Critical Gamer writes: Last week, I wrote an article regarding the connection between videogame consoles and computers, and the war in the Congo – more specifically, people’s reactions to an article in Kotaku on the subject. Now, I am able to offer you a chance to show that you care.
I chose to treat the subject of ‘conflict minerals’ – in this case, minerals mined to fund the widespread rape and murder in the Congo – as more than something to update the site with one day. I contacted the international charity Oxfam with a view to supporting an existing online petition on the subject, and they kindly pointed me in the direction of Raise Hope For Congo. As part of their campaigning, RHFC have set up an online form where you can, with just one click of a mouse button, tell Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo that you want them to ensure their machines contain no minerals from conflict zones.
As part of its plans to cut 1,900 jobs, Microsoft has reportedly shut down operations at Bethesda France, letting go roughly 15 people
They can form a company if they want, they are just as jobless as if "Microsoft had left them as 3rd party".
"MIcrosoft leaves Bethesda do what they know how to do best" ... close! Oh the irony ....
(Citation from a week old article)
Bethesda France was made up of roughly 15 people... they couldn't of being doing much
Bethesda France mainly did publishing and marketing within the region
that's a shame for you to say that, i'm sure Elite loves hearing what you just said.
Bethesda France focused on publishing and marketing in the region. And 15 people lost their jobs as part of the closure.
I wonder if this is part of Microsoft's strategy to abandoned physical media or possibly gamepass advertising makes their roles redundant you don't need to market a game as hard when the majority of players get the game as part of a sub which already promoted upcoming games
It's France too, there's a high likelihood only 1-2 people on the team even had an Xbox.
Tbh Microsoft I think Bethesda being 3rd party same with Activision would probably more competitive than thus scenario imo
I think it would have been better for all parties really especially gamers
The recently purchased Activision French offices might take over all the licensing and marketing for Microsoft in France from now on.
Sony has recently published a new patent that wants to dynamically handle the games' difficulty and gameplay based on the player's emotions.
This is something I might use. Sometimes I play some good games but they don’t have difficulty option and are a little too easy.
cool idea
cool idea for horror games especially
the way it's explained here sounds like it could never be forced hopefully, so that's ok with me
Hanzala from eXputer: "The cruel hammer of Nintendo has fallen. Farewell, 3DS and Wii U, you surely brightened my life and many others; you won't be forgotten."
Done, dusted, heartily agree.
So long as one man is different to another there will always be war.
It's sad but true, desire fuels everything include war. I live in a utopia and I know that, I am greatful about it and I will try to be as big a help to society as I possibly can. While I agree the situation is awful it's not going to change my mind on the next laptop I buy. If it's a £10 increase I'm fine with it, but £100 maybe not so much, it just strange how we value a human life, if it's indirect it's worthless, if it's direct it's priceless.
Now that's something you don't expect to find in your console. I've signed the form, but I'm always rather sceptic about how much good it will do... Of course it is horrible, but will those companies actually change something that they've been doing succesfully for such a long time? But well, no harm in signing, maybe something will happen :)
Another signature on the form certainly won't hurt. It's quite optimistic hoping that we'll change the minds of these companies though. One day everyone is complaining that games cost too much, and then we strongly disagree about the shortcuts the big companies take to try and cut them down. At least next time someone tells me that they are better because they have a Mac I can tell them that they fund the horrors of war (and then run off before they can tell me I'm doing the same).
for all the time it takes to sign the petition it's worth it.