I've got some good news, and I've got some bad news...

Why is it that with video games, good news must always come with bad news? It’s nothing new, like a “sequel” to Chrono Trigger that really ISN’T a sequel to Chrono Trigger. Or a new Metal Gear where Snake isn’t the main character (though I do not consider myself a Raiden HATER, I was still quite disappointed). We gamers should be used to these kinds of things. But it always hurts. I mean, don’t they LISTEN to us? Do they THINK about what they’re doing?

Case in point; the ‘new’ PS3. The 80 gig model. Now, I am fine with this in essence. I’m always a fan of more memory; it means more stuff, and more stuff is pretty much the goal we all share. My problem is what we are LOSING, and that is our emulation hardware. Why? Why take out something in an “improved” model? Why must we forsake hardware for software? Who decided that this was a good idea? They obviously didn’t ask us, the gamers, because we would have given an emphatic “NO!”

Take a look at the Xbox 360 for example. I loved my Xbox ‘til the day my hard drive decided to commit seppuku, so when I heard about the 360, I figured I could resurrect some of my favorite games (I missed the lovely shanking in Riddick, and committing the best unspeakable acts in Fable), but when I heard that only a handful of the original Xbox games would be playable, the scream probably registered on the Richter scale a few countries over. This of course wasn’t improved at all when news came out about the 360 blowing more smoke than a college dorm hotbox, but that’s another article. The point is I wish Sony had learned from Microsoft’s mistake. Now I have to scrounge up enough capital to acquire Sony’s marketing nightmare before the now-invaluable 60 gig model sells out. Damn Sony’s development team to hell!

On a slightly well gripe-laden note, Metal Gear Solid 4 has yet to deflate my expectations. It seems that if only one thing is consistent in gaming, it’s Hideo Kojima’s ability to create one hell of a story. I can only imagine what twists and turns are yet to be found in the bizarre geo-political world of Metal Gear, though we can certainly expect a fair share of back stabbing, side dealing and more trickery than the newest Harry Potter book. In fact, with Rock Band shredding onto the 360, MGS4 is one on a very short list of exclusives for the PS3 that is actually keep me interested in Sony’s money trap. Folklore looks pretty sweet, too.

Of course, we are still early in the PS3’s lifespan, and my brother maintains that it will leap ahead at some point. While I am still not fully convinced, what with developer’s seeming inability to create games solely for the PS3 if they hope to make any money, I retain a bit of optimism that it will at least become a fair contender to the current forerunners at Nintendo and Microsoft. I try not to fall into any of the legions of whiners bitching about the quality or merits of any given system; I’m a gamer, dammit! The only thing I care about is quality of games, not who’s behind the console they are played on, or any specific gripe with any company for a stupid, childish reason.

Even the term “fan boy” bothers me. It shows that we cannot even create a semi-peaceful community of gamers. It seems to me that we should not bicker and argue over each other’s opinion of certain games and consoles. Why should we waste time fighting over what games we like that others do not, or vice versa? It exhibits an immaturity that should be left to lawyers and politician, not the video game loving hordes. Believe me, Señor Conquistador loves some games I could never figure out the appeal of, but we don’t get on each other’s case about it. That’s reserved for more important matters, like how dare I waste money on a BOOK when I could spend it on video games? Now THERE is a good reason to fight!

Don’t get me wrong, I am certainly not opposed to civil discussion of what makes a great game and why, and any differences of opinion therein. It’s the fact that we can’t seem to be adults about it. Or maybe bickering IS the adult way, sometimes I’m not sure. The truth is, nothing would make me happier than if people would stop getting into battles over these things, and could begin working towards a better future for the gaming community, but I am a hopeless romantic. Yet, maybe someday I will be appeased. Perhaps a new level of consciousness will be found, where growth will be accepted and change will be welcomed instead of feared. Heh, we’ll see.

In the meantime, let us revel in the barrage of great things to come. I’m excited, and I hope you are to. I may be a little behind the “next gen” right now (well, I DO have a Wii, and love it so) but I plan to catch up soon. Hopefully, Microsoft will get that improved chip into the 360 soon so I can finally play Dead Rising and Gears of War in the comfort of my own home. There are a lot of zombies that need whacking and aliens that need their asses kicked. May you all join me in the festivities.

"Egoism dictates human relations
A world where fashion outshines morality
Here success is written in blood-red colours
Designed by the thirst for power
Gather the faithful and propose a toast
To the epoch of indifference
An all to ordinary story"
-In Flames