Not a massive amount to talk about this week, so excuse the short Digest.

The issue of Governments interfering with videogames has always got gamers hot under the collar, and this week's news about a Washington state law is no different. No-one likes politicians sticking their noses in a media they don't understand; we all know how narrow-minded and ignorant they can be when games are involved. We all remember the outcries after the Columbine killings that violent games should be banned because they apparently turn people into psychopaths, all based on the fact that the shooters played DOOM (I guess they weren't aware of the amount of the millions of people that play games and don't go nuts). It seems people of 'high authority' are absolutely clueless when it comes to games.

Don't get me wrong, I am favour of some form of regulation with games. There are some games that young kids shouldn't be playing, unless their parents approve so. Over here we have ESRB ratings, which serve only as a guide, and are horribly ineffective. They aren't recognised, and are completely barmy at times (Tony Hawks a 15? Must be joking). The BBFC is the one that sets the important certificates; 15 and 18, which are legally binding, even if a lot of retailers ignore them. I don't think there is anything wrong with this kind of thing, it's perfectly acceptable and understandable. I am under the impression that in America there are no such legal certificates (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong), it makes sense when considering this week's law. The Videogame Violence Bill, which is set to go into effect from July 27, would fine retail employees in Washington $500 if they sell violent video games depicting the killing of a police officer to anyone under 17.

What I find absurd is the narrowness of this bill, by all means restrict violent games from young kids, but what is so special about a police officer? Why is killing a cop in a game worse than a soldier, or a fireman, or a postal worker or an old granny? The answer comes from the idiotic Washington State legislature Mary Lou Dickerson; "Our state law is narrowly focused on the compelling state interest of protecting the safety of law enforcement officers and firefighters". Of course this comes from the age-old argument of 'Monkey see, monkey do'; that children will imitate what they see in games, and they want to protect the police from game-gouging kids who will go on a violent rampage after a GTA session. Frankly, I think this is completely stupid, and it comes as no surprise to see a politician spouting this nonsense. And you have to wonder why they're picking on games here; we see cops getting killed all the time in films.

Great news this week, new games from Nintendo! Bad news this week, they're Beyblade, Medabots and Monster Jam 2! Boo. However, on the Norwegian Nintendo site 'Paper Mario' and 'Super Mario' appeared. We already knew about a Gamecube Paper Mario, really can't wait for that one, as Paper Mario was terribly underrated on the N64 and any RPG on Gamecube is welcomed. Speaking of RPG's, it looks like PC RPG Tengai Makyou 2: Manjimaru is being remade for our lovely Cube. It looks like the role-playing situation is hotting up, good news for someone like me who is thoroughly enjoying Skies of Arcadia.

Rodney Cousens takes this weeks award for Worst Decision, by becoming the CEO of the failing developer Acclaim. Lets hope he can turn them around, the Acclaim that gave us the first two Turoks is missed by myself anyway. The rumblings of Nintendo's online system I mentioned last week became even more apparent when GameSpy talked about their talks with Nintendo. It's all but inevitable that Gamecube will go online, or at least it's successor will launch with the system intact. Japanese magazine Nintendo Dream has reported that there will be no Spaceworld this year, but I'll by arguing the opposite right up until an official confirmation. In my opinion there will be a Spaceworld, because it's needed by Nintendo to show off their in-house workings, and I'll be very disappointed if there isn't.

I leave you with the news that Nintendo wil be cracking down on European retailers that sell imported games. Although this is understandable, maybe if they delivered the Animal Crossings of this world, they wouldn't have to.

By Conor
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