Quote:A new Arkansas statute designed to restrict material deemed "harmful to minors" went into effect last week, placing virtually all the state's comic book retailers in violation of the law. Act 858 (full text) targets magazines or comics that appeal to a "prurient interest" or "lacks serious literary, scientific, medical, artistic or political value for minors." Although designed to keep Penthouse and similar publications out of minors' hands, Arkansas' definition of "harmful to minors" places titles like Batman, Spider-Man, and most manga under the new law.
The result is a series of new expectations for librarians and retailers--and a great deal of unrest among store owners and consumers. Under Act 858, "blinder racks," a longtime staple of adult video and book stores, are to become commonplace in libraries and comic stores. Everything from Sailor Moon to Catcher in the Rye must be covered and "segregated in a manner that physically prohibits access" to youth, according to the new law.
Immediately after the legislature confirmed the bill, a broad coalition ranging from an independent bookstore to the Arkansas Library Association filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court, arguing that the new law is unconstitutional. In a news release from the Arkansas chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, bookstore proprietor Mary Gay Shipley said, "I don't sell 'dirty books,' and I resent being treated like I run an adult bookstore." The sentiment is a common one among those challenging the law.
Chris Finan, president of the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, spoke with ANN. "We are deeply concerned that the language of the bill would require booksellers to create an "adults only" section in their stores for material that is First Amendment protected for adults." Finan emphasizes that the new law prohibits display of a wide range of publications, "including works with serious literary and artistic merit."
The public's impression of "restricted" material is among ABFEE's greatest concerns. "The law would create a serious chilling effect because placing material in an area restricted to adults stigmatizes it." Fearing the impact on sales, he suggests, "Many people will be understandably reluctant to enter an area that seems to be reserved for pornography."
In a statement to ANN, Rita Sklar, Executive Director of the ACLU of Arkansas, clarified the coalition's goals. "We're not saying we oppose the idea of a six-year-old being able to get his hands on a copy of Penthouse. It's you or I not being able to get our hands on a copy of Of Mice and Men." She suggested that many libraries and bookstores may find it easier simply to prohibit minors from entering.
Lawmakers defend their decision to pass the law. "It could open up a can of worms. There's no doubt about that," Republican Kevin Anderson told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. "But our intentions were pure."
In the first seven days of the law have brought no significant lawsuits against retailers and no wave of bookstore closures, but Arkansas store owners remain concerned. The potential for any individual to file a complaint about a store offering "restricted" materials is too high for plaintiffs like Shipley to drop the District Court lawsuit. A trial testing the law's constitutionality is likely in the near future.
Retailers hope to find a trial judge on the same page, but at present, the view remains blocked.
Let's do this tonight! And if not tonight, tomorrow night! Today I'm going to run over to Radio Shack to get a cheap headset, so I suggest the rest of you do the same if you don't already have one. Come on, guys!
Quote:Playmore's Metal Slug Advance has been announced as having a street date of September 26 in Japan. This is the first time the series has graced Nintendo's handheld, so players who are unfamiliar with Metal Slug are in for a treat, as are the seven people who purchased the Metal Slug games for SNK's ill-fated Neo Geo Pocket Color.
If past titles in the Metal Slug series are any indicator, this game will be an awesome old-school 2D shoot-'em up spritefest. With so many fans of the shooter genre on the GAF staff, we'll be covering this one closely, so when more news becomes available (like... screenshots?), we'll get it to you ASAP.
Quote:A very quick tidbit on plans Nintendo may have for the successor to their GBA SP:
Nintendo developer Takeshi Kiyuna commented on the plans for the new handheld, saying that it will have a larger screen, with the resolution planned to be at least 300 x 200, in 260,000 colors.
Quick news, but important news, too. A larger screen? My rapidly aging eyes will thank you, Nintendo.
Source: Magic Box
Posted by pizzicato on 7.4.2003
Hmm, I wonder when it'll come out. Nintendo will definitely want to have something to combat the PSP in late 2004. Now let's just hope that Nintendo copies some of the things Sony is doing with their handheld, like using a cheap disc medium instead of expensive carts.
Quote:Midway Delivers Old School Flava to Next-Generation Consoles with Midway Arcade Treasures
Midway Arcade Treasures Brings More Than 20 Classic Arcade Games Including All-Time Favorites Like SpyHunter, Defender, Gauntlet and Joust for First Time Ever on Next-Generation Consoles
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 3, 2003-- Midway Games Inc., a leading software industry publisher and developer, announced today that Midway® Arcade Treasures™, the first next-generation console offering of more than 20 classic arcade games, is scheduled to ship in fall 2003.
Midway Arcade Treasures features hundreds of hours of classic gameplay action from all-time arcade favorites including the fast-paced action of SpyHunter®, the multiplayer collaboration of Gauntlet®, the space-age adventure of Defender® and the dueling combat of Joust®, just to name a few.
"Now these games can be enjoyed along with extensive DVD content that features the history of some of the top arcade titles and creator interviews," said Helene Sheeler, vice president of marketing, Midway.
With Midway Arcade Treasures, gamers will have the option of enjoying their favorite titles in either one-player or two-player game formats. The DVD content in the game features a history of many of the classic arcade hits and interviews with creators and developers of the games.
Midway Arcade Treasures Games Include:
* Jam-Packed Entertainment -- More than 20 Great Arcade Games Including:
o SpyHunter
o Defender II
o Gauntlet
o Joust
o Paperboy
o Rampage
o Marble Madness
o Robotron: 2084
o Smash TV
o Joust 2
o Bubbles
o RoadBlasters
o Blaster
o Rampart
o Sinistar
o Super Sprint
o 720°
o Toobin'
o KLAX
o SPLAT!
o Satan's Hollow
o Vindicators
* Nonstop Action -- Hundreds of hours of classic gameplay action
* DVD Content -- Creator and developer interviews and game histories
* Multiplayer Gameplay -- One- and two-player gameplay
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