Smashing- May 13, 2000 - Andrew Kaufmann
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this column are those of
the participants and the moderator, and do not necessarily reflect
those of the GIA. There is coarse language and potentially offensive
material afoot. Are you wild about arms? I'm glad I have two. Arms.
Don't say we didn't warn you.
Not that anyone cares, but I got to see the Smashing Pumpkins live
again last night. Quite enjoyable. Incredible energy and setlist.
And my ears aren't even ringing only 24 hours later!
Oh yeah, relevant topics, relevant topics... how about this E3 thing?
Yup yup, good stuff going on there. Even though I think I'm glad I
went to the Smashing Pumpkins concert instead.
| The ratings game |
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I think the main problem with Sears and Wards not carrying
M rated games any longer, is one that has not been mentioned
yet- Companies will now avoid the rating like the plague!
Remember last year when there was all that hoopla over Kubrick's
movie Eyes Wide Shut? The movie was headed for the NC-17 rating
because of its gratuitous sex scenes, and that only means very
poor distribution and sales (99% of theatres DON'T show NC-17
movies). So, a quick censoring was needed to bring the movie
down to an R rating. Many said this compromised Kubrick's original
vision, all because a few conservatives thought it was inappropriate
to see what you knew was going on (although I DID see the original,
and you weren't missing much, but it could have been MUCH worse).
Now picture this scenario- Metal Gear Solid 2 features a few
scenes refering to female anatomy, homosexuality, and the like.
Of course, because of Sears and Wards, Konami decides to remove
it in the American version. The thing that scares me the most
about this is that it WILL happen. Will Capcom uphold their
artistic integrity and release Resident Evil 4 uncut, with an
M rating, and tell Sears to screw it?
Definitely not.
This news hasn't been talked about much, but I think it's so
far the #1 gaming-related story of the year. It could have serious
consequences for the American gaming industry.
~Alex
P.S. You've been hyping the DexDrive and telling people to
buy one, but why not wait for the inevitable backward compatable
DexDrive2?
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I'm not a big fan of companies cutting games to make sure they get
a certain rating, but, if you'll recall the long-past Um Jammer Lammy
debate, I don't think it's that big of a deal.
When it comes down to it, will a cut from the game such as Solid
Snake not smoking cigarettes affect how much you enjoy the game? Not
likely, unless you sit around and think to yourself, "Man, I'm
upset that Solid Snake isn't smoking right now!"
I agree with you that Konami will probably just cut the games. Artistic
integrity just isn't worth the tons of possible lost cash to most
companies. And if it were my money, I can't say I'd blame them.
| A blockbuster idea |
|
No i think blockbuster is pretty safe from banning M games.
I mean, its the same as those "Drama" and "Action" movies with
all the naked ladies on the covers. They still rent those out,
despite how many parents would be outraged if little joey brought
one home.
But what prevents Joey from renting one on his own? Its under
18 restricted. And thats the same way my blockbuster has decided
to do its M games. Yup, right on the cover it says "Youth restricted
18+" Its the same stance they've taken on anime as well. So
have no fear, Blockbuster will not stop renting you your porno...
er i mean M rated games, they will simply ask for ID next time
around.
~Alexander3025
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I think that's a pretty fair solution to the problem. But, correct
me if I'm wrong, but a store like Sears doesn't ID to buy an R rated
movie, yet they still carry them... a bit hypocritical, I'm thinking.
But not necessarily bad, as "games" are generally associated
with "children". If anything, a large controversy would
start to separate the association.
I like the ID thing though. Even though I doubt game companies would
be keen on it... it'd mean less sales.
| He's right over there,
officer |
|
Hey AK,
Ohmygodd! That`s about all that was able to escape my mouth
after seeing the brilliance personified that is MGS2: Sons of
Liberty. This already looks like the best game of all time,
or at least up until now.
But then, much like Chris did, I realised that I`m going to
have to wait more than a year to play (I say thee nay - LIVE)
Kojima-san`s newest masterpiece. So, I sought to remedy the
situation. I have kidnapped Mr. Kojima and he wants to address
the world, freely - it`s not like I`m pointing a loaded Luger
9mm at his nether-regions or something.
`Dear gamers. After listening to the pleas of you my fans I
have willingly decided that MGS2:SoL will be available by the
fall. Sorry about that joke about it only being available in
2001.`
Yay
Alex
|
Well, there's a good solution to a nasty problem! Nice job, Alex.
Note to the authorities: I had nothing to do with this.
| Let's call everyone
"Fred." It fits the limit |
|
...square has crossed the line. "starky?" ridiculous. i am,
however, pleased that they have decided to keep the dialects.
i hope farga is still farga (or, as i called him, fargo ^^),
and i do hope he keeps his delightfully humurous speech patterns.
oh, and btw, "tsukiyomi" (it's actually tukiyomi...the katakana
is "tsu," but the ultimania guide says "tukiyomi," as does square's
promo material. not only that, but her REAL name is actually
harlequin (so says the ultimania). i am positive this is where
she got her american-release name of "harle" from. i wonder
what they called marcella...? "satan," perhaps? it only seems
fitting...
gozaru (nick taboada)
|
I am really not keen on this really short character limit. No, not
keen at all. In fact, I'm rather disappointed. With all the brilliant
engineers at Square that have been able to work wonders with CG graphics
and squeezing insane amounts of data onto a CD, they STILL limit names
to 6 characters?
I'm not saying it'd be easy to up the limit, but it should be possible.
Where there's a will there's a way. But I doubt there's much of a
will.
| Lucky go Happy |
|
Hey, AK
I believe that it will most likely be that Lucky Dan's name
will be changed to Lucky and not just Dan. At one point in the
game, Lucky Dan's name changes from Lucky Dan to Happy Dan.
Of course, it could all be spelled out in emoticons...
^_^ Dan to :) Dan
-Aaron L. (Who's still mad that REM isn't on the M:i-2 soundtrack)
|
Dan lives quite the dynamic life, that's for sure. Maybe he can be
LkyDan and HpyDan. That'd be neat!
And don't worry about REM not being on the Mission Impossible 2 soundtrack...
they're currently in the studio working on their next album. Look
for it next year. See pictures at http:/www.remhq.com!
| A scary thought |
|
Dear AK,
Just a little on the topic of ESRB ratings and the ban on "M"
rated games. I have a theory on this, so hear me out. Now, it
seems like lately there's been a lot of talk in the media about
how violence in games is horrible, it's corrupting our children,
blah blah... I think what good old Uncle Sam is going to do
is put taxes on "M" rated games. I've seen this cycle before.
First they tell us it's bad for us, then they tax it. Same thing
with tobacco, it's just now being considered for fatty foods
and SUV's. So, there's my boring political theory for all of
you. But hey, it has to do with videogames, right?
On a side note, I'd have to say that I actually might be excited
about the new Ready 2 Rumble game, after hearing that Michael
Jackson is in it. Sure, I hated the first one, but this is MJ,
the King of Pop we're talking about. And.....that's all.
-The Lumberjack
|
Well, now there's a thought I sure don't like. In fact, I think I
might just have nightmares about it... and about the tax thing, too.
You never can tell what the government will do, but I doubt they'll
tax video games. I can't tell you why I think this, because I don't
really have a reason. Just a hunch. Or maybe I'm just terribly naive.
Michael Jackson sure is staying busy though. First Space Channel
5, now Ready 2 Rumble. What a crazy world.
| Correction |
|
Chris Jones singing. Hmmm. Chris Jones singing REM. Hmmm.
Actually, I'm kinda glad MGS2 isn't going to be released for
a year and a half. If it was going to be released, say, next
month, I'd be really worried. Know what I'm saying?
And about the Punching Puppet Ghaleon promotion. Working Designs
website says that you can place the deposit directly with them,
but they don't say How. Any ideas? The Software Etc nearby doesn't
seem to know anything about it.
~Ian P.
|
I totally know what you're saying there big Ian. Maybe everone's
hoping that the game has been in development for several years and
will be ready next month in complete and polished form.
As for ordering direct from Working Designs, I think you have to
call them. There's a number on their webpage.
| Project Majestic reminder |
|
A man called Stephen Kennedy has been diligently working away
on a CD tribute to Nobuo Uematsu. It is called Project Majestic
Mix. For the past year and a half or so, Stephen has been trying
his hardest to get donations to fund this project. His website
www.kfssstudios.com has polls to decide to what tracks should
be remixed and released on the CD. Plus if you donate the $20
to him you can get the limited edition gold CD that includes
another bonus CD chock full of 74 minutes of tracks that did
not make it to the normal CD.
I am trying to help him raise awareness of this CD and am asking
you to maybe post an article on his website and music. Go to
his website and check it out. There are a lot of dedicated people
working on it and the least you could do is check the website
out. Please post an article if you like what you see. He needs
10,000 dollars to make this thing happen and he is at 7200 dollars
right now. That is the reason why I am contacting you. Thank
you for your time in reading this. Thank you even more if you
check the site out.
|
The GIA ran a story about the Project Majestic Mix quite a while
ago, but here's a reminder. It's a neat project, so here's the plug.
| Puff puff, wheeze wheeze |
|
AK,
I have written you about music before, and I was really impressed
by the replys, you have good taste and I love REM just like
you. But one question remains, do you like Weezer? If you don't
I will be very disappointed, but don't let that comment get
in the way of telling the truth. Peace out
-Loki-
|
I do like Weezer, actually. I think the Sweater Song is really annoying,
but outside of that, they have some pretty fun stuff. I really like
"The Good Life." Overall, I think they have a nice energy
level and they're enjoyable to listen to. They were a bit of a flash
in the pan, though, weren't they? They only have... what... two albums?
Did they break up? I haven't heard from them in a while.
| 57 Degres would be a
good name for a boy band |
|
The heat of rootbear is 57 degrees. That is if your a blowfish.
My sources are reliable, although I cannot disclose them.
Kandrin on ice.
|
I don't dare argue with you, even though I'm not a blowfish. Your
sources intimidate me.
Closing Comments:
I have a feeling people aren't going to like my response to the censorship
thing. Bummer. Feel free to flame me, though. It's all good. Have
a crackerjack day!
-Andrew Kaufmann
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