Kevin Butler is a god

Many of you know Kevin Butler from the hilarious Playstation commercials. He is the guy reassuring your girlfriend (if you have one) not to break up with you over God of War, dressing up as coach for encouragment with Modracers, or moving in with a random family to promote Playstation Move. In short, he was my hero. I found myself wishing Kevin butler was moving into my house, and bringing me free shit. Then, he ruined it. Rationally, I realize Sony makes the commercial, and they sell what they want, but I thought Kevin would have more respect for himself then to back the worst idea ever: Playstation Move. Hey, Sony, newsflash! I'm lazy. If I wanted to do something that required movement I would have picked a different hobby. I enjoy the fact that I can kill aliens, collect coins, or destroy the heavens from a comfortably sedentary position. Now your forcing me to move!? My only hope is that Kevin Butler will come to his senses and then to the rescue.

Soap box? Check.

Video games have been testing patience for years. Soon, they will face their biggest test yet: constitutionality. The Supreme Court will hear deliberations about a bill in California that restricts the sale of video games to minors. The bill chooses to ignore the fact that the video game industry self-regulates and has created the Entertainment Software Rating Board (http://www.esrb.org) to monitor exactly this subject.

The bill is vague as it defines terminology that will be critical to the determination of a game's rating, and equally vague about the enforcement strategy. Ultimately, the creator of the game will be responsible for branding their games. All game creators, however, will be reticent to declare their games Adult for fear of the stigma that this rating will attach to it's game. If the publisher chooses not to accurately define their game, and are found to be guilty this could result in huge liabilities for the publisher, the industry, and eventually, the consumer.

In addition to the possible concern for consumers, one must also consider the impact on government. The penalty under the bill is a 1000$ fine, but how will it be collected? Will the government create a new bureau to collect the revenues, and if so, will the revenues be exploited to shore up local, regional, and national government budgets? Also, this bill has far reaching implications for all forms of entertainment, and could be the impetuous for a strangle-hold on creative expression, that limits all forms of media.

I dislike this bill. I think it's stupid. I like my government like I like my women: vacant and incoherent. This bill should be scrapped, and the parents of the children purchasing games should be more actively involved in the process. The ESRB does a great job of regulation, and should continue to operate without government intervention.

For more information, go to videogamevoters.org.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder?

I miss split-screen action. Is there any sweeter memory than running up on some character in Goldeneye and karate chopping him into oblivion, and talking smack to your friend while you do so? Now, it seems that most games are hesitant to include a split screen multiplayer mode. Why is it I have an easier time playing COD with my brother in Afghanistan, than my sister who's in the same room? When they remake Goldeneye, I hope it will inspire the industry to put more split-screen, or full screen multiplayer options in their games.

Get outta my sandbox!

I am not selfish. If I have a pack of gum, I will offer you a piece. If you want my last nacho, it's yours. One thing I hate sharing, however, is my video game experience. I want to stomp every koopa in Mario, fight every Big Sister in Rapture, and kill every deity in God of war. I don't want you to participate. If I did, I would buy a multi-player game. So imagine my surprise as I was playing Crackdown 2 (disappointing, I know) when suddenly another character appeared on my screen. I was possessed by the sudden, irrepressible urge to yell "Get outta my sandbox!" Instantly, I was transported back to kindergarten, when Tiffany Johnson threw a wood block at my head because she didn't want to share. I banned her from the sandbox. I banned this character from my sandbox, too. What makes you think, Ruffian, that I want some dude (or dudette) to be able to encroach on my city? I don't want to sound like a baby here, but please, unless you're invited, stay outta my sandbox!

VGG Lives!

Who or what is the VGG? The VGG is just a dude, specifically me, who loves video games. Am a qualified to talk about video games? Well, I won't stay up all night trying to get the last achievement. I don't know how to play Madden. But I have made the decision between filling up my truck, and buying a new game. Had to call in "sick" for a week, but it was worth it. I hope the blog will be able to provide some insight into any interesting or upsetting developments in the gaming community. But that'll only happen if you come out of your mother's basement long enough to read it.
Good reading!

VGG