by Rainier on Oct. 7, 2005 @ 3:04 p.m. PDT | Filed under
News
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger ignored strong lobbying from software makers and signed legislation on Friday that bans the sale of violent video games to children.
by Rainier on Oct. 7, 2005 @ 11:52 a.m. PDT | Filed under
News
The sixth annual computer and video game industry online charity auction, benefiting children's charities and featuring highly-prized computer and video games and memorabilia, begins today and runs through October 7 to 14th on eBay, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) announced today.
by Rainier on Oct. 4, 2005 @ 9:44 a.m. PDT | Filed under
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EA, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Comics announced today that Superman Returns: The Videogame is scheduled for a summer 2006 release in conjunction with the Warner Bros. Pictures' film on June 30, 2006. The game, which features storylines from both the movie and more than 60 years of comic book content, is being developed by EA-Tiburon.
by Rainier on Sept. 30, 2005 @ 3:22 p.m. PDT | Filed under
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Electronics retailer Best Buy has begun testing the sale of used video games in a handful of its stores, Piper Jaffray analyst Anthony Gikas said in a client note on Friday.
by Rainier on Sept. 20, 2005 @ 6:41 p.m. PDT | Filed under
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More than two thirds of all video gamers feel that video games already surpass, or will soon at least equal movies, music and books in delivering an emotional impact, according to a study released today by Bowen Research, a firm that studies consumer attitudes and behavior regarding high tech products, consumer electronics, software and web sites.
by Rainier on Sept. 15, 2005 @ 1:57 a.m. PDT | Filed under
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The trade association representing the industry's leading retailers of computer and video games, the Interactive Entertainment Merchants Association (IEMA) requested that California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger veto Assembly Bill 1179, which would criminalize the sale of video games that depict certain types of violence. The controversial bill was passed by the California State Legislature and the governor now has thirty days to either sign it in to law or veto.
by Rainier on Sept. 14, 2005 @ 12:43 p.m. PDT | Filed under
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The computer and video game industry will file suit in Michigan asking that the state's new video game law be overturned, the Entertainment Software Association announced today. Similar laws were previously found unconstitutional and thrown out in St. Louis, Indianapolis, and Washington State, costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees.
by Rainier on Sept. 13, 2005 @ 4:12 a.m. PDT | Filed under
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Video game composers, Tommy Tallarico (Advent Rising, Tony Hawk Pro Skater, Earthworm Jim) and Jack Wall (Jade Empire, Myst III: Exile, Splinter Cell), and Clear Channel Music Group today announced that the nationwide Video Games Live tour has been expanded after the huge success of the concert series' debut at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on July 6, 2005.
by Rainier on Sept. 12, 2005 @ 7:32 p.m. PDT | Filed under
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Shortly after California passed the first bill banning sales of Mature or Adult Only rated games to minor, the state of Michigan follows suit. Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today signed legislation that that will make the sale or rental of mature or adult-rated video games to children illegal. The new law applies to children age 17 and younger and will take effect on December 1, 2005 (thanks Blues).
by Rainier on Sept. 12, 2005 @ 4:20 p.m. PDT | Filed under
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The Hollywood Reporter has the scoop that "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" is coming to a game platform near you. If you have ever answered to the nickname Blondie, it might be time to dust off your poncho and make sure your six-shooter is fully loaded. In a deal with MGM Interactive, Bits Studios has acquired video game rights to the three Sergio Leone movies often called "The Man With No Name" trilogy.
by Rainier on Sept. 12, 2005 @ 1:21 p.m. PDT | Filed under
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Last week we reported how California passed a law ending the sale and rental of violent video games that depict serious injury to human beings in a manner that is especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel, to persons who are under 18 years of age. Today IEMA President Hal Halpin reacts to the events claiming that there is no need for such a law since stores are already doing the work on a voluntary basis, and Hal hopes Governor Schwarzenegger will veto the bill. Read more for the full statement.
by Rainier on Sept. 9, 2005 @ 1:11 p.m. PDT | Filed under
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The California State Assembly approved legislation to limit children’s access to extremely violent video games, now only needing the signature of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to become law. Assembly Bill (AB) 1179, formerly AB 450, calls for ending the sale and rental of violent video games that depict serious injury to human beings in a manner that is especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel, to persons who are under 18 years of age.
by Rainier on Aug. 31, 2005 @ 11:58 a.m. PDT | Filed under
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Electronic Arts and the GRAMMY Foundation today announced GRAMMY Pro Session: Video Game Music And Sound Design. The GRAMMY Foundation's Pro Session series gives students an insider's view into careers in the music industry.
by Rainier on Aug. 26, 2005 @ 4:07 a.m. PDT | Filed under
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Video Mods airs a brand new episode on MTV2, Friday, August 26th at 10:30 PM ET. By mixing some of today’s most popular video games and characters with the latest music videos and artists, each episode of Video Mods represents a breakthrough in entertainment by providing an entirely new experience for music and video game fans alike.
by Rainier on Aug. 22, 2005 @ 1:29 a.m. PDT | Filed under
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Most studies done on violence and video games support the conclusion that violent video games can increase aggressive behavior in children and adolescents, especially boys, researchers said on Friday. An analysis of 20 years of research shows the effects can be both immediate and long-lasting.
by Rainier on July 28, 2005 @ 8:55 a.m. PDT | Filed under
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A study revealed today that retail sales of U.S. video games hardware, software and accessories jumped up by 21 percent in the first six months of the year, as the popularity of handheld devices offset a decline in aging game consoles.
by Rainier on July 25, 2005 @ 1:28 p.m. PDT | Filed under
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The computer and video game industry will file a lawsuit today seeking to prevent implementation of Illinois HB 4023, a bill limiting the sale and rental of computer and video games, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) announced today. Joining in the complaint are the Video Software Dealers Association and the Illinois Retail Merchants Association. In similar cases in St. Louis, Indianapolis, and Washington State, virtually identical bills were struck down.
by Judy on July 25, 2005 @ 8:27 a.m. PDT | Filed under
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Konami today announced a multi-year agreement with FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide, co-producer and licensor of American Idol, that gives the company the exclusive interactive video game rights for American Idol.
by Rainier on July 19, 2005 @ 2:08 p.m. PDT | Filed under
News
New results from Phoenix Marketing International indicate that recent news stories about video games are having some impact with regards to consumers' purchase choice of video game software. PhoenixMI conducted a qualitative and quantitative study to gauge consumer reaction about the slew of news events concerning video game violence and pornography.
by Judy on June 22, 2005 @ 10:04 a.m. PDT | Filed under
News
Hollywood's bitterly divided actors union, the Screen Actors Guild, rejected on Tuesday a recently negotiated contract with the video game industry, but the vote was unlikely to have any effect since most games are produced with non-union talent.
by Rainier on June 3, 2005 @ 1:58 p.m. PDT | Filed under
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A bill before the California Assembly to ban the sale of violent video games has been shelved because of a lack of support and therefor Assemblyman Leland Yee has deactivated his bill, for the time being, after failing to muster enough votes for it to pass the full Assembly.
by Judy on May 30, 2005 @ 12:27 p.m. PDT | Filed under
News
Lawmakers voted Saturday to ban the sale of violent or sexually explicit video games to minors in Illinois, a move other states and cities have tried but federal courts have repeatedly struck down.
by Judy on May 30, 2005 @ 12:19 p.m. PDT | Filed under
News
Students from eight universities in four countries are working together to design settings for Descent to the Underworld, which re-imagines the Orpheus myth.
by Rainier on May 26, 2005 @ 1:34 p.m. PDT | Filed under
News
She used to play poker and bridge with her 80-year-old girlfriends almost every night. Sometimes until four o’clock in the morning. And, her passion was shooting “craps” while on casino junkets. That is, until Billy Mitchell delivered a Q*bert arcade video game to her house.
by Rainier on May 25, 2005 @ 9:19 a.m. PDT | Filed under
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The video game industry has been in talks with actors unions for quite some time now, but when talks broke down last December it has become clear that unions are leaning towards their only alternative, striking. The breakdown was over ongoing payments to actors and actresses for each copy of a game sold to which they contribute their voices and likenesses, while the game publishers want to stick to one payment up-front.