Dead Island Censorship
The greatly anticipated zombie survival game, Dead Island, has gotten negative attention from the ESRB for its logo, shown above, which shows a zombie hanging from a palm tree. Apparently this is a no-go and thus the logo will be censored in North America, the hanging corpse to be instead stood beside the tree.
The ESRB issued the following statement in regards to the matter:
The video game industry has set guidelines about the types of content that are appropriate in advertising and marketing materials, which includes game box art. According to those guidelines the depiction in the logo was not compliant.
We never censor or dictate in any way what type of content can be included within a game. However, a game’s marketing materials are seen by an audience that is much broader than that which actually purchases the game itself, so we enforce industry-adopted guidelines as to what is suitable for inclusion in these materials.
Murderer receives Death Penalty
In June of 2008 25 year old Tomohiro Kato drove a rented truck into Akihabara, Tokyo’s geek district, got out and went on a rampage, stabbing random, innocent pedestrians leaving seven people dead and ten injured in his wake. This week he has been sentenced to death for his premeditated crime.
Before the killings Kato had posted online about how he was going to go to Akihabara and start killing people and claims he chose Sunday because the main street was open only to pedestrians and was thus crowded. The Japanese media tried in the days following the brutal attack to make a connection between the violence and a Japanese video game, Tales of Destiny, based on a picture Kato had drawn in high-school of a character from said game.
In a letter to one of the victims Kato wrote “My crime deserves death”. Looks like he’s getting exactly what he believes he deserves.
Walk, Play, Charge?!
The 3DS is finally upon us here in the West… and some of you might have already noticed the battery life to be somewhat lacking. But never fear! There are ways to extend your 3DS playing on the go, such as with The Universal Gadget Wrist Charger!
This handy little device comes with nine different adapters and can be used with the following:
iPhone, Nokia II (2mm), Nokia I (3.5mm), Mini USB (for Motorola/HTC/Dopod/MP3/MP4), LG, Samsung i900, Sony Ericsson, Sony PSP, NDS Lite, Nintendo DSi/Nintendo 3DS.
And if you’re clumsy and prone to dropping such handheld devices it also doubles as a safety strap. Although we’re not quite sure just yet as to how much longer you can get out of your 3DS with this we’re looking to get our hands on – or in one so we can find out for ourselves!
PopCap Games Donation
PopCap games, responsible for bestowing upon us Bejewelled, Peggle and Plants VS Zombies, have reportedly raised over $200,000 in aid of the Japanese Tsunami relief efforts through discounted games on the iPhone and iPad. The money is being donated to the International Red Cross in aid of their ongoing efforts over in Japan.
We would once again like to encourage our readers to give towards this cause if at all possible, in whatever way you can. If you pre-register for @rcadeCon over the next month a portion of all ticket sales will be donated to the Irish Japanese Association Earthquake Appeal, so if you haven’t signed up already there has never been a better time to do so! To pre-register just click here!
PlayStation Network not trying to scam!
If you’re a PlayStation Network member you may have already received a message from Sony Computer Entertainment America recently informing you that your account and your PSN funds are about to be taken over by them. This is no cause for alarm – it’s not a scam as some fear, nor is it an April fool’s joke despite the switchover from SCEA to SNEA due to take place on the first of April. All you’ll be required to do is agree to a new terms of service agreement, if not your account shall be closed and PSN funds refunded.
For those of you who haven’t received this email, here it is:
An important message to you from the PlayStation(R) Network team at Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC.
On April 1, 2011, Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC (“SCEA”) will transfer its online services operations, including your wallet and the funds in it, to Sony Network Entertainment America Inc. (“SNEA”). The first time you sign in to your Sony Online Services account on or after April 1, you will be asked to enter into a new Terms of Service and User Agreement with SNEA. If you do not wish to enter into a contract with SNEA, you may decline the terms of service and we will close your account(s) and return your funds. You can preview the new Terms of Service and User Agreement with SNEA at: http
PlayStation(R) Network will continue to provide you with the highest standard of interactive entertainment. Your access to the best games, movies, TV shows, music and friends will remain intact. Thank you very much for being part of the PlayStation(R) Network online community! We look forward to continuing to bring you the best in innovative online entertainment!
Your PlayStation(R) Network password and Sign-on ID (PSN ID) is required to sign in to your Sony Online Services account. Please go tohttp://us.playstation.com/support/answer/?a_id=2322 to ensure your account information is accurate and updated.
The PlayStation(R) Network Team
