With 28 hours in a day, what should I play?

One thing that I have been thinking about lately is this sort-of “knowledge gap” that has formed between the hardcore/enthusiast press and an average consumer. Just listen to any podcast geared towards games (Giant Bombcast comes to mind) and it becomes clear. A group of people who play games as a way of making a living come together to try and find out the logic behind the latest trends in videogames. While this often makes for great listening material, it rarely reflects the actual mindset of a consumer.

An example would be why Xbox 360 sales have fallen sharply. Many in the gaming press claim it’s due to the current price point, and Microsoft’s failure to significantly lower it. They point to “killer” software like GTA failing to move hardware. While that very well may be the case, I see it differently. Buying a system FOR one specific game is really an insult. Saying that this one game is the only worthwhile piece of software for a system is really a low blow. So while many people may have bought a PS3 and Metal Gear, what comes after that? They either discover other games that they enjoy for their new system, or it begins to collect dust. The same holds true for any Halo title that’s released on the Xbox.

            This is coming mostly from my recent adventure with a friend while we were running around town looking for the way overpriced Xbox wireless adaptor. My friend had bought his Xbox not for Halo, or any other singular game, but to be connected with me and our other friends. Thanks to our efforts, he is now a hybrid gamer, splitting his time between WOW (oh lord) and his Xbox. He’s a PcOx gamer. How funny is it that WOW will have achievements?

            Point is that to be someone in the gaming press, and run an awesome website, takes years of hard work. With that time comes certain assumptions and expectations, like software driving hardware. I’m not saying that’s wrong, it just might not be 100% right, either. While listening to Giant Bombcast, I usually agree with everything. However, sometimes I find myself thinking, "You know, that’s not quite right.”