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Posted Oct 02, 2006 at 01:43AM by JustEaton Listed in: PlayStation Portable Tags: PSP, GPS
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PSP GPSWith both the "Chotto Shot" and GPS accessory coming up in the next few months, everyone's getting a bit antsy about what they will bring to the PSP. With a little over two months away from the Japanese release of the GPS accessory (December 7th), we're beginning to learn more about what GPS will offer PSP users. In the beginning of September, we mentioned that Sony had hinted us about the use of GPS in "Hot Shots Golf: through the 'Downloadable Golf course data' and 'Simulation for shot.'", as well as Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops. Well, we now know a bit more about what we're talking about.

As some of you may already know, the PSP GPS will act as a "golf guide" with the use of Hot Shots, providing you with accurate information of courses you're playing on. Unfortunately, the GPS is only being released in Japan (that we know of), so we're not quite sure if this will extend to the US courses and beyond. We can only hope that they give us our fair share, but with Sony's recent events (exploding batteries and whatnot), we can only expect so much.

Another game to be incorporated with the PSP GPS, Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops, has some pretty... weird features in store. It's not quite clear exactly what
Kojima has planned for GPS and MGS, but based on your location and direction, you can go through some sort of "treasure hunt" in the game. We're not sure if this is actually something that was thoughtout and creative, or simply another throw-in to get people to buy the game. Only time will tell...

Finally, for all you astronomers out there (or just those who aren't glued to a screen 14 hours a day), Homestar, an astronomical observation tool, will also be incorporated with the PSP GPS. The screens below show signs of basic astronomic information (longitude, latitude, etc), as well as a "Starry Sky Mode", "Fantasy Theatre Mode", and "Game Sharing Mode". There is also a strict "GPS Mode", so we're not sure exactly which mode will use the full capabilities of the PSP GPS. From what I understand, you'll be able to input the current time of day (GPS should pull the rest), and you'll be able to see the stars above you and information regarding the color, brightness, etc. Not much else is known at the moment about Homestar, but hopefully more will come as we near the release!


PSP GPS Map2PSP GPS MapPSP GPS StarsPSP GPS Stars2



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Posted Sep 28, 2006 at 08:29AM by JustEaton Listed in: PlayStation Portable Tags: Senate, Ratings, ESRB, News
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Senators to change ratings?


For those of you who aren't already aware, in June, the US House of Representatives Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection Subcommittee came together to discuss the issue of violent video games. During this conversation, many politicains seemed to have a negative opinion about the way the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) rates video games. Cliff Sterns (R-FL) had then proposed that they correct that system, and initiated the "Truth in Video Game Rating Act" (H.R. 5912). What does this act mean to us? Simply that the Federal Trade Commission would determine the future ratings of the video games we know and love.

Currently, ESRB determines game ratings by viewing a video tape of each game's most offensive content, which is created by the publisher of the game. Sterns believes that the ratings need to incorporate the game's entire content, and there should be rules set up that forbid the publisher from disclosing any information (about the game) from the rating system. His bill would also require the US General Accounting Office and the General Comptroller to research the effectiveness of the bill, and develop alternatives to the current ESRB rating system. One of these alternatives includes a general rating system for all music, movies, and games, and TV.

Now jump ahead to present day...


Yesterday, Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) followed up on Stern's bill and sent a similar bill to the Senate. Seems like this is a pretty serious topic. Anyways, the exact text of the bill hasn't been released just yet, but Brownback seems to have the same concepts in mind that Sterns brought up. He said that watching a video tape of edits simply isn't enough, and that his bill would "direct the Federal Trade Commission to require that reviewers consider the full content of a video game before issuing a rating." His thoughts are also shared with Sterns, with the ideas of a possible general rating system.

Don't think this is all going down without a fight though, the Entertainment Software Association has responded with President Douglas Lowenstein telling Sterns that his bill would not succeed, and that people would not be represented by the average american parents.

Since we are the gamers, we should have some input on what the ratings are, or how they work. What do you think? Should we incorporate more than just the basic "Everyone", "Teen", and "Mature" (besides some others)? Perhaps a "Pre-teen", "Mature Teen", or "Adult Only"? Are we ok with the current ratings, but just need to include more detailed research on games before the ratings go up? Tell us what you think!

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