the XBox 360 is not the point

I think it's time to put aside the heckling and realize what that "special" (read: commercial) for the XBox 360 really means, because we're only going to get this chance once. Indeed, the Spike TV awards were collectively acknowledged as a huge waste of time - but at least it was 3 hours long (or whatever, I never actually got through it). This XBox 360 commercial was hyped even on Canadian television, all for what I gather was equivalent to a short segment on the home shopping network. Screenshots and specifications and superficial interviews by pop stars mean nothing to me right now. What I'm concerned about is gaming's new image. Quite frankly, it's embarassing.

What happened in the last couple of years? I mean, besides game culture going mainstream and Franz Ferdinand playing in the background of PSP commercials. This is a very dangerous direction for the industry to be heading. Focus grouping is not the answer to good games! This whole scenario absolutely reeks of market research and target demographics. How a blatant product placement on a channel full of product placements can be seen as otherwise is a testament to our culture. I don't want to hear about Halo sequels and polygons for the rest of my life as a gamer, which to be honest is being tested at this very moment. As I said in an earlier post PC gaming has taken a hit because of this newfound interest in catering to an entertainment-driven market. It's not as easy to market the type of games that thrive on the PC to people who want third person action or can actually stomach playing a FPS with a gamepad. The XBox 360 can play DVDs! Fantastic! I finally have an excuse throw my DVD player off my balcony.

I can't help but feel bitter at these developments. Gaming has always been a big part of my life, even if it meant getting my ass kicked in the locker room after gym glass. Now the ass kickers are playing video games. Will the hardcore be remembered after these turbulent times? Will the opinions of gamers who actually played Doom matter next to Halo's star on the walk of fame? It's extremely scary to think my hobby is being driven into the ground by gamers who care little for gaming history or its acceptance as more than a diversion. Do you want to be playing commercials in the next five years? Go ahead and pick up that copy of Madden. It won't hurt you...yet.

Oh, and The Killers? Give me a fucking break.

makes me want to give mankind a beating