Headline RePLAY – 4.3.12

Today on Headline RePLAY: Why is the producer of Castlevania: Lords of Shadow Tweeting from Romania? Developers are reporting that the Wii U doesn’t match the graphical levels of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 and an Arizona bill could criminalize internet trolling.


Romania. Home of the most beautiful castles in Eastern Europe and where a bulk of Konami’s Castlevania games takes place. What better location for the producer of Castlevania: Lords of Shadow to tease his next game?

“Today and tomorrow I am in the land of Dracul…” Tweeted producer David Cox. “What am I doing there??? You will see…”

When asked for details, Cox simply said: “No comment.”

*Source: @CastlevaniaLOS via Joystiq


Recent Nintendo consoles like the GameCube or Wii hasn’t exactly been cutting edge in raw graphical prowess. Although Nintendo’s upcoming Wii U can produce full HD graphics, according to developers that are familiar with the hardware, it just doesn’t match the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3.

“No, it’s not up to the same level as the PS3 or the 360,” one developer told GamesIndustry International on the condition of anonymity. “The graphics are just not as powerful.”

“Yeah, that’s true. It doesn’t produce graphics as well as the PS3 or the 360,” another developer agreed. “There aren’t as many shaders, it’s not as capable. Sure, some things are better, mostly as a result of being a more modern design. But overall the Wii U just can’t quite keep up.”

GamesIndustry International observes that Nintendo is “hampered” by going with a tablet controller, especially with “cost and graphics power” being “tightly linked.” In order to keep the console’s price at a “desired level,” the publication says the tablet controller is the Wii U’s “big innovation” not “raw horsepower.”



In order to combat the obnoxious, aggravating dwellers of the internet, Arizona presents House Bill 2549—legislation that would make “trolling” the internet illegal and charge violators with a Class 1 misdemeanor, which can lead to a $2,500 fine and up to 6 months in jail.

Section 1, Part A of the bill reads:

“It is unlawful for any person, with intent to terrify, intimidate, threaten, harass, annoy, or offend, to use ANY ELECTRONIC OR DIGITAL DEVICE and use any obscene, lewd or profane language or suggest any lewd or lascivious act, or threaten to inflict physical harm to the person or property of any person.”

The bill has already passed both legislative houses last week and is currently waiting to be signed by Governor Jan Brewer.

Supporters of the bill argue it’s a necessary provision to prevent online bullying. Opponents, however, contend the law is “overly broad” and could easily include public forums like 4chan, reddit and other sites that permit commentary.  

“Government may criminalize speech that rises to the level of harassment and many states have laws to do so, but this legislation takes a law meant to address irritating phone calls and applies it to communication on websites, blogs, listserves and other Internet communication,” Media Coalition explained in a letter last week.  

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