Late Night Consoling

Most sites today have been running a headline implying that Rockstar's GTA III has been banned in Japan, but in reality the game has just been restricted from purchase by minors. Calling it a "ban" is like saying alcohol or driving are currently "banned." Also, the restriction is not national, but rather was instituted by the local government of the Saitama prefecture, one of the country's 47 total prefectures. Recently, the Kanagawa prefecture also banned the game. This led to discussion among the Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association, a coalition of Japanese game industry companies, regarding the possibility of restricting from minors the sale of games targeted to over-18 gamers.

Currently, Japan does not have that kind of self-regulation on games, so games like GTA III must be restricted on an individual basis. The game has been determined to be a "harmful publication" which "graphic violence" and "brutality" as well as "[promoting] youth violence." Retailers in Saitama who sell the game to minors will be subject to a $2,700 fine.

Saitama governor Kiyoshi Udeda noted "I've seen the game myself and it's far too violent and obviously harmful. Freedom of expression is one thing, but the wholesome upbringing of youths is also important and this was the only option."

GamesIndustry.biz has some remarks by Nintendo president Satoru Iwata regarding the upcoming launch of the company's Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. At launch, the free online service will connect gamers using Nintendo's portable DS console, and will eventually support Revolution as well when the system ships some time next year.

When the services goes live, Nintendo will be offering a USB-based wi-fi access point for use by gamers with an internet connection but no wireless router at home. Currently, UK online retailer Play is taking pre-orders for the device, and has it listed for GBP 14.99. The release date is cited as November 11. There will be access points available at various retail locations, and Nintendo is also apparently in talks with major telecom companies to secure additional free Wi-Fi hotspots. Note that GamesIndustry.biz is a UK publication, but it has been reported that Nintendo is pursuing a similar strategy in North America. Gamers will also be able to use non-Nintendo-specific open Wi-Fi networks.

There will apparently be two ways to find opponents: the first matches players up based on past performance, and the second allows gamers to play against members of their friends list. The first two games to utilize the service will be Mario Kart DS and Tony Hawk's American SK8Land (previously known as the DS version of Tony Hawk's American Wasteland). Animal Crossing Wild World and Metroid Prime Hunters will follow.

Newly formed publishing house Xseed has obtained the North American publishg rights for the latest games in the Shadow Hearts and Wild Arms series of PS2 RPGs. Midway, which has been the usual publisher for Shadow Hearts, and Agetec and Sony, which has been the usual publishers for Wild Arms, have both passed on the respective properties this time around, leaving Xseed to bring RPG fans their latest fix.

Xseed employs six former Square Enix employees, and Xseed head Jun Iwasaki was the president and CEO of the US division of Square Enix, leaving the franchises in capable hands. Among the company's goals is the plan "to bring high-quality interactive entertainment to the US market."

Shadow Hearts: From the New World is the third game in the series and is set in America's Great Depression, fourteen years after the WWI-era events of the prior game. Wild Arms 4 is set in the traditional location of Filgaia but apparently has many new characters, story elements, and gameplay mechanics. Both games are expected early next year.

In Japan this November, Microsoft will be opening what they are calling the Xbox 360 Lounge. The large, currently unmarked location will serve to display Microsoft's upcoming console as well as provide a location for gamers to check out current and future games for the system.

Microsoft's frequently-reiterated commitment to the Japanese console market was echoed by Yoshihiro Maruyama, Microsoft Japan's general manager for Xbox: "We will begin promoting the Xbox 360 on TV, newspapers, and magazines. We also plan on promotions that integrate various forms of entertainment, such as sports, fashion, arts, and music. And as a symbol to our promotions, we will open an Xbox 360 Lounge." In what has to be a corporate-mandated PR requirement by Microsoft, Maruyama mentioned that the Xbox 360 will deliver "high-definition entertainment."

As expected, Electronic Arts has confirmed that EA Canada's Need for Speed Most Wanted will in fact ship along with the Xbox 360 console. Recently, Microsoft concretely revealed that the upcoming system will be released November 22, two days before Thanksgiving.

Ubisoft has named the third entry in the series begun by the excellent Prince of Persia: Sands of Time (PS2, Xbox, GCN, PC). What was previously known simply as Prince of Persia 3 (PS2, Xbox, GCN, PC) is now Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones. With additions such as the "Dark Prince" doppelganger, the upcoming game is likely to continue adding "edgy" "attitude" in the vein of Prince of Persia Warrior Within, surely resulting in a much more hardcore and lame experience.

If you want to play your PSP games on a big screen, you can buy a PS2 check out an upcoming device designed to let you do just that. Team Xtender has released information regarding their PSP2TV device, which hooks up a PSP's internal video out to composite cables that can be plugged into a TV. Since it is an internal connection it does require opening the PSP but no soldering is required. A similar device was released a few years ago for the Game Boy Advance (separate from Nintendo's official Game Boy Player).

There is currently no release date or pricing information available for the PSP2TV but it should be ready for sale soon.

Chris Deering, president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe since the division's inception, has announced that his retirement will come by the end of the year. He is credited with creating the strong presence of the PlayStation brand in Europe. His replacement will be Fujio Nishida, a corporate executive in the Electronics Marketing division of Sony's Japanese operations.

Game Informer has "Part #1" of their Tokyo Game Show 2005 Wrap-Up.

Next Generation has a short interview with Nintendo's Beth Llewelyn regarding the company's plans for Revolution.