https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/new-hope-players-battling-star-wars-game-fees-n823806

“This game is a Star-Wars-themed online casino, designed to lure kids into spending money. It’s a trap,” Hawaiian Democratic State Rep. Chris Lee said this week, echoing a line made famous by the "Star Wars" character Admiral Ackbar.

Lee, who is supported by fellow state Rep. Sean Quinlan, is referring to a “Star Wars Battlefront II” system in which players purchase an in-game currency called “crystals” that they can then use to buy “loot boxes.” The items inside the boxes are random and vary in quality, but help make each player’s character better and stronger.

These in-game purchases and micro-transactions have been denounced by many people in the gaming community across many platforms, and they carry echoes of consumer worries about the end of net neutrality, as those who can pay the most are afforded the best content.

Lee and Quinlan said they have taken the issue to the state attorney general, are pursuing legislation to block companies from using these monetization tactics in Hawaii, and are discussing similar laws with legislators in other states.

In a particularly powerful analogy, Quinlan compared “Star Wars Battlefront II” to cigarette advertising that attracted children.

“We all remember Joe Camel being used to encourage kids to smoke cigarettes,” he said. “We shouldn't let 'Star Wars' be used to encourage kids to gamble.”

With great power comes great responsibility,” Quinlan added, “and in this case the onus is on Disney and Electronic Arts to take a strong stand against underage gambling." (The Walt Disney Co. owns the Star Wars franchise.)

They should pass a bill that makes it illegal for law makers to beat clichés to death. You think you sound clever but you don't. Stop it.

They should pass a bill that makes it illegal for law makers to beat clichés to death. You think you sound clever but you don't. Stop it.

at least "With great power comes great responsibility” is owned by Marvel Entertainment, which is also part of Disney...

at least "With great power comes great responsibility” is owned by Marvel Entertainment, which is also part of Disney...

Technically, you're correct. Had to look it up...

The rights to further films featuring the character were purchased in 1985, and moved through various production companies and studios before being secured by Sony Pictures Entertainment (Columbia Pictures), who hired Sam Raimi to direct Spider-Man (2002), Spider-Man 2 (2004), and Spider-Man 3 (2007) starring Tobey Maguire. The first two films were met with positive reviews from critics, while the third film met mixed reviews. In 2010, Sony announced that the franchise would be rebooted. Marc Webb was hired to direct, with Andrew Garfield starring, and The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) was released to positive reviews. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014) saw mixed reviews.

In February 2015, Disney, Marvel Studios and Sony announced a deal to share the Spider-Man film rights, leading to a new iteration of Spider-Man being introduced and integrated into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This younger version of Peter Parker is played by Tom Holland, and appears in Captain America: Civil War in 2016 (distributed by Disney) and Spider-Man: Homecoming in 2017 (distributed by Sony), before starring in Avengers: Infinity War and its untitled sequel (both distributed by Disney) in 2018 and 2019 respectively. A sequel to Homecoming is also slated for 2019. Captain America: Civil War and Spider-Man: Homecoming were received with positive reviews.

I remember a pre-9/11 trailer that showed a helicopter suspended by a giant web between the World Trade towers. They eventually cut that out of the first film..

My son was telling me about a bootleg copy of a Fantastic Four film before 20th Century Fox bought the rights. Part of the deal is that the previous owner had to destroy all copies of the low-budget film, but one survived. It's a shame that they can't make a decent film after Silver Surfer was a disappointment.

of course, they don't want gambling in ANY form as it takes away from their own coffers..

They should pass a bill that makes it illegal for law makers to beat clichés to death. You think you sound clever but you don't. Stop it.

Iolani grad

Oh what an idiot. People's complaints about the micro transactions in battlefront 2 have nothing to do with net neutrality, they are criticisms by players and critics who don't like how they get nickled and dimed. This is not an issue for the government.

I don't think he even games.