I have had a hard time with the gaming industry and it's followers as of late. The industry itself has transformed in ways that none of us would have imagined back in the days of 8 and 16 bit console warfare. Similarly, the fans and followers of gaming have changed, but has it been for the better? With the advent of the internet, any shmuck with a keyboard can write a sloppy or stream-of-consciousness opinion about whatever mundane or poorly-hashed-out concept is troubling their feeble brain at the drop of a keystroke. In the interest of maintaining credibility, I won't draw any parallels from that last sentence to this current blog entry, suffice it to say I realize my own reflection is often in that metaphorical mirror. You're just going to have to decide whether or not you care enough to stop reading.

However, there are many who are far, far worse than me. Indeed, I moved my opinions and efforts to Destructoid.com in an effort to circumvent all of this circle-jerk logic and fanboy idiocy that plagues many other sites. I'm sure that it still exists here, but at least I have the opportunity to rant and rave about it in a longer and uncut segment. Besides, hopefully I can get a few 'hear, hear!'s from some of the more advanced, older, or objective readers. People who want to have an intelligent and disciplined discussion about a passion that is increasingly bogged down with misguided teenage anxt and flare-ups are steadily falling into more of a minority category with each passing day. Gaming has long been a children's pass-time, but it has developed into so much more, and I personally hunger for an intelligent, adult conversation regarding the industry, it's directions, and its follies.

Recently on another site, one which I frequent less and less with the recurrence of such incidents, I was accosted with claims of hatred for Nintendo and hatred for 'buying video games' (yes, I was accused of hating the physical act of purchasing video games) for posting a statement that indicated I wouldn't mind seeing Nintendo humbled just a wee bit. It was intelligent conjecture, intended to spark conversation and possibly pave the way for others who feel similarly to voice their opinions. Every time a dissenting opinion is posted, it gets 'voted down' on this particular site, which basically means it gets faded out against the background, making it all but illegible. Interestingly, all of the comments worth reading are voted down in similar fashion.Circle-jerk logic prevails once again.

I rant today in the name of all that is sane and rational. Do we not deserve to better our community through dissenting opinions and questioning the mainstream? Do we not exercise our right to expression out of a genuine concern for the gaming industry and it's shortcomings or acheivements? I've always argued that the advent of the internet has been a boon to society, giving all who wish it a voice and a forum to express their opinion, but these days I wonder if this was such a good thing.

Agree, disagree, or remain apathetic, but whatever you do, please write in complete sentences and think before you type.[img]