Where Have The Great Players Gone?

Believe it or not, there was once a time when there were gamers out there that would play games without the assistance of cheat codes, cheat devices or easy "novice" settings. These gamers relied on their skill and technical abilities to "beat" a game or to get to the next level. The word "continue" was alien to them. It might have taken them hours, days or even weeks to master a game level. It required them to study their on-screen enemy, so that they could discover and to exploit its weaknesses.

Enter Gradius III and IV for the PS2. This game requires skills that have all but vanished. So many "gamers" today just want to "win" even if it means cheating to do so. Well my friend, they are only cheating themselves. Gradius, like so many other classic shooters, will humble you. It is difficult. But the rewards are there for those with the patience, skill and desire to beat the game fair and square.

So what is happening with this game? I've been checking around and have found that the game is being returned at alarming rates. Why? Many "next generation" gamers today are lazy. What else could it be? From what I can see, these are perfect ports of the games in question. Apparently, they just want to win, they want infinite continues, they want to see what's next without having to put forth any effort. Bottom line: THEY CAN'T STAND TO LOSE.

This, my friend, is a real shame. Because of this kind of attitude towards games today I'm sure Konami will think twice about producing another game like this for the current generation of gamer. Funny thing is, if Konami had made the game easy or allowed infinite continues then these same folks would probably have complained that the game was too short or easy.

I've seen the same kind of activity around the Dreamcast as well lately. Capcom is doing their part by releasing some really cool twitch games. Yet, so many gamers are walking right by or returning them because they are too hard.

Me, I really miss those days and the great gamers that I knew that played games the way they were intended to be played... not just blowing through the levels with cheats enabled or infinite contunes turned on. The only one being cheated is the cheater.

Submitted by: tiptonium