Massachusetts Removes Violent Games
As we all know, violent video games and media are the cause of all the world’s problems. Therefore the brave, brave people of Ludlow, Charlton, Lee and Beverly Massachusetts have decided to fix everything by removing nine violent games from state-controlled rest stops within the three cities.
“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,” Richard Davey, the transportation secretary of Massachusetts told The Boston Globe. “A video game in a public space could be used by anybody of any age.”
For the record, it wasn’t actually Davey who authorized the move but his subordinates. However, he seems to believe it was a smart move.
“It didn’t get to my desk,” Davey said. “My guys well below me were making the right call on this one. I’m just happy that folks in this organization are thinking and making swift changes when appropriate.”
While this is going on, the mayor of Melrose, Mass. is organizing a drive for families to turn in their violent games, movies and toys. In exchange, the families will receive deals at local businesses and even vouchers for getting students out of homework. I for one can’t think of a better combination for a family-oriented outing than turning in free expression to the government in exchange for getting to ignore your education.
So brave.
[Source: The Boston Globe via: Joystiq]
Australia Gets an R18+ Rating and the first game is…
Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge.
That’s right. The country/continent of Australia has fought long and hard to get a mature rating classification for video games — the lack of which meant the vast majority of high-profile games were unavailable to purchase on the land mass — and what they have to show for their final victory is the Wii U version of Ninja Gaiden 3.* Still, this has opened the floodgates, and Aussie gamers will be able to look forward to a whole new world. A world of games with zombies and things that act a lot like zombies but have a different name. The possibilities are endless.
*For the record, I realize that Razor’s Edge is regarded as the superior version of Ninja Gaiden 3.
[Source: Destructoid]
Skulls of the Shogun (Finally, Actually) gets a Release Date
The very promising-looking Skull of the Shogun will finally be released across all Windows 8 platforms on January 30. Congratulations to all nine people that will be able to play it on your phones and tablets. The question remains if 17-BIT’s long-awaited title will manage to engage on less mobile platforms like the PC and Xbox 360.
[Source: Rock, Paper, Shotgun]
Steven’s Game of the Week
Books.
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