Gamespot reviewer fired for bad review? Yes, he has.

According to internet message boards and other sources, Gamespot's longtime editor Jeff Gerstmann was fired for a mediocre review of the video game "Kane & Lynch". The reasoning for the firing is rumored to be advertisement pressure from the game's developer and publisher Eidos Interactive.

If the review and advertiser pressuring are the sole reasons behind Jeff's firing, this is just a sorry episode for Eidos Interactive and for CNET, the parent company of Gamespot. It will terminate the credibility not only of Gamespot's reviewers, but the reviewers that work for other outlets. No advertiser or company has the right to push reviewers and media outlets around.

Source: GamePolitics

UPDATE: GameRevolution's Duke Ferris confirms that Jeff Gerstmann was fired due to pressure from Eidos. You can see his comments at the Gamepolitics link.

Unbelieveable. This is just a damn shame. Eidos and CNET has crushed the credibility of reviewers not only at Gamespot, but also the reviewers at other sites. I feel badly for Jeff and I hope he can take legal action against CNET and Eidos for pretty much wrecking his career and his life.

I am also sorry to say that I will no longer contribute to GameFAQs, which is connected to Gamespot. This is a protest to this sad episode.

Broadway Stagehand Strike Ends

After 19 days, many shows cancelled, and millions of dollars lost, the strike between the Broadway producers and the stagehands comes to an end.

I'm glad this dispute is resolved. This strike was hitting restaraunts and tourism very badly.

Now let's see if the television writers and producers follow suit (I miss Jay Leno).

A this and that about the CNN/YouTube Republican Presidential Debate.

Aftet watching (some parts) of the Republican presidential debate, I can't pick out a winner. All I can say is that there was a lot of back and forth insults and whatnot. I did see somethings that I want to hit on, though.

I am disappointed with former NYC mayor Rudy Guliani's insults, most of which were directed at former MA governor Mitt Romney. I expect better from the former mayor and the crowd let him know about it.

Another topic that struck me was the use of torture. I approve the use of torture as a last resort to get crucial information out of imprisoned terrorists. Information that can save the lives of so many Americans. However, Senator John McCain (AZ) made very good points about not using torture. He was a prisoner of the North Vietnamese during the Vietnam War. McCain recalled the horrible experience and wouldn't want the same for the terrorists held. I can see his point, but given how far the terrorists will go to kill America, I have to disagree.

In the end, there was no winner in my opinion.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl looking awesome

I trust that all of you Super Smash Bros. Brawl fanatics are keeping up with the updates from the game's website? The characters, stages, moves, music, items, and all of the game modes look incredible. I simply can't wait to get this game (and a Nintendo Wii). Another thing that is incredible (and conveiniant is the fact that you can use the GameCube controller with the game. Those who mastered Super Smash Bros. Melee will easily pick up Brawl.

The game is set for release in Febuary 2008 (hopefully).

It should also be noted that Nintendo's website has undergone a facelift. More on that later.

BBFC says no link between games and violence, but defends ban of Manhunt 2 video game.

The British Board of Film Classification, the United Kingdom's ratings board for films and video games, refused a rating for the video game "Manhunt 2" last summer. That means that the game is banned from the UK. Even the edited version, which was downgraded from an "Adult's Only" rating to a "Mature" rating by the Entertainment Software Rating Board, was refused classification. The BBFC's reasoning behind the refusal is the fear that children might imitate the violence in the game.

However, the BBFC admits there is no proven connection between video games and violence. Andrew Caldecott, the attorney for the ratings board, says, "The board's position is that there is insufficient evidence to prove, as a fact, there is a casual connection between video games and behavioural harm...".

So let me get this straight. The BBFC refuses classification to a game on the grounds that it may turn the young ones violent, but they have no factual proof. This is just the BBFC throwing their weight around and shoving their moral beliefs down the throats of the British citizens. I feel bad and sorry for Rockstar and Take-Two (the developers and publishers of the game). They deserve better than this.

Source: Kotaku

You can read about the appeal here.

Republican presidential candidate enorsed by Nevada brothel...What?!

You can't make this up. Congressman and presidential candidate Ron Paul (R-TX) has been endorsed by Nevada brothel owner Dennis Hof, owner of the Moonlite Bunny Ranch in Carson City, Nevada.

All I can say is wow. It is not everyday that a politician, especially a Republican, is endorsed by a brothel. Ron Paul, however, does not condone prostitution according to spokesperson Jeff Greenspan.

Source: Associated Press and www.azstarnet.com.

Review for "Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King" on GameFAQs.com.

My review for the PlayStation 2 RPG "Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King" is available to read on GameFAQs.

You can read it here.
You can read other reviews I did for GameFAQs.com here.

NOTE: My contributor name on GameFAQs is general531.

Hawthorne Heights guitarist Casey Calvert dead at age 26.

The rock group Hawthorne Heights lost a young and talented guitarist. Casey Calvert passed away at age 26. The group was on tour when he was found unconscious on the tour bus by local law enforcement. The cause of death is unknown and an autopsy is underway.

Casey Calvert was a great guitarist and he will be missed.

The story is from VH1.com.

Kevin DuBrow found dead in Las Vegas home at age 52.

A sad day not only in heavy metal, but in all of music. Kevin DuBrow, lead singer of the 1980s heavy metal band "Quiet Riot", was found dead in his Las Vegas home. The band was known for mega-hits such as "Bang Your Head" and the cover of Slade's "Cum on Feel the Noize". Kevin DuBrow was 52. The cause of death is unknown and an autopsy will take place.

This is according to Reuters.

Kevin DuBrow is a talented rocker and singer. He and his voice will be sorely missed.

Arkansas Razorback football coach Houston Nutt resigns.

Three days after defeating the formerly top-ranked (BCS) Louisiana State Tigers in triple overtime, the University of Arkansas offered head football coach Houston Nutt a 2-year extension. Despite the offer, Houston Nutt resigned from the school. It was a mutual decision between him and the administration. He ends a decade-long tenure with a 75-48 overall record, a 42-38 SEC record, and three SEC Western division crowns in 1998, 2002, and 2006 (0-2 in SEC Championship games).

Arkansas defensive coordinator Reggie Herring will be the interim head coach for their upcoming bowl game.

NOTE: The Mississippi State Bulldogs and the Arkansas Razorbacks tied for the division title in 1998. Because Mississippi State beat Arkansas that season, the Bulldogs went to the conference title game.

Jack Thompson goes on ethics trial, faces disbarrment.

Controversial attorney and anti-video game activist Jack Thompson faces the Florida Bar in a hearing that can result in either a temporary or permanent disbarrment. He is on trial before Judge Dave Tunis due to his actions in court cases against the video game industry. One such action got him kicked off a civil lawsuit and a termination of his pro hac vice (license to practice law in other states) in Alabama.

In my opinion, he at least could be temporarily disbarred. Jack's actions, especially the aforementioned act and his actions after losing an attempt to get the video game Bully declared a public nuisance (which would outlaw sales), are an example of how not to act professionally. He should be glad he was not found in contempt and thrown in jail.

The story is from GamePolitics.com.

Missouri Tigers new no.1 in new BCS standings.

The new Bowl Championship Series standings are now released and there has been a shakeup. The Missouri Tigers are the new number 1 in the BCS standings courtesy of their win over the then BCS no. 2 Kansas Jayhawks and the Arkansas Razorback's upset victory over the Louisiana State Tigers in triple overtime. LSU was the previous number 1 in the BCS.

The BCS top five as of this posting (BCS averages are from ESPN).

1. Missouri Tigers (0.978 BCS average)
2. West Virginia Mountaineers (0.971 BCS average)
3. Ohio State Buckeyes (0.920 BCS average)
4. Georgia Bulldogs (0.827 BCS average)
5. Kansas Jayhawks (0.792 BCS average)

If Missouri beats the Oklahoma Sooners in the Big 12 Championship game and West Virginia defeats rivals the Pittsburgh Panthers, then they will meet in the BCS National Championship in New Orleans. However, Ohio State, who finished up their season with a Big 10 Championship and a win over their bitter rivals the Michigan Wolverines, can get in with either a Missouri or West Virginia loss. If both teams lose, then it will be the Bulldogs and the Buckeyes in New Orleans on January 7.

The rest of the BCS standings are at espn.com.

Hilarious Video Game Reviews by the Angry Video Game Nerd.

My brother came to visit my house the other day. While he was here, he shown me some films by the Angry Video Game Nerd. For those of you that did not see his films, he reviews bad video games that were on the Atari, Nintendo Entertainment System (the 8-bit one), and other old systems. These videos are hilarious, especially his reviews for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles video game and for Bugs Bunny's Birthday Blowout game. It's unfortunate for me to say that I had the TMNT game for the NES (the first one). Looking back on it, that game was horrible.

You can watch his videos here.

NOTE: His critique for Dragon's Lair is available on GameTrailers. Go to the GameTrailers site and type in "Angry Video Game Nerd Dragon's Lair" in order to see it.

WARNING: These videos are NOT SAFE FOR WORK. They are also NOT for those under the age of 17.

New Wave Band The Romantics Sue Activision Despite Permission for use of Cover.

According to GamePolitics.com, The Romantics, a Detroit-based 1980's rock group, are suing Activision for the song "What I Like About You" being used in Guitar Hero Rocks The 80's. The band's complaint is that the song sounds too good. Yes, that is right. The Romantics are suing Activision because the cover used in the game was, the band claims, sounded better than the original. Personally, this is just another frivilous lawsuit in an era in which anyone can sue anybody for no apparent reason. The Romantics gave Activision the permission to use this song. When you get set to play the song, a graphic in the top-left of the screen says that the song was MADE FAMOUS BY, which means that it is a cover band playing the song, not the actual band. I guess in this day in age, you can sue for anything now.

Catch the story here.

Welcome to my blog.

Here it is. Welcome to The Outlet. I will be repoting and commentating about various topics including sports, entertainment, news, and other things.

A this and that about comments.

I welcome your opinions and comments to my stories. We have the constitutional right to speak our minds whether others like them or not. However, that does NOT mean that you can post whatever you want. I also have the right to determine what is okay for you to post and what isn't. I do not allow any racist, sexist, threatening, defaming and other hateful or hurtful comments. My comment moderator is set so I can read what you say before it is posted (I'll try to check those comments whenever I can). I thank you for your cooperation and post away.

UPDATE: I turned off the comment moderator. However, I still can delete your posts that violate my policy.