Another slow news day. Augh. Oh well, I guess everyone is too busy playing games to be sending shockwaves of new developments through the industry. So what do I got for you?

First off I say somewhat solemnly that Acclaim has closed one if it's facilities in Salt Lake City for financial reasons. (That was the home of many a wrestling game for those curious of what went on there). I say that solemnly because they are such a great source of ridicule for all those stupid stunts they do to promote their games. That's good stuff to mock man! Ok, seriously though people have lost their jobs which is never very fun. Future work will still come from their Austin, TX facility, and will take over the development of the new Legends of Wrestling title that's in the works.

Sad news possibly for Honduran gamers. In a situation similar to what happened in Greece recently the government is working on a blanket ban of all game software. The move is supposed to help put a handle on youth violence, and is currently in the process of being sent to be ratified. If it passes it would pretty much destroy gaming in the Honduras. A sad solution to a very complex problem that reaches far beyond playing video games if you ask me. It's obviously rap music that's to blame here ... (har, har)

Lastly there are reports of a price drop at some Japanese retailers on the Xbox console. While not an official price drop it has reduced the cost of the system for many to 19,800 yen, or about $160. The Xbox has trouble from day one in Japan salewise, so this may be a necessary sacrifice to get users onto the wagon, or to save some retailers from having these things clogging up their warehaouses... Well, that's all I got today. Hopefully tommorow I'll have some big juicy stories for you to read, and some material for some more kickin pictures as well. Ta Ta.

-Hanzo

Sources: Gamefront, Gamespot, Gamespy, and Larry Jo.