This week we have a special cohort joining me for Multitap - welcome back Attercob!

MTV and EGM recently announced a 'casting call' for gamers aged 15 to 25. What mischief do you think they're planning?

attercob: Well a particularly dull episode of the real world comes to mind, but I'd like to think even they would anticipate the sort of reaction that'd get.
peccaui: I'm getting horrible flashbacks of The Wizard, Power Glove included.
attercob: Perhaps they'll be cooking up a fantasy prize package to test the viability of gamer ambitions: 'What happens when a household of gamers is granted near unlimited funds and the freedom to inflict thier dreams upon the rest of society?'
attercob: I could get into that.
peccaui: You mean like the California recall?
attercob: Quite like that.
peccaui: It's too bad that Gary Coleman is outside their requested demographic.
attercob: Though i suspect they'll just sell all of the info they gather off to some marketing agency or another....'have you ever purchased a car because you saw or played it in a video game...'
peccaui: "Have you ever riced out your car because of a mod you saw?"
attercob: Can Gary Coleman afford a console these days?
peccaui: I think UGO sets him up with hookers and a PS2.
attercob: Do dialysis machines count as video games? I mean, assume that there's a monitor and all...
peccaui: It's interactive and just about as much fun as State of Emergency!
attercob: Heh. 'ARGH! GODDAMN DUAL-SHOCK CONTROLLERS!'
peccaui: Yeah, the feedback must be incredible.
attercob: Poor poor Coleman kidneys.

EA announced that the PS2 version of RotK will have online capabilities, striking fear into everyone that owns multiple consoles and severely questioning their own abilities to judge which will be best. Do you think this will help the PS2 and garner sales away from those that typically choose the Gamecube or Xbox ports over the PS2?

attercob: If you're referring only to multi-console owners, yeah, i think it has a chance if the online play merits a look. But, and I realize that this isn't an opinion shared by all, I've yet to be impressed with online console play in general, and I think a game like RotK will need to really introduce something new to make much of a difference.
peccaui: Considering that the PS2 requires a separate online adapter, I'd say not too many in that market. And even less concerning the Gamecube.
peccaui: Although, right around the time that RotK is released, I'm sure that Sony will release their online capable bundle (if they haven't already).
attercob: No doubt. Frankly, I think Sony's going to have a hard time winning over many multi-console gamers for the remainder of the ps2's life. This may be a misconception on my part, but i think that most of the people involved in gaming enough to own more than one of the three systems these days is going to opt for the better in-box experience, online play be damned. For the time being of course...
peccaui: I agree - except if there's that killer app. However, nothing has been said specifically about the gameplay element that online capabilities will provide. Hell, it may be something as simple as uploading scores. And it may not even allow those with dial-up to log in.
peccaui: And what about voice support? Will they hope you have the SOCOM headset and add in support for that?
attercob: I don't think the console market at this point is really built to allow for accessories-based success. It's not like the PC market where there's a constant drive to customize and improve a system... console gaming isn't supposed to be about all that, and i don't think that 20+ years of console development have done anything to change that.
peccaui: I definitely agree - and that's one way that I think Microsoft (and Sega) got it right - capabilities are built in (well halfway with Xbox Live). But EA is stubbornly against Xbox Live, and really - this is a slap in the face to them (granted, more like a bitch slap compared to not allowing any of their sports games on Microsoft's network but still).
attercob: EA's going to go their own way. pussies.
peccaui: Well, it's readily apparent that they want to throw their weight around. My guess is that by the time 2006 rolls around, everyone will be able to play Madden on Xbox Live though.
attercob: Interestingly, a quick google search on EA's Xbox Live support turns up European links galore... but few english language comments.
peccaui: Must only be the EU that feel so outspoken. Have we came up with a good slanderous name for the EU yet?
attercob: Not that i've been informed of... I suppose until Britain formally severs it's ties we'll just have to wait.

A Washington judge recently questioned the 'appropriateness' of allowing prisoners to play GTA and GTA-style games in prison after sentencing a drug addict who played GTA previously in jail, to six more years in prison. Have any thoughts on his disposition, or on inmates being allowed to play 'crime simulators' while locked up?

attercob: Given that the judge seems primarily to be calling for an investigation into the effects of criminals entertaining themselves with 'crime-simulators', I don't think I disagree with his position.
attercob: But I don't think, ultimately, that a ban on such game playing is going to have a serious effect on the number of repeat-offenders leaving jail.
peccaui: I'm a bit surprised that they get a chance to play games personally. Call me naive, stupid or outright slow but you know if I could play games in jail it might make it worth my time.
attercob: I'm with you on that one...hell...free cable AND games? That's a hell of a lot better than what i'm living with.
attercob: From what I know, prison to prison regulations vary considerably, and while being incarcertated in one institution might allow for a fairly comfortable lifestyle, other locations won't even permit inmates to listen to music, let alone watch television, play video games or utilize a computer.
attercob: Thank god for the privitization of the Australian penal system, or we wouldn't have the joy of discussing such questions.
peccaui: I think the next time I call up United Airlines, I'm gonna get some tips to beating GTA3.
attercob: Yeah. Stick it to the man! Finally we have a way to cheat the Nintendo Power Squad out of their precious 'tips' without having to pay for them!
peccaui: Take that Howard Phillips!
peccaui: But seriously - does this really matter? I've seen similar comparisons drawn between FPS games and actually shooting a gun. It may improve your reaction time but you're still a fucking clutz with the gun.
attercob: Well, I think the key point is that the game serves to glamorize violence, crime, and ignoring properly posted speed limits.
attercob: The same, of course, can be said for television, film and music... it's part of the culture.
attercob: All of it just distracts the inmate from the helpful advice his cellmate has to offer on 'going straight' and 'keeping clean'.
peccaui: And unfortunately, we don't exactly have the argument here that a 'sane being would be able to contain their impusles'.
attercob: Nope. But i'm sure you can see the prison guard's position... 'when they're playing the game, they tend not to spend so much time stabbing us.'
peccaui: Oh boohoo - they knew the risks when they took the job.