Kotaku: corruption

Nintendo Is A Metroid Dread Tease

Mark Wilson — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 10:40:13 MDT

Anyone remember those rumors of a 2D Metroid title for DS called Metroid Dread? Formerly all but extinguished, the fanboys became rabid again after this message was found in Metroid Prime: Corruption:

Experiment status report update: Metroid project 'Dread' is nearing the final stages of completion.

So this means Metroid Dread is coming, right? Wrong.

When CVG asked Nintendo about their apparent easter egg, they responded killjoy-style:

Nintendo is not making the 2D Metroid at this point in time.

Note, Nintendo didn't brush off the rumor with a "no announcements at this time" sidestep. They said, "it ain't happening."

I just wish my heart would listen.

Nintendo denies Metroid Dread [cvg]

China Introduces Anti-Corruption Game

Maggie Greene — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 10:30:48 MDT

The government of China's Zhejiang province decided to go after children and teach them in no uncertain terms that corruption is bad and everyone ought to do their part in ensuring corrupt party members, their families, and mistresses ought to die a painful death - in late July, they introduced 'Incorruptible Fighter' so players can slash their way through corruption and to a wonderful, corruption-free paradise that has no earthly connection to the China of today:

"Players fight their way through one level after another, overcoming all obstacles to eliminate corrupt officials and enter a spring-like paradise filled with birdsong and the scent of flowers, a peaceful world where people live in love, harmony and national prosperity," the Ningbo [Zhejiang province] city government said in a statement.

Unfortunately, so many people were eager to play the game that the website crashed, and it's still not back up yet. With China having several high-profile scandals under its belt in the past year, I suppose it's no surprise that they're trying to help the future officials of the party understand that corruption is a bad, bad thing. Though as one Beijing University professor put it, "Government officials should be the ones getting anti-corruption education, not local youngsters."

China enjoys anti-corruption game [BBC News] and Chinese Gamers Hunt Corrupt Officials Online [PC World], with photo credit to Stefan Landsberger's Chinese Propaganda Poster Pages, which is incomparable.

Emerald Halo 2 Headset Helps Katrina Victims

brownlee — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 09:40:59 MDT

Are you a gamer who still wants to help out the victims of Hurricane Katrina? Plantronics is selling an emerald-green Halo 2 headset usually worth about fifty clams for a low, low price of $14.95.

Not only that, but a buck out of every purchase goes to the Platronics GameCom United Way Katrina Recovery Fund. After that money passes through the filter of New Orleans' corrupt politicians, that means that almost two cents of your $15 bucks will be going directly to aid the people that Katrina (and the incompetence of their trusted leaders) left destitute, displaced and homeless.

But it sure is a swell headset for $15 bucks. Thanks for the tip, Chilly! Florian Eckhardt

Halo 2 Headsets Benefit Katrina Victims [Xbox.com]