Torture game brouhaha is irrelevant

This game has been rated 18+ by the Pan-European Game Information group. Parents should be aware that they shouldn't be buying this game for younger children. However, unlike BBFC classifications, there is no legal force behind the PEGI rating, so retailers cannot (as far as I know) be prosecuted for selling games to people below the age given in the rating.

Some controversial games have been submitted to the BBFC to get a proper rating. Rockstar/Take 2 did this for GTA: San Andreas, getting an 18 rating, as they have for many of the GTA games. Canis Canem Edit has a BBFC 15 rating. I recall Bungie mentioning getting a BBFC 15 rating for Halo 2 but this isn't on the BBFC's search engine (it only brings up a 12 rating for the limited edition's 'making of' disc).

On the topic of Bully (Canis Canem Edit), it sounds like the protagonist is a more sympathetic character than had been suggested by the furore preceding the game's release. Yes, you can choose to fight, but it's more about defending yourself than overtly attacking other characters - and there are consequences in the game for doing so. It's no Manhunt.

PEGI ratings could be given legal force, but even then younger children could have the game bought for them by someone older - this is already a problem with the BBFC classification. In the end, it comes down to supervision. I don't think anything further needs to be done.

mike

Subject: Your note on 'four-speed bluray'

A bigger story than the evolution of blu-ray drive is blu-ray media. Checked at the Sony lifestyle store and a 25G blank is $25 USD; 50G is $50. At this point what fool would pay so many smackers for a drive just to burn $50 coasters? Most likely the same group of fools who send their bank account information in return emails to Nigeria.

OC

Subject: PS3 Engineering Masterpiece ?

Who the hell needs a super computer in a console ?!? I will only need it in a PC, NOT a gaming console ! I don't care if it's a superb bargain. They are forcing us to buy stuff that we don't really need, at least not for now. If it's not enough, maybe they should add more capabilities like Video Editing functions into it, or Blu-Ray Video ripping, Fiber Optics connection, and maybe can be used as Router, File Server or Internet Sharing Server. LOL.

For me the ONLY appealing point to buy PS3 is Final Fantasy or maybe Metal Gear Solid.

soniq

Subject: I do see one way to stop pirating of an OS.

Use a small USB plug in device (Key) that the OS (Kernel) will require to run. This will mate hardware to the software. Naturally it will be highly encrypted from the factory with a different code for each one and it would be a great way to lock down a machine. Remove the USB key and you are dead in the water. Suffice to say if you lost it you are screwed until the factory can make you a new one from your registration info.

If this was paired with a setup like Apple's file-vault there would not be such a fuss when government laptops come up missing.

What are your thoughts on the un-crack-ability of a properly utilized USB key setup.

Have a great day,
Glenn

Subject: Vista cracked

Hi

The current method of "cracking" vista is to force on a valid beta or RC build Key which Mircosoft are currently more than happy to activate. Of course, the install will stop working in June. So its not really cracked, and is more than likely going to be sorted out pretty quick.

As far as I know, the activation system for XP was never cracked properly. The pirates relied on the corperate editions of the os which didn't need activated. But with Microsoft saying that the ultimate edition will not be released in a corperate form and will always need activation, the pirates my have to look to properly decoding the activation system, which Microsoft claims is impossible.

Brian R.
(just don't tell m$! i like my msdn access!)

Subject: MBP screen problems

If the problem is the same as the problem affecting PC laptops then it is due to incorrect dithering.

The panel in a MBP is a 6 bit per channel device however the output from the GPU is 8 bit per channel. There is a backend scaler between the output from the X1600 and the built in screen which uses temporal dithering to convert the 8 bit output to 6 bits to drive the display. The theory is that this scaler is introducing noise.

There is no scaler between the GPU and the external DVI port which is why you only see the issue on the internal screen.

If the problem is the same as the problem with the X1600 based PC laptops then the fix is a change to the firmware which programs the scaler.

Paulg

Subject: Irrelevant

I don't play PSP or console games, but I just checked and Rule of Rose has an ESRB rating of MATURE. Therefore, it seems to me to be totally irrelevant to go ballistic about this game and harp on games hurting children. This game is NOT destined for children by any stretch of imagination. So let's just take this as what it is : a publicity campaign where the financial cost is born by the media outlets themselves.

I look forward to reading about all the ridiculous things people - and certain lawyers - will no doubt say about this horrid game hurting children. And by the way, has anyone thought of a law outlining the responsibility of parents ?

Pascal.

Subject: worst thing that could happen

Not to flame the author but to express my shock and horror at this after just about freeing myself from all ties with BT (taking phone and internet through PlusNet with no need for a BT line) they go and do this, well i will be leaving then and i am sure others had the same reason for joining as well.

I may have seen it coming though as their service has gone right down the toilet lately, I am on the lookout for a new ISP and phone company any more about thht dont want BT involved ??

Annoyed,

Anthony