RE: #4

I've not really a fan of Mr. Blow, but he does make a very good point or two.

Although I really don't buy into the validity of the "art games" as a genre argument, I do agree with his comments about how, often times, the game's narrative or theme is in direct conflict with the mechanics or technology being used. I realized the presence of this problem in Bioshock as soon as I was told that there would be a "reward" for me if I saved all the little sisters.

Of course, most of the time, I attribute these conflicts to the compromises that have to be made because of time and money constraints involved with commercial products. I don't feel that it is necessarily a case of everyone in the industry being asleep at the wheel.

RE: #2

Here's one more quote: "The reason why Internet is killing some printed game journalism is because there is little difference. If I am to read Internet memes and slang in a magazine, I might as well read the Internet anyway."

OUCH !

RE: #2

The Wii board was invented to rock the boat!

The author's quote: "In Stephen Totilo’s piece about Nintendo ‘communication problem’ with the so-called hardcore, I ask: who is supposed to bridge the communication between company and gamer? It is the Press. It can be no one else."

My response: "Church!"

The concept of the "casual gamer" has always been the "game nerd" equivalent of the high school locker room put downs directed at the less athletic chaps in P.E. class. It's like calling someone a "Sissy Gamer". It really has no intellectual currency and was created primarily as a salve for the ego of the "hardcore gamer" whenever he feels the need to boost himself up above someone else for one reason or another

It's interesting to see that Nintendo has, in may ways, upset the entire "Gaming Apple Cart", and not just those of Sony and Microsoft. To paraphrase "Drag-On" from the "High Roller" skit on the "Opposite of H2O" album, in Nintendo's eyes "Hardcore gamers and the gaming press 'get-it' too!"

Paraphrasing rap songs is fun. How about one more:

Nintendo "Kicked in the door, waving the Wii-mote. All you heard was 'Iwata, don't hit me no more!'"

It's a very thorough, clear-headed piece. I don't think I've ever read any of this guys stuff. Thanks for that one.