I used to have a pretty good notion of where this industry is going, although I'm not so sure now. Normally, I'd be convinced that EA and Blactivsion will take over the world with MMORPGs and Call of Duties and yet Skyrim is a testimony that gamers still want the single-player RPG experience. They want it so bad, that they're prepared to sell their newborn kittens just so they can afford a more powerful rig that'll make Skyrim look just right. People have been playing it on PCs for countless hours, regardless of the crappy interface (damn whoever decided to launch the PC version in such a state). Console gamers have spent an equal amount of time, getting lost in the wonders of this huge game. Star Wars: TOR, on the other hand, is going to show us whether or not people still hunger for the old WoW recipe. Not even sure about all that story-telling shite BioWare has been spitting out and if it's actually going to make TOR a unique gem amongst MMORPGs. Now, I'm certain they've written a lot of solid stories and quests, albeit that doesn't change the fact that the game still looks and plays like World of Warcraft other MMOGs that came before it.

The indie scene may yet be our salvation in this instance, because no matter which franchise pompous publishers decide to recycle in order to expand the domain of tripe-A games, there are creative minds out there still free, still working hard to bring us that unique and memorable gaming experience. You know that feeling of playing a game that's cool and unique - you've actually tasted something you've never tasted before and it's freakin' awesome!

Alas, when it comes to video game projects, I'm afraid it boils down to the old formula: "Ya know, this may turn out good, so long as there's absolutely no money or profit of any kind involved."

Of course, I'm pretty sure that a lot of brilliant ideas from creative people in the industry have emerged from an individual's desire for cash. As for me, personally, I'd like to think I'm an extremely greedy son of a bitch at times. Like it or not, in some instances, materialism makes the fucking world go around... make that 'all instances.'