Sessler's Soapbox

Oh goodie. California Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) want the Supreme Court to consider reversing two lower federal court rulings in California that found the state’s law restricting minors from accessing violent video games was unconstitutional. (Strangely enough, Sess just addressed this topic yesterday in this week’s Sessler’s Soapbox.)

As GamePolitics reports, Sen. Yee, in partnership with the California Psychiatric Association and the California Psychological Association, has submitted a brief of amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) to the Supreme Court over the aforementioned unconstitutional video game law. In the brief, Yee asserts:

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Yesterday, July 21st was the 50th anniversary of the Lady Chatterley's Lover case, which is essentially the basis all media censorship cases are based on today. In case you're unfamiliar with the subject, check out the Wikipedia article about it.

Now that you've done your homework, sit down with The Sess and listen to this week's Soapbox. Adam uses this date as a springboard to discuss how video games appear to have dodged the censorship bullet, if only temporarily. Is this the time to celebrate a small victory? Or is this just another calm before the inevitable storm? You decide.

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In case you missed it, yesterday the AIAS, the Guild Hall at SMU and GameStop announced their Indie Game Challenge, which offers prize money and scholarships to the winning independent game developer. Check out Adam's interview with AIAS's president Joseph Olin.

Now that we're on the same, you will know where Adam is coming from in this week's Sessler's Soapbox. The Sess wanted to explain why he thinks games coming from independent developers are so important for the industry and gamers alike. If you bring more creative voices to the table, everyone else has to match their game and be just as innovative, creative and interesting as the other guy. So press play and find out what Adam has to say on the subject.

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Do you remember the first time you saw Adam Sessler on TV? Was it on G4? TechTV? Public Access? I'd be that no matter what your answer, it wasn't 11 years ago, and therefore you'll probably be interested in this week's Soapbox.

The Sess decided to go back in time and tell you the story of how he got started in gaming television. Here's a hint; it includes Riverdancing. I bet that got your attention. So press play and find out how Adam Sessler broke into the wide world of gaming television.

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Do you have an iPhone? Are you as obsessed with it as I am? Don't you think that the AI in the Peggle challenge mode cheats?!?!?!

Moving on, this week Adam takes a moment to discuss the gaming possibilities offered by Apple's iPhone. Do you buy fully-functional games for the iPhone? Or do you follow in Adam's footsteps and read the paper or do some crossword puzzles on your iPhone in your spare time? Either way, it's a subject begging for a debate, so check out this week's Soapbox and let us know what you think.

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The one game that took everyone by surprise at E3 2009 was a little Nintendo DS title called Scribblenauts. This little nugget of genius stood head and shoulders above an astounding amount of fantastic video games, so you know that there has to be something very special about this incredibly simple and yet infinitely complex game.

Such is the topic of this week's Soapbox. Adam talks about how he not only can't wait to play the game, but how he thinks  Scribblenauts stands as an example of how amazing games have gotten in recent years. Are you as excited for this game as The Sess? Hell, I might buy a DS just so I can play it. Enjoy.

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By now, most of you have heard about the Left 4 Dead 2 internet petition claiming that the sequel should be released free to owners of the first game, fulfilling Valve's promise to support Left 4 Dead with free DLC. Well I'm sure you've guessed it by now, but Adam has something to say on this subject. Check out the Feed story about the Left 4 Dead 2 boycott petition, and then press play to find out how The Sess feels.

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This week, Adam gets back on his office Soapbox. Since it's June, a lot of people are graduating from college right now, and Adam wanted to take a moment to talk to those of you who are considering getting into game development.

But wait, it gets better. After you've watched this week's Soapbox, take a moment to head over to Adam Sessler's Fun Deconstruction Thread to talk with Adam Sessler, as well as your peers, about what YOU think makes a game great. This is your chance to exchange ideas with people all across the globe, engage people on an intellectual level, and maybe even have your eyes opened to a concept you never thought of before. So watch the video, put on your thinking cap, and head on over to the forums. We're just as excited to see where this goes as you are.

Adam Sessler's Fun Deconstruction Thread: http://forums.g4tv.com/showthread.php?p=2185269#post2185269

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Yes, yes, we know Soapbox is late this week. But it's E3, everyone is so busy it's a marvel that we were able to get one at all. So count your blessings.

This week's Soapbox is all about love. Adam is happy to see E3 back to its original glory; the publishers and console makers are showing off amazing products, the games are all at a level that we've never seen before, and the level of quality that was being shown on the show floor was beyond impressive. But don't take my word for it, The Sess will explain it for you.

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You all already know E3 is next week. You're already planning on watching our live coverage straight from the show floor. So obviously E3 is on everyone's mind, including Adam's.

This weeks' Soapbox gives Adam the chance to talk about what he hopes to and is expecting to see at E3 next week. Who does he think has the best line-up going into the expo? What games does Adam think will make a big splash? You'll have to press play to find out.

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I'm not sure about you guys, but I've been spending a lot of money on Xbox Live recently. It seems like every game that I end up playing obsessively has been getting downloadable content that makes the game even larger. This is great news for me, maybe not so great news for my wallet and my social life.

Such is the topic of today's Soapbox. Adam has been looking closely at all the DLC that's been coming out recently for games like Fable II and Fallout 3 and sees a very positive trend. When publishers release extra content for the games we already love it extends our enjoyment of the game, gives them an additional revenue source, and gives their game a longer lifespan. In other words, more games should do it more often. Press play and let us know if you agree.

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The story so far; I grew up in the only nice part of New Jersey (Bergen County) before attending Emerson College in Boston for 4 years, majoring in Film. After moving to Los Angeles I held a series of jobs, most notable of which was working with Actual Reality Pictures on shows like 30 Days and Black/White.

Then, after a few odd jobs around town, a friend of a friend mentioned they were looking for producers at G4 to work on Cheat!, and since I was a fan of the network and gaming in general, I said hell yes. Interesting side note; I went to my job interview at G4 with a big, waxed-up, curly moustache like the guy who runs the circus. I was also quized about what consoles I had owned over the years, and if I was more excited for the Wii or the PS3. I promptly called my parents to tell them that all that time I "wasted" playing video games in my youth just got me a job.

After about a year working for the network, I moved over to the Feed team to create The MMO Report, and eventually took over producing Sessler's Soapbox as well. For the record, yes, this is the most fun job I've ever had. Be jealous.

Interview: Patrick Roche-Sowa--Producer, The MMO Report and Sessler's Soapbox.
By Ty Colfax

Ty: What's your problem?

Patrick: I have a cabbage for a head

Ty: What's your favorite MMO, guy who produces the MMO Report?

Patrick: Our graphics guy, Ernie (his nickname is MoMo)

Ty: Describe your first memory of playing a video game.

Patrick: Playing Super Mario Bros at the rich kid in town's house, and then whining and crying until my parents agreed to spend 100 dollars on a Nintendo Entertainment System. I think I was 6.

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Nostalgia can be a good thing. It can also cloud your judgment by allowing you to look into the past with rose-tinted glasses. I mean, have you played Goldeneye recently? It kinda sucks.

Using that same logic, Adam takes some time out of his busy day to explain why he thinks that the cancellation of Duke Nukem Forever is a blessing in disguise. Do you think the over-the-top shooter franchise could have survived in today's gaming market? Has Duke already passed his expiration date? You decide. Oh, and hail to the king, baby.

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Adam has a lot of friends in the gaming industry, and sometimes Adam likes to invite them to join in on his favorite activities. Most of which we could never show you on camera.

This week, Adam asked Paul Barnett from Mythic Entertainment to stick around after he discussed Warhammer Online on X-Play to talk about something they both have to deal with very often; interviews. People in the game industry are always getting asked "What are your favorite games of all time"? Quite the show-stopping question. And how exactly does one go about answering that? Why not press play on the video below and find out.

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Japanese developed video games have always had a certain...Japanese quality to them. Not that there's anything wrong with that, it's just always been that way. But there seems to be a wind of change blowing through the world of Japanese game development.

Such is the topic of this week's Soapbox. Adam talks about how he's seem some adjustments in games coming out of Japan, and how he thinks they're finally taking notes on what their Western counterparts have been up to, and are folding those ideas into their game development. Will it make for better games? Or will we lose the originality that Japanese titles have had for so many years?

 
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