DISQUS

Polter-Cow · 1 year ago

Gah. That sounds completely maddeningly stupid and annoying, and I haven't even played the game. I didn't even know there was a "sex scene" in it. I agree with you about the double standard. I mean, the "Hot Coffee" GTA scandal was ridiculous and dumb too.

Jandy · 1 year ago

Exactly. I almost mentioned the "Hot Coffee" thing, too. That was almost even more ridiculous since it wasn't even something GTA:SA had in it by default; you had to hack it.

Sig · 1 year ago

Fox really doesn't have a news wing. The entity called "Fox News" is not beholden to journalistic constraints and instead operates as a hit machine for a conglomerate of interests. No, I know you don't have any beef with them, but this is more or less typical -- vague generalities with no practical basis voiced by "experts" with tenuous qualifications.

The other major news outlets have an interesting take on trying to balance their coverage by devoting time to shouting heads from opposite sides (whether as hosts or simultaneously) -- I'm not sure that's at all effective, but I can't see how an impartial observer can find Fox to even attempt objectivity, I'm sorry. It's clear Mass Effect is not a titillating game, and it's not trying to be.

Either by hysterical fear or intentional distortion, these people are blowing this perceived threat utterly out of context and proportion and silencing dissent. I'm afraid this is not new.

Polter-Cow · 1 year ago

Ha! Jandy, did you hear about this?

Mark · 1 year ago

When I bought Unreal Championship for my kids on the Xbox, the cashier made a point of reminding me of the MA rating. (I actually think Unreal's taunting and gore are annoying. But I knew I could change all that by changing the settings). No one tried to hide the rating from me.

Jandy · 1 year ago

PC, I had heard mention of Amazon revenge on the psychologist. Hee.

Sig, I don't really watch enough news from any outlet to feel justified in calling any of them objective or otherwise. I know a lot of people distrust FOXNews (and this particularly story certainly doesn't add to their credibility); I just wanted to make it clear that I was dissing this story alone, since my experience with the network as a whole is so small. Also, it's one thing to attempt objectivity (which I doubt is even possible for any media outlet) and another to spout complete fictions. I mean, saying "there's too much sex in video games" isn't objective, but saying "there's graphic nudity in Mass Effect" is totally made-up.

Mark, good. Video game stores have taken deserved heat for not enforcing ratings, and they're starting to get better, I think. Hey, do you guys have Psychonauts? I've been meaning to pimp it and haven't gotten around to it. It's really good--very innovative story and setting.

Mark · 1 year ago

Psychonauts? Work with old Xbox? Computer?

Jandy · 1 year ago

Mark, Psychonauts is for original Xbox. Here's Gamespot's page. It's sort of a glorified platformer, but the level design is extremely clever.

Sig · 1 year ago

Sounds like someone's figured things out on her own. And all it cost her was the ratings of all her books on Amazon.

But no, "sex scenes in moderation" doesn't get attention. Hawt nekkid alien chixx does, I'm afraid. I can't wait to see what happens when they discover hentai.