Time for a quickie...uh, mailbag.
Video Transcripts
I don't come to the Insider channel very often so I apologize for bothering you with this issue if you've already addressed it in the past.
Anyway...is there any way you can post transcripts of your video interviews? I know most of your readers don't use 56K modems but some do and it's quite time consuming to download the interviews. It would be a lot easier if I could just read them.
--Adam
Not that easy I'm afraid. Get broadband or you're EFFed.
--Fran
PDF Guides
Since my PC isn't lokated near my TV, i tend to print the Gameguides when needed. This i currently a great hassle. The new initiative with the GTA: San Andreas as a PDF is a very good idea. Is it a new policy for us Insideres, or just for that one game ?
It's hard enough to get out a timely guide when we often get our final copy right before or AS the game is releasing to stores. However, we do understand the convenience and sensibility of a PDF guide.
We'll be doing them for big guids, but not all of them at this time. Consider it a good beginning, and if you use them as much as you say you will, we'll do more.
--Fran
Fisher Gets the Kibosh
Hey Guys!
I want to know if there will be another Chaos Theory Insider Walkthrough?
I loved the last one so much I want to see another one, will there be another one between now and the game release?
Thank You,
--Mike
We would LIKE to have one, but Ubisoft put the kibosh on that. For now, we'll be waiting until we get approval to do more, hopefully closer to release of the game. If Ubi Soft doesn't do a walkthrough, hopefully we will have time to.
--Fran
EA and ESPN
Ummmm.... O-kay.... Seriously, I don't even know what to say about EA's recent deals, except I don't like them!
--Juan
Hmm... Yeaaa. That's-a-shame.
--Fran
ESR-BS!
Just read your review of the Punisher for Xbox and noted the comment you made regarding the fact that the ESRB persuaded the developer to "snuff some of the gorier moments, muting violent interrogations in black and white." That is truly discouraging! Why are developers and--more importantly--publishers not willing to stand up and take an "AO" (Adults Only) rating from the ESRB?!? Especially given the following fact: According to the ESRB, the difference between the age requirement for an M-rated game and an AO-rated one is ONLY 1 YEAR! Specifically, the M-rating states that the games "have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older." Whereas the AO rated games "are not intended for persons under the age of 18." I'd love to see developers grow some balls & let the ESRB slap an AO on their games if they deserve it! I think it would be a badge of courage and well-rewarded by the gaming community (provided the game is good). Also, an AO rating may even be a used as a marketing tool...
Sorry for the rant, but I just had to get this off my chest! Peace!
--bardia
No, you're right. The ESRB can be pretty lame. You know, they'll rate Fight Night "Teen (13+)" when it has some really violent face deformations and blood spurts -- the new one is even worse. But, that's because it's a "professional sport." Yet, if you were to beat a guy's face with a bat to produce the same bruises/cuts it would probably be considered Mature.
But, likewise, I'm not sure why a developer who gets an M rating is afraid of the AO rating. We need more AO that doesn't have to do with nudity.
Here's a real kicker, though: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is rated "Mature (17+)." Are you freakin' kidding me!? That game is so much more influential and violent than Punisher could have ever been at AO.
Seriously, it's comic violence. How many people have such easy access to piranha-filled aquariums or easily accessible wood-chippers during heated fights or arguments? Like...NOBODY!
I see, so we're telling a 17-year-old it's okay to mow down hookers with an AK and act like a moral-less gangbanger, but when it comes to beating someone senseless e gotta draw the line and force black and white because it'll be too gory otherwise! That's a bunch of stupid Kill Bill BS.
The ESRB is more EFFed up than the guy (above) who's got the 56k modem.
--Fran
Franio Tennis
Yo Man,
Heard you were pretty crappy at Mario Tennis on N64, from an old article I read. Did your skills improve for the Gamecube version Mario Power Tennis?
Also I was dissapointed with the lack of quality in Matts review for the game (he was rushing it to go back and play Prime 2). What did you think of the Gamecube build of the classic game?
--Josh Thomas
Hey! It just so happens I never sucked. Matt hired me on to IGN64 and he had been playing Mario Tennis before it had even been released. Of course I got worked in our first few games, but Matt plays multiplayer games like an eight year-old: if he wins he pretty much stops playing to retain the title.
Bunch of poppycock is what that is. As for the GCN version, I've still not really had any time to dig into it. Too much to play right now! It was so much nicer before when I only had one system I had the time and money to play games on.
--Insider Inbox by Fran Mirabella III
