I read recently in Electronic Gaming Monthly that Nintendo is not going to include networking capabilities in their next generation console.

Are they stupid?

I love Nintendo. I always have. I'm not more that three years older than Nintendo of America. But how can they not see that networking is the future of gaming. Look at the Xbox's Halo. Is it a great shooter? Eh... not in my opinion. But does it have great multiplayer? You betcha. Now think of how many Xbox units were sold simply to play that game online with bunches of people around the globe. From my perspective, that's what made the system successful.

Now the next generation consoles are going to continue this. Microsoft's Xenon and Sony's PS3 have both been announced to have built in networking functionality. This is the future of console gaming and Nintendo will miss the boat if they don't pay heed.

Yes, Nintendo will always have good games, especially for the younger market, but without online multiplayer Nintendo gamers are going to become a niche market.

Feel free to disagree. This is just what I'm thinking about today.

I've never been a very big fan of the GTA games. My experience with them just left me wanting more. It seemed the whole point was just killing people and not really following a story. I always felt if I'm going to use my high premium of time to play a game I want a goal beyond just creating mayhem for a few hours.

But there is something about San Andreas that intrigues me. I don't know if it's because I live in Los Angeles. Maybe it's the inclusion of the countrysides as a way to kind of get out of the city for awhile. Maybe it's the capabilities to play with all kinds of side projects from owning/running a casino in "Las Vegas" to adjusting your appearance through food and exercise. Maybe it's the higher quality of vehicles to choose from including planes, ATVs, and bicycles.

Whatever it is, it's there. And I see myself buying this game when it comes out this fall.

Where I'm going to find the time to play this game to it's potential I don't know. But my old arguments against GTA just don't hold water anymore with this new one.

This is just what I'm thinking about today.