Between Tycho and the Lawyer of Doom I honestly don't have much to add in regards to this latest ruling. There is one thing that wasn't mentioned that probably bothers me more than anything though. This is a huge slap in the face to every artist who works in the video game industry. This ruling says that the work of an artist whose medium is videogames is not a valid form of expression. Who the fuck is this man? Could this same judge stand up and declare that artists who work in clay or oils are equally incapable of conveying ideas through their work? This is the same government that recognizes a crucifix in a jar of piss as not just art but protected free speech. Not only that, the artist Andres Serrano actually received $15,000 for his work from the National Endowment for the Arts. "Piss Christ" as he calls it was a fucking federally funded endeavor. This is the kind of shit our government considers speech but a masterpiece like Shenmue is incapable of conveying an idea? I keep expecting Rod Serling to appear and tell us all that we've just entered the middle ground between light and shadow.

• Collapse: Is this the Bejeweled killer?

• Team Fortress: Neverwinter Nights: No, that's not a typo. I hadn't imagined NWN technology leveraged in this way, but if the tools are as holistic as they claim, this could be a hell of a lot of fun.

• Alt.Cyberpunk.Chatsubo: One of the contributors to this anthology mailed me about it, and I have no problem letting everyone know. Neuromancer was the second game I bought with my own money, back in the day, which meant I was introduced to "cyberpunk" at a highly suggestible period of my young life. It's never really left me. The newsgroup I mentioned published a book of their contributions to the genre, if you (like many red-blooded geeks) had a Gibson or a Stephenson phase, it's something you might want to look into.

• Game Over: Nintendo Metal: You might have seen a track or two of theirs over at Remix, these guys are great. I'm listening to their take on Punch Out now, complete with lyrics and harmonies that relate Little Mac's dramatic tale, and I know that their work is authorized by God.

• Boxman: I just like it when people fall down.

• First 2 Zero: Internet Multiplayer darts. That should about do it for a description.

• Action Markers: The guy who contacted me from here was really nice, he was looking into maybe advertising or some shit, but I told him I didn't think we attracted a lot of people who went outside. To be fair, I don't actually know that. So, if you are into paintball, by all means, go check them out.

I wouldn't get too hung up on the elephant in this one - we're primarily just executing the "political cartoon" form, which has that element of ridiculous bombast coupled with intimations toward vast political conspiracy. The Lawyer of Doom has been kind enough to look at the case legally, and by "case" I mean this one, and we know as well as he does that this isn't a right/left thing. This is more of a stupid thing, more of an antique sensibilities thing, and more of a disconnect between an arbiter of the law and the modern world thing.

I would like to say for the record that the information about the 3D display is by no means rock solid. I will say that it had nothing to do with the article at PGC a while ago. My information came from someone else entirely. He had no reason to lie to me but he could have been given false information or I could have misunderstood him. One way or another we will all know very soon.

Sleep for nearly twelve hours. That's my recommendation. I feel much restored, strength of ten men, etc., and would wrestle an elk if I thought I could find one.

It looks like someone else in this forum has the same info I do, so it’s probably safe to say it. Word has it that Nintendo will be showing off a new 3D display designed for the Gamecube. I’ll try and get more information for you guys.

Wow, I had no idea my little blurb about Nintendo's big plans for E3 would get everyone so excited. I was pointed towards this thread over at Gamefaqs discussing what it could possibly be. I have contacted my source and I am trying to find out exactly what I can say without getting anyone in trouble. I will tell you that none of the guesses in that thread are correct. I’ll also say that it’s not a game. I’ll let you guys know as soon as I find out more.

I'm actually feeling quite chipper today it's true. I'm not sure exactly why, but I think it might have something to do with the fact that E3 is only about four weeks away. Mr. Howarth over at VE3D seems positively put off by the whole affair. Maybe he is talking about some other E3, some kind of elephant expo or something I don't know. This year's electronic gaming expo promises to be one of the best in years as far as I am concerned. On the PC side you've got Unreal II, Unreal Tournament 2003, Knights of the old Republic, Never Winter Nights, Star Wars fucking Galaxies, and Doom 3. Oh, and a couple of little games from Nintendo called Mario Sunshine, Zelda, Star Fox and Metroid. I'd bet money Sega will be showing off Shinobi somewhere on the show floor. Namco will probably have Soul Calibur 2 and Square should be showing Final Fantasy XI. These are just the first ones I can think of off the top of my head. Last year was nice what with the new consoles and all, but this is the year we get to see what these consoles can really do. Add to that the fact that each year we always see a bunch of stuff that we had never even heard of until E3. In fact a little bird actually told me what Nintendo has up its sleeve this year and when he told me I punched him in the face and called him a liar. When he got back up he promised it was the truth, and I believe him. I don't want to say anything that will get anyone in trouble but I know I'll be heading to the Nintendo section first this year. Maybe Mr. Howarth just hates video games or something. If it makes him feel any better I heard there might be some press releases there.

Last time, I promise. I talk to somebody in Xbox PR almost every day, on pretty good terms, but they know I love them deep down. They make it pretty hard not to. What's more, I'm afraid that Deathbunny will hurt me if I don't.

I got a press release in my e-mail today from a company called Wild Things. Maybe you guys over in the UK know about them but I had never heard of them before. I guess they are coming out with a bunch of new Game Cube accessories. Normally that isn't something I would feel the need to post about but their GC organizer actually looks really cool.

Clem Samson-Samuel, warped map genius and sovereign of the bottomless pit, took time out from SoF2 to mail me back, which is very much appreciated. What's his take on Das Boost? Read on, true believers...

I am absolutely in love with the Soldier of Fortune 2 multiplayer test. My favorite part of the game is setting people on fire with the incendiary grenades. There is nothing quite as satisfying as slow roasting a terrorist. It’s only fitting that I spend most of my time defending the briefcase from attacks through the kitchen. I only wish I could add an apron to my player model and maybe one of those fancy chef hats.

I just got this from Brad Grier over at BioWare:

I've never felt it was proper (or possible, really) to speak with familiarity and sincerity regarding the passing of this celebrity or that celebrity. I do, however, enjoy telling stories.

For the discriminating hypertext enthusiast.

Today's comic has plenty of words already, and as such does not require much of an investment on my part. Suffice it to say that it concerns idiots, briefcases, and Soldier of Fortune 2. When the illustrious Justice Cat called us pussies for using the crosshairs, I knew then that our race was doomed. No-one could possibly be smart enough to counteract that much stupid. So, Universe, it's been great being bipedal and everything, though I feel like I got fucked out of a grasping tail. All in all, I give existence an Eight.