Let's pick back up where I left off, shall we?


#5) XBL, Steam, and PSN will undergo a radical change, either due to consumer growth or to spur consumer growth
Now honestly, who gives a shit if these three get more features? Their main function is to connect players together, right? Well, and we saw some of this last year, it's because the "gaming networks" -for lack of a better term- are getting fairly big. We are essentially waiting for them to become the new MySpace, something I'm observing with mixed feelings. First off, MySpace is the devil. Secondly, while I like the idea of keeping all my game related stuff in one spot, I think it might eventually stagnate the ideas of not just gamers, but the companies that cater to those gamers. But maybe I'm being paranoid; if it does happen and "works", then gaming as we know it will change, making it more than just a hobby. It'll become it's own society. Well, at least more than it already is now.

#4) The Sleeper hits
Come on gamers, we all love the shit that comes out of left field that turns into one of the most fun games out there. Like, for example, Crackdown. Better known as the Halo 3, with SUperman:GTA Edition. Who knew the game that peopel bought to get into another game would actually be worth the purchase? AND with DLC that was worth the purchase? Honestly, this was kind of a shock, and a welcome one at the time. I can't wait to see what curveball 08' throws us this year.

#3) Fallout 3, bitches
This one deserves it's own number. How long has it been since we wandered aimlessly around the wastes? Too damn long. Ever since the rights were sold off and the shitty knockoffs made, Fallout and Fallout 2 have fallen into that same spatial vortext that encompasses gaming gems lost in time like Arcanum and X-COM. And the one other company with the moxi to pull it off and the will to do the series right got the project. Good luck, Bethesda; there will be fire if this game sucks.

#2) The New IP of the New Year
With the NPD results that showed Assasin's Creed becoming the fastest selling new IP in history, even beating out Gears of War in terms of sales, it'll be no surprise that a new, super IP is in the works. What will it be? Lots of things have the potential to really leap out and make the gaming scene fresh with gameplay. And isn't even in one genre or platform; most of the PS3's big hitters are coming out this year, along with some AAA 350 and Wii titles to give them a run for their money. Even still, not all of them are sequels or rip-offs. I can't wait to look back on this day 8 months from now and know NOTHING about the next Call of Duty 4 or Mass Effect.

#1) Taking Part in the Big Picture
This one could be better described as, "Looking Forward to Being a Gamer in 2008". I am really looking forward to all the new things gaming as to offer this year, and be apart of this culture. I mean, I think everyone can agree that every year is a good year for games. This year, it's GTA4, Fallout 3, FF13, Disgaia 3, God of War:CoO (lol, CoO is a hilarious acronym), and all manner of other shite coming out. May my wallet have the strength, courage, and credit score to handle all the awesomeness that will be sucking up my electricity bills.


[i]Note: I wrote this last night, but it had occured to me the Publish + Make Live button doesn't seem to be working like it should. Fixed it now, hope you guys enjoy my ranting.)