INTERNET (esecurities.W) April 15, 1999 - NewKidCo to benefit from [violent] video gaming industry?
Will NewKidCo benefit from past [and pending] lawsuits e.g. pending $130 million law suit v. video gaming industry [in re: Interplay et al]
Slain Ky. Students' Parents To Sue
PADUCAH, Ky. (AP) - "At one point in the film ''The Basketball Diaries,'' the main character is in a drug-induced haze, imagining he is roaming the halls of his high school, firing shotgun blasts.
The 1995 film hit too close to home for the parents of three students killed in a shooting spree at Heath High School. They filed a $130 million federal lawsuit Monday against 25 entertainment companies, including the film's producers and distributors.
The lawsuit says the companies associated with the film, along with those that created several popular, violent video games and sex-oriented Internet sites, influenced the 14-year-old gunman.
''We intend to hurt Hollywood. We intend to hurt the video game industry. We intend to hurt the sex porn sites,'' said attorney Jack Thompson.
On Dec. 1, 1997, freshman Michael Carneal opened fire with a stolen pistol on a group of students in the lobby as their prayer group was breaking up. Carneal pleaded guilty but mentally ill to murder and other charges and was sentenced to life in prison in December.
The lawsuit says the Jim Carroll book on which ''The Basketball Diaries'' was based had no shooting episode. It was included in the film ''for the sole purpose of hyping the movie and increasing its appeal to young audiences. This had the effect of harmfully influencing impressionable minors such as Michael Carneal and causing the shootings,'' the suit says.
It also says Carneal honed his shooting skills by playing computer games such as ''Doom,'' ''Quake'' and ''Redneck Rampage,'' and looked at sexually violent material on at least two Internet sites.
The defendants include Time Warner Inc. (NYSE:TWX - news), Polygram Film Entertainment Distribution Inc., Palm Pictures, Island Pictures and New Line Cinema, all of which were involved in ''The Basketball Diaries''; Meow Media Inc. and Network Authentication Systems Inc.; video game unit makers Nintendo, Sega and Sony; and software companies id software inc. and Interplay Entertainment Corp. (Nasdaq:IPLY - news)..." [emphasis added]
SOURCE: © 1999 (AP) Tuesday April 13 4:42 AM ET dailynews.yahoo.com
and NewKidCo ELMOs® Number Journey reviews e.g. "...Note also that there are absolutely no "bad guys" in this game, something that my daughter was delighted and relieved to know. There are no intimidating races against the clock either, which makes for a very quiet and relaxing experience for kids who like it that way... As in Elmo's Letter Adventure, background music is peaceful, and some of it will be familiar tunes from the show. Even when the game is left on for some time it is not annoying for parents to hear. Each world has its own corresponding soundtrack...The lack of pressure is one of the best qualities of the game -- game play is rather relaxing and fun...
Entertainment: The game's ease of use and bright graphics combined with tried and true Sesame Street characters make this a sure hit with most preschoolers. The idea of being like the big kids is great for tots with "gamer" older siblings...
Value: This title, along with its alphabet counterpart, is breaking new ground in the world of video games because of its young targeted audience. It also provides an excellent orientation to the controller, and its ease of use makes it a real self-esteem builder..." SOURCE: © 1999 Reviews Corner geocities.com
...should simply be a [key] [NewKidCo, The Learning Company, Sony®, Nintendo®, Sesame Street®, CTW®, et al] selling point... |
