TOYBOXX

It all boils down to entitlement. People feel that since they've put forth some "investment" towards a Kickstarter project they can dictate what the developer can or cannot do with their product. But who will argue with the lame and dumb when it comes to things like this when their blinded by entitlement? You just can't. All you can do is shake your head and hope for the best with our species.

Although this article is thought provoking, and highly interesting; one argument comes to mind at the very beginning when discussing restraint from our leaders in Government. I think you're giving Biden a little too much credit with handling the "Violence" in this video games 'witch hunt'.

And this is exactly what it is. A modern day witch hunt.

If Joe Biden, the gaffer and chief, took the time to study-up on the violence in video games investigations of the past, the public display of incompetency wouldn't have even occurred. Common sense dictates that interacting with any form of violence in the media DOES NOT brain wash an individual into becoming a killing machine. Jack Thompsons' poison corrupted the thoughts of others, including the media, and it worked. Even our leaders are considering this idiocy as being fact without seeing the facts which only further fuels the fire of stupidity.

If citizens of this nation refuse to put in check the very people who are quick to judge (and likewise quick to pull the plug on things that they don't understand), is very damaging to our society as a whole.

As the saying goes "You can lead the horse to water, but you can't make one drink". In other words, you can present the facts plain as day to the individual, but you can't make someone learn said facts if they refuse.

What other forms of industry will be thrown under the bus in the name of "peace"?

Shortly after the new year (Happy 2013 Everybody!) the video's began to not play anymore. The video's in particular that aren't working: "Game of the Year 2012: Brad's Top 10", "Game of the Year 2012: Day Two Recap", and "Game of the Year 2012: Drew's Top 10". Below is what the video player looks like in full screen after just a few minutes of waiting:

Web browser and OS currently running are Chrome Version 23.0.1271.97 on Win 7.

Hopefully a resolution will be presented soon. I love the Game of the Year vids :(

@PatrickKlepek Did you return the gift from Tecmo? I would. FUCK them!

The best part about the video is the love for Shadowrun on the PC and Xbox 360. Yeah, a lack luster shooter that had nothing to do with the Shadowrun franchise, it’s no wonder FASA’s gaming division went under.

Both Twitter and personalities from the Gaming Community alike are wishing Phillip Kollar the best of luck in his next venture. In his post made to the fans, he expresses his move from Gameinformer to an unknown venture - possibly Giantbomb? One can only wish:

" I can't talk about what I'm doing next yet -- though I promise that it's awesome -- but I did want to take a few moments of your time to gush about how much I've loved my time at Game Informer and why this is such a special publication. " ...

"A final thank you to everyone who's made my time at Game Informer so awesome, whether you're a co-worker, a reader, a developer, or even just some jerk who liked arguing with me from time to time. You're all awesome in your own ways, and I hope you'll keep in touch with me on Twitter. See you soon!"

On behalf of all Gamers out there, we wish you luck Phillip. Wherever you go may it be as enjoyable, if not better, than Gameinformer.

Mark Darrah, Bioware executive producer, announced on the Bioware forums that the Dragon Age team has moved on “ to the next phase of Dragon Age’s future”, suggesting that upcoming Dragon Age II DLC has been cancelled. And from the sounds of things Bioware will be patching up any inconsistencies for Dragon Age II and simply moving forward.

“While we will still be keeping an eye out for any issues that might crop up in DAII and supporting the community should any emergencies should arise, we’re moving the entire team’s focus to the next phase of Dragon Age’s future.”

Responding to complaints of this decision, in particular the lack of development for the main character Hawke, Darrah explains that they wanted to continue his story but was forced to move on.

“We will try to bring some closure to Hawke’s story but likely not in a playable form. Originally we had planned to do an expansion pack but had to stop to focus on what we are working on now.”

Could Hawke’s story conclude in Dragon Age III? Where the franchise will go from here is anyone’s guess, but what is made clear Bioware wants to continue to make good games by looking to the past for fresh ideas and to hear from the community.

“However, what I can say is that we’ve been thinking a lot about Dragon Age – what it means, and where it could go. This past year, we’ve spent a lot of time both going back to the “BioWare vault” of games and re-examining them, and looking at some new possibilities that today’s industry allows.”

“With that, the next thing for the Dragon Age team members and I to do is hear from you, and not just on the forums, or Facebook, or Twitter. We’ll be attending a number of conventions and gatherings, including PAX East in April. The most valuable thing we can get out of those meetings is to hear from you on those same topics – what does Dragon Age mean to you, and where would you like to see it go? We’re excited to hear what you have to say!”

As of late, anyone can see that Dragon Age, as a brand, has been dwindling for a few years now. Of course, since it's inception, complaints began to spark ranging from a stripped-down battle system, to the sheer fact that the exploration never expanded beyond the main setting in Dragon Age II – Kirkwall.

What is relieving to here, however, is that Bioware wants to do right by the fans to encourage an open dialogue, in person, as they did in the Guild Summit, to bounce back some community feedback to what they would like to see in future installments of the Dragon Age franchise.

Source: Joystiq

The United States Congress is at it again. On Monday a new bill has been introduced with a warning label to all video games that reads:

“WARNING: Exposure to violent video games has been linked to aggressive behavior.”

The Dynamic, Dimwitted Duo, who concocted this jovial lunacy known non-other as the “Violence in Video Games Labeling Act” (H.R. 4204), Joe Baca (D-Calif.) and Frank Wolf (R-Va.), both have issued a statement following this great piece of disposable legislature that they’ve created:

“The video game industry has a responsibility to parents, families, and to consumers – to inform them of the potentially damaging content that is often found in their products,” said Representative Baca in a statement on the legislation. “They have repeatedly failed to live up to this responsibility. Meanwhile research continues to show that playing violent video games is a casual risk factor for a host of detrimental effects in both the short- and long-term, including increasing the likelihood of physically aggressive behavior. American families deserve to know the truth about these potentially dangerous products.”

“Just as we warn smokers of the health consequences of tobacco, we should warn parents—and children—about the growing scientific evidence demonstrating a relationship between violent video games and violent behavior,” Representative Wolf said. “As a parent and grandparent, I think it is important people know everything they can about the extremely violent nature of some of these games.”

Video games that have been rated by the ESRB “”E” for everyone, “E10+” for everyone 10 and older, “T” for teen, “M” for mature or “A” for adult” would get slapped with this new label. If passed, this new bill would easily contradict the ruling of CALIFORNIA v. ENTERTAINMENT MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION which deemed video games as a part of Free Speech. Something, of which, can’t co-exist among power hungry figure heads better known as the United States Congress.

And as always, to prevent a catastrophic disaster like this from happening, contact your State Legislator and make your voices heard.

Source: EGM

"Nintendo had begun to look like a stubborn dinosaur, unwilling to adjust its strategy in the wake of the coming iOS tide."

This statement isn't just a reflective look at Nintendo, rather, it's a look at the entire Japanese video game market as a whole. And the only person seemingly willing to make a change is Shigeru Miyamoto who is letting the younger generation develop games for a change. I respect that.

Movies like Grandma's Boy references the Japanese gaming market really well by displaying the ridiculousness of filtering game ideas through one person instead of having a round table brain-storm with multiple people that generates creative ideas.

To put it simply, Japan needs to adjust by following the trends of the industry, while maintaining innovation, or else they'll be left behind. In all honesty, and I could be wrong with this, but isn't Nintendo, Konami, and Namco the only successful companies within the gaming industry of Japan right now? Here in the states we have over 20 - at the least. Yeah, something is wrong there.

First off, great article Patrick! You bring interesting, and informative, discussion pieces to the table as a way to spice things up here on Giantbomb. Thank you.

As for the article itself, disgruntled fanboys, of any kind, are seemingly the one's that destroys franchises. They speak up, the developer responds to the minor few, and what was a great game suddenly changes to not become a great game anymore. But hey those fanboys are happy now - right? The Mass Effect franchise is a prime example of fanboy influence gone awry.

Personally, I strongly believe in the saying "If it isn't broke, don't fix it". And when the price tag is $60 per game, you sure as hell better not "try" to fix a great game, or you'll lose my support.