    September 2002
Tokyo Game Show is starting up!
Just thought you would like to know. -PAW 09/20/2002-
Bomberman Getter Primetime!
Bomberman Getter is getting
a TV anime series in Japan. Just thouight you should know that a Game Boy
game is getting a new animated TV series. Should be interesting. It starts
in October in Japan. -PAW 09/12/2002-
Greece. It's what's for dinner.
By now you have heard about that law that was passed
in Greece that appears to ban videogames. Thanks to a translation from Gameland.gr
and a little legal study, a "loophole" can be found in the law. Oh, one thing
I found odd is that the law "LAW NUMBER 3037" was enacted on 30 July, 2002.
However, we are only hearing about it now. Why is that? Because it doesn't
truly affect video gamers if intepreted by letter of law. Let's look at Article
1, which defines game categories.
"According to notion of the commands of the current law:
a. Mechanical games are those, that depend on one's muscle force.
b. Electrical games are those, that depend on electrical mechanisms.
c. Electromechanical games are those that depend on electrical mechanisms and the use of one's muscle force.
d. Electronic games are those, that depend on both electrical-electronic mechanisms and software.
e. Entertainment technical games are those,
whose result depends exclusively on the ability and skill of the player,
and are used solely for entertainment.
The category (e) also includes all card
games which had been characterised as "technical" games, according to the
statement of law F.E.K A21."
So, technically, since it takes skill and
ability to play a video game, it would count as being covered by D and by
E in description. If you want to be more specific, games such as Dance Dance
Revolution rely on muscle force to push buttons, as do many home consoles
and hand held devices. This classifies them as category A as well. Let's
look at the next article, which is Article 2.
"1. Operation and installation of any game
of type (b), (c) and (d) of Article 1, including computer games, placed in
public places such as hotels, cafeterias, organization halls and in any other
public or private place, is prohibited.
2. Operation of games of type (e) is allowed
in devices of type (a). Regarding these games, it is prohibited to place
bets. Such bets will attract penalties described in Articles 4 and 5."
So, if you look at a video game as a part,
it would be only covered by D and E; but since you push buttons and use muscle
force to use one, it qualifies it as an A game and thereby makes it a legitimate
entertainment device as long as no wagers are placed on the outcome of the
game. In other words, don't bet on your Pokemon. As for the $75,000 fine
that people mention? That's for owning a casino and the "tourist laws" are
specifically geared at boats. This is similar to how pinball machines were
made illegal in the USA; until the addition of "Flippers" by Harry Mabs in
1947. Which proved that they were based on SKILL and not luck. A gambling
game is based on luck with a itemized pay-off. Since videogames are based
on skill, require muscle force for operation and do not give physical, tangible,
itemized pay-offs; then therefore they are not illegal as defined in article
2. With all the petitions and cacophony made by internet sites over this
law; it's little wonder why people belive that video games rot the mind.
So, simmer down and realise that, while confusing, this law isn't out to
hurt video game players. So far, the only reported case to deal with it is
going to court Sepetember 10th and involves two people who own an internet
cafe. If they were doing electronic gambling with pay-outs, they'll probably
get convicted. Although it strikes me as suspicious that the law became a
"huge" issue after their arrests. In other words, I'm not signing a petition
for a group of wanton McCarthyists and neither should you. Apparently, the
law is meant to counter modified video game arcade cabinets that distribute
pay-outs. Which the two internet cafe owners are accused of doing. So, if
you want it in plainer terms, we have two people crying "Help! Help! I'm
being opressed!" and we are expected to rush into action and help justify
an alleged crime in hopes of undermining a law. -PAW/09/06/2002-
YAY! MORE EXPLODING BUILDINGS!
And exploding BOMBS! And exploding plants, enemies,
or whatever gets in Bomberman's way. Bomberman has a new game coming to GBA
this winter in Japan. It's called Bomberman Jetter and it features Bomberman,
in spiffy "Gatchaman" style armour.. okay.. it's just the face shield that
used to belong to Max. Oh, my GOD! They killed Max! Those bastards! Anyways,
it has classic four-play combined with awesome one-play for those who have
no friends or just like to play with themselves. -PAW/09/05/2002-
Getter One Piece.
New One Piece game in Japan! It's a pirate RPG with
tactical battle and that freakish stretchy kid. Also only in Japan is a game
called Super Robot Taisen: Original Generation. That game makes me mad..
as it's an rpgish game featureing large robots... LOTS of them.. from various
large robot series. I mean, DAMN. Think Gundam Wing, G-Gundam, The Big O,
Getter Robo, Shin Getter Robo, Escaflowne, and more large robots.. in large
robot battles... battling other large robots. It's MADNESS. MADNESS I tell
you! Ever wondered if Gundam Deathscythe Hell Custom could beat The Big O?
So have I... and I'm now a little ticked that Japan is getting this game.
I wants. -PAW/09/05/2002-
Sega Wally.
Wemebew Sega
Wally? Fwom Sega? (Well, duh.) It's being made fow Game Boy Advance and is
in full Thwee D with fast wacing action. Is this weally funny? No. But I
was tiwed, so whatevew. -PAW/09/04/2002-
Metro3Delicious
Metro3D is supplying the snacks this
weekend! First on the plate is Defenders of the Crown -a port of an old PC
game- followed by Dual Blades. Defenders of the Crown is flavored with age
and tapped out with nostalgia for those old enough to remember it. Dual Blade
is a fighting game with weapons that inflict pain on the people that you
hit with aforementioned weapons. Garnished with slightly spiffy graphics
and sliced into little GBA cartridge shaped portions. Eat and be filled! -PAW/09/04/2002-
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|  September 2002
Click HERE for the Viral Speak Box!
A Fair and Noble Drowsy.
What no update yesterday
and today? I have a Viral Speak almost done.. but I took medicine that made
me drowsy.. so, for that reason.. please stand.. by.... ZZZZzzzz.... -PAW 09/20/2002-
Duke it out in Suki Nihon!
A few more Suki Nihon reviews
from Reader Reviewer Duke. Everyone take note! Anyhow,
for those able and ready reviewers, I'm announcing that our new Staff
Page will be up shortly and as a cool idea for those who contribute lots
-read: More than five of any type of content- I want to have profiles for
them. Like on the same page as the staff. So, if you have contributed more
than five of anything to this website -Aside from Viral Speak or Forum Posts-
Send a short 200 word or less profile for yourself and it may be included
when the Staff Page is reborn! -PAW/09/17/2002-
Virally Speaking, Baby!
Well. Here's a new one
! Have fun! -PAW 09/15/2002-
My dedication.
I was going to do a big update for September 11th; and I was going to put
up a reader review of Metropolis, and my own reviews of Metropolis and Advance
Wars. (Which is one year old today. September 11th, is also the anniversary
of that games release.) However, I have a worsening headache, so I'll put
up the reviews tommorrow instead. Sorry if that seems a cop-out; but I feel
like I got pummeled by Tima. Heh. As for a September 11th dedication? Well,
instead of going out and waving my little American flags, or taking a day
off. I'm going to get up on the 11th, take some asprin, get dressed and go
to work, just like any other day. Because I want to show that I have forgiven,
and I want to honor those who died by maintaining a normal life. Not to say
I don't feel sad about those who died. We will all feel sad over them; but
it has been over a year and it is best we realize that life doesn't stop
because we want it to. Life goes on, and as such, so must we. It's in the
best respect that we indeed maintain a noble stature and keep a sense of
peace, and quiet alertness.
Part of learning to love someone, is learning to let go
and knowing that they will always be in our memories and hearts. No amount
of flag waving, or bravado is going to change the truth. I honestly didn't
know any of the people who died in the attacks personally; and when I think
about the fact that I will never get to know them... it makes me feel sad,
like I'm missing someone I never knew; but it's best.. that I carry on with
my life and know that even though I never knew any of them personally.. I
want to live as someone who they would have liked to know personally. I want
to be an example of a good person, a stronger person, so that when people
see me, they won't see me as a revenge adled American, or a sappy fool. They'll
see me as someone who honors life and lives it to the fullest. We all need
to strive to be that way. The most honest tears are never shed. And for those
who still want revenge, I offer this from the opening of Metropolis (The
original silent film): "The mediator between the brain and the muscle must
be the heart. - Theo Van Harbou" Please consider commenting in the Viral
Speak box as there will be one in the next update.. Yes, it does work now. -PAW/09/11/2002-
Suki Nihon EXCELS!
Because two Excel Saga reviews are better than one!
Like a tasty snack cake, the cream is in the middle and there is one cookie!
But if you open it there will be two! Not three, but TWO reviews for you
to partake of! Enjoy it! Oh, on a special note: THE VIRAL SPEAK BOX IS BEING
FIXED, DON'T WORRY.-PAW 09/10/2002-
Keeps on coming.
Just like Peter North. Well, get your Viral Speak
on, people! Come on everybody! Click and come with us!-PAW/09/06/2002-
Archives and Cheese.
Okay, no cheese. Just that the August newsity has been archived HERE
. Enjoy it's tasty oldness. -PAW/09/06/2002-
Randomly Mentioned Quote: goto=<skittle rehab>"
New Viral Speak
'Nuff Said
. -PAW/09/04/2002-
Escaflowne in the Wind.
Added a reader review of Escaflowne: The Movie to Suki Nihon! Go read it! The power of Merle compells you! -PAW 09/03/2002- |
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  Anything
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