48 GAMES WORLD^ OF PUZZLES^ | may 2019
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Shortly before this issue went to press, Christopher Quinn, a
Republican lawmaker in the Pennsylvania House of Repre-
sentatives, introduced a bill that would tax so-called violent
video games to help pay for increased security in the state’s
public schools.
House Bill No. 109 states that “A tax is imposed on each
separate sale at retail of video games that have an adults
only rating or mature rating according to the rating system
established by the board.”
Quinn introduced the bill on January 28, 2019, roughly two
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Parkland, Florida.
Although the bill has yet to be debated, it’s important to
note that there’s a lot at stake. In 2018, gamers spent almost
$138 billion on their pastime. Pennsylvania alone has more
than 180 GameStop locations, according to Joey Mooring, a
spokesman for the company. If the bill is passed, the cost will
undoubtedly be passed along to consumers. More worrisome
are threats to free speech.
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA), which
provides ratings for video games, released a forceful state-
ment that begins, “The Pennsylvania bill is a violation of the
US Constitution." It goes on to urge lawmakers to educate
themselves about video games.
Actually, the ESA’s website (www.theesa.com) provides lots
of information on research into video games. There’s also the
Video Game Voters Network (www.videogamevoters.org),
which mobilizes gamers against censorship. Q- +%1)32• BY RAYMOND SIMON
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Cora Felton, the cantankerous pro-
tagonist of the long-running Puzzle Lady
mystery series, can’t stand crossword
puzzles. Unfortunately, she can’t escape
them: She’s the public face of her niece’s
syndicated puzzle, and—even more an-
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homicide victims.
Parnell Hall is the author of these
tongue-in-cheek crime novels. He’s writ-
ten 19 so far and a 20th is in the works.
But the Puzzle Lady only accounts for
a portion of Hall’s output. Since 1987,
he’s published more than 40 books,
including a private eye series featuring
Stanley Hastings and the Steve Winslow
courtroom dramas.
Hall’s dedication to his craft has not
gone unnoticed. This spring, he’s receiv-
ing the Lifetime Achievement Award at
Malice Domestic, a gathering for fans
of traditional mysteries. Now in its 31st
year, Malice Domestic attracts around
650 attendees to its annual get-together.
In general, these passionate readers
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side, as it’s often depicted in the beloved
crime novels of Agatha Christie. Intraditional mysteries, psychotic murder-
ers and solitary gumshoes are scarce; so
are blood-splatter and rape kits.
Fortunately, there’s room for a charac-
ter like Cora. The foul-mouthed, forni-
cating sexagenarian isn’t above a little
lying, some breaking-and-entering, and
a whole lot of underhanded conniving
when it comes to solving a case.
To learn more, visit
http://www.malicedomestic.org. Q3ǦǦǘǤȨ&ǝǝǡǙǤȨǠǦ ;ǝǟȨǞǣǞ+ȳǟǣǞǥ
The implicit message of this thoughtful
book is that women are, and always
have been, an integral part of the video
game industry.
Meagan Marie, whose previous book
was 2016’s 20 Years of Tomb Raider,
divides the book into five chapters cover-
ing each decade from the 1970s to the
present. Each begins with a timeline of
milestones in video game history and
includes essays like “Networking 101,”
which is packed with practical advice
from a senior designer at Electronic Arts.
There are also two-page features called
“A Day in the Life Of,” offering a detailed
look at jobs as varied as producer and
voice-over actress.
But the heart of the book is the 100
profiles of women, the “professionals
of play” referred to in its subtitle. They
range from major figures like Brenda
Romero (Wizardry) to experimental
designers like Anna Anthropy (Dys4ia).
There are also programmers, animators,
and games journalists. Marie even inter-
views a GameStop manager!
Each woman has a distinct voice and
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two themes emerge: pride in their
accomplishments and pleasure in
pursuing their vocations.
That positive focus, combined with
many helpful suggestions, guaran-
tees that the book will be a valuable
resource. Let’s hope it reaches girls
who love playing video games but
don’t yet realize that their favorite
pastime could become a career.
For more information,
visit http://www.primagames.com/
games/women-gaming-
100-pioneers-play. QMalice Domestic
If Traditional Mysteries are your cup of tea ...