Recently I have come to the conclusion that I must be apart of some rare breed of online gamer. Perhaps it's that I spent most of my online multiplayer time playing Starcraft still or maybe that I need something to motivate me. I'm not sure what it is, but if it's the latter, it's definitely not the online community motivating me. I have always thought that voice chat, especially for shooters, was to co-operate and co-exist as a unit. Come up with a game plan, execute and celebrate. I think that there is a lack of this in todays online games. The most enjoyable online games I have ever played were Starcraft: Brood War and Socom: US Navy Seals. Both of those games had something in common that I don't find anywhere else, discussion about strategy and the game itself. For example, if I play Call of Duty 4 on my Xbox 360 and I join a random ranked room, chances are the ongoing discussion, if there is one, isn't about the game. It's usually just a conversation and generally about something racist and offensive, especially if it's Halo 3. I always seem to be the only one concerned about playing the game and coming up with strategy. What made Socom and Starcraft so great was that it was all about the game. In both games, joining a clan was the way to go. You would join up, rank up a bit, get to know everyone, than go to a clan war and kick some ass. It was great. Nothing was better than being in a game on Socom when your outnumbered 6:2 and through superior teamwork and knowledge of the map, you pull off a victory, and than next game be congratulated, it's nostalgic just to think about it. Starcraft is a little different, but is relatively the same. You play the game, you win or lose and than you can watch the replay, discuss it with some friends and think about what you should have done and what to do next time. It was great and I feel a little sad typing this because I don't get that atmosphere with newer great games. Yes, I am a rare breed indeed, a dying breed too I fear. Now I wait patiently for the next Socom, hoping it can emulate it's great predecessors and that I can be satisfied with it's community. In conclusion though, let me make myself clear that conversation is an integral part of online gaming. Without some personal discussions and just regular talking, you usually cannot connect on a level with teammates or clan mates so that it is exciting when you both succeed. However, I used to enjoy when that took a backseat to strategy, nowadays it seems all games are two door cars, and I have a hard time squeezing into the back.