More! I want Day of the Tentacle, Sam and Max, The Dig, Monkey Island 2, Indy, and Full Throttle to get the same treatment as Monkey 1, now, in fact yesterday if not sooner.
Thanks for pointing that out, I was skimming by the time I reached the end and didn't notice it. I'm pleased to see this work on updating and re-releasing old games. There are tons of great old games out there, and it's a shame that newer gamers don't get to experience them. Old graphics and interface systems are legitimately so bad by modern standards that they can be frustrating to play, so it's wonderful that they're being given a new lease on life by converting them over to (relatively) modern standards.
I'm particularly happy that it's Lucasarts that is doing this, because it means my dream of playing a high-graphics version of TIE Fighter may actually come true.
Three men in Borehamwood will become solely responsible for rating computer games in the UK, after a plan sponsored by Ed Balls, the Schools Secretary, to have titles examined by the film censor was abandoned last week.
Digital Britain, the communications White Paper, concluded last week that game publishers could keep their controversial rating system, which has been criticised by some as weak and lenient when it comes to violent games.
Critics of the Pan European Game Information (PEGI) system used by computer games makers had called for the British Board and Film Classification (BBFC) to rate 12, 15 and 18 computer games. Last week’s decision, however, means that the film censor will lose its existing legal power to censor games that feature “gross violence” — such as Grand Theft Auto — and apply an 18 rating.
Advocates of the PEGI system say that it has been strengthened and its standards match those of the film censor. Against this, the BBFC has said repeatedly that the PEGI system is weak and that it does not have enough staff to handle the number of games being produced. David Cooke, the BBFC director, said that he believed the film body “satisfies the requirements [of age rating] better” than the PEGI system.
Related Links
* Games classification to be a real shoot-’em-up
* Computer games to get cigarette-style health warnings
The BBFC has ten examiners, who cover about 3 per cent of the games released each year in the UK. In contrast, under the PEGI system, games makers fill in a tick-box questionaire.
Their answers are checked by a body called the Video Standards Council, which is based in Borehamwood and until recently consisted of a former policeman and a music industry lawyer. A third staff member has been added recently.
There are several examples of unusual or contradictory games classification decisions. Manhunt 2, a game in which players perform “executions” to eliminate opponents, was passed uncut as an 18+ game on the PEGI system, but was rejected in its original form by the film censor. Rockstar, the publisher, eventually cut it and released it with an 18 certificate last year.
A 2006 game based on The Sopranos television programme, The Sopranos: The Road To Respect, was rated 16+ by the games body, but rated 18 by the film censor because it involved what was described as “sadistic violence”. The German regulator banned the game.
The BBFC discovered an apparent recipe for the manufacture of the drug crystal meth at the heart of Grand Theft Auto IV, prompting crisis talks with Rockstar, the game’s maker. After checking that the recipe was inaccurate, it remained in the game.
Last week’s decision to back the PEGI system represents a turnaround by ministers and other critics of the games classification system. Tanya Byron, the television doctor and Times writer — asked by Ed Balls, the Schools Secretary, to review children’s safety in games and online — had initially called for the film censor’s remit to be expanded to cover 12, 15, and 18 games.
She said that the PEGI system was poorly understood by parents and that many parents thought its 3+ to 18+ ratings referred to the game’s difficulty. This could mean that parents, who believed that their children were advanced, were at risk of buying inappropriate games.
Dr Byron has since said that the existing PEGI system had been “strengthened”. Siôn Simon, the Creative Industries Minister, justified the new thinking, saying that “the new system of games classification” would match the “high standards” of the film industry.
For the first time, games ratings would be backed up by law, placing them on a par with film ratings. That means that shops can legally refuse to sell shoot-em-up games to children under age. Shop owners can be prosecuted for turning a blind eye to such transactions.
PEGI is ultimately owned by the computer games industry trade body and some fear that it may not feel able to ban games that are submitted.
However, Mike Rawlinson, the director-general of ELSPA, the trade body that represents the computer games industry, said that standards had been toughened up. He said that the three people in the Video Standards Council were “very skilled in their work”. ELSPA said that of 50 games rated by PEGI as 18+, the film censor downgraded 22 of them.
My question is: Is this good news overall for UK gamers? Or will PEGI likely be even more restrictive?
06-23-2009, 04:43
Crazed Rabbit
Re: The Gaming News Thread
Quote:
She said that the PEGI system was poorly understood by parents and that many parents thought its 3+ to 18+ ratings referred to the game’s difficulty. This could mean that parents, who believed that their children were advanced, were at risk of buying inappropriate games.
Whaa...? Any evidence to support that? (EDIT: This is of course directed rhetorically at that woman)
I'm guessing the PEGI is better for gamers, just because the "violent games are destroying our youth! oh noes!" folks don't like the system.
CR
06-23-2009, 12:34
Meneldil
Re: The Gaming News Thread
What a load of BS.
06-23-2009, 13:37
frogbeastegg
Re: The Gaming News Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by Martok
I'm a bit surprised froggy or one of our other Brits here didn't already post this
I avoid censorship and ratings discussions as a rule. Too many differing opinions going round and round in circles with little changing between revolutions.
Besides, I'm still trying to decide where on the scale of stupidity this falls. Scraping the system people do understand in favour of one many don't is supposed to help parents how exactly? I can't see it as anything other than a knee-jerk reaction in response to the vocal, misguided wailing certain groups have been making about games. The Byron report was supposed to declare them a public hazard and provide excuse to crack down on them, blaming them for society's ills. Thankfully she used her eyes and her brain and said nothing of the sort.
The decision has also got an element of cost cutting in it IMO. The BBFC needs government funding; PEGI doesn't. I think it was 7 jobs the BBFC cut in response to the announcement. 7 very well paid people, and and no further need to buy consoles etc.
PEGI is used in a lot of European countries and works successfully. The difference is that - as far as I understand it - none of those countries had an equivolent to the BBFC before adopting PEGI. Germany, the only country I know of with a similar system, still uses its own system. That's why Germany and, to a much lesser extent, the UK are considered to be more censorship oriented.
Quote:
My question is: Is this good news overall for UK gamers? Or will PEGI likely be even more restrictive?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Crazed Rabbit
Whaa...? Any evidence to support that? (EDIT: This is of course directed rhetorically at that woman)
Both of these tie together.
PEGI is fine ... for a gamer like me. I understand what those symbols mean, and I don't mean in the sense that I know the fist represents violence. I mean I understand what violence in games can be. I understand that a game which is ok for a 12 year old might be unsuitable for a 7 year old for reasons like more detailed violence, an atmosphere of tension or fear, and so on. As a gamer I rather like PEGI; once you understand it and have the context to place it in you can get a good idea of what’s in a game.
I've worked with a couple of non-gamer parents with young children. Both made an effort to understand their child's hobby and to provide games which fit in with the boundaries they felt appropriate. Both of them spent a bit of time now and then watching the games their child played so they had some knowledge of what games are. Both very smart people. While they understood the concrete BBFC age ratings the PEGI ones left them confused. What is sexual content in a 12 rated game? Are we talking chaste kissing or nudity with the interesting parts obscured? What makes a 12 rated game with a scary icon milder than a 15 rated one with a scary icon? How is 12 rated language worse than 7 rated language? Why is Lego Star Wars' violence badge different to Overlord's? How are these ratings decided on anyway? I don't understand what particular content the discrimination badge is awarded for, and what on earth does "mild peril" mean?
The appearance of the PEGI age rating logo itself is a major stumbling block. The British public is trained to look for the BBFC logos and understands them because they are used on other media. The PEGI logos resemble the optional badges put on toys to show what age they are suitable for - in terms of mental advancement and choking hazards. So some parents are under the belief that little 6 year old Billy can play 12 rated games because he's so advanced for his age, and it's a good thing. Buying a game rated 3+ for your 6 year old is tantamount to admitting they are a very slow developer! That's why our new PEGI age ratings have had coloured backgrounds added; it's an effort to make it resemble the BBFC labels.
There's a larger factor in the PEGI=mental advancement misconception. BBFC is a brand. It's widely recognised. For decades this has been our age rating system; everyone understands it. If an entertainment product needs to be rated it will have a BBFC logo on it. If it doesn't then it won't. Simple as that. Remove the BBFC 18 from the box of a game and leave the PEGI one on it and hand it to a random person in the street, and ask if it's suitable for young children. Unless they know something about PEGI they will answer that it's not been rated so it must be ok. The BBFC doesn't rate games with lower ages; there's nothing below 15 because the bulk of games fall below 15 and the BBFC doesn't have the resources to assess games expected to come in at 12 etc. A PEGI 15 sat side by side with a BBFC 15 has a good chance to get the point home that PEGI is a rating too; a lone PEGI 12 doesn't, especially when films can be rated with a BBFC 12, PG and U. So PEGI is up a creek without a paddle until you reach 15, and when you reach 15 people are looking for something else anyway.
Quite aside from label recognition, lots of non-gaming adults don't fully understand why a rating has been given out. Because they haven't played a scary game they don't know how much that can affect the player. Blood, violence, bad language - well a game is a toy, isn't it? It's just going to be like one of Timmy's cartoons. Perception of video games is shifting, slowly but surely. Each generation has more gamers in it, and more people who grew up with games. There's still a wide spread view that games are aimed at children or are all silly harmless fun like Rockband. That's where most of the hysteria over games like GTA4 comes from. Games are for children and this game is full of adult content; next we'll be handing out porn at primary schools! Some people cannot get it through their thick skulls that games can be aimed purely and squarely at adults.
To stir up more confusion, games have had multiple rating systems in my lifetime. We swap from one to another with little warning and less explanation as to why. The BBFC has been the only constant; it's been the source of context for the new ratings, and a means to bridge the gap between the old ones. People hold on more tightly to what they are familiar with when things change frequently.
So what does this changeover mean? It means that people who already struggle to understand what game ratings mean are now going to be lost. No BBFC label on the box will be taken to mean that the game doesn't need an age rating. It means that a medium which isn't always taken seriously is now even more 'for children'. It means there are going to be many sales assistants who get fined for breaking the new law; it's hard enough to tell if someone looks over 18, let alone over 12. The bulk of those of us who do understand it all, and who do know what it all means, are too old for the ratings to apply to, and so the change doesn't affect us one jot unless we have children, in which case we will continue as before.
The initial press release I saw further muddied matters by declaring that selling a 12 rated game to a minor will now be a finable offence. A minor is someone under 18. :dizzy2:
In order for this to work at all a major effort needs to be made to make the general public aware of the ratings and their meanings. Frequent TV spots, pages in newspapers, big fat posters behind the till in all shops selling games, leaflets, more. Heh, in some cases a guy with a megaphone shouting the meaning right down the person's ear wouldn't go amiss.
When PEGI first appeared it had little fanfare and little effort was made to explain it to people; you had to seek the information for yourself. ELSPA had little explanation when we used that. The BBFC as it applies to games had little explanation. Why should I believe the new PEGI will be different? It won't be sufficiently explained because the government doesn't care to put full weight behind it. Further, the timing is dreadful. A major effort would cost a lot of money. Our economy is ailing and people won't like money being spent on such a 'trivial' thing. Who cares about ages on toys when people are losing their jobs by the thousands?
Case in point, I only know about the changeover because I saw a news blip on the Eurogamer website. So they're already failing to inform the people who need to know.
I'm worried about the fallout of this. A system people don't understand and new laws which will inevitably be broken - I can see the anti-games faction whipping up a storm with the ammo this move will provide. That store broke the law and sold a 12 rated game to a child! What purveyors of vileness they are! Ban this sick filth! And why are we following a European system anyway?! Who are they to judge what is appropriate for a British citizen?!
...
As far as restriction goes, under our current dual system PEGI is less restrictive. The BBFC can demand cuts and ban products; PEGI can't. PEGI is based on the developers filling in a tick list to declare what content their games has; the BBFC is based on a game being taken out of the developer's hands and played. Self regulatory versus outside regulation. Developers know exactly what to include in order to obtain a certain PEGI rating.
Once PEGI takes over completely I'm not sure what will happen. Theoretically at least, any game which goes above whatever their 18 rating is will be banned because unrated games cannot be sold and there's no equivolent to America's AO. I don't know if it's even possible to exceed their 18 rating.
Armed and Dangerous
Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: The Graphic Adventure
LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventure
LOOM
Star Wars Battlefront II
Star Wars Republic Commando
Star Wars Starfighter
The Dig
Thrillville: Off the Rails
Secret Of Monkey Island Special Edition
Of further note are comments that indicate that the rest of the old Lucasarts games will eventually appear as well. This is huge news if, like me, you wish you could play TIE Fighter again with modern graphics.
07-06-2009, 23:08
Zim
Re: The Gaming News Thread
That would actually be pretty fun for about ten minutes or so. :beam:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Crazed Rabbit
Have you ever wanted to club baby seals and hippie environmentalists? No?
Of further note are comments that indicate that the rest of the old Lucasarts games will eventually appear as well. This is huge news if, like me, you wish you could play TIE Fighter again with modern graphics.
Amen! I will probably end up spending up to two hundred dollars on the eventual "everything and the kitchen sink" version of this.
07-07-2009, 17:24
frogbeastegg
Re: The Gaming News Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tincow
Lucasarts is releasing some of their older catalog of games on Steam. All games are updated to work on XP and Vista
That's my hopes raised sky-high and dashed into a thousand tiny shards words later. If they turn up on good old games, gamersgate, impulse, or anywhere which isn't steam then I'm there on the first day, credit card in hand. If steam were the only way to get games left on the planet I'd become a non-gamer.
Devastated; these were the games I grew up loving, and have been wanting to play again for years without the hassle of something like SCUMMVM.
I do wonder how Lego Indy counts as old ...
07-07-2009, 18:14
Vuk
Re: The Gaming News Thread
I tell you what would really make my day: if reaaaally old games were updated. Remember those old DOS ones? P-tomb, Digger, Mars, etc? I have only the fondest memories of games like that.
I don't think I even have to mention that I would love to see a Vista compatible Thief released. :beam:
07-11-2009, 07:01
Xiahou
Re: The Gaming News Thread
Gamestop seems to be having something of a clearance sale on for the rest of July, with a bunch of games for $19.99 or less.
Some games for the Wii that jump out at me are: De Blob, Deadly Creatures, and Tenchu. DeBlob, was pretty amazing, I'm playing Deadly Creatures now, and while Tenchu had some flaws and clunky gameplay, it's a lot easier to get over at that price point if you're looking for a ninja fix. :yes:
Also, Chrono Trigger for the DS is on the list at $19.99! :shocked:
ps: For $2 difference between the used and new prices on the list, please buy new and support the developers, rather than screwing them out of any money to save a couple bucks. :wink:
08-06-2009, 17:40
TinCow
Re: The Gaming News Thread
There are rumors that Lucasarts will soon announce the re-release of X-Wing and TIE Fighter.
08-06-2009, 18:58
drone
Re: The Gaming News Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by TinCow
There are rumors that Lucasarts will soon announce the re-release of X-Wing and TIE Fighter.
I would buy that in a heartbeat. :yes: I would even purchase a joystick to play it.
In other news, StarCraft II has been delayed. http://forums.battle.net/thread.html...62236&sid=3000
The official line is that battle.net needs to be upgraded properly. Well, duh, that would be important if you take the LAN option out of a RTS game... :thumbsdown:
08-07-2009, 20:08
TinCow
Re: The Gaming News Thread
For some reason this story fascinated me. Long story short, two former Obsidian writers have formed an indie dev called DoubleBear and are planning on making a "Zombie RPG." Here are comments by one of the two on the project:
Quote:
Was hoping to save this for a rainy day, but it is cloudy here in Seattle today, so here we go. As the speculators have correctly guessed, yes, DoubleBear’s first game is indeed a Zombie RPG, which we have fondly referred to as a ZRPG internally. Before people start running in all kinds of directions with that, here’s what I will confirm:
-Set during the breakdown of society as emergence of zombies causes widespread panic and disorder.
-Slow, shambling zombies. Spreads like a virus/bite transmission. No, you are not a zombie, that would be stupid.
-Serious examination of a national crisis or natural disaster. Humans and a lack of order are a bigger threat than the undead. Think Hurricane Katrina, Children of Men, Dawn of the Dead NOT Resident Evil, Return of the Living Dead, zombie shooter-type games.
-Game is about survival. Scavenging resources, exploring the area, dealing with other survivors, and managing a “shelter” of sorts are the main focus of the game. More on this later.
-Game is open-ended. There are characters and events that could happen, but the story depends on where you go, what you do, and who you meet. Of course, there’s a lot more to this and we’ll go into more details as time goes on.
Maybe it's just me, but this sounds like it could be great.
08-07-2009, 20:29
johnhughthom
Re: The Gaming News Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by TinCow
Maybe it's just me, but this sounds like it could be the greatest game ever.
Fixed.:clown:
08-07-2009, 21:07
woad&fangs
Re: The Gaming News Thread
Just 5 minutes ago I was thinking how awsome it would be to have a game JUST LIKE THAT! Thanks for the heads up TC:2thumbsup:
08-07-2009, 22:27
Alexander the Pretty Good
Re: The Gaming News Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by TinCow
For some reason this story fascinated me. Long story short, two former Obsidian writers have formed an indie dev called DoubleBear and are planning on making a "Zombie RPG." Here are comments by one of the two on the project:
Maybe it's just me, but this sounds like it could be great.
If it wasn't the billionth recent zombie game. :|
08-08-2009, 02:29
Crazed Rabbit
Re: The Gaming News Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by TinCow
For some reason this story fascinated me. Long story short, two former Obsidian writers have formed an indie dev called DoubleBear and are planning on making a "Zombie RPG." Here are comments by one of the two on the project:
Maybe it's just me, but this sounds like it could be great.
:jawdrop: That sounds a LOT like my ideal conceptualization of a zombie game. :beam::2thumbsup:
CR
08-10-2009, 19:03
frogbeastegg
Re: The Gaming News Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by TinCow
There are rumors that Lucasarts will soon announce the re-release of X-Wing and TIE Fighter.
Announcement's out. They're releasing the Super [enter star wars film name] trilogy of platformers onto the wii's virtual console. :blankg:
I liked those games back in ye day but I can't see myself bothering with them now.
Why on earth use X-Wing releated teasers for this announcement!? That's asking for mass disappointment.
08-10-2009, 19:45
TinCow
Re: The Gaming News Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by frogbeastegg
Announcement's out. They're releasing the Super [enter star wars film name] trilogy of platformers onto the wii's virtual console. :blankg:
:furious3:
08-10-2009, 21:06
Alexander the Pretty Good
Re: The Gaming News Thread
Death to Lucasarts!
(Unless they repent)
08-11-2009, 00:14
Monk
Re: The Gaming News Thread
As the sounds of battle died away, the aged Super Empire Strikes back emerges from the corridor, eyes twisting from side to side. The familiar presence had been growing stronger ever since...
Monk stood at the end of the hall, lightsaber in hand. His eyes glued to his long time nemesis. With a heavy step forward he let a laughably smug grin form upon his face. "I've been waiting for you, we meet again at last."
The exhausted game stood still in his spot, knowing that to proceed would be folly. But still, the bitter gamer continued "The circle is now complete. When i last played you, I was but a learner. But now? I am the master."
The weary game gripped his lightsaber firmly in hand, and with a vibrant hiss the ancient weapon came to life. "Only a master of snark Monk."
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Not even nostalgia can make me anxious to play those games again. I hated them in my youth and I'm sure i'd hate them now. :yes: It's times like this i'm happy i never bought a Wii, I'm quite sure if I had i'd cave, get those games again and learn every reason why i hated them all over again.
09-06-2009, 07:21
johnhughthom
Re: The Gaming News Thread
Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic is available now on Steam. Time to see what the light side path is like...
09-11-2009, 06:15
Mailman653
Re: The Gaming News Thread
Direct2Drive: Fifty Games, Five Dollars Each
Personally I dont see anything I want to buy this week, but I am looking forward they will have for sale in the action and RPG categories, maybe military too if they throw in some simulations in there like Silent Hunter III (IV too although highly unlikely).
