360 and PS3 have a lot of life left in them. With focus on gameplay, online play, and less on improving graphics, I think both systems will last longer than the standard 5 years. In the 90s, everyone wanted better and better graphics, so companies were obsessed with making the next best thing. Now, games have evolved past that (like movies have evolved past CGI showcases), and gamers want new ideas, good stories, and originality). Those can all be achieved with these systems. Yes, I'd like a 360 that plays Blu Ray, or a Wii that has a Hard Drive and HDMI, but it would be the same system.

There is really no reason to upgrade because with connection to a network and updating, these systems naturally have a longer life than past systems. I think it's a really good thing. No reason to spend close to $1000 on another system and tons of peripherals, when these systems are doing great, and have a longer life because they are connected to WWW and can be expanded. Plus, it's even less desirable in this economy, to have to worry about upgrading. Even if an upgrade did become available, it would have less games, less features, and most importantly, less users and therefore less community, right off the bat! Mix that with the fact that less people would be buying due to a bad economy, and it could be a real disaster. In previous generations I always found myself asking for more, this is the first generation I can honestly say I'm pretty satisfied. I think this generation will probably last as long as the NES did, if not longer. Mainly because, again, the fact that they are connected to the net allows for more room for expansion, and a much longer life.

What do you think? With advances in gameplay, original ideas, story, and less focus on purely technical upgrading, do you really think we need an upgrade in 2010, or even 2011? Or are you satisfied with the way things are?

Normally I'm not one to re post anything like this, but I think in this case, it's a nice way to get to know the community. That quickly brings me to #5.

5. This is my very first time re-posting anything on the internet, whether it be a list, a chain letter, anything.

4. I am a diehard MMORPG player. Yep, it's true. I've played more EverQuest 2 then I care to mention. Ah, what the heck, I'll mention it. I'll put it in perspective. You know how most lengthy RPGs, or other long console games for that matter, have a playtime of around 40-70 hours? Well, I've played my main Everquest 2 character, Fortai, for 68 days, 16 hours, 13 minutes. And that's only one character, in one game. It probably exceeds 100 days if you add those characters together. I have other MMO characters as well, although Fortai is probably my most played. 68 days, and you wonder why some people say it's addicting. I haven't played in over a month though. I dare anyone to tell me a game that you've logged more than 100 days of play time with. Okay, maybe Woody and Battletoads. Also, I don't play World of Warcraft.

3. I used to volunteer answering phones for Suicide/Crisis prevention. I also used to volunteer for the WWAC, which helps fight AIDS in Africa. 2 very draining jobs, to say the least. I slept well at night, though.

2. I don't like the same things most people like. That is, I don't drink. (I've probably had less than 10 drinks in my life, and I am 28 years old). I also don't like sports very much (this includes real life, and gaming). On major topics, I almost always find myself disagreeing with the majority, and siding with the minority. This has made me an outcast in some ways, but I refuse to change to "fit in."

1. I've never had a cup of coffee, or coffee in any form (except coffee ice cream).

Well there you go, 5 facts about me. Honestly, this blog may not serve a huge purpose, because people who don't know me probably aren't too interested in these facts, and people who do know me more, probably already know these facts. Still, I think GameSpot has some wonderful people on it, people that I'd love to get to know.

Take Care.

Happy 2008 everyone, and thanks for your questions. It was probably not a good idea to post a Q&A blog on Christmas Eve, a time where not many people would see it, but here come the answers as promised.

NeoJedi:
What is your most anticipated game of 2008?

Thorpe89:
What title are you most looking forward to next year?

I honestly can't say what game I'm looking forward to most in 2008. It might be Smash Bros Brawl, it might be GTA IV, or Little Big Planet, or perhaps Fable 2 (please don't disappoint me!), but I'll tell you what I WANT in 2008. I want a game to completely blow me away, that's not an upgraded sequel, that's not a franchise, that has an awesome story, and that's genre defying. Is that too much to ask? Perhaps. But I know that games now, more than ever, have the ability to be art. They have the ability to ascend past the realm of programming, into a world where the sum equals much more than its programed parts. When a game makes it past the hurdles of technology, it can become something great. Portal came close, but Bioshock did this last year, in my opinion, and was one of my two favorite games of 2007. Super Mario Galaxy, was my other favorite for a very different reason: It made me realize the part of me that enjoyed playing games 15-20 years ago, will never leave me. Let's hope 2007 was just a small indication of what the gaming industry is capable of.


Atillite:
what is your view on thermo neuclear energy and the negetive effects it can have on our planet in 3 or less words

"We're all doomed"


SteelAttack
Do you like groins?

No I don't like groins. I love groins. Do you really have to ask?


That's it everyone. Make 2008 a great year. 2010 is just right around the corner. Weren't we supposed to have hover bikes and hyperspeed by now? I feel like we're falling way behind.