Electronics Entertainment Expo (E3) 2005

I am on my way to the biggest game conference on earth...and I couldn't care less. Now, I know you are saying, "You fuck! I'd give my left nut just to be there this year! Xbox 360, PS3, Nintendo's Revolution, it's going to be the best E3 ever!" To which I would say, "You are an idiot." Just shut up for a second and I tell you why this year's convention will be the worst show since this event was in Atlanta. First and foremost, I am not a hard core gamer. My love and respect for the art of videogames transcends marketing labels, demographics and Tony Hawk-isms. Like many gamers of my age, I've seen, firsthand, the rise and fall of Atari. I have foolishly purchased a game console with the understanding that I would have no one to talk to about the experience (Microvision, 3D0, Virtual Boy). Most importantly, like other educated, knowledgeable gamers of my ilk, understand that this industry will crash, and crash hard, over the course of the next 3-5 years. It will make the games industry crash of 1983 look like a fender bender. I am not a doomsayer, a prophet, or number crunching games analyst; I'm just a guy who has seen some bad mojo, unethical business transactions, and an isolation of the core gamers to which these game companies claim to be catering. It doesn't take a genius to see this industry is headed into the ground like a fiery meteor. Just look to the examples set by that of Ico, Rez, Panzer Dragoon Orta, and Katamari Damacy. These games are what is driving this industry forward in terms of creativity and technology, but is overlooked by 95% of the gaming public. Has anyone heard of the game 'Shadow of the Colossus' that will be out this fall? This industry has changed its focus, removed itself from fun and fantasy and attached itself to the quick buck philosophy that doomed the industry just like back when Ray Kassar took over Atari in 1980. This industry now is based upon piss poor titles like the steaming pile of fetid scat that EA heaps upon gamers every year. As long as this industry caters to GTA, Madden, and the regurgitation of titles every six months (I'm talkin' to you UbiSoft) we are headed for a long slide down into a solid brick wall. Even John Madden is confused over why people keep buying this shit game. Over the next few days, I'll keep posting from the show with photos insight and updates on my state of mind. Also, after these two weeks of blogless/soapbox commentary are over, I’ll be back in full swing with the funny. Promise.