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Round-Up: Postal Movie, Doom Movie, Nintendo Tops Ethics List
by Nich Maragos
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October 24, 2005
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Today's round-up includes more unfortunate news on the Postal movie from Uwe Boll and friends, reaction on the box-office receipts for game-based movie Doom, and a particularly alternative look at what console you should buy this Christmas, based on... ethics?
- Running With Scissors and Boll KG have announced that plans are still underway to convert the developer's infamous Postal game franchise into a feature film, directed by the equally infamous Uwe Boll. Boll's past game-to-film credits include House of the Dead, Alone in the Dark, and BloodRayne; in addition, he holds the license for Dungeon Siege, Far Cry, Hunter: The Reckoning, and Fear Effect. "I see it like a mirror for our society -- funny, violent, absurd!" said the director. "So then the movie must be powerful, strange, and so full of the game's political incorrect outrageousness that if we do it correct, we will all probably end up in jail!" Here's hoping.
- The film version of Doom, the best-selling first-person shooter series from id Software, took the #1 spot at the box office during the first weekend of its release. However, the film's success came at the hands of some rather weak competition, and the movie only grossed $15.4 million, a fraction of its $60-$80 million budget. The film's initial wave of popularity may die off in the second week, especially after a vicious critical reception: noted critic Roger Ebert scathingly wrote that "Doom has one great shot. It comes right at the beginning. It's the Universal logo." The game's co-creator John Carmack, posting on tech site Slashdot, had a slightly more positive reaction, commenting: "No, it isn't an oscar movie, but it definitely isn't Super Mario Brothers / Street Fighter / Double Dragon. I do wish they had kept the true satanic / hellish theme, but I think they did a credible job with their alternate direction."
- The new issue of Ethical Consumer magazine, a UK-based "alternative shopping" publication, has named Nintendo its most ethical holiday gift in a ranking of the various video game systems. Nintendo consoles earned an "ethiscore," a consideration of various factors relating to the parent company's ethical behavior, of 10.5 out of 20, compared to Nokia's 7.5 and Sony and Microsoft's 6.5. The issue also goes over the video game violence debate, highlighting particular titles with nonviolent or educational themes.
- Also updated today: product news including 3DConnexion's confirmation of a SpaceTraveler price drop, In-Fusio's signing of a Sun Java ME license, and today's job postings, including positions from Blue Fang Games, Concrete Games, Disney-VR Studio, I-play, Rainbow Studios, Short Stacked Studios, Timegate Studios, and Turbine.
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