Thursday, January 10, 2008

The State of Gaming

Sony PS3
There are a number of interesting things happening on this platform, and the PS3 will be the console to watch this year. Home seems like a very interesting concept, and I'd like to see if this take off at all. LittleBigPlanet also has some solid buzz around it. A few other key games could really make 2008 the year for PS3 (e.g. Metal Gear Solid 4, Final Fantasy XIII).

Nintendo Wii
My initial excitement for the Wii has waned in the past couple months, and due mostly to the slow trickle of games being released for it. In addition, aside from the quality first party games, the third party games have mostly been disappointing. I am still very keen to get some hands-on time with Wii Sports and Wii Fit, as well as put some quality gaming time into Metroid Prime 3, Super Paper Mario, Mario Galaxy and Mario Strikers. I'm also looking forward to Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and the eventual Mario Kart.

Microsoft Xbox360
I have to wonder about the lineup that's coming up for the 360. There aren't too many that I'm excited about; definitely not on the same level as 2007. Last year was phenomenal for the 360, and I'm not entirely confident that 2008 would be about to match it. I just hope this console hasn't jumped the shark already. I'm am looking forward toward Too Human though.

Portables
DS will still remain my primary portable console. The games still appeal to me, and there's a few that are on my wish list. I anxious to play the new Advance Wars, as well as Professor Layton, and Crystal Chronicles. On the PSP, there's Patapon, but aside from that nothing much really captures my interest.

PC
I've been thinking of seriously playing a MMO, especially The Lord of the Ring Online.

Miscellaneous Videogames
On games with multi-platform launches, I'm looking forward to Fallout 3, TNA Wrestling, and Burnout Paradise.

Boardgaming
My time spent on boardgames has reduced by quite drastic amount, despite my deep love for it. I think this is due to buyer fatigue; For a while, I was buying games which never ended up on the table. I also felt that 2007 didn't have many games that interested me, especially on the Euro side. I am becoming increasingly interested by wargames, and I think 2008 will be the year where I move further down this path of gaming. I'm currently waiting on FAB: The Bulge, as well as A Victory Lost. I'm also interested in Silent War, Hannibal: Rome Vs Carthage, and Rommel in the Desert.

Beyond Games
I have been thinking of pursing a Master's Degree for the longest time. Up until recently, there was no doubt that I wanted to continue pursuing my research interest in International Relations. But recently I have been contemplating doing my Master's in media and culture, and particularly focusing on video games. I would very much like to be critically thinking about video games, its existence as an art form, and its impact on popular culture. I have been reading books on this subject (Game On, Gamer Theory, Trigger Happy).

7 comments:

Chuang Shyue Chou said...

May I know what your undergraduate degree is?

Chuang Shyue Chou said...

I can understand the bit you said about fatigue.

Ken Lee said...

I studied International Relations for my undergraduate degree, as well as my Honours.

Anonymous said...

What's your main motivation for getting masters?

Better job security & Better pay?

Ken Lee said...

Better job prospects is one aspect. But mostly because I enjoy it, and would like to further my studies.

Anonymous said...

Good is mostly enjoyment. Personally i find that most people who chase certs for $ end up disillusioned after sometime.

Ken Lee said...

I wouldn't know about disillusionment yet. My undergraduate and honours degree have all been driven by interest rather than real world practical terms.

So I hope you are right.