From: owner-n64-digest@lists.xmission.com (n64-digest) To: n64-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: n64-digest V1 #648 Reply-To: n64-digest Sender: owner-n64-digest@lists.xmission.com Errors-To: owner-n64-digest@lists.xmission.com Precedence: bulk n64-digest Wednesday, January 6 1999 Volume 01 : Number 648 Re: [N64] My N64 was not well Re: [N64] Forest Theater Re: [N64] A very basic Zelda question Re: [N64] Zelda Help Re: [N64] A very basic Zelda question Re: [N64] A very basic Zelda question Re: [N64] A very basic Zelda question [N64] Re: (N64) A basic Zelda question Re: [N64] TUROK @ - level 2 questions RE: [N64] My N64 was not well Re: [N64] Turok 2 BIG CHEATS. RE: [N64] Snow Re: [N64] Snow RE: [N64] Snow RE: [N64] Snow Re: [N64] A very basic Zelda question Re: [N64] Re: (N64) A basic Zelda question Re: [N64] Snow Re: [N64] TUROK @ - level 2 questions Re: [N64] Turok 2 BIG CHEATS. Re: [N64] Forest Theater Re: [N64] A very basic Zelda question [N64] Zelda - Upgrades Re: [N64] Zelda - Upgrades Re: [N64] A very basic Zelda question Re: [N64] Zelda - Upgrades [N64] Reader's Digest disses Video Games ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1999 23:12:08 EST From: TreyTable@aol.com Subject: Re: [N64] My N64 was not well Okay. Maybe this has nothing to do with what happened but I'll put it on the record. Cureently plugged into my N64 is 4 controllers, 4 Rumble Paks, and the Expansion Pak. So here's what happened. I was playing Mario Kart 64 and after winning some races I decided to play a bit of Wave Race 64. So I turned of the N64, pulled out MK64 and put in Wave Race 64. I turned on my N64 and to my surprise I got a blank screen. But not just that, there was some slow music that sounded like death metal electric guitar with banshee like screams here & there. After listening to it for a few minutes I realized the music was the Wave Race 64 theme slowed down greatly, like a 78 playing on 16 (if you don't know what that means you're too young) and the "banshee screams" were the sea- gulls just gulling (?) very slowly. I hit Reset and bit happened again. So I powered off and powered back on and it was fine. Has this happened to anybody else? Trey [ To quit the n64 mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe n64" ] [ (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1999 23:16:48 EST From: TreyTable@aol.com Subject: Re: [N64] Forest Theater In a message dated 99-01-05 19:38:17 EST, you write: > Huh? The one I already gave to the kid in the graveyard? Then I'm screwed. > > ~Matt The Skull Mask. The one you Already gave to the Skull Kid in the Lost Woods. But once you sell the 4 masks you can borrow any of the seven masks. Trey [ To quit the n64 mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe n64" ] [ (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1999 23:22:05 EST From: TreyTable@aol.com Subject: Re: [N64] A very basic Zelda question In a message dated 99-01-05 21:25:23 EST, you write: > When you initially begin your game and you open up the game file, > there is a three digit number, along with the hearts and medals you have > earned. My question is, what does this number mean or what does it > represent? > Once again, thanks in advance to the member(s) who take the time to > respond. There is a strange comfort in knowing that I'm not the only > person crazy enough to spend countless hours of my life playing > videogames. Should I be concerned?:) > > Best Wishes, > Terry That's how many times you died. Trey [ To quit the n64 mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe n64" ] [ (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1999 23:20:40 EST From: TreyTable@aol.com Subject: Re: [N64] Zelda Help In a message dated 99-01-05 20:18:49 EST, you write: > I cant find the 4th carpenter in the thieves hideout. Where is he? Also > navi goes green in this one spot in there. Wuts up there. The tresure chest I think what is you're talking about. It contains a heart piece. As for the 4th carpenter, I'm stumped too. Trey [ To quit the n64 mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe n64" ] [ (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1999 23:23:42 EST From: TreyTable@aol.com Subject: Re: [N64] A very basic Zelda question In a message dated 99-01-05 21:28:14 EST, tmcshea writes: > Triple digits? No offense man, but you suck. That little (or in your case, > huge) number there is the number of times in the game you've died. Looks > like someone needs some practice... Yes, Triple Digits. Mine says 003. Triple digits if I ever saw it. Trey [ To quit the n64 mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe n64" ] [ (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1999 00:08:05 +30000 From: Vi Subject: Re: [N64] A very basic Zelda question oh stupid me, I thought those triple digits means the number of hours spent in the game. It seem true too, I thought I spend 4 hours so it says 004, and now it says 012 so I thought I spent 12 hours playing the game. oh well, I guess I die around once every hour :) - -Vi [ To quit the n64 mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe n64" ] [ (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1999 21:05:07 -0800 From: win-thug@juno.com (Winston Chan) Subject: Re: [N64] A very basic Zelda question OH, I didn't know what that meant either. Mine is 21. I guess it's from those damn chickens. I just get bored once in a while and bomb a chicken. BTW, when you get the final spiritual stone for the young Link, what is the average number of heart thingys one is supposed to have. I mean average when I say, not globe trotting just to find one heart container. I only have 6.75. I think I am missing one, maybe from the spider queen thing, maybe I did not see it. Thanx Winston Chan On Tue, 5 Jan 1999 23:23:42 EST TreyTable@aol.com writes: >In a message dated 99-01-05 21:28:14 EST, tmcshea writes: > >> Triple digits? No offense man, but you suck. That little (or in your >case, >> huge) number there is the number of times in the game you've died. >Looks >> like someone needs some practice... > >Yes, Triple Digits. Mine says 003. Triple digits if I ever saw it. > >Trey > >[ To quit the n64 mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe n64" ] >[ (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] > ___________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] [ To quit the n64 mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe n64" ] [ (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1999 00:48:27 -0500 (EST) From: TerryLLewis@webtv.net (Terry Lewis) Subject: [N64] Re: (N64) A basic Zelda question tmcshee writes: "Triple digits? No offense man, but you suck. That little (or in your case, huge) number there is the number of times in the game you've died. Looks like someone needs some practice..." Gee, looks like someone got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning! Rest assured that my personal three digit number begins with two zeros. The number of times I have died is not 999! Be that as it may, I'm sure I could never aspire to be at the level of gaming excellance that tmcshee must find himself. I must apologize to him if he found my question to be so trivial and annoying that it caused him to respond in such a way.:) Thanks again to everyone who took the time to answer my question. Terry [ To quit the n64 mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe n64" ] [ (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 06 Jan 1999 02:25:59 -0500 From: DrDweezle Subject: Re: [N64] TUROK @ - level 2 questions Could someone tell me where da HECK is the end to Level 2? I have everything in it but cant seem to find the gate to leave! DR [ To quit the n64 mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe n64" ] [ (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1999 07:02:00 -0500 From: "Lapenna, Russ" Subject: RE: [N64] My N64 was not well Trey, I wrote in a while back abbout Zelda erasing my games, and at that time I also described a similar speeding and slowing of the soundtrack, like someone placing their finger up against the edge of a 78 (no I'm not too young:)). I never did really understand how something digital could screw up in such an analog fashion. Russ >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>> Okay. Maybe this has nothing to do with what happened but I'll put it on the record. Cureently plugged into my N64 is 4 controllers, 4 Rumble Paks, and the Expansion Pak. So here's what happened. I was playing Mario Kart 64 and after winning some races I decided to play a bit of Wave Race 64. So I turned of the N64, pulled out MK64 and put in Wave Race 64. I turned on my N64 and to my surprise I got a blank screen. But not just that, there was some slow music that sounded like death metal electric guitar with banshee like screams here & there. After listening to it for a few minutes I realized the music was the Wave Race 64 theme slowed down greatly, like a 78 playing on 16 (if you don't know what that means you're too young) and the "banshee screams" were the sea- gulls just gulling (?) very slowly. I hit Reset and bit happened again. So I powered off and powered back on and it was fine. Has this happened to anybody else? Trey [ To quit the n64 mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe n64" ] [ (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 6 Jan 99 12:33:03 +0000 From: Garrett Winters Subject: Re: [N64] Turok 2 BIG CHEATS. Corey Jaeckel writes >O.K. ---I can See we will have to go through this at least once a >week---- At the bottom of this letter you will find many codes for T2 >that You don't have to beat the game--- YOU JUST ENTER THEM.-- NOT LIKE >GOLDEN EYE.--- There ARE codes for the better Cheats to-- But Acclaim >will not be realeasing them for another 2-3 months.--- I am forwarding >this letter from the lead designer of Turok 2 --- Please do not harrase >him--- as his E-mail address is on this post.------ FOR GOD'S SAKE ,THE >CODES ARE NOT GOLDEN-EYE STYLE! now what was the point of sending us that attachment twice in the past week. I already got it from you on this list and didn't particularly want it again. BTW what is wrong with cut and paste to get the info into the email as you are not meant to send attachments.. ever.. period.. got it? Garrett Winters [ To quit the n64 mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe n64" ] [ (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1999 10:07:00 -0500 From: "Lapenna, Russ" Subject: RE: [N64] Snow >Just short of two feet, but enough to shut down virtually everything. >Then, we're also in a big deep freeze. Woke up to -13 with -30 >something windchill. Biggest blizzard here since '79, I think. Gave >me enough time to get into Zelda and make it to the forest temple... >elliot We got exactly the same here in the Toronto area, it's brutal!! It's probably the blizzard of '77 you're referring to. Russ [ To quit the n64 mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe n64" ] [ (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 06 Jan 1999 10:08:47 -0500 From: "Wes Day (Wezzer)" Subject: Re: [N64] Snow Lapenna, Russ wrote: > >Just short of two feet, but enough to shut down virtually everything. > >Then, we're also in a big deep freeze. Woke up to -13 with -30 > >something windchill. Biggest blizzard here since '79, I think. Gave > >me enough time to get into Zelda and make it to the forest temple... > > >elliot > > We got exactly the same here in the Toronto area, it's brutal!! It's > probably the blizzard of '77 you're referring to. Wasn't it 78? > > > Russ > > [ To quit the n64 mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe n64" ] > [ (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] [ To quit the n64 mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe n64" ] [ (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 06 Jan 1999 10:02:31 PST From: "Moblin 64" Subject: RE: [N64] Snow >>Just short of two feet, but enough to shut down virtually >>everything. Then, we're also in a big deep freeze. Woke up to -13 >>with -30 something windchill. Biggest blizzard here since '79, I >>think. Gave me enough time to get into Zelda and make it to the >>forest temple... >> >>elliot > > We got exactly the same here in the Toronto area, it's brutal!! >it's probably the blizzard of '77 you're referring to. > >Russ The worst blizzard in my 17-year-old memory was January 26, 1996. Drifts as tall as our house the next day!! Of course, I live in central WI, so we didn't have the lake-effect snow from the Great Lakes this time around... so it wasn't so bad. Moblin 64 ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com [ To quit the n64 mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe n64" ] [ (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 06 Jan 1999 10:34:00 PST From: "Elliot Jefferson" Subject: RE: [N64] Snow I was only a toddler at the time so I can't remember the exact year... >From: "Lapenna, Russ" >To: "\"n64@lists.xmission.com\" " , > "\"E. Jefferson\" " >Subject: RE: [N64] Snow >Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1999 10:07:00 -0500 >Reply-To: n64@lists.xmission.com > >>Just short of two feet, but enough to shut down virtually everything. >>Then, we're also in a big deep freeze. Woke up to -13 with -30 >>something windchill. Biggest blizzard here since '79, I think. Gave >>me enough time to get into Zelda and make it to the forest temple... > >>elliot > > We got exactly the same here in the Toronto area, it's brutal!! It's >probably the blizzard of '77 you're referring to. > >Russ > > >[ To quit the n64 mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe n64" ] >[ (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com [ To quit the n64 mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe n64" ] [ (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 06 Jan 1999 13:27:54 -0500 From: tmcshea@earthlink.net Subject: Re: [N64] A very basic Zelda question At 11:23 PM 1/5/99 EST, you wrote: >In a message dated 99-01-05 21:28:14 EST, tmcshea writes: > >> Triple digits? No offense man, but you suck. That little (or in your case, >> huge) number there is the number of times in the game you've died. Looks >> like someone needs some practice... > >Yes, Triple Digits. Mine says 003. Triple digits if I ever saw it. Um, I was just joking. I thought it was obvious even with out the obligatory ":)" at the end. Of course I knew what he was talking about, I was just playing around. I mean, he'd have to be really bad to die 100 times, especially since it seems as though he is towards the beginging of the game. He'd have to spend more times dying then living. I'm sorry if you though I was insulting you. For now one, I'll add the smiley at the end of my jokes. [ To quit the n64 mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe n64" ] [ (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 06 Jan 1999 13:30:02 -0500 From: tmcshea@earthlink.net Subject: Re: [N64] Re: (N64) A basic Zelda question At 12:48 AM 1/6/99 -0500, you wrote: >tmcshee writes: >"Triple digits? No offense man, but you suck. That little (or in your >case, huge) number there is the number of times in the game you've died. >Looks like someone needs some practice..." > > > Gee, looks like someone got up on the wrong side of the bed this >morning! Rest assured that my personal three digit number begins with >two zeros. The number of times I have died is not 999! >Be that as it may, I'm sure I could never aspire to be at the level of >gaming excellance that tmcshee must find himself. I must apologize to >him if he found my question to be so trivial and annoying that it caused >him to respond in such a way.:) > Thanks again to everyone who took the time to answer my question. >Terry Do I get a thanks since I explained that it was all just a joke in a previous email? Please? [ To quit the n64 mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe n64" ] [ (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 06 Jan 1999 13:31:03 -0500 From: tmcshea@earthlink.net Subject: Re: [N64] Snow At 10:08 AM 1/6/99 -0500, you wrote: > > >Lapenna, Russ wrote: > >> >Just short of two feet, but enough to shut down virtually everything. >> >Then, we're also in a big deep freeze. Woke up to -13 with -30 >> >something windchill. Biggest blizzard here since '79, I think. Gave >> >me enough time to get into Zelda and make it to the forest temple... >> >> >elliot >> >> We got exactly the same here in the Toronto area, it's brutal!! It's >> probably the blizzard of '77 you're referring to. > >Wasn't it 78? It was January 79 here in Chicago. [ To quit the n64 mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe n64" ] [ (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 6 Jan 99 16:06 EST From: kmapp@csc.com (Kevin Mapp) Subject: Re: [N64] TUROK @ - level 2 questions > Could someone tell me where da HECK is the end to Level 2? I have > everything in it but cant seem to find the gate to leave! The entrance to the portal to exit level 2 is in the courtyard that contains the portal where you take the level 2 feather to get the 'leap of faith' talisman. From this same area, you can also see the exit portal and the usual blue gates that symbolize the 'Sista's of despair' area. If you walk down the ramp that leads into the water you will see another ramp, ( I think its straight ahead ) that had been blocked previously, is now open and leads up to the exit portal. If this ramp is still blocked, then you have missed a lever somewhere. Note : Make sure you have completed all the objectives before you enter this portal. Otherwise the game will say 'Mission Failed', and will put you back all the way to the friggin beginning of the level where you have to ride the dino. I found out the hard way! Happy Hunting! [ To quit the n64 mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe n64" ] [ (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 06 Jan 1999 15:16:17 -0600 From: Corey Jaeckel Subject: Re: [N64] Turok 2 BIG CHEATS. Garrett Winters writes: >now what was the point of sending us that attachment twice in the past >week. I already got it from you on this list and didn't particularly >want >it again. BTW what is wrong with cut and paste to get the info into the >email as you are not meant to send attachments.. ever.. period.. got >it? >Garrett Winters There certainly is nothing wronge with Cut & Paste. -However --that document was type : XmTextField -Which my Unix Computer does not support.--- I will Say that As far as Cut & Paste goes--- Unix is where it is at .... But It is very narrow / specified in it's Text type support. -The only advise I can give any one who doesn't want to see that post again--- Would be.....Don't say that the Cheats In Turok 2 are handled just like they were handled in Golden-eye. -You WILL be able to enter a BIG CHEAT CODE that will give all that you want.--- And you will not have to beat the game-In order for it to work.-- However these Codes will not be available untill mid-March. Corey. >O.K. ---I can See we will have to go through this at least once a >week---- At the bottom of this letter you will find many codes for T2 >that You don't have to beat the game--- YOU JUST ENTER THEM.-- NOT LIKE >GOLDEN EYE.--- There ARE codes for the better Cheats to-- But Acclaim >will not be realeasing them for another 2-3 months.--- I am forwarding >this letter from the lead designer of Turok 2 --- Please do not harrase >him--- as his E-mail address is on this post.------ FOR GOD'S SAKE ,THE >CODES ARE NOT GOLDEN-EYE STYLE! [ To quit the n64 mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe n64" ] [ (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1999 16:33:29 EST From: MrTwoson@aol.com Subject: Re: [N64] Forest Theater you can get a larger Capacity for Deku nuts and Deku Sticks, you have to use the mask of Truth for nuts, but i dunno about seeds [ To quit the n64 mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe n64" ] [ (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1999 16:42:34 EST From: Bastion007@aol.com Subject: Re: [N64] A very basic Zelda question Wrong response, uh, D. I was refering to MY lack of a life, no Terry's. And the guy who thoguh he has died 100-odd times was someone else. ~Matt <> [ To quit the n64 mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe n64" ] [ (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1999 18:01:48 EST From: Bastion007@aol.com Subject: [N64] Zelda - Upgrades How many arrows, Deku Nuts, Deku sticks, bombs, and Deku seeds (for the slingshot) can you carry? And where do you find all these upgrades? ~Matt PS: Currently, I can hold 40 arrows, 50 Deku seeds, 30 Deku nuts, 40 bombs, and 20 Deku Sticks. [ To quit the n64 mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe n64" ] [ (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 07 Jan 1999 09:58:31 +1100 From: Alex Subject: Re: [N64] Zelda - Upgrades At 18:01 06-01-99 EST, you wrote: >How many arrows, Deku Nuts, Deku sticks, bombs, and Deku seeds (for the >slingshot) can you carry? And where do you find all these upgrades? > >~Matt > >PS: Currently, I can hold 40 arrows, 50 Deku seeds, 30 Deku nuts, 40 bombs, >and 20 Deku Sticks. > Score >1500 in the Gerudo horseback archery game for a quiver upgrade. If you wear the skull mask at the forest stage, you'll get a deku stick upgrade. alexh@ivanhoe.starway.net.au [ To quit the n64 mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe n64" ] [ (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 06 Jan 1999 17:37:02 -0600 From: D Fentie Subject: Re: [N64] A very basic Zelda question Yeah, I guess thats one of the mysteries to... erm... life. That and what the heck does the 'D' stand for in D Fentie (any guesses?) Bastion007@aol.com wrote: > > Wrong response, uh, D. I was refering to MY lack of a life, no Terry's. And > the guy who thoguh he has died 100-odd times was someone else. > > ~Matt > > < (he could have died 003 times for all we know), that DOESNT mean that he > has died hundred of times. Geez wake up you guys.>> > > [ To quit the n64 mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe n64" ] > [ (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] [ To quit the n64 mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe n64" ] [ (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 06 Jan 1999 17:37:35 -0600 From: D Fentie Subject: Re: [N64] Zelda - Upgrades speaking of which, I scored 2000 and they didnt give me a friggin thing. Alex wrote: > > At 18:01 06-01-99 EST, you wrote: > >How many arrows, Deku Nuts, Deku sticks, bombs, and Deku seeds (for the > >slingshot) can you carry? And where do you find all these upgrades? > > > >~Matt > > > >PS: Currently, I can hold 40 arrows, 50 Deku seeds, 30 Deku nuts, 40 bombs, > >and 20 Deku Sticks. > > > > Score >1500 in the Gerudo horseback archery game for a quiver upgrade. If > you wear the skull mask at the forest stage, you'll get a deku stick upgrade. > > alexh@ivanhoe.starway.net.au > > > > [ To quit the n64 mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe n64" ] > [ (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] [ To quit the n64 mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe n64" ] [ (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1999 18:30:20 EST From: TheBump@aol.com Subject: [N64] Reader's Digest disses Video Games This is from the Business Wire: Response to Reader's Digest Report On Video Games WASHINGTON, D.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 6, 1999-- The following is a statement by Douglas Lowenstein, President, Interactive Digital Software Association (IDSA): "Readers Digest's January, 1999 Special Report on Computer Violence dealt a blow to the publication's well-earned reputation for balanced reporting. In fact, it was perhaps the most biased and unbalanced reporting I've ever seen on this subject. "The article completely ignored the vast majority of academic research -- provided to Readers Digest's reporter -- that disproves its basic premise that violent video games are harmful. It also did not contain a word or reference from an hour-long interview I gave to the reporter responding to some of the concerns he raised. "In one major respect, the article did a real disservice. Readers Digest has always given its readers useful information to help them in their daily lives. But this article made no effort to educate parents on how to use the video game rating system so they can make informed purchasing decisions to screen out products they do not want in their homes. What a lost opportunity. "Here are a few key facts the article omitted: "1) The vast majority of independent academic research has consistently found that there is no basis for the concern that violent video games lead to aggressive behavior. Moreover, the research finds that kids have no problem making distinctions between the obviously fantasy world of video games and the real world. There's a difference between making believe you're shooting aliens and shooting real people in a schoolyard. Kids know the difference; apparently, sensationalistic reporters don't. "Readers Digest had access to many of these studies and ignored them all. Instead, the article substituted opinions for peer-reviewed research. Interestingly, the article contained ten substantive quotes on the violence issue, and eight were from industry critics. It also cited two persons as experts who have not done any empirical research on the issue and cited no comments from those who have actually done so but disagree with your reporter's position. The article may be more colorful when written this way, but the journalism suffers and facts are distorted. "2) The article leaves the impression that much of the video games in the market are violent. This is factually wrong. Seven out of 10 games are rated appropriate for users over the age of six and nearly nine out of 10 are rated appropriate for users 13 and older. Moreover, most of the top selling PC and video games are appropriate for all users and contain no problematic content. "3) Two-thirds of those who play PC and video games are adults over the age of 18. In other words, this is no longer an industry producing products for kids. It is making entertainment for people of all ages, tastes, and interests. "4) Some games are clearly inappropriate for children and that's why we have what even critics agree is the best rating system in the country. The purpose of the rating system is to give parents with concerns about certain types of content the tools to make informed choices. But parents must accept their responsibility to control what their children play, just as they have responsibility for controlling the movies, books, and records they see, read, and hear. "Of note is the fact that 90 percent of those who actually buy games are over 18, meaning that parents do have the power to regulate this form of entertainment. Too bad the article didn't help them understand how to use the ratings. Parents should go on-line to www.esrb.org to learn about video game ratings. "For evidence of the public's response to this sensationalistic article, simply listen to what Readers Digest's readers themselves have to say. The overwhelming majority of readers who responded on the Readers Digest web site forum (http://www.readersdigest.com) have characterized this article as nothing more than biased reporting. "There are many more points with which to take issue. But I will leave with the comment of one observer Readers Digest chose not to cite (though I supplied the name). "'Violence involving children in America reflects economic deprivation and domestic abuse, not on what video games children choose to play, or what ads they see,' said Professor Henry Jenkins, Director, Comparative Media Studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 'Indeed most credible academic research does not support a connection between mature-audience video games and youth violence.' "Jenkins also said, 'Aggressive imagery exists in video games, just as it has in children's stories and play for several 100 years. But it is easy to misunderstand the social and cultural significance of those images by removing them from context. Children are adept at making distinctions between play and reality, distinctions that are central to their ability to take pleasure in video games. "'An effort to blame video games and other entertainment for violent behavior among children trivializes the need we have in this country to deal with the all-too-real issues that truly lead to violence.'" The Interactive Digital Software Association (IDSA) is the only U.S. trade association exclusively dedicated to serving the public affairs and business interests of companies that publish video and computer games for video game consoles (such as Nintendo 64, Sega Saturn, and Sony PlayStation), personal computers and the Internet. [ To quit the n64 mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe n64" ] [ (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ End of n64-digest V1 #648 ************************* [ To quit the n64-digest mailing list (big mistake), send the message ] [ "unsubscribe n64-digest" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ]