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The last time console-computers were the rage, this style of keyboard was referred to as "chiclet" and was derided far and wide. What next, rubber chiclet?

And since we're suggesting urls, here's my favourite: http://www.wayoftherodent.com/. Great gaming magazine, with a definite retro flair.

It's not as entertaining as theirs! http://www.wayoftherodent.com/features/game%20of%2 0the%20year%202005.htm

While I hope to be less confrontational than the grandparent poster, I rather agree with his statements. But instead of simply opposing myself to this 'nonsense', I think it makes more sense for me to tell you exactly what I think is wrong and how I think you could improve.

It is very true that gaming journalism needs to evolve. Or rather, re-evolve. If you've ever read the older magazines, such as ZZap!64 or Your Sinclair, it is painfully clear that gaming journalism has gone downhill. Why? I don't know.

My two examples aren't particularly different than modern magazines. The demographics haven't changed very much. In fact, the average gamer in this day and age is probably older than the average gamer of 1985. It isn't because they were PC magazines. Look at PC Gamer for proof; proof that PC magazines are no more mature in tone than their console brethren.

But I don't know the answers to that. What I do know is that gaming journalism needs to be more mature and intelligent in tone.

But I don't think you guys are the solution. At least, not the complete solution. What are you? In your final paragraph, you claim that you are analysts. Analysts of the way a game makes you feel. This is the whole point of a game in the first place. To make you feel. Elation at victory, satisfaction at solving a puzzle, or pure emotion during a cinematic moment.

Incidentally, did you notice that emotional moments usually occur in pre-scripted events? Something to think about. I can think of a few RPGs and adventure games where you have a direct choice on events and thus feel greater emotion at their outcomes, but those are few and far between. But I digress...

Anyway, gaming reviewers have been analysts of the personal impact of games because that is the whole point we play them. A crew that has the right idea, I think, is Way Of The Rodent. Check out their reviews. They're awfully similar to your articles, yet stunningly different.

So what is the solution? Perhaps a combination of traditional gaming journalism (which has its basis in movie and music magazines) and this 'new games journalism' (which really feels closer to literary criticism than anything). Now that I think about it, the two styles are almost a before-and-after. Traditional gaming journalism, as flawed as it may be right now, attempts to answer the question "Why should I play a given game?" New gaming journalism is a gamer's (not journalist's or reviewer's... there seems to be a distinction) response to this question, phrased as "I played this given game and this is what I felt." You only concentrate on one aspect of that, so you will never be the whole solution. But perhaps you're a partial solution.

One of my major dislikes of current 'new gaming journalism' is that the majority of the writers seem to be Japanophiles, including you. Why have you ignored Western RPGs? A comparison of something like Planescape: Torment to Chrono Trigger would have been very benificial to your article. You talk about Splinter Cell's limitations, yet ignore the even more limiting constraints of Metal Gear Solid. Not being able to move in first-person comes to mind. You ignore many of the fantastic western games that truly allow the gamer to play the game any way he sees fit. Instead of only discussing the limitations of games such as GTA, you should have also taken a look at a game such as Fallout, which truly lets you play it any way you wish.

You really should get a non-Japanophile on staff. Someone who plays western-style games and understands the distinct philosophies that surround them. You guys certainly understand Japanese games, much more than I do at the very least, but your opinions on western games seem very shallow and dismissive.

Perhaps combining your current form with more traditional gaming journalism and reviewing would also improve your magazine. Like I mentioned in one of my earlier paragraphs, it would really provide the full sp

Jeff Minter's history of Llamasoft at Way Of The Rodent? Quick search of their site suggests it's up to part five.

Ade_
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...according to this article.

http://www.wayoftherodent.com/reviews/phantompc.ht m

http://www.wayoftherodent.com/backissues/22cover.h tm

The website fell over, the article and the rest of the WotR site is back up now. Way of the Rodent