Let me start by saying that games are at an all time high. We're getting games with technology that we couldn't even begin to imagine 10 years ago. We're in the golden age of aming, so to speak. Gaming has boomed in the last few years. It's huge. Yet, there's this rotten core at the heart of it, filled with insignificant little gamers who seem to think games have to be tailored to their indivdual tastes or the game is set for fail. It's due to this little, insignificant group that I rarely stray over to gaming forums nowadays.

You can't open a thread without somebody whining about how a developing studio screwed them over. The latest fad is calling developers out on 'consolizing' games. Consolizing is a word created by spoilt gamers to describe the phenomena by which developers apparently 'dumb down' a game to cater for the 'lesser intelligent' console market, because somehow being limited by what can be done with a console makes somebody stupid and sitting hunched over a keyboard and mouse in your parents' basement is better than relaxing on the couch with a controller.

The two games most prominent at the moment in this pointless debate would be Mass Effect 2 and Dragon Age 2, both of which cut out (in my opinion) unnecessary micromanagement like changing armors and silly stuff like that. Obviously, this made the games much better than their predecessors in my eyes, as I didn't have to keep myself busy with boring junk like deciding who gets what piece of equipment and allowed me to enjoy the action and story more. But for some people there's just no satisfaction to be gained anywhere, and this was toted as being a terrible decision on Bioware's part, because apparently some people like doing menial stuff like equipping armors on their characters and stuff, rather than killing the beasts invading the universe/land. It's probably pretty much the same as some people liking to fornicate with goats rather than other human beings, but I'll leave it at that before I step on someone's toes. The same people complain ing about the game not being the same as the one before it, would most likely have complained had it been exact replicas with different storylines, even though that's what they're yelling for now.

The thing is, people just love complaining, and when they can do it for free, they're all the happier. Just remember, for every one of you doofs who state the game failed because of something you didn't like in it, there are ten more who bought the game and loved it, meaning they'll buy the sequel. Who do you think the game developer is going to target with their next game, you, the whining little guy who feels entitled to getting the game HE wants, or the majority who liked the game? U jelly for being more 'intelligent'?

So, it's that time of year again. The build-up to December. You know, that time when all the shiny new AAA titles start getting released in time for Christmas. It's always the time of year that I regret. It's sometimes a bit difficult having to choose between games when your budget only allows for so few. Well, at least most of the games worth buying should hit the budget range by the middle of next year. Happy shopping guys!

If there is one thing that doesn't bother me while gaming then it is graphics. Sure, I do like to see pretty things while playing a game, but it's not going to stop me from enjoying a fun game if the graphics aren't pretty. Games like Loco Roco and Patapon are incredibly fun without having 'uber-cool' and 'realistic' graphics. On the other hand, some games rely on good graphics to make the game more fun. This is why I'm worried about Operation Flashpoint 2. Take Far Cry 2 (a game I thoroughly hated) for example. When playing multiplayer players with low end PC's had an advantage, because if their shadows weren't turned on other players couldn't hide in the shadows from them, making it easier for the low end pc guy. Now, what if OF2 is just like that? What happens if the game is so realistic that it relies on graphics for realism? Draw distance, shadows, foilage all contribute to realism. If that is switched off in the graphics options the game becomes a lot easier automatically. Just a little something to get you thinking...