Gaming- a source of entertainment for young and old people alike across the world- was initially invented for one purpose, fun. A feeling desired intensely by every being that inhabits our wonderful world. But lately, as our industry begins to reach its peak, that factor has been sucked out of my most brilliant hobby, in a vampire-esque act of leeching. My investigation into the nuclei of this decline proved of as much worth as a chocolate fireguard, I came to the conclusion; many factors have brought on this boredom-filled time of tedious sequels and identikit video games.

Sometimes, to be honest, I think I know too much about video games. I've come to the conclusion that I, myself, have brought this on myself. Let my label myself as an "insider"- if you will- for a few moments, and survey my situation. Having access to up-to-date news, reviews and previews has led me to concentrate on the journalistic and communicational side of gaming, rather than actually playing on the titles themselves. Managing to wrap myself up in the actual world of gaming has been an easy task, and it has come at the expense of my video gaming "life". No longer do I speed down the stairs on a breezy Saturday morning and slide my newly purchased game into my GameCube, but I go straight for the PC switch and get lost in the world of the internet. Learning too much about the actual games and the industry has prevented me from playing the latest games, meaning when I do actually spend time on my GameCube, I get bored easily, and I pop back on the computer. Yes, this is only one factor in my crisis, but it is a pretty big one.

Reading reviews has been a big enemy to me also, my mind is full of preconceptions every time I purchase a new title, and I force myself to not enjoy a game which ahs received a low mark on Cube Europe or in my latest copy of EGDE or NGC. Sometimes I wish reviews didn't exist. Then, instead of everyone complaining about games with reasons based on reviews they have read, gamers would treat every title the same, bar the big titles, and therefore enjoy the game more, because they would have no preconceptions. Yes, that would put sites like Cube Europe out of business, and no one wants that, but it would let gaming be appreciated for what the industry was created for, fun. Take for example, when I received a copy of Wolverine's Revenge courtesy of the lovely people at Activision- "big up homies"- I refused to read any type of editorial content regarding the game, and low and behold, I enjoyed the game, even though it was given average review scores. To be honest, I wasn't expecting any thing special, you're usual superhero slash-em-up was the order of the day, and that's what I received, but I did get enjoyment out of the game.

Those of you who read the educated mag' that is EDGE, will have noticed a beta period took place recently, where review scores were eliminated completely. I personally loved this period, although scores have returned in the publication, it enabled me to find out about games, without introducing pre-conceptions. Yes, I will have found out the games downfalls, but a score is hard to ignore, and sticks in your mind. Journalism is my love, but it has been a roadblock in my gaming enjoyment. Hopefully, my new attitude and newly created inflow of income will enable me to enjoy my games that little bit more.

Of course, this isn't the only reason for the lack of fun in games these days; there are other influential factors. One, which leads on nicely from my last few comments on my previous points, is the pricing of games. Being an "insider", I do understand the cost of manufacturing video games, and how many games don't turn a profit, but �40 for a game is a hell of a lot of money for young people across the world. If you're not educated in the situation- Nintendo can afford to down price the GameCube and its predecessors because of the huge amount of income they receive from the sale of software. It is a difficult situation for the companies involved, but gaming should be something available to everyone, and that is not the case right now. I can hear the shouting- get a job, you lazy git- but until your 16, that's not just going to happen. And not forgetting, even if you have a job, �40 is still a lot to be splashed on entertainment, when food and accommodation has to be taken care of.

The lack of innovation in the industry is also another influential factor in this boredom-inducing stage in gaming history. Yes, there is online gaming, and little gimmicks such as the Eye-Toy and GBA/GCN connectivity, but with the GameCube flailing behind in regard to online play and the connectivity having a short life expectancy, innovation isn't present to the needed extent in our industry. Endless sequels and the "me too" attitude demonstrated at E3 mean that gaming isn't really evolving, and gamers are getting bored. Innovation is key, titles need to be fresh and entertaining, not just another Mario or Zelda rip-off. This really gets to me, �40 is a lot of money to be wasted on the same title you bought a month ago with a new interface. Gaming needs to be turned up a level, we need to see new, inventive titles, which are worth the �40 I shell out for them.

Basically, I want to enjoy my games. I want to experience that passion I enjoyed when I played my Mega Drive for the first time, when I first played on Super Mario 64, when I first enjoyed TimeSplitters 2. I want to be playing for weeks on the newest titles; I want to be absorbed into my games. Even though I love journalism, and my thirst for the industry is greater than ever, I sometimes wish I wasn't so informed, and that I could enjoy my games. Whatever their quality.

-Peace Out
BitchZone is written by Ben Havercroft, Resident Bitcher
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