[The Niles]

I disagree with the article. I too was disappointed by many of the scenes hottest releases over the past year or two (Doom3 actually being a marked exception) but to say everything has already been done before and therefore it will inevitably all come crashing down sooner rather then later is to misunderstand the nature of the development in the computer industry.
A computer twenty years ago is in essence exactly the same as a computer today. A machine capable of making rapid calculations. This is universally true and will remain so. The difference comes in the amount of calculations these two computers can make in a given timeframe. Computers have not become different, they have become better. This is also true of the applications those computers run. The first computers could process text just like today’s computers can but today the programs you use for it are infinitely better then, even, the older versions of the same program.
What I will say next will be controversial but I mean it. The same thing holds true for games as well. Having played Civilization (1) extensively again recently (on my pocket PC) I realized two things. Civilization was a great game for its time and also, given the choice I would rather play Civilization 3. Why? Well, Civilization has expanded greatly over its different incarnations. In Civ3 I have more options better features and nicer graphics (let’s face it Civ1 graphics where abominable). This is not because during Civ1 development there was a conscious decision to leave out features for no good reason. No, it was that it was not possible to add things because of hardware restriction and development cost considerations (and a learning process that had only just begun). Neither Civ3 nor Civ1 are flawless games but there can be no argument that Civ3 is the better game (which is something different from having a personal favourite).
Games over the years have become better and have evolved into separate genres but the former more then the latter (which doesn’t mean ALL new games are better then ALL old ones. There are plenty of bad games then and now). People complaining that there is nothing new or even good coming out today forget two things. One, there are millions upon millions of people (many more then ever before) who enjoy and love the games that are coming out TODAY. Secondly, if you don't like the newest games this is not so much a problem of the market not suited to the demand but you no longer being interesting for the market. In the not to distant past the only people who had computers where those who could afford one. This meant that computer game where written for those people likely to own a computer. Reasonable well of people of all ages are likely to be the better educated, more intelligent people. Computer games where written with their tastes in mind. Right now computers (either in PC or console form) are no longer out of reach for anyone and the market has changed accordingly. No longer are the tastes and interests of the well educated the guide stone for the gaming industry. The largest group of gamers today are the lower middle classes. This group demands different things from games. Adventures are gone for a reason. They are no longer interesting for the gaming public at large. Today things need to be fast paced and easily accessible.
Other corners of the market are still being served but not by the large companies. Small publishers are feeding this niche market with a few great games every year. You just need to keep in touch with that part of the gaming industry and not be blinded by the glare of the big publishing houses such as EA and Activision.
Lastly, on the coming crises in the gaming industry. This is true but not for the reasons stated in the article. Development costs are ever rising. An average game now costs $15-$20 million to make, the large names cost even more (Doom3 was in development for 5 years). The pressure for these projects to be successful is enormous and the price of failure for a small company is bankruptcy. There is also overproduction in the largest market (FPS #13548282 please step forward) I foresee a purge of smaller companies (those that make the niche games will not be affected by this as much) in the near future and maybe one big name will disappear as well (like Interplay not that long ago). Gaming is now the largest entertainment industry on the planet but the industry is not yet fully formed. A crisis can help it become that.