A recent advertisement for the SEGA game, Samba de Amigo, featured a live chimp to showcase their latest game. The advertisement is linked below… I’m not to sure if they’re saying the game is that easy to play, even a monkey can pick it up or they are implying that only people with monkey-like brains will enjoy this game. I’m pinning it on the latter.

Apparently PETA had an issue with them using a live monkey for the advertisement, and sent them a letter to explaining their views on the matter-

We explained how involuntary chimpanzee “actors” are taken away from their mothers when they are just a year or so old and forced to perform confusing and repetitious tricks. We also explained some of the horrible methods that chimpanzee “trainers” use, such as electric shocks with shock collars and prods, isolation, beatings with sawed-off pool cues and slapjacks, and food deprivation. Then, at the ripe old age of just 8, the chimpanzees reach puberty and their showbiz careers are over—and they end up being dumped at dismal roadside zoos or sold to laboratories for experimentation.

Since receiving the letter, SEGA has pulled the ad.

Just saw this over at Boing Boing…

According to their website, the animators (Sidabitball and Camilo) created a method to synchronise animations with a GameBoy in realtime through a homebrew hardware interface.

This is excellent… chip tunes and animations, all done with a GameBoy. Great stuff *two thumbs up*

I never really got into cutting pumpkins for Halloween. Or Halloween for that matter. Trick or treating was non-existent when I was growing up.

That said, I am wishing I had a chance to experience it after seeing some of these cool cut pumpkins for Halloween. Two thumbs up.

Kotaku also have thread up, and there’s some absolute classics there. Favorites so far include Fallout Boy, Bowser, Katamari and the Triforce shield.

The farcical situation involving R18+ classification for video games has just taken a turn for the worse.

The introduction of an R18+ rating for computer games has been delayed indefinitely after South Australian Attorney-General Michael Atkinson withdrew his support for a discussion paper and public consultation process.

Censorship ministers in March agreed “in principle” to canvas public opinion on the proposed introduction of a R18+ classification for games and release a discussion paper on the issue, but Mr Atkinson has refused to agree to make the report public, effectively shelving it.

The draft discussion paper, simply titled “R18+ for computer games” was sent to ministers last month and details the “pros and cons” of introducing an adults-only rating for games.
The paper would have been available to the public on the internet and provided to interested parties such as games industry groups and family associations to seek their views.

Source

This is some bullshit. How can one Attorney General hold the rest of the states and territories to ransom, so to speak, over this issue? Michael Atkinson only seems to worried about his personal agenda and not what the rest of the nation would like to see implemented.

BUT WHO WILL THINK OF THE CHILDREN?!?

I really hope this situation is resolved, along with Australia’s other retarded policy at the moment, quickly and efficiently. If both of these issues drag out any longer, the public backlash will be immense and the noise too deafening for the powers that be to ignore it. We are quickly becoming the laughing stock of the IT world.

Power to the people *raises fist to the sky*

In yet another blow to the government’s staunch refusal for a R18+ rating for video games, this week another report released by Dr Jeffrey Brand from Bond University on behalf of the IEAA, provided some updated information on the average age of gamers in Australia.

A new study has revealed the average Australian gamer is aged 30, spurring renewed calls for a “fairer” classifications system in Australia.

The study, Interactive Australia, was conducted by Bond University for the Interactive Entertainment Association of Australia (IEAA).

It found the average age of Australian gamers is now 30 – up from the previous study’s 28 – challenging the stereotype of video games as a kid’s medium.

This finding could have repercussions for Australia’s classifications system, which does not have an adult rating for games, as the highest possible classification is MA15+.

One of the most interesting points of the article is-

The study found that 70 per cent of parents play video games and 92 per cent were aware of what games were being played in their household. 91 per cent of respondents – both gamers and non-gamers – said they supported an R18+ rating for games, up from 88 per cent an earlier study.

Simply, these facts are a middle finger salute to previous comments made by Michael Atkinson, in reference to parents not even knowing what type of games their children play and the statistics backup the support for an R18+ rating for video games by gamers and non-gamers alike.

Michael Atkinson, it is time to emerge from the dark ages and embrace the video game revolution.

Source

UPDATE: The full Interactive Australia 2009 report.

An interesting addition to the usual brownie recipe - Sprite Stitch has posted some details on how to create some of these delicious looking treats.

I wonder if they conatin any powerups or gold coins?