Do I stand alone in my belief that on-line gaming has gone too far? Having grown up in the Nintendo (and by that I mean NES, not the company) I have always been kind of partial to games that are self contained. Don't get me wrong I thoroughly enjoy a good multiplayer game, but really only when it's played with people in the same room I'm in. I have tried the on-line gaming experience; I wouldn't feel as though I could judge something I haven't given my best effort (and that is verified by a level 40+ character in WOW, and lots of time spent in other games in differing genres). I just don't like the experience. And I have no argument against purely on-line games, after all it's the only reason you would play the game in the first place. My real problem lies with games that have the on-line aspect in addition to the "normal" game play (Halo 2 and 3 I'm looking at you).

If I'm going to throw down against an opponent I take much more pleasure in seeing the look of defeat on their face when I crush them. Trash talk is so much more fun when done in person. Plus it gets to be excessive when done on-line, people loose the sense of responsibility when complete and total anonymity is involved. That's the basic problem with the internet, otherwise nice people become complete jerks when granted anonymity.

The reason I find it necessary to bring my opinion to light now is what appears to me to be a recent trend in video games. That is more and more games are coming out as either on-line only, or with severely butchered console action in favor of the on-line aspects. Case in point Halo, while the first was a great game that had a terrific balance of personal play and on-line the other two games were disturbingly short so that more on-line aspect could be crammed in. This bothers me, the games are terrific but if I'm going to spend next-gen cash on a game I want to be able to go at it for longer than 15 hours of storyline game time. Not to mention the inability to unlock all of the achievements in my 360 games due to the fact I don't want to go at the game on-line, but that's a rant for a different time and place.

As in all other media when a game is played with others it is more about the shared experience than it is about the game played, or the movie watched, or the roller coaster ridden. A comedy flick is by far funnier when you can share that experience with another directly. The same can be said for video games. I just don't get as excited when I accomplish something difficult with the aide of someone halfway across the globe as I do when I'm playing with a buddy in the same local. I'm not saying that on-line game play detracts from the game; I'm just saying the game, and the resulting achievement, is better when shared with someone in the same room.

I know that more and more games with have on-line aspects built into them. And that I may have to once again venture into that realm to achieve what I'd like. I just hope that the regular game, the off-line version, doesn't suffer too greatly so that this secondary aspect of the game can be developed.

Back in the day I was a fan of EA, they produced some of the finest titles in the land. But then again back then they were primarily sports orientated, and their sports titles are still fantastic endeavors. I mean who's going to argue that Madden is not the best football games on the market, and Tiger Woods is the best golf game? And their other sports titles continue to be solid contenders in their respective fields. EA started with sports and have succeeded greatly at it.

So now EA is purchasing BioWare/Pandemic Studios, gamespot article. I cannot blame them for wanted to expand the range of genres that they produce. If they can obtain a foothold in the various genres they can make more money, it's really just basic business. So they've been buying up various different established companies to obtain this foothold. Now some people complain how this will take away some platform exclusive game, while others rejoice. Personally I could care less. I own a Wii and a 360 (and a plethora of older generation systems) and if a game comes to one of these systems fantastic, if not, well I can live without. And if I was a publisher you can bet your tail I'd be finding ways to produce games in all genres to every possible market I could. Hey if I can put some more coin in my pocket by not releasing a tile exclusively to a platform people can whine all they want because that game is going to sell WAY more copies.

Business strategy is not my problem, from what little I know of business it all makes sense to me. Here's my issue: If it's not a sports game, and EA makes it, it's likely going to be a pile of garbage. Now I know there are exceptions to this, for instance The Sims was a great game, but overall I feel my point is valid. Now the number of bad games EA puts out is really of no concern to me, my problem lies in the fact that they have destroyed some of my favorite franchises.

Let's take a look back at some of the marvels that EA has put our after acquiring a franchise. Now I may not hit all or hardly any of the franchise titles that that have spoiled, but as I said these are my top 2 favorites they have ruined. Let's flashback to a game that revived and revolutionized the FPS on consoles: Goldeneye. Now Goldeneye, made by Rare, was a beautiful game that changed FPS's on consoles forever. And EA's sequel, The World Is Not Enough, was a steaming pile of dog doo. It was essentially trying to be exactly like Goldeneye, however, the graphics were terrible, the plot followed in suit, and all in all it just didn't feel right (probably due to the complete lack of anything resembling blood). And Rare's follow up to Goldeneye was the smash hit Perfect Dark. A game that expanded on the success of Goldeneye instead of rehashing the same thing only worse. EA has made several other Bond games, and the graphics have gotten considerably better. But EA in their quest to make sure everyone can play has eliminated the blood completely (and I'm not saying it needs to gush but a little red spot to indicate a hit would be nice) and focused less on the killing and made the games about the gadgets and the driving. The latest games don't even feel like they are a part of the Bond universe.

My other favorite franchise EA has destroyed is Command and Conquer. Now in my book Red Alert 2 is by far the greatest C&C game, enough accuracy and fantasy to entice and keep it interesting, with interactive environments to contend with. Command and Conquer 3 seems to be missing something. The graphics are good, and there are plenty of units to play with; but it's missing that charm that Westwood seemed to be able to imbue it with. Skirmishes just aren't all that fun anymore. And there's just something else I can't put my finger on, but it spell's all kinds of not goodness in the game.

Now EA's treatment of the employees of the companies they purchase is a rant for another time and place, this one is just about the quality of the product. My only hope for this recent acquisition for EA is that they leave them be. That they let BioWare/Pandemic function autonomously, for it seems that when EA steps in and enforces their standards of gaming on the companies that they acquire the quality of the product goes right down the pisser. I guess all we can do is wait and see, here's hoping.

Recently Joe Paterno has shown us again why he is widely regarded as one of the greatest head coaches in college football history.  No it wasn't winning 20 games over the last two seasons much less his 363 wins overall, or even his outstanding tenure at the position of head coach.  No it was with his reaction to the recent escapades of several of his players. 

At the beginning of April one of his players, Anthony Scirrotto, was insulted and punched by some passer-by.  He in turn called some of his friends from the football team and tracked down the person in question.  Needless to say there was a fight.  Now as it seems Scirrotto was not at fault per-say for this incident, he was the one who was attacked after all.  But Paterno doesn't really care.

In an age where coaches are more concerned about not being able to text message potential recruits anymore, and coaches preach on having a strong positive character then proceed  to bend the rules for a star player; Paterno is standing up for what is right.  As a result for this infraction Paterno is punishing the entire team.  And not some simple wash a few cars punishment, this one has merit.  While the entire team will be required to build a house for Habitat for Humanity and volunteer at the Special Olympics Paterno is going for something else, something much more else.  The definitive part of this punishment is that the team, the entire team, will have to clean Beaver Stadium after each home game.  In order to clean the image of the football team the team will be cleaning the stadium.  Kudos to Paterno for that one.

Where on most college campuses football players are held to a lower standard and treated better than the rest Paterno is raising the bar.  He understands that these people are no better than every other student, and that the represent Penn State to a much broader audience.  So Joe Paterno may be 80 years of age but he is no les tough, and no less disciplined than ever.  I only hope that the rest of nation can follow by this example and stop making excuses for athletes, they need to be help accountable for their actions just like the rest of us.