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Button Mashers is a periodic audio podcast covering a range of topics in the gaming industry. This blog was created for myself, Tetsuotrunks, as well as a few guest co-hosts, to contribute our 2 cents on topics that really don't warrant any discussion, or to just express things that we'd like to get off our chests. Check back often, as we update frequently and feel free to leave any feedback.

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Home » Archives » April 2008 »
Importing new ways around a system
By iamaredmage on 04.17.08 at 02:55 AM CST
Ok, I'll be honest: I really enjoyed what I did last week. For those who might've figured it out, it's taken after Mark Kriegel's On The Mark articles, in which has 1-2 main parts, then several small bits, normally a line or 2. I really like how it layed out for me and my sense of humor, so unless I have a major article or not-so-happy segment, I plan to do these "Random Thoughts" from now on.

That said, on to today's segment.

I understand that outside of Japan and North America, the rest of the world gets kinda screwed when it comes to videogames. Australia probably gets the worst of it, as Yahtzee tends to point out (weekly ZP plug fulfilled). Grand Theft Auto IV was no different, in that the Aussie government banned the orginal version of the game. The people at Take Two remade the game and lessened it to give it a 15+ rating, and allowing the game to hit Aussie borders. The game will be sold at an astounding $120 (roughly $112 in the US).

Needless to say, the gaming population in Australia are NOT happy. Thanks to 360 modding and PS3 region-free encoding, these gamers have found a way around their little bind, by just importing the uncensored version of GTA4, cutting the overall price they would pay for by nearly half and getting the real game (not the censored crap).

This incident is a clear example of gamers being what we are: resourceful. Thanks to region-encoding becoming less and less prevalent (especially in the PS3), it's a simple matter of online purchasing, getting around the system, and obtaining the game version that was meant to be played. Best of all, it's cheaper to the gamer, and I don't blame them. The day I pay $120 for a censored video game is the day I get taken out back and get shot with a .45 Desert Eagle, because that's the day I lose my mind and should be put down before I do any harm to myself and/or others.

Y'know, instead of just banning games, maybe the Australian government could just teach a few courses in Game Education to parents, like we gamers have been saying ALL ALONG.

Well, telling that to the government is like discussing calculus to a 5 year old: they're never going to get it.

And now, my Random Thoughts:

-Did you hear ex-Gamespot employee Ryan Davis is going to review every video game movie ever made?

I think there's a title for this, and yes, it's very appropriate: "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Video Game Movie Edition"

All they need now is Crow and Tom Servo.

-Joystiq is giving away free Metal Gear Online Beta entry codes. Too bad you'll need 5 other forms of identification and your first-born before it'll work.

-Like hell there isn't going to be a new DS. Didn't Nintendo pull that crap 2 years ago?

It's the very reason I haven't gone out and gotten a new DS Lite yet. I want to see what this new one will be.

If there isn't a new DS, then slap me blind and call me Michael Moore.

-I can't stand Michael Moore. No explanation needed.

-Isn't WiiWare coming soon? I want my Dr. Mario Wii.

Nothing else looks good, like that Major League Eating. Just looking at that makes me wanna yack.

-Seems no one's taking Gamespot seriously after the Gerstmann firing.

Only GameFAQs is really worth anything now.

-And this is about the funniest thing I've seen in a while.

-Now to watch a Metroid Prime 100% run on Youtube. See you guys next week.

~Red Mage
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