Naked Snake: So bad ass, even glowing praise about him causes strife.
News Blips:
Konami lashes back at Kotaku after the blog's claim of corruption involved with Japanese gaming mag Famitsu's clean-sweep score of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker. The original story called the magazine's (admittedly diminished) integrity into question after its perfect 40/40 review, citing an underhanded agreement between Konami and Enterbrain (Famitsu's publishing company), including Peace Walker ads featuring former Famitsu Editor-in-Chief Hirokazu Hamamura and the appearance of Famitsu magazines — along with a slew of other product tie-ins — within the game. Konami, in a fit of cordiality becoming of such an established company, has yanked Kotaku's invitation to the launch event for Peace Walker. I wonder if there's any aspect of these games that doesn't cause head-splitting confusion.
The U.S. Supreme Court is reviewing a previously tossed California ban on violent video game sales to minors. Originally signed in 2005 by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the law — which was thrown out by a San Francisco court last year — would deny the sale or rental of violent video games to anyone under 18. Opponents of the law claim a breach of constitutional and free speech rights, along with the inclusion of the existing rating system as a suitable deterrent in preventing violent games from reaching minors. Conveniently enough, the report failed to mention the Governor slinging his shotgun onto his back before climbing into his Apache helicopter after signing the law. [NYTimes]
Speaking with HeyUGuys, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time film producer Jerry Bruckheimer discusses the increasing synergy between video games and movies. When asked about his sudden interest in becoming more involved with video games, Bruckheimer posited that in the next 10 years "you won’t be able to tell the difference between movies and games. Games will be so realistic. They are a form of storytelling and we love to tell stories in movies and on television." Perhaps Bruckheimer has forgotten that games typically serve as an escape from reality.
Michael Pachter, the video game industry's resident fortune-teller, is "certain" that future Mass Effect titles will appear for the PS3. In a new entry into the Pach Attack series, the Wedbush Morgan analyst suggested that while the first Mass Effect and its sequel won't be showing up on the PS3 anytime soon, the same shouldn't be said of any upcoming releases. "I have heard from Microsoft and I’ve actually heard from EA that we probably won’t see Mass Effect 1 ever on the PS3; I’m not sure that’s true of Mass Effect 2, and I’m certain it’s not true of Mass Effect 3, 4, 5 and 6." I want to see quotes from Pachter in my next fortune cookie. It would be strangely fitting.
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