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Daily Column
Loading... It defeated both the Alien and the Predator.
First, the Ten Ton Pulse, your finger on the beating heart of the MMOG industry.
If the Top 10 isn't enough, we now show the Top 20 and Top 50 lists as well, available to everyone on our homepage. (What is Pulse?)
- Age of Conan - 200 BPM
- World of Warcraft - 31 BPM
- Lord of the Rings Online - 11 BPM
- EverQuest 2 - 11 BPM
- Warhammer Online - 8 BPM
- Vanguard - 8 BPM
- EVE Online - 7 BPM
- Lineage 2 - 7 BPM
- Guild Wars - 6 BPM
- Dungeons and Dragons Online - 5 BPM
Age of Conan continues to behead the rest of the industry when it comes to media hype. Perhaps the only thing that it isn't decapitating is the U.S. election race. As a Canadian I see more coverage of the U.S. election than I ever see of the Canadian one. It should come as no surprise that the Entertainment Software Association has opened a Video Game Voters Network.
The ESA has gone so far as to write a letter on your behalf. It goes something, or rather exactly like this,
"Dear Decision Maker:
I am writing to make you aware of an issue that is quite important to me and millions of Americans - the right to free speech. In recent years, we have seen representatives at all levels of government attempt to restrict this right by passing laws that regulate the sale and rental of video games. As an American, a voter, and an avid video game player, I want to ensure my rights are protected.
It is very important to help parents and caregivers ensure that the computer and video games children play are appropriate and parent approved. However, regulating video games is not a solution, nor is it constitutional. In fact, 12 courts have reviewed this issue in the past six years and each time found laws restricting the sale of games unconstitutional. The results from these rulings collectively cost taxpayers over a million dollars in legal fees. Video games have the same First Amendment protections as movies, music and books. Laws that attempt to regulate video games are simply ineffective and ultimately do nothing but waste taxpayers' money.
I urge you, if elected, to not add to this waste and instead support more effective solutions. Consider implementing programs to educate parents about the Entertainment Software Ratings Board's (ESRB) video game rating system and the parental controls available on all new video game consoles. The latest report of the Federal Trade Commission shows that over 80 percent of parents are aware of the ESRB system and over 70 percent of parents use it in making their buying decisions. With additional support 100 percent of parents would use these tools. In addition, support the ESRB's efforts to work with retailers to keep games intended for and marketed to adults out of children's hands. The voluntary efforts underway in this area restrict the sale or rental of mature games to children and involve parents. According to the FTC, parents are involved in the purchase and rental of games over 80 percent of the time. Further support could increase this level of parental involvement.
I appreciate your attention to this issue, and I hope you pledge to support effective and constitutional programs to help parents once you're elected.
Sincerely,
Your name
Your street address
City, State Zip"
If you agree then go here to sign up and send a letter with your name on it. If you don't agree then contact the ESA.
I have to tell you though, if I were running for President I would have my mail filter putting all of those form letters in the spam folder and deleting them on exit. It's a fine idea, but I don't think the candidates will care. The soon to be elected officials should understand how large the game community is and they should understand that games are not the catalyst of Ragnarok. That said, a form letter that shows gamers can do an impersonation of that bird that pecks his beak down into the water glass before popping up and doing it all over again doesn't get that point across. On the other hand, it does show that we can blindly follow instructions. All hail our form letter writing robotic overlords!
Tomorrow is "early entry" day for Age of Conan pre-order customers in North America who have been able to download the client. Have fun folks! The Ten Ton Hammer Age of Conan guild is still growing. All of our readers, even you, are welcome to join!
Until tomorrow. The
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[A big thanks to Karen Hertzberg for putting together the links today. ]
15 new MMOG hand-crafted articles today! 130 in May! 1149 in 2008!
New MMOG Articles At Ten Ton Hammer Today
Downloads
Images/Video
- Age of Conan "Femme Fatale" Trailer Available for Viewing
- AoC: Photos from Funcom's Launch Event in Oslo!
- Full-Length Presentation Video from the Age of Conan Launch Event
- Part 1 of the Age of Conan Launch Event Presentation Including Spellweaving
Interviews
Previews
Community
- Dream of Mirror Online Giveaway
- Vanguard Poll - Party of Conformity: Arcane Casters
- Lord of The Rings Online Weekly Troll Report 5/16/08
- AoC Border Kingdom Cryer 05/16/2008 Launch Edition
Guides
Real World News
-
Afghan Plane Hijacker Now Working At Heathrow
How he hijacked a plane with an afghan still unclear. Knitting needles no longer allowed in checked luggage. -
Plane Lands On Another Plane Taking Off
Aeronautical mating picture included. -
EU Calls For German Language Boost
For the third time, this isn't going to work!
Thanks as always for visiting TenTonHammer.com. Thanks to Karen Hertzberg for doing the heavy lifting with the links.
- John "Boomjack" Hoskin and the Ten Ton Hammer Team
