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He was the guest that no-one expected to see – and yet Keith Vaz MP, Parliament's most hostile critic of the industry, turned out last night at an event in support of gaming, claiming: "I've never been against games".

Parliament Games Day, held at Portcullis House in Westminster, was organised by pressure group Gamers' Voice to bring together politicians and the industry to promote the cultural and economic strengths of Britsoft.

Vaz, whose arrival turned heads, told Eurogamer: "I've never been against games. I've been against violent games that are able to fall into the hands of young people who are perhaps not able to understand the implications of what they're doing."

Vaz is well known to gamers for his fierce campaigning against titles including Manhunt, Bully and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. But in a sign that his views may have softened, he added: "Clearly there are some very violent games around – but if you're 18-plus then you can make those decisions yourselves".

"I don't oppose games," he inisted. "I just think it's very important that people respect and acknowledge the age limits. And the campaign has always been about ensuring there is proper labelling so that people know exactly what kind of games they should have."

Other guests saw his presence as symbolically significant. Minister for Culture Ed Vaizey said: "I'm constantly teasing Keith and I think he is aware of the sea-change in videogames and that, particularly with the new generation coming into parliament, there are now many more MPs who grew up with games as a normal part of their life."

He added: "It's important that there's a voice in parliament that talks about issues of concern, be it about videogames or media in general – I think he now realises the gaming debate is now far wider than that."

"Keith is very concerned about classification and violence in games," said fellow Labour MP Luciana Berger. "War games are one element of a very wide range of games you can play and engage with be that recreational or educational."

It was a big moment for Gamers' Voice chairman Paul Gibson. "When Keith Vaz walked in there was a murmur of recognition across the room," he said. "Keith is a sensible MP but at the same time he hasn't made many friends in the videogames industry.

"For him to show up this evening is a show of good will on his part, because he knew when he walked into that room that everyone was going to turn and look. It's fantastic that he came along – he didn't stay for long – but the fact he came speaks volumes."

Asked if he was happy with the new games classification system – still waiting to be passed into law – Vaz said he felt it was "moving in the right direction".

"When we started this campaign the age limit was the size of half a, I think, a 5p coin, which was very small," he explained. "Obviously we want to see what PEGI does, but the more that they can draw to the attention of young people the need to respect the age limit better – and if you're over 18 you can do what you want. No-one wants to stop you playing your games."

The Leicester East MP then drew attention to the recent, controversial Panorama documentary on games addiction, adding: "What is important is that people enjoy games but not spend their entire lives playing games".

Which is the same as any other hobby? "Indeed," he admitted

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...-against-games ...

Sony will likely force the PlayStation 3 hackers to stop distributing the tools they created and released online it alleges are directly responsible for enabling piracy - at least temporarily.

It's bad news for George Hotz, aka Geohot, who led a group of high-profile hackers that successfully circumvented Sony's security measures designed to prevent gamers from running unofficial programs on the PS3.

According to legal documents published by Hotz on his blog, Sony believes the hackers have infringed areas of the Digital Millenium Copyright Act (DMCA) in obtaining the encryption and decryption keys of the console without authorisation, and that the defendants are directly responsible for enabling piracy via the tools they created and released online. A comprehensive round-up of the allegations can be found on Digital Foundry.

"A DMCA action was pretty much inevitable once word of this got out," said Jas Purewal, a games lawyer at Olswang and writer of Gamer/Law. "Difficult for me to see how Hotz will be able to avoid a successful DMCA claim, personally.

"So, all in all, no great surprises here - Sony really had no choice but to take these actions."

So, what's next for Hotz and the Fail0verflow hacking team now Sony has filed suit?

"In practical terms, it seems they [Sony] are applying for a restraining order and injunction against Hotz, which if successful would at least stop him distributing the hack," Purewal said.

According to Alex Chapman of Sheridans Solicitors, it's too early to comment on the merits of the claims in the case, but he described Sony's move as "a very early step in the action" and "ex parte", which means that a decision may be made without hearing from the defendants.

"Usually there will be a return date which will be an opportunity for the defendants to make their representations and for the Judge to consider the case more fully," Chapman explained to Eurogamer.

"Ex Parte applications are generally made where there is some urgency and the courts in those cases don't necessarily decide on the merits of the case but on the 'balance of convenience'.

"In this case Sony is asking that the information on the websites is taken down. It will be saying that the publication of these hacks/cracks causes it damage that cannot adequately be compensated in damages and the defendants are not inconvenienced by taking it down - since they can be compensated in damages."

Chapman suspects that the court will likely agree with Sony's request – for now, but that doesn't mean Sony will be victorious in the lawsuit.

"When courts look at cases where the disclosure of information like this is likely to cause a company irreparable damage they invariably do make the order requested, at least until the applicable return date," he said.

"This is important because if the defendants 'lose' this part of the action it does not mean that they have lost the whole case or that they are liable, just that they have to take down the content as the balance of convenience favours Sony."

Both Hotz and the Fail0verflow group have responded to Sony's lawusit.

"I am a firm believer in digital rights," Hotz yesterday told the BBC. "I would expect a company that prides itself on intellectual property to be well versed in the provisions of the law, so I am disappointed in Sony's current action.

"I have spoken with legal counsel and I feel comfortable that Sony's action against me doesn't have any basis."

The case continues.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...was-inevitable ...

via MCV


Following confirmation earlier this week that eight games will launch alongside the 3DS in Japan on February 26th, Nintendo has now dated a further 16 games that will be out in the month that follows.

As reported by Andriasang, seven games have been given definitive release dates:

• March 11th: Super Monkey Ball 3D (Sega)
• March 17th: Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell 3D (Ubisoft)
• March 24th: Dead or Alive Dimensions (Tecmo Koei)
• March 24th: Gundam The 3D Battle (Namco Bandai)
• March 24th: Rabbids Time Travel (Ubisoft)
• March 31st: BlazBlue Continuum Shift II (Arc System Works)
• March 31st: Pro Baseball Famisuta 2011 (Namco Bandai)

Also given a speculative 'March' release date are the following titles:

• Asphalt 3D Nitro Racing (Konami)
• Pro Baseball Spirits 2011 (Konami)
• The Sims 3 (Electronic Arts)
• Tsukurou Ponta no Gardens 3D (Electronic Arts)
• Shanghai 3D Cube (Sunsoft)
• Naruto Shippuuden Nin Rittai Emaki! Saikyou Ninkai Kessen!! (Takara Tomy)
• Virus Shooter XX (Dorasu)
• Steel Diver (Nintendo)
• Nikoli Puzzle (Hmaster)

Absent from the list are any of Nintendo's big-name franchises such as Kid Icarus, Starfox, Mario Kart, Ocarina of Time, Paper Mario and Pilotwings. We're also still waiting on dates for Capcom's Resident Evil duo, Konami's Metal Gear Solid and THQ's Saints Row.

As revealed last week, the following titles will launch alongside the device at the end of next month:

• Nintendogs+Cats
• Super Street Fighter IV 3D
• Winning Eleven
• Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle
• Ridge Racer 3D
• Combat of Giant Dinosaur 3D
• Puzzle Bobble 3D
• Samurai Warriors Chronicle.

...

via Eurogamer


PlayStation 3 exclusive first-person shooter Killzone 3 contains over 70 minutes of cutscenes.

That's according to the BBFC, which has just slapped an 18-rating certificate on the gritty sci-fi FPS.

Predictably, Killzone 3 contains "strong bloody violence and strong language". Thankfully, it was passed with no cuts made.

The age rating comes as no surprise. Last year Guerrilla Games' Steven Ter Heide told Eurogamer that swearing had been curtailed for Killzone 3, but it was still "firmly aiming" to be an 18-rated game.
...

via MCV


Sony isn't going to take Nintendo's 3DS challenge lying down.

The format-holder is preparing a swift reveal for the true PlayStation Portable successor, due at Christmas. As was reported yesterday, the first announcement is pencilled in for January 27th.

Most importantly: the format-holder is pitching the device as a high-end portable equivalent of its next-gen home console, with rich games content to match.

Sony has told licensees the device ‘is as powerful as the PlayStation 3’.

High-level sources told us they expect Sony to start outlining its 2011 handheld strategy within days of Nintendo events in Amsterdam and New York detailing the 3DS Easter rollout plans.
Article continues below

The new PSP is expected to arrive within the Q4 period, perhaps as early as October, and includes a HD screen with twin-stick controls in the familiar ‘brick’ form factor.

Sony has already consulted publishers about launch timings and the first wave of games.

It is specifically requesting richer, more in-depth content to differentiate its device from app-centric Apple and Android devices.

Plus, securing HD handheld games will help build launch excitement amongst publishers, developers and consumers over the next nine months.

Sony is already plotting to reveal more at GDC and E3 after this month’s first tease.

‘PSP2’ will even use a media format to make sure retail has a part to play in the console’s lifecycle by selling physical software.

But the device will also provide access to plenty of downloadable content, smaller games and apps via PSN – and maybe even incorporate a phone, but not as a primary function.

This next-gen PSP is separate from the games-oriented phone sister division Sony Ericsson is working on, which is due for its formal unveiling at Barcelona’s Mobile World Congress in February. That device runs Android and downloaded apps and smaller games, plus potentially older PSone titles. ...

There is only a couple days left in our Leave a comment on Facebook and win ONE of five XCM HDMI Capsule Switch (click link for more information and how to enter). If you haven't entered yet, make sure to do so by clicking the link or the link below that takes you directly to our Facebook post. If you already have a Facebook account, you're already half way there! Contest ends January 16, 2011. So HURRY!

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There is only a couple days left in our Leave a comment on Facebook and win ONE of five XCM HDMI Capsule Switch (click link for more information and how to enter). If you haven't entered yet, make sure to do so by clicking the link or the link below that takes you directly to our Facebook post. If you already have a Facebook account, you're already half way there! Contest ends January 16, 2011. So HURRY!

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We at DCEmu Reviews bring you another EXCLUSIVE first look at XCM's new F-1 Converter.


XCM has received many gamer requests to develop a converter for a G25/G27 racing steering wheel to be used on the Xbox 360™ and Xbox 360 Slim™ console, we are glad to tell you that we have successfully made a converter. The converter is not only compatible with the G25/G27 racing steering wheel but also includes a built-in combo attack memory function for fighting games. You just simply press one button to execute the complicated combo attack with ease. Don't miss your chance to own one!

• Compatible with all versions of Xbox 360™/Xbox 360™ Slim, PS3™/PS3™ Slim consoles.
• Built-in converter allows you to use G27 and G25 racing steering wheels on Xbox 360™ with Xbox 360™ racing games.
• Plug and Play.
• Supports Rumble.
• Built-in Combo Attack function on 5 Memory Buttons - Program up to 20 button combos to a single button to pull off devastating moves at will!
• Enable Rapid Fire/Turbo on wired Xbox 360™, Original Xbox™ and PS3™ controllers when connected to your Xbox 360™/Xbox 360™ Slim, PS3™/PS3™ Slim consoles.
• Supports PS3™ SIXAXIS games.
• Supports analog stick tilt functionality on Xbox 360™ controller for the PS3™ console.
• User controlled Rapid Fire/Turbo firing rates (High Speed, Medium Speed, Off).
• Supports wired Xbox 360™ controller, PS3™ controller and Original Xbox™ controller on Xbox 360™/Xbox 360™ Slim, PS3™/PS3™ Slim consoles.
• Get another friend to get a F-1 Converter and you can both share saved combos! (PC required).

No price or release date has been announced but it should be available soon. We'll have videos of it once its available to use. Keep an eye out on our YouTube channel. ...

News via http://www.xbox-scene.com/xbox1data/...ylizXYOzpt.php

Whats new?
- Added video previews. The format must be wmv and be placed under GAME:\Videos. The filename is .wmv. For example mslug4.wmv. Note : clone roms will display the video of parent roms. Also, due to the large size of the preview videos, you will need to either find or create your own. We have created a sample of 50 video files. Download Here


- Added ‘Arcade Stick Setting’ option.
- Added number of found roms in the Rom Browser.
- Fixed minor skin issues.
- working d_raider driver
- NEC CPU Big endian fixes
- Core – fixed space harrier inverted control issue
- Fixed Ghost n Golbins audio
- Core – default nFMInterpolation to 1 rather than 3.
- Core – d_gradius3 working
- Fixed Pang! audio issue.
- Core – fixed d_gunsmoke driver
- Core – fixed endian issue in d_blockout
- Core – working sound on d_tnzs
- no longer reset d3d each time a rom loads
- added proper rom auditing
- displays detailed error message if rom doesnt load
- Core – fixed endian issue in d_blockout
- Core – fixed sound issue in d_mitchell
- Core – fixed sound in d_powerins
- merged in IQ_132s PGM WIP code
- Core – fixed graphics issue in drgw2
- Can now specify multiple rom paths inside fba360.xml file
- Core – added Varia Metal driver (thanks to IQ_132)
- USB0: USB1: USB2: Hdd1: Memunit0: Memunit1: Dvd: can now be used as rom paths

Official Site: http://lantus360.com | http://code.google.com/p/fba360/ ...