A Strange Christmas Season...

[techieMoe]

This year's Christmas shopping season is an odd one for me. Why you may ask? Because for the first time in a long while there are no new videogame systems that I'm expecting to buy. Even the games lineup for my existing system (Nintendo DS) is barely enough to elicit a "meh" from my gaming id. Is anyone else a little less than excited this year, or am I the only one who hasn't yet caught the PS3/XBOX/Wii fever?

[mahlerfan]

If the ps3 was half the price I would be excited. The alternatives don't excite me either... the pc will be more than sufficient for me.

[bigtomrodney]

I was looking forward to the PS3 for so long, but too many things are shaking me away from it. I normally like the Nintendo offering but wouldn't invest. This time I may simply because it's a reasonable price and is actually doing something different.

I think I've gotten to that age where I have too many other things on my plate. Not to complain or anything, I just think the time when I wanted to run home and play is gone. For me I think Grand Theft Auto was the culmination of everything I ever wanted in a game so I feel like there's nothing new coming my way. Mission accomplished I could say.

[burntfuse]

I guess it doesn't really make any difference for me, because I don't buy or use game consoles. Why spend $300 or more (plus a lot for each game) when I can get a decent graphics card for my PC and play (free) games on it with that? I use my money to buy death metal CDs instead.

[techieMoe]

I was looking forward to the PS3 for so long, but too many things are shaking me away from it. I normally like the Nintendo offering but wouldn't invest. This time I may simply because it's a reasonable price and is actually doing something different.

I like that about the Wii as well, but I've been burned in the past when I've bought systems at first launch (I beat all the launch titles in a few months and the next thing I'd be interested in is a year or more in development), so I'm going to sit this round out. I'll wait for the crowds to die down and the game library to build up before I consider it.

I think I've gotten to that age where I have too many other things on my plate.

I'm kind of in the same boat. In college the first thing I'd do when I got home from class was either get on my computer or get on a game system. Now, I get home from work and maybe do a comic or check the forums, but popping in a videogame isn't the save-all diversion it used to be. I've even found myself getting bored with console RPGs lately (for shame! I'll lose my Geek Club membership card).

[mahlerfan]

When I was a kid I played Nintendo alot. Then I stopped playing games for along time, and just back in several months ago. Since it's something that I've deprived myself for years I end up playing more than other people my age!

**** I think I average like two hours a day, which was four times what I did as a kid.

[techieMoe]

I guess it doesn't really make any difference for me, because I don't buy or use game consoles. Why spend $300 or more (plus a lot for each game) when I can get a decent graphics card for my PC and play (free) games on it with that? I use my money to buy death metal CDs instead.

Well, speaking as a recovered PC video game addict, I can say that console games are significantly cheaper in the long run than PC games. The reason being exactly what you said there: upgrades. My last desktop PC (Rig 2) was built for the expressed purpose of playing Doom 3 and Elder Scrolls IV.

When you pay $300 for a game console you're guaranteed every title available for that console will play on your system with exactly the same quality. I'm not saying this to try and convince you to buy a console, I'm just offering the logic behind some folks' buying decisions.

[burntfuse]

Seems reasonable, it makes sense for playing high-end games. Doesn't apply to me since I usually run more lightweight ones like Blobwars and Tux Racer. Thanks for the advice, though, I might get a console if I ever do get into Halo 2 and similar stuff.

[easuter]

Unfortunately, gaming has taken a very distant place on my time and money spending priority list.

Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory will have to do

[a12ctic]

Im getting myself a opteron 165