The gang calls me crazy. Please listen and let me know if I'm sane or not. 

Whoa! Don't remember a picture being taken. I like it. :)

Definitely crazy.

I feel like Nintendo's in a pickle with the hardcore gaming community because when they strike out and do new things it gets labeled as crap (even when it isn't) because it's too different and "casual" but then when they decide "let's make sequels everyone wants us to make" they get criticized for not being " original.

Even though Kirby's Epic Yarn looks more original than most games I saw at E3, and there's more creativity in a single Mario Galaxy level than many other games in general can muster.

They could certainly stand to break out into new world and IPs, though, that's for sure, but in the case of Mario, the gameplay continues to get refined and innovated, so I see no need to slap a different name onto it. Zelda games, on the other hand, slap new art styles and stories but ultimately haven't changed that much over time, partially because whenever they DO (see: Majora's Mask, Wind Waker) people freaking wig out on them.

It's quite a sticky wicket and no matter what Nintendo does they can't please everyone, it seems. At least they're not shoveling out FPS titles by the truckload.

I wish they'd start, then maybe I'd by a Wii.

But seriously, I think I used to really enjoy the super early news about games when i was younger and had the time to follow every little morsel of info developer's released, but as I get older and have less time on my hands (not to mention I lack the means to play some of these games) I just don't care. I'm a huge Metal Gear fan and I used to eat everything up Kojipro released...but after MGS4 I kind of burned out. Lack of time, and the combination of Ryan Payton leaving the company podcast in the hands of 3 chuckling overworked monkeys makes me want less of that info.

And Jason, you're not crazy (at least for that). I used to play a lot of bad games when I was a kid. Back then I had it set in stone when I rented a new NES or Genesis game-- I rented a game and was stuck with it for the weekend, so that was what I played. I feel like being submerged in all of the critical media these days has kind of waned me on that old practice, though. It's harder to see a game and go "hm, that looks interesting, I'll give it a rent", when you have someone standing on a soapbox at every corner of the internet going "Hey don't bother, it sucks and it's only gotten such and such of a metacritic score".

That's one vote for crazy, one vote for not crazy. So maybe I'm bipolar?

Maybe you're crazy!

Great episode everyone!

Concerning Nintendo losing it's edge....I'd rather see new mechanics in familiar trappings as opposed the same level design and mechanics with new themes. I liken it to a musician writing music within a familiar genre. Sure, it's been heard before but it doesn't stop it from feeling new and raw and evoking the emotions it wants to.

As far as new IP goes, look no further than Art Style series on the WiiWare and DSiWare as there have been some amazing games within the series (Even though some were already made for the GBA). It's proof that Nintendo's creative juices are all about mechanics within level design that gets the most out of those mechanics.

And if 'fans' didn't overreact to Wind Waker and Majora's Mask, the Zelda franchise might be in a different state.

As far as previews go, I'm rarely ever interested in reading about or watching footage of upcoming games that I'm interested in. I want to know just enough information to either be interested or not, and once I've made that decesion I don't really care about new info, be it new footage, modes, or characters. It has been my experience that more knowledge just brings more expectations. So, what could have been pleasant surprises instead turn into failed expectations. I just like to get a taste of what the developers are going for and decide if that interests me, and then I pretty much ignore the hype until the reviews come out to see if they pulled it off.

I'd rather hear an announcement about a new game if it's coming within the next 6-8 months. The shorter the time the better. I think announcing Bioshock Infinite (a 2012 release)  is a bad idea because the developers could possibly scrap the original idea and make it completly different. It happened with Resident Evil 2.

Batallion Wars, Sin and Punishment, and Pickmin have ranged from flop to realtive success, but nothing on the level of their main franchises.  Nintendo is not the games division of a larger company they need to make big sales off their titles to please their share holders given how we have voted with our wallets it is no wonder they keep going back to the well.

I think the point that a lot of big publishers are using estabilshed IPs right now is important.  EA was the last publisher, who is not a publisher that is a games division of a larger org, to make a big push for new IP and it has not nessicarally paid off for them yet.

I should start off by saying Nintendo is on its last legs for me. Twilight Princess was too easy and just the same old game. I want the next one to be good but I don't want to have to waste the money on a motion plus only to let it sit in a drawer with the rest of the Wii. Mario Galaxy (1 & 2) had no soul and I had to remind myself while I finished them that I had nothing better to do. Nintendo seems to get away with things that any other developer would be crucified for. While the world was in total awe of their E3 conference I was wondering why. I don't hate Nintendo, as much as this may seem like I do, I don't. I'm not a silly fanboy of any kind, I'm just sick of being let down.

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad Nintendo is doing well and that millions enjoy what they do. It just seems that it's no longer for me. Honestly, it makes me kind of sad.

Separate post for timing. I personally don't care when things get announced. If I don't want to pay attention, I don't. I have no problem with what The Old Republic or Last Guardian have done. I know that is not the actual game but the spectacle of it gets me excited (even though I won't be playing either). It's fun to think about what is coming out, fun to see bits here and there.

If I'm interested in a game, a trailer like Bioshock Infinite is enough to get me excited. I loved Bioshock, and from the short trailer, Infinite looks to be on the same level. It's hard to describe, but something about it grabs me. Just knowing that it is in the pipeline is enough.

If a developer shows early they may be able to get some useful feedback, but they also have to be realistic about what it is they are showing. If anyone remembers Dyack vs. MacDonald, if  Dyack would have just admitted that it was an early build and not gotten so bent out of shape he could have deflected the whole thing.

Peter Molyneux is a great example of how to show games. He hypes up with concepts and design goals. If they aren't met it is disappointing  but at least he was aiming big.

Either way, it's never too early if you know what and why you are showing.

Oh, and Mr. Hsu. Play Mass Effect 2.

Best game of (insert time period here).

Just finished it for the third time, on insanity as an adept.