Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this column are those of the participants and the moderator, and do not neccessarily reflect those of the GIA. There is coarse language and potentially offensive material afoot. And when you do 'em people think that you're cool. Don't say we didn't warn you.

Unfortunately, it would seem that TGS's relatively tame nature in comparison to, say, E3, has become a problem. Since most of the games on display were expected, and no companies really showed anything of their titles that hadn't been rumored, there was nothing to cause rage to bubble forth from within you readers, compelling you to write in. In other words, today's column is short and not particularly controversial. And you all know how I feel about a column without controversy. This column is like a bastard column that I knew I could never treat right, so I put up for adoption, only later in life it stupidly decides to use a person-finding service to discover me, demanding to know why I can't be the father it's always wanted.

It's kind of fun how you guys get to track my gradual descent into full-blown mental retardation from the comfort of your computers, isn't it?

Well, in fairness, while we all know how Return of the Jedi ends, that didn't make Episode 1 anymore predictable than its hackneyed plotline already did. I'm sure there's plenty that could be done with the Xenogears universe in the form of a prequel that is unknown and, hence, unexpected to players. They may have fleshed out the background details necessary for Xenogears' plot to make sense in the game, but I'm sure they could think up all kinds of other events that weren't made mention of.

Of course, I've always sort of disliked prequels since, in a way, you do know how things ultimately wind up, but that's just me. There's a lot of Xenogears fans out there, and as long as the game is decent Namco will make a few bucks.

Yes. Yes he is.

Yeah, I think that absolutely has something to do with it. There's a reason why foreign actors, Easterners particularly, take on Western-friendly names when they begin starring in Hollywood flicks. Of course, I'm sure the fact that most people couldn't care less who makes a game has a lot more to do with it.

People generally know directors' or producers' names because their former works can be used as a basis for comparison when deciding to see a new movie or not. With games, people can make the same decision based on the company producing and/or developing a game to a lesser extent, and the license name to an even greater extent. (Think Square/Madden fans.) That may not be the best way to make a gaming purchase, but a lot of people do it.

Yeah, you can't fault Microsoft for a lack of effort, as it's certainly trying to grab up third-party titles that would interest Japanese gamers and attract Japanese third-party developers. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your stance), they really haven't gotten any games that can rival Enix and Square's support of the PS2 or Nintendo's own games for the GameCube. And while no major third-parties are outwardly hostile to the X-Box, they all seem to be taking a "wait and see" approach. So sure, theoretically as long as the X-Box sells well enough, third-parties will hop on board, but until some third-parties come to the plate with software that moves systems, MS is in a bit of a situation.

So, just to provide some kind of opinionated editorial, I'm calling it right now: the console race will boil down between Nintendo and Sony once again. Fortuantely, should that prediction prove horribly off base, I'll probably have graduated college and be working a "real" job by that time, so you won't be able to point out my crap prediction's fallaciousness. And if it turns out I'm right, let me just say "I told you so" in advance.

Well there you go.

Let's just let him think whatever he wants, everybody. It's not hurting anything.

Hey, I can't answer this question for everyone, so allowing you readers to do it yourselves will sure make for an interesting column tomorrow. So here's a quasi-topic for you: why do you hate Microsoft? I'm sure this opportunity to vent in a public forum will be welcome to you readers.

Closing comments:

Okay, you guys have something of a topic. But just in case you're not in that venting mood, here's something else you can babble about: what RPG to date has been the most shining example of everything the genre stands for?

This should be interesting.

-Drew Cosner, come to pillage your village