The state already has a history of trying to create laws governing the sale of certain games. On February 24 of this year, state Senator Hansen Clarke introduced Senate Bill 249. The bill would bar the sale or rental of "restricted video games" (those rated AO or M by the ESRB) to anyone under the age of 18. A violation would be punishable by imprisonment of up to one year, a fine of $5,000, or both. The bill, in a slightly modified form, was passed by the Senate in May.

This week's actions are somewhat more benign.

The Associated Press is reporting that Senate Democrats said on Wednesday that the maker of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Take-Two Interactive, should recall the game and "urged retailers to pull it from their shelves." Of course, almost all retailers had previously done so. Nonetheless, Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm sent a letter to approximately 60 retailers asking them to adopt policies of refusing to sell all adult-only-rated games.

The AP also reported that Senator Mark Schauer said the rating change did little to change his mind that the industry can no longer effectively regulate the sale of M- and AO-rated games. "It is disgusting that these types of images are available," he reportedly said. "It's pornography."

In addition, a number of Democrats in the Senate tried to give SB249 sharper teeth by backing a petition drive calculated to build public support for the legislation. The Web site shows a short video of in-game footage spliced together. The montage footage shows game characters is various acts of gritty, felonious, and scandalous behavior. When the video ends, viewers are able to add their name to the petition electronically.

The AP says a panel in the Michigan House is scrutinizing the legislation, vetting it so it can more effectively withstand any challenge brought by the ESRB, the ESA, or others.

PiperJaffray sees fast break for Xbox 360

Analyst Tony Gikas calls Nov launch "on track;" sees two-model retail strategy; reiterates MS target of 15 games at launch, up to 40 before year end.
The Xbox 360 doctor is IN and he likes what he sees.

Respected game industry analyst Anthony Gikas of PiperJaffray last week issued a memo to investors. Concentrating solely on the new hardware, about all that was missing from the report was the sound of a big bass drum or bugle inspiring the Microsoft minions who are placing their efforts behind the first-to-market next-gen game console, the Xbox 360.

Gikas said the 360 is "very much on track to ship in November in the US and Europe," and will "likely ship a couple of weeks later in Japan." In spite of there being no stated full-year ship numbers from the maker itself, Microsoft, Gikas estimates a million shipping in the US by year-end, 400,000 units in Europe, and 200,000 units in Japan.

On the topic of an available software library at launch and during the full calendar year, Gikas said, "Microsoft management expects roughly 15 software titles (12 third-party and 3 internal games) will be available at the US/European launch ... and 25-40 games ... by 2005 YE."

Gikas estimates that "close to 10 games will be available for the Japan launch;" with the full year ending with about 15 games available for the Japanese market.

"To date," Gikas wrote, "there are more than 160 360 software products currently in development worldwide for the new platform."

Regarding pricing, Gikas joined the guessing game, stating "our assumption is that Microsoft will make one model available at $299, and another model near $399." He elaborated on the differences, saying the higher-priced model would likely include "additional hardware components" such as a hard-drive option, an extra controller, and a "memory option."

The analyst sees software being priced at $59.99 retail

GET A LIFE

Serious Sam II multiplayer seriously set

The sequel to 2001's run-and-gun PC shooter will feature co-op modes on both PC and Xbox versions, 2K Games says.
Publisher 2K Games has changed its tight-lipped status on the multiplayer features of the upcoming multiplatform shooter Serious Sam II.
The company announced that both the Xbox and PC versions of the game will feature fully cooperative play of the single-player campaign. PC gamers will be able create teams of up to 16 people, while those with an Xbox will be limited to four via Xbox Live or system link.

Not to be confused with Serious Sam: The Second Encounter, Serious Sam II is the full next-generation sequel to 2001's back-to-basics PC shooter. The action will take place over 40 levels with about 20 different weapons, some of which are basic action game fare while others are a bit more over-the-top, such as the kamikaze bomb-laden parrot. According to the announcement, all single-player content will be available in the multiplayer modes.

Serious Sam II is set for release this fall. For more on the game, check out GameSpot's most recent preview.

if no one minds (i doubt they will) i am just gonna do what our friend supermega here is doing and just paste stuff off www.gamespot.com in the hope that i will aid in the capping of this thread and the end of supermega's endless spam. If you can help please do and together we can get this thread capped once again.

A very good night sirs and madams :-)

there's no points he will just do it again.

ok no1 likes my information threads so im capin it today.

THIS THREAD IS NOW CAPPED
no more posts from any1 thank u.

wohooooo no more usless threads people make websites for this stuff.

if ppl keep postin in this thread then i well keep postin info so its up to u.

no more posts as ive siad.

post doesnt bother me i never read it anyway i just think ur spammin for no reason tell people the website and let them read it from there its a lot easier

lol this will not be capped this will be deleted sooooooo..........Crap

Edited at 04:21 Thu 11/08/05 (BST)

makes me fall asleep just two lines

Post removed by an admin

Supermega, consider this as your final warning. If I see more than 4 posts in a row again, I will personally whip you with my cane..... I mean ban you.

No, honestly, I know you're into chatting and games etc, but there is a point when you go 'over the top', in otherwords, when you've gone past the point of it being funny/acceptible.

I'm sure you'll understand, it's just that with a load of 'unnecessary' posts, our database is making the connections slower.

Sorry for nagging, i'm sure you'll respect this post,

ta, nicknax.