The Madman's Cafe

News from 03/28/2001

Associated Press: Pokemon Followers to be "Disciplined" in Saudi Arabia

(Associated Press -Yahoo) "DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - Saudi Arabia's highest religious authority has declared a fatwa, or religious ruling, against the cute little characters Japan's Nintendo has made into a multibillion dollar enterprise that is enormously popular around the world. ...The fatwa said Pokemon video games and cards have symbols that include ``the Star of David, which everyone knows is connected to international Zionism and is Israel's national emblem. ...Because of severe punishments for violators, which would include lashings, revoking of a trade license, stiff fines and deportation, the Saudi edict is expected to be strictly followed."
[ Article: Yahoo -Associated Press ]

BroadBand Adapter DC Game "Backup" utility released

A utiliy allowing quick backup of DreamCast games, "DC BackUp Utility" has been released by Japanese site Hanakocha. Using this Windows tool and a LAN cross-cable to link the PC to the DreamCast, a game can be backed up at the speed of 1mb/s. Previously a task which could take up to 24 hours, the DC Backup Utility allows for creating backup for a game software in approximately 40 minutes. "DC Backup Utility" works under Windows 9x and NT, and is currently available under beta version at its official site. The site also explains how to build a LAN cross-cable for the connection, as well.

Note: Under Japanese law, backing up of purchased software under personal use is not illegal. However, any form of distribution- either commercial or non-commercial, is considered as pirating, and is illegal. Non JP users unclear of legal issues; please consult a lawyer before using the utility.
[ Link: Hanakocha- DC BBAdapter ]

Dessert: Looking back at Capcom vs SNK

Now that it's only 2 days before Capcom vs SNK Pro makes its debut, I've decided to release this short mpeg file of an easter egg / hidden factor in Capcom vs SNK. It's Yuri's alternate victory pose, which only happens at a chance of 1/16 on a perfect win. Check it out if you're a Yuri fan, or you want to be reminded of the good ol' AOF2 days. -H. Moriarty
[ Dessert section ]

Short Comment: Bill Gates Already In Japan

Man, I'd have thought that Bill Gates would be flying to Japan on the last minutes and rush back to the states right after the TGS ended, but he's already at the rising sun. Either he's really serious about selling the X-Box in Japan, or he's there for other reasons.. like spreading his. .. "technologies" over the country. -H. Moriarty
[ Full Image ]


	Bloomberg: Microsoft Won't Have Online Xbox Games This Year, Document Says

	"Tokyo, March 28 (Bloomberg) -- Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox game console won't be marketed in Japan with games that allow users to compete over the Internet until its second year on sale, according to a Microsoft document. The largest software maker said it needed to build a following among the most avid gamers, males aged 18 to 30, before investing in online versions, according to a document stamped confidential that Microsoft distributed to game developers attending a briefing at Tokyo's Shintakanawa Prince Hotel. Without online games, Microsoft may have difficulty competing against rival Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 2, which will be able to connect players to the Internet this month, analysts said." [ Article: Bloomberg ]


	GameSpot: US Game Boy Advance launch shipment cut in half

	(ZDNet GameSpot) "Nintendo has officially announced that the Game Boy Advance will launch in the US with just 500,000 units on June 11. This is half the number of units Nintendo initially announced for the North American Game Boy Advance debut. The reasoning behind the delay is reportedly to allocate more units to other territories. Nintendo hopes to supply the full one million units by the end of June." [ Article: ZDNet- GameSpot ]