Headline RePLAY – 3.21.12

Today on Headline RePLAY: BioWare co-founder Dr. Ray Muzyka directly addresses fans on the Mass Effect 3 ending controversy, a bipartisan bill wants to put warning labels on videogames and a Final Fantasy XIII-2 and Mass Effect 3 crossover.


In an open letter to Mass Effect 3 fans, BioWare co-founder Dr. Ray Muzyka, expressed that the company is listening to players’ feedback about the game’s controversial endings and is working on content to address it.

“The team and I have been thinking hard about how to best address the comments on ME3’s endings from players, while still maintaining the artistic integrity of the game,” said Muzyka. “To that end, since the game launched, the team has been poring over everything they can find about reactions to the game – industry press, forums, Facebook, and Twitter, just to name a few.

From their research, Muzyka says that Executive Producer Casey Hudson and the Mass Effect 3 team will be working on “game content initiatives” to answer questions and provide more clarity “for those seeking further closure to their journey.”   

“We’re working hard to maintain the right balance between the artistic integrity of the original story while addressing the fan feedback we’ve received,” the co-founder emphasized. “This is in addition to our existing plan to continue providing new Mass Effect content and new full games, so rest assured that your journey in the Mass Effect universe can, and will, continue.

“Trust that we are doing our damndest, as always, to address your feedback. As artists, we care about our fans deeply and we appreciate your support.”

More details are to be revealed on April.

*Source: BioWare


Apparently, according to Congressmen Joe Baca (D-Calif.) and Frank Wolf (R-Va.) videogames are so dangerous that ta bill needed to be introduced that would require videogames to carry a warning label similar to the ones found on cigarettes:

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

The bipartisan bill is H.R. 4204, or the Violence in Video Games Labeling Act. H.R. 4204 would require the Consumer Product Safety Commission to require most games to bear the warning label regardless of its rating by the ESRB; except for those rated “EC” or “early childhood.”

“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 Baca. “They have repeatedly failed to live up to this responsibility.”

“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,” said Wolf. “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.”

The full bill can be read below:

To require certain warning labels to be placed on video games that are given certain ratings due to violent content.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION REGULATION.

a) REGULATION.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Consumer Product Safety Commission shall promulgate regulations to require the warning label described in subsection (b) to be placed on the packaging of any video game that is rated ‘‘E’’ (Everyone), ‘‘Everyone 10+’’ (Everyone 10 and older), ‘‘T’’ (Teen), ‘‘M’’ (Mature), or ‘‘A’’ (Adult) by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board.

(b) WARNING LABEL CONTENT.—The warning label required under a regulation issued under subsection (a) shall be placed in a clear and conspicuous location on the packaging of the applicable video game and shall state: ‘‘WARNING: Exposure to violent video games has been linked to aggressive behavior.’’.

(c) VIDEO GAME DEFINED.—As used in this Act, the term ‘‘video game’’ means any product, whether distributed electronically or through a tangible device, consisting of data, programs, routines, instructions, applications, symbolic languages, or similar electronic information (collectively referred to as ‘‘software’’) that controls the operation of a computer or telecommunication device and that enables a user to interact with a computer controlled virtual environment for entertainment purposes.

*Source: GamePolitics


Even Final Fantasy XIII-2 is not safe from Mass Effect 3—this week’s Famitsu magazine revealed new DLC that allows Serah and Noel to cosplay as Commander Shepard.

Most importantly, the same issue shows DLC for Final Fantasy VI’s favorite octopus Ultros as a coliseum participant to be fought and tamed! Typhon included, of course.

The costume and coliseum DLC are set for release on March 27.

*Source: Andriasang

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