential-candidate-quoted-pokemon-the-movie-2000-four/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/13/gop-presidential-candidate-quoted-pokemon-the-movie-2000-four/#comments
Herman Cain, a Republican presidential candidate from Georgia, doesn't only want to catch the executive seat; he's on a quest to catch the public's attention, the media's focus and probably a baseball or two. In other words, what's we're getting at is this: he's gotta catch 'em all. In Thursday night's Republican primary debate in Iowa, Cain quoted "a poet" as having once said, "Life can be a challenge, life can seem impossible, but it's never easy when there's so much on the line" (3:31 below). These are lyrics from "The Power of One," a song written for Pokemon: The Movie 2000 by "poet" Donna Summer.

This could be dismissed as a charming flub, if only it was the first time Cain had used Pokemon lyrics in a political speech. Cain quotes the line on what appears to be his official website (attributing it to the 2000 Olympics closing song, which it's not), at his official campaign announcement in May, and at the Republican Leadership Conference in June. Maybe it's a secret message that if he wins the presidency, he'll replace all US court systems with Pokemon tournaments, because that's the only way to be sure justice is truly upheld. Maybe.

Continue reading GOP presidential candidate quoted Pokemon: The Movie 2000. Four times.

JoystiqGOP presidential candidate quoted Pokemon: The Movie 2000. Four times. originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 13 Aug 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Donna-SummerHerman-CainiowapcPokemon-the-movie-2000politicsPresident-2012presidential-candidaterepublicansthe-power-of-oneSat, 13 Aug 2011 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Australia to introduce R18+ rating in next few months (if all goes well)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/australia-to-introduce-r18-rating-in-next-few-months-if-all-go/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/australia-to-introduce-r18-rating-in-next-few-months-if-all-go/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/australia-to-introduce-r18-rating-in-next-few-months-if-all-go/#comments
Australia may finally have an R18+ classification for video games by year's end - if some last-minute politics don't derail proceedings. Gamespot reports that the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General have agreed to an adult rating, equivalent to the ESRB's "M" in the United States and "PEGI 18" of Europe, which would allow games deemed unsuitable for those 15 and younger to be sold in the region.

The snag in the current proceedings is that New South Wales Attorney-General Greg Smith abstained from the vote (the other eight territories agreed to move forward with an R18+ classification), delaying the process. Changing the National Classification Code requires the unanimous agreement of the nine censorship ministers. Smith said he would have a decision soon.

If all the Attorneys-General end up agreeing, Federal Minister for Home Affairs Brendan O'Connor can begin drafting the legislation necessary for an R18+ rating for games. We hope it works out, because the new Mortal Kombat (effectively banned in Australia) is pretty awesome.

JoystiqAustralia to introduce R18+ rating in next few months (if all goes well) originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 11:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Australiadsmicrosoftnintendoplaystationpoliticsps3pspR18sonywiixboxFri, 22 Jul 2011 11:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Louisiana enhancing its tax incentives for game developers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/12/louisiana-enhancing-its-tax-incentives-for-game-developers/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/12/louisiana-enhancing-its-tax-incentives-for-game-developers/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/12/louisiana-enhancing-its-tax-incentives-for-game-developers/#comments Since 2005, Louisiana has offered game developers and other software producers one of the most attractive deals in the US: the Digital Media Tax Credit, which affords applicable tech companies a 25 percent tax credit and 35 percent payroll tax credit. That deal is getting even sweeter in the coming months, as Governor Bobby Jindal has signed a bill which allows developers to take that credit in cold, hard cash, provided it's not all soaked up by their tax liability.

Not many developers are taking advantage of the boot-shape state's hospitality, though EA's facility on the LSU campus is sure to benefit from the expansion, as will Gameloft's soon-to-be-opened New Orleans studio.

JoystiqLouisiana enhancing its tax incentives for game developers originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Jul 2011 01:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bobby-jindaleagameloftlouisianalsupoliticstax-credittaxesTue, 12 Jul 2011 01:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Game developers bullish about Australian tax break bill]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/07/game-developers-bullish-about-australian-tax-break-bill/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/07/game-developers-bullish-about-australian-tax-break-bill/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/07/game-developers-bullish-about-australian-tax-break-bill/#comments Game Developers Association of Australia CEO Tony Reed is, as you might imagine, a big fan of the $1.9 billion tax break for video game research and development that's making its way through the nation's government. Speaking to Gamespot, Reed explained, "No matter how big or small a studio is, this is the kind of thing that will encourage development. It is designed with our own independence, creativity, and innovation in mind."

He added that his organization harbors a lofty goal: To "prepare Australia to become one of the top three territories in the world for game development within the next five years." The country has a ways to go before they can recover from the games industry's 50 percent reduction in workforce, but five years is an awfully long time in the tech world. And, it should go without saying, almost-two billion dollars is a lot of dollars.

JoystiqGame developers bullish about Australian tax break bill originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Jul 2011 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiagdaagovernmentpoliticsr18tax-breaktaxesThu, 07 Jul 2011 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Senate Bill 978 not much of a danger to YouTube game runthroughs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/06/senate-bill-978-not-much-of-a-danger-to-youtube-game-runthroughs/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/06/senate-bill-978-not-much-of-a-danger-to-youtube-game-runthroughs/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/06/senate-bill-978-not-much-of-a-danger-to-youtube-game-runthroughs/#comments When we're too busy to actually play Gitaroo Man, we happily resort to watching "Let's Play" runthrough videos of Gitaroo Man. Unfortunately, an addendum to federal copyright laws currently working its way through our country's legislative channels seeks to make streaming videos of copyrighted content just as illegal as pirating films -- the penalties for which are displayed every time you start up a video. Fortunately, This is My Next has explained why this law wouldn't find much traction in stopping these kinds of nostalgic walkthroughs from being uploaded.

The statute can only be enforced in instances where uploaders are "willfully" infringing on a copyright with intent to make money, and is only punishable if said uploader makes (or the game company loses) over $2,500. That's probably not true about a vast majority of the walkthroughs on streaming video sites, meaning our vicarious Gitarooing should continue unabated.

JoystiqSenate Bill 978 not much of a danger to YouTube game runthroughs originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Jul 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>copyright-infringementlawlegislationpoliticssenatesenate-bill-978Wed, 06 Jul 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Interplay says Bethesda knew Fallout MMO would, in fact, be a Fallout game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/29/interplay-says-bethesda-knew-fallout-mmo-would-in-fact-be-a-fa/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/29/interplay-says-bethesda-knew-fallout-mmo-would-in-fact-be-a-fa/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/29/interplay-says-bethesda-knew-fallout-mmo-would-in-fact-be-a-fa/#comments Just a couple of days after watching our nation's highest legal officers debate the impact of video games across this great country, it's time for us to return to a much sillier gaming lawsuit. Gamasutra obtained a June 23 court filing issued by Interplay regarding the developer's legally troubled Fallout MMO. The filing comes as a response to a preliminary injunction filed by Bethesda which attempted to prevent Interplay from using the franchise's story, setting and characters in their online opus.

Interplay's counter-filing explains, "For at least four years, Bethesda has known that Interplay interpreted its right to create the Fallout-branded MMOG to include copyrighted content from the Fallout universe in order to make the MMOG a recognizable Fallout game." We don't know, guys -- that seems a little unreasonable. When we heard Interplay was working on a Fallout MMO, we just assumed it would be a massively multiplayer online puzzle-platformer set in a colorful, kid-friendly version of ancient Rome.

JoystiqInterplay says Bethesda knew Fallout MMO would, in fact, be a Fallout game originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Jun 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdafalloutfallout-onlineinterplayiplawlawsuitlegalmmopcpoliticstrademarkWed, 29 Jun 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Victory lap: ESA responds to Supreme Court decision]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/27/victory-lap-esa-responds-to-supreme-court-decision/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/27/victory-lap-esa-responds-to-supreme-court-decision/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/27/victory-lap-esa-responds-to-supreme-court-decision/#comments After battling the state of California since 2005, the Entertainment Software Association met the Supreme Court's historic decision today to classify video games as protected speech with both great joy and, we imagine, a tinge of sadness. During a press call this afternoon, ESA prez Michael Gallagher fielded question after question about the case, the court's dissenting opinions, and the likelihood of future legislation trying to curb the sale of violent games.

"This is the thirteenth consecutive decsion, and obviously the most important," Gallagher said, "upholding the first-amendment rights of video game developers and video game companies." After the Supreme Court decided to hear the California case, Gallagher says that the ESA has "seen a very steady drop-off in the volume of legislation targeted at content in our industry." In fact, "there's only a single federal bill that addresses these issues at the moment and it has at least one or no co-sponsors," Gallagher said proudly.

Continue reading Victory lap: ESA responds to Supreme Court decision

JoystiqVictory lap: ESA responds to Supreme Court decision originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AB-1179brown-vs-EMAEntertainment-software-associationESAMichael-GallagherpoliticsSchwarzenegger-v-EMASCOTUSMon, 27 Jun 2011 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Supreme Court's Brown v. EMA opinions: A digest]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/27/supreme-courts-brown-v-ema-opinions-a-digest/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/27/supreme-courts-brown-v-ema-opinions-a-digest/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/27/supreme-courts-brown-v-ema-opinions-a-digest/#comments Between the majority, concurring and dissenting opinions published in today's Supreme Court decision on Brown v. EMA, there's a good 92 pages of legalese for enthusiastic gaming activists to pore over. If you don't feel like flipping through a novella of legal documents in search of relevant, easily digestible bits, feel free to check out some highlights from each opinion, which we've compiled after the jump!

Continue reading Supreme Court's Brown v. EMA opinions: A digest

JoystiqSupreme Court's Brown v. EMA opinions: A digest originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ab-1179brown-v-emacaliforniacourtecaemaesaesrblawpoliticsSchwarzeneggerSchwarzenegger-v-EMAscotussupreme-courtMon, 27 Jun 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Analysis: What today's Supreme Court decision means to us]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/27/analysis-what-todays-supreme-court-decision-means-to-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/27/analysis-what-todays-supreme-court-decision-means-to-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/27/analysis-what-todays-supreme-court-decision-means-to-us/#comments In 2005, California state legislature passed Assembly Bill 1179, a law penned by Democratic state senator Leland Yee which prohibited the sale of violent video games to minors. The law mandated the application of special stickers to titles deemed too violent, and slapped retail employees who sold those games to anyone under the age of 18 with a maximum $1,000 fine. The law was signed by then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, but was struck down by the United States District Court for the Northern District of California before it could be enforced.

Following an unsuccessful appeal of that decision in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the law's progenitors petitioned for a hearing in the United States Supreme Court. The petition was successful, the case was argued last November and, earlier today, seven of the nine Supreme Court Justices decided to uphold the decision of the lower courts: California Assembly Bill 1179 violates the First Amendment rights afforded to all forms of media in the United States.

This decision obviously doesn't just affect Californian teenagers with a penchant for video games above their maturity level. It represents a vote of confidence in games and the non-governmental agency (see: The ESRB) which regulates their sale.

Continue reading Analysis: What today's Supreme Court decision means to us

JoystiqAnalysis: What today's Supreme Court decision means to us originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ab-1179censorshipecaesafirst-amendmentlawleland-yeepoliticsSchwarzeneggerSchwarzenegger-v-EMAscotussupreme-courtMon, 27 Jun 2011 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Supreme Court strikes down violent game-banning California law]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/27/supreme-court-strikes-down-violent-game-banning-california-law/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/27/supreme-court-strikes-down-violent-game-banning-california-law/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/27/supreme-court-strikes-down-violent-game-banning-california-law/#comments The Supreme Court of the United States has issued its opinions on Brown v. The Entertainment Merchants Association, a case which argued the Constitutionality of a (since struck down) California state law which banned the sale of "violent" video games to minors. The majority opinion, decided upon by seven of the court's nine Justices, is to once again strike down the law.

The majority opinion, in clear terms, states:
Like the protected books, plays, and movies that preceded them, video games communicate ideas-and even social messages-through many familiar literary devices (such as characters, dialogue, plot, and music) and through features distinctive to the medium (such as the player's interaction with the virtual world). That suffices to confer First Amendment protection. Under our Constitution, "esthetic and moral judgments about art and literature . . . are for the individual to make, not for the Government to decree, even with the mandate or approval of a majority."
The decision falls in line with other decisions of the lower courts regarding video game-banning legislation, such as the respective decisions of the Northern District of California Court and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, both of which found the law unconstitutional. There was, of course, a dissenting opinion (in this case, representing the concerns of Justices Thomas and Breyer) which states:
The practices and beliefs of the founding generation establish that "the freedom of speech," as originally understood, does not include a right to speak to minors (or a right of minors to access speech) without going through the minors' parents or guardians. I would hold that the law at issue is not facially unconstitutional under the First Amendment, and reverse and remand for further proceedings.
We're sure to hear more from the Entertainment Software Association and other games lobbying groups in the coming hours, but the word from the highest court in the land is a promising one: Games, regardless of content, deserve the same First Amendment protections afforded to all other forms of expression in the United States.

Continue reading Supreme Court strikes down violent game-banning California law

JoystiqSupreme Court strikes down violent game-banning California law originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 10:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ab-1179californiaesafirst-amendmentlawpoliticsSchwarzenegger-v-EMAscotussupreme-courtMon, 27 Jun 2011 10:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Australia passes $1.9 billion tax break for games industry R&D]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/17/australia-passes-1-9-billion-tax-break-for-games-industry-randd/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/17/australia-passes-1-9-billion-tax-break-for-games-industry-randd/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/17/australia-passes-1-9-billion-tax-break-for-games-industry-randd/#comments The Australian video game industry has suffered blow after blow over the past few years, having lost approximately half of its workforce and a number of its major development studios since 2008. Fortunately, Australian state officials have passed a bill which, when it goes into effect next month, will provide a $1.9 billion tax break for game developers to spend on research and development.

It's wonderful that the country's leaders are doing something to help revive Australia's floundering game development scene -- though we're a bit surprised that certain government representatives didn't try to attach an amendment to the bill, saying that the money could only be used to develop games about hugging and manners. (Snark aside, that game actually sounds awesome. Please make that game.)

JoystiqAustralia passes $1.9 billion tax break for games industry R&D originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Jun 2011 21:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiapoliticsr18tax-breakFri, 17 Jun 2011 21:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Supreme Court decision on Schwarzenegger v. EMA possibly coming this week [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/supreme-court-decision-on-schwarzenegger-v-ema-possibly-coming/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/supreme-court-decision-on-schwarzenegger-v-ema-possibly-coming/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/supreme-court-decision-on-schwarzenegger-v-ema-possibly-coming/#comments According to SCOTUSblog, a site dedicated to tracking the activity of the head of our nation's Judicial Branch, a decision on November's hearing of Schwarzenegger v. EMA (now Brown v. EMA, reflecting California's new, assumedly punier governor) will be released this week. The hearing was held to review a California law which prohibited the sale of mature games to minors -- a law which was attacked due to its ambiguity in defining what constituted a mature game.

The blog expects the court to either issue its opinion on Brown v. EMA today or Thursday -- we'll make sure to let you know where they come down. Personally, we really hope they decide in favor of the EMA, as this would be a kind of a bummer of a week for video games to be totally outlawed. (That's probably not going to happen.)

Update: Though the Supreme Court was expected to rule this week, it looks like they'll be holding their decision for a later date. The SCOTUS session ends the week of June 27, and though the court could conceivably extend the session, a decision is expected before then.

JoystiqSupreme Court decision on Schwarzenegger v. EMA possibly coming this week [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ab-1179courtlawlegalpoliticsSchwarzenegger-v-EMAsupreme-courtMon, 06 Jun 2011 12:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Congress sends inquiry to Sony about PSN security breach]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/30/congress-sends-inquiry-to-sony-about-psn-security-breach/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/30/congress-sends-inquiry-to-sony-about-psn-security-breach/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/30/congress-sends-inquiry-to-sony-about-psn-security-breach/#comments The list of organizations Sony's going to be answering to about the PlayStation Network security breach is growing with alarming speed. The latest addition to the horde is the United States House of Representatives Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, which sent a letter to executive deputy president Kazuo Hirai yesterday with a number of inquiries about the nature of the breach, as well as the company's response to its consumers' collective exposure.

The letter, which was penned by subcommittee chair and California representative Mary Bono Mack, imposes questions including why the company is unsure whether users' credit card info was taken, as well as what steps Sony's taking to prevent future breaches. We're assuming that the question of "When's the PSN coming back online, because some of us are trying to get some Portal 2 co-op Trophies over here," was omitted, as it was found to not be "governmenty" enough.

JoystiqCongress sends inquiry to Sony about PSN security breach originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 30 Apr 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>congresshouse-of-representativeskaz-hiraioutageplaystationpoliticsps3psnpsn-outage-2011pspsonySat, 30 Apr 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[South Australian AG will support R18+ rating if 15+ is scrapped]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/south-australian-ag-will-support-r18-if-ma-15-is-scrapped/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/south-australian-ag-will-support-r18-if-ma-15-is-scrapped/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/south-australian-ag-will-support-r18-if-ma-15-is-scrapped/#comments South Australian Attorney-General John Rau will support the introduction of the long-awaited R18+ classification for games in the region, if the country gets rid of MA15+. Rau's version of video games would change the system to G, PG, M (PG-13) and R18+.

"At the moment, the MA15+ classification is like a crossover point between what is acceptable and what is unacceptable," Rau said, reports ABC News. "We want that to be a very clear gap. We will have a new classification R18+ and the MA15+ will disappear."

Australia's Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor, who has all but demanded that the various, resistant attorneys-general meet and come to a consensus on an R18+ rating for video game at a meeting in July.

JoystiqSouth Australian AG will support R18+ rating if 15+ is scrapped originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Apr 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiama15mortal-kombat-2011politicsR18Thu, 28 Apr 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Australian AG Clark hesitant to pass R18+ rating]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/05/australian-ag-clark-hesitant-to-pass-r18-rating/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/05/australian-ag-clark-hesitant-to-pass-r18-rating/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/05/australian-ag-clark-hesitant-to-pass-r18-rating/#comments According to a report from The Age, the long-debated Australian R18+ games rating may be shot down again during a July meeting of the nation's Attorneys-General, despite receiving the full support of the federal government. Victoria AG Robert Clark has expressed concern over the proposed ratings adoption, saying he's worried the new classification "would legalize games with high levels of graphic, frequent and gratuitous violence, including violence against civilians and police."

Clark shares the concerns of Australian Christian Lobby director Rob Ward, who said the Classification Board was "asleep at the wheel" when it granted titles like Grand Theft Auto 4 and House of the Dead: Overkill MA15+ ratings, allowing them to be released in the territory. Ward added, "that's not a reason to create an R18+ category. That's a reason to clip them behind the ear." Whoa, there, fella. Now who's being violent?

[Thanks, Shane]

JoystiqAustralian AG Clark hesitant to pass R18+ rating originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acbAustraliabanoflcpoliticsr18ratingsrobert-clarkvictoriaTue, 05 Apr 2011 04:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PS3 shipments blocked in Europe as LG wins preliminary injunction]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/28/ps3-shipments-blocked-in-europe-as-lg-wins-preliminary-injunctio/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/28/ps3-shipments-blocked-in-europe-as-lg-wins-preliminary-injunctio/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/28/ps3-shipments-blocked-in-europe-as-lg-wins-preliminary-injunctio/#comments The struggle between hardware manufacturing juggernauts Sony and LG -- the latter of which claims that the PS3 infringes on a number of its patents relating to Blu-ray technology -- has finally drawn some blood. The civil court of justice in the Hague has granted LG a preliminary injunction for customs to seize and confiscate all PS3s coming into Europe (from manufacturing plants, etc.) for up to ten days. The Guardian reports that the collected consoles are temporarily being kept in Dutch warehouses until the case moves forward.

According to the Guardian, retailers are expected to have enough PS3s to last two to three weeks. Sony has the right to file an appeal to the patents office -- but far more than some boxed-up consoles collecting dust is on the line. Should the court ultimately rule in favor of LG, the console maker would be forced to compensate the company for every single PS3 sold around the world. We've contacted Sony for a comment.

JoystiqPS3 shipments blocked in Europe as LG wins preliminary injunction originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 15:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blu-rayeuropehagueinjunctionlawlawsuitlgplaystationpoliticsps3sonyMon, 28 Feb 2011 15:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Leland Yee and Activision VP to debate if games should be restricted]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/25/leland-yee-and-activision-vp-to-debate-if-games-should-be-restri/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/25/leland-yee-and-activision-vp-to-debate-if-games-should-be-restri/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/25/leland-yee-and-activision-vp-to-debate-if-games-should-be-restri/#comments Thursday, Thursday, Thursday, March 17! Make your way down to the San Francisco Commonwealth Club to see two titans of the "violent games" debate square off in an argumentative deathmatch. We're speaking, of course, of Activision vice president George Rose and California state legislator Leland Yee, who authored the infamous AB-1179; the mature game ban bill that made its way up to the Supreme Court in November.

The two men will be debating the bill alongside Stanford Constitutional Law Center director Michael McConnell, with San Francisco Chronicle editor John Diaz serving as moderator, in a panel appropriately titled "Should Sales of Violent Video Games Be Restricted?"

If you're in the Bay area, you can grab your tickets now. You're not going to want to miss it. We hear there's gonna be points and counterpoints.

JoystiqLeland Yee and Activision VP to debate if games should be restricted originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ab-1179californiadebategeorge-roseleland-yeepoliticsviolent-game-billFri, 25 Feb 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[ESA General Counsel Kenneth Doroshow moves on]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/29/esa-general-counsel-kenneth-doroshow-moves-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/29/esa-general-counsel-kenneth-doroshow-moves-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/29/esa-general-counsel-kenneth-doroshow-moves-on/#comments The Entertainment Software Association has confirmed to Gamasutra that its General Counsel, Kenneth Doroshow, has left the organization to join forces with Burford Group, an investment advising firm based in Washington D.C.. You might remember Doroshow for his work in the Schwarzenegger v. EMA Supreme Court hearing last November, in which -- we think we can all agree -- the dude dunked all over the opposition's legal representatives. Like, he slam dunked it in their faces, and was all like, "Booyah," basically.

We wish Doroshow the best of luck with his new position, and hope the remainder of his career is marked by multitudes of equally boombastic, totally nasty slamma-jammas.

JoystiqESA General Counsel Kenneth Doroshow moves on originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 29 Jan 2011 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ab-1179emaesageneral-counselkenneth-doroshowlawpoliticsSchwarzenegger-v-EMAsupreme-courtSat, 29 Jan 2011 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Activision's George Rose calls out supporters of California violent game law]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/31/activisions-george-rose-calls-out-supporters-of-california-viol/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/31/activisions-george-rose-calls-out-supporters-of-california-viol/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/31/activisions-george-rose-calls-out-supporters-of-california-viol/#comments Activision Blizzard vice president and chief public policy officer George Rose has once again sounded off against attacks on his industry's First Amendment protections. This time, it's in the form of an editorial for the San Francisco Chronicle which tears down the supporters of AB-1179, the California law which prohibited the sale of "excessively violent" games to minors. The law will not go into effect in 2011 due to its repeal by the federal courts -- but that didn't prevent Rose from venting some steam regarding the former law's endorsers.

"Sadly, supporters will accept nothing less than more laws, subbing for parents, that the state can't afford to enforce," Rose wrote. "So to whip up drama and hysteria where none justifiably exists, zealots supporting this movement cite the worst of the worst by harking back to video game dinosaurs like 1997's Postal." Rose argues that no other medium is judged based on one title, so doing so is "disingenuous" in the case of games. Ironically enough, you know what movie we'd use to pass judgment on the movie industry? Postal. Convenient, right?

JoystiqActivision's George Rose calls out supporters of California violent game law originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 31 Dec 2010 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ab-1179activisionactivision-blizzardcaliforniaeditorialgeorge-roselawpoliticssupreme-courtFri, 31 Dec 2010 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[South Australian Attorney General wants to remove MA15+ games rating]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/15/south-australian-attorney-general-wants-to-remove-ma15-games-ra/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/15/south-australian-attorney-general-wants-to-remove-ma15-games-ra/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/15/south-australian-attorney-general-wants-to-remove-ma15-games-ra/#comments Australia's Standing Committee of Attorneys-General are in the process of actively discussing the implementation of a (long overdue) R18+ rating for games in the territory, following the approval of said rating by the nation's federal cabinet earlier this month. However, South Australian AG John Rau recently introduced a thought-provoking idea to the committee: Should the R18+ rating be adopted, Rau believes that the MA15+ rating currently used by the Australian Classification Board should be removed altogether.

Rau, who replaced longtime anti-R18+ advocate Michael Atkinson earlier this year, explained to Gamespot, "My reason for wanting to get rid of MA15+ if an R18+ is passed is that it will provide a crisper delineation between adults-only games and games that are for children." He later added, "if MA15+ comes out of the mix altogether, I think parents will have a clearer idea what games are for children, and what games are for adults."

Should the MA15+ rating be repealed, the next-lowest rating used by the ACB would be M, which the board applies to games which "contain material that requires a mature perspective, but is still not enough to be deemed too strong for younger viewers." There's no age restriction applied to these games at Australian retailers, making it roughly equivalent to the Teen classification used by the ESRB. Rau's got a compelling argument, here -- but it won't make much of a difference if the Committee fails to approve the R18+ rating in the first place. C'mon, guys! We believe in you!

JoystiqSouth Australian Attorney General wants to remove MA15+ games rating originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Dec 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attorney-generalaustraliaaustralian-classification-boardbanningcensorshipjohn-rauma15politicsr18ratingsWed, 15 Dec 2010 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Australian federal cabinet approves R18+ games rating, passing along to AGs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/05/australian-federal-cabinet-approves-r18-games-rating-passing-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/05/australian-federal-cabinet-approves-r18-games-rating-passing-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/05/australian-federal-cabinet-approves-r18-games-rating-passing-a/#comments Australian gamers who are also grown-ass adults are now one huge step closer to getting their hands on mature games currently deemed too perverse to be released in their homeland. Australia's federal cabinet recently approved the R18+ rating for video games which has eluded the country for many years, resulting in the outright banning of games like Aliens vs. Predator or the censoring of titles like Left 4 Dead 2.

Members of the cabinet explained to News.com.au that the new rating was actually created in response to the too-mature games that slipped under the MA15+ rating, exposing 15-year-olds to content that they really need three extra years under their belt to digest. Whatever the reason, we certainly hope the long-overdue measure will be approved by the nation's Attorneys General when the delegates meet later this week.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

JoystiqAustralian federal cabinet approves R18+ games rating, passing along to AGs originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 05 Dec 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attorney-generalaustraliagovernmentpoliticsr18ratingsSun, 05 Dec 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[ECA rally before the Supreme Court violent game hearing captured on video]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/30/eca-rally-before-the-supreme-court-violent-game-hearing-captured/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/30/eca-rally-before-the-supreme-court-violent-game-hearing-captured/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/30/eca-rally-before-the-supreme-court-violent-game-hearing-captured/#comments Though you've probably heard plenty of empirical evidence on Xbox Live to the contrary, gamers are capable of being angry about something without totally losing their minds. Check out the video below of the ECA rally held before Schwarzenegger v. EMA to see how cooler heads prevailed in D.C.

Continue reading ECA rally before the Supreme Court violent game hearing captured on video

JoystiqECA rally before the Supreme Court violent game hearing captured on video originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ab-1179ecaemapoliticsSchwarzeneggerSchwarzenegger-v-EMAsupreme-courtTue, 30 Nov 2010 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NBA JAM trailer features the Washington D.C. Globetrotters]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/03/nba-jam-trailer-features-the-washington-d-c-globetrotters/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/03/nba-jam-trailer-features-the-washington-d-c-globetrotters/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/03/nba-jam-trailer-features-the-washington-d-c-globetrotters/#comments So, you've still got the burning urge to engage in politics following yesterday's Midterm election? Don't actually get involved with your local government bodies -- that would be ridiculous! Instead, watch this NBA Jam video, which features a bunch of showboating, high-dunking politicians.

Continue reading NBA JAM trailer features the Washington D.C. Globetrotters

JoystiqNBA JAM trailer features the Washington D.C. Globetrotters originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Nov 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ea-canadaea-sportsmicrosoftnba-jamnintendoplaystationpoliticsps3wiixboxWed, 03 Nov 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[ESA confident its case was heard in Supreme Court argument]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/02/esa-confident-its-case-was-heard-in-supreme-court-argument/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/02/esa-confident-its-case-was-heard-in-supreme-court-argument/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/02/esa-confident-its-case-was-heard-in-supreme-court-argument/#comments Following today's oral arguments session in the U.S. Supreme Court case Schwarzenegger v. EMA, representatives from the Entertainment Software Association (they're on the EMA side) held a conference call to discuss how they thought things went. ESA president Michael Gallagher was optimistic, saying, "Today was a historic day, not only for the computer and video game industry, but for the First Amendment." He added, "I think that in court today, you heard every single argument the industry has made, articulated not just by Paul [Smith] ... but by the justices themselves."

"ESA is very, very proud of the work that was done by Paul," Gallagher said. "The argument today was very lively, the justices were very informed and the dialogue clearly established that video games are entitled to the same treatment as movies, music, books and other forms of entertainment."

Jenner and Block counsel of record Paul Smith, who presented the EMA's arguments during today's hearings, was similarly optimistic. He offered his opinion that the representative from California's arguments didn't satisfy the "strict scrutiny" requirements needed to revoke video games' First Amendment protections. He added, "Though there's obviously a great deal of complexity in the whole thing -- and it's very difficult to come away knowing with any sense of confidence where the court's going to come down specifically -- we do feel pretty good about having all of our arguments aired, and getting a lot of traction."

ESA general counsel and senior vice president Kenneth Doroshow echoed Smith's confidence, saying, "It was gratifying to hear all of the themes we had presented in our papers echoed by one or more justices at various times throughout the day. We feel very confident that our case was heard as thoroughly and carefully as it can be."

"There's really no way to know for sure how this is going to come out," Doroshow said, "but we at least feel good that the best case possible was put forward for the industry and our position."

JoystiqESA confident its case was heard in Supreme Court argument originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 16:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ab-1179californiaemaesalawpoliticsSchwarzeneggersupreme-courtTue, 02 Nov 2010 16:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Transcripts from Supreme Court's violent game case available now]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/02/transcripts-from-supreme-courts-violent-game-case-available-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/02/transcripts-from-supreme-courts-violent-game-case-available-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/02/transcripts-from-supreme-courts-violent-game-case-available-now/#comments You've read about the stakes, you've read about the procedure -- now it's time to read about exactly what went down in the hallowed halls of the U.S. Supreme Court earlier today, when representatives from the Entertainment Software Association and the state of California butted heads over the contentious Schwarzenegger v. EMA case. The Supreme Court's official website recently posted a complete transcript of the oral arguments from both parties -- you can pore over an embedded version of it below.

The 72-page document is quite a read -- we'll update this post periodically with highlights from the proceedings. Click past the jump for more!

Continue reading Transcripts from Supreme Court's violent game case available now

JoystiqTranscripts from Supreme Court's violent game case available now originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 13:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ab-1179banlawpoliticsSchwarzeneggersupreme-courtTue, 02 Nov 2010 13:05:00 EST<![CDATA[ESA General Counsel lays out game industry argument to the Supreme Court]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/01/esa-general-counsel-lays-out-game-industry-argument-to-the-supre/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/01/esa-general-counsel-lays-out-game-industry-argument-to-the-supre/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/01/esa-general-counsel-lays-out-game-industry-argument-to-the-supre/#comments When the clock strikes 10 a.m. tomorrow morning in Washington, D.C., the Supreme Court will begin hearing oral arguments in the case of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger v. Entertainment Merchants Association. By now, you know how the results of this landmark case will affect the video game industry and its consumers -- but who's actually going to bat for the industry in tomorrow's hearings? More importantly, how does that litigatory sausage get made?

Entertainment Software Association general counsel and senior vice president Kenneth Doroshow is one such batter (or sausage-maker, depending on which of the previous metaphors you followed). A media law heavyweight in his own right, Doroshow has served as an executive for the Recording Industry Association of America and as senior counsel the U.S. Department of Justice before joining the ESA in September 2008. Tomorrow, he'll be one of the legal representatives for the Entertainment Merchants Association, responsible for helping it make its side of the argument to the Supreme Court.

Doroshow broke down the specifics of that argument for us earlier today. To learn about the case the ESA is presenting in court tomorrow -- as well as the possible repercussions of the Supreme Court's decision -- check out our Q&A with Doroshow after the jump.

Continue reading ESA General Counsel lays out game industry argument to the Supreme Court

JoystiqESA General Counsel lays out game industry argument to the Supreme Court originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Nov 2010 20:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ab-1179californiaemaentertainment-merchants-associationEntertainment-software-associationesafirst-amendmentkenneth-doroshowlawleland-yeepoliticsSchwarzeneggersupreme-courtMon, 01 Nov 2010 20:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Simulator warns students of dangers of texting while driving]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/01/simulator-warns-students-of-dangers-of-texting-while-driving/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/01/simulator-warns-students-of-dangers-of-texting-while-driving/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/01/simulator-warns-students-of-dangers-of-texting-while-driving/#commentsFiled under: , ,

There are a number of activities you shouldn't perform while operating a motor vehicle, like talking on your cell phone, or eating, or reading Joystiq (seriously, dude, put that smartphone down). The UMass Memorial Medical Center and the Allstate Foundation recently teamed up to create a driving simulator designed to warn high schoolers about a common travel distraction: Sending and receiving text messages.

Not only does the D.R.I.V.E (Distracted Reality an Interactive Virtual Education) program challenge participants with sending a text message while navigating a virtual road, it also puts them in the perspective of the victim of the ensuing crash, and places them in a virtual court to receive penalties recently instated in real-world Massachusetts. Sure, some of the rhetoric from the program's organizers is shmaltzy ("in real life, there is no game over"), but it's certainly a topic worth educating new drivers about.

JoystiqSimulator warns students of dangers of texting while driving originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>allstatedrivinglawpoliticstextingFri, 01 Oct 2010 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Entertainment Software Association files brief in Supreme Court case]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/11/entertainment-software-association-files-brief-in-supreme-court/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/11/entertainment-software-association-files-brief-in-supreme-court/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/11/entertainment-software-association-files-brief-in-supreme-court/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The Entertainment Software Association and Entertainment Merchants Association have voiced their side of the upcoming Supreme Court review of the 2005 California law which prohibits the sale of "offensively violent" games to minors. The two organizations have filed a joint brief in the Supreme Court, which explicitly states (several times) that "the California statute is unnecessary, unwarranted, and unconstitutional."

The brief adds, "it would threaten freedom of expression not just for video games, but for all art forms. It would also tie up our courts in endless debates about what constitutes acceptable creative expression in our media. It protects no one and assaults the constitutional rights of artists and storytellers everywhere." Of course, in these matters, it would be irresponsible for us to side with one of the two involved parties but OH MAN COME ON THE ESA IS TOTALLY RIGHT.

Check out the entirety of the brief on the ESA's official site. Stay tuned -- Schwarzenegger v. Entertainment Merchants Association and Entertainment Software Association will go into oral argument November 2.

JoystiqEntertainment Software Association files brief in Supreme Court case originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 11 Sep 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ab-1179californiaemaesalawpoliticsSchwarzeneggersupreme-courtSat, 11 Sep 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rhode Island politicians speak out against 38 Studios deal]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/11/rhode-island-politicians-speak-out-against-38-studios-deal/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/11/rhode-island-politicians-speak-out-against-38-studios-deal/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/11/rhode-island-politicians-speak-out-against-38-studios-deal/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Though 38 Studios hasn't yet released a video game, it's already bringing together a particular community of people: Rhode Island politicians. The state's Economic Development Corporation (EDC) recently lured the studio over from its current home in Massachusetts with the promise of a $75 million loan -- a sum which just about every Gubernatorial candidate from the state has taken to publicly criticizing since it was first announced.

For instance, Independent candidate Lincoln Chafee called for "the Board to suspend the commitment to 38 Studios," and to reconsider whether its the best way for Rhode Island to spend the loan. Moderate candidate Ken Block released a statement saying "seventy-five million dollars could go a long way to help many small businesses here in Rhode Island," also calling for the deal to be halted. Don't these guys realize that their campaigning might just be imperiling the stability of 450 futurejobs? Cut it out!

JoystiqRhode Island politicians speak out against 38 Studios deal originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Aug 2010 00:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studioscampaigningcurt-schillingloanMassachusettspoliticsrhode-islandWed, 11 Aug 2010 00:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Vietnamese government implements restrictions on online games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/31/vietnamese-government-implements-restrictions-on-online-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/31/vietnamese-government-implements-restrictions-on-online-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/31/vietnamese-government-implements-restrictions-on-online-games/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Citing increased real-life criminal activity originating in the online space, the Vietnamese Ministry of Information and Communication has placed a number of tight restrictions on massively multiplayer titles. These include bans on any and all advertisements for online games, as well as regulations forcing ISPs to shut off service to gaming cafes and retailers after hours.

More drastic is the Ministry's decision to stop allowing any additional online games to come into the nation until further legislation on the matter can be considered. Man, that's harsh! Why can't they follow China's example, and just regulate the content of these games instead of -- oh, wait. Vietnam is doing that as well. Awesome.

JoystiqVietnamese government implements restrictions on online games originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 31 Jul 2010 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bancensorshipmmoonlinepcpoliticsvietnamSat, 31 Jul 2010 07:00:00 EST