Those are some pretty good points. And well taken.
When I said backslide, I didn\'t mean games in general, I meant the Final Fantasy franchise (which I personally think is, and I enjoy RPGs). I couldn\'t dream of arguing that games are entering a second golden age. Doom 3 looks freaky. All the better to blast away monsters. Some game idea\'s are revolutionary and involve sex. The Sims, for example. I don\'t play often, but I\'ve been known to binge.
I think about it now, and it\'s roles. Sexy Beach 2 includes beautiful women with lower back problems from carrying around their obviously implanted luggage. Who would pay these? People who have sexual or relationship issues. That comes to me playing Grand Theft Auto. I\'m a nice guy, so stepping out, gunning down gangsters, beating up pimps and robbing them, crashing vehicles, and running guns is a hoot for me. As, I suppose, that game is a blast for anyone willing to pay 50 bucks for the same sensation they could get off the internet.
I know how long sex has been in games. I downloaded a Commadore 64 emulator off the web and came across a site dedicated to adult CC64 games. I was frankly surprised to see how many there were. Mostly imported from Japan and Europe (horny Germans...). So I am aware, I guess it just irks me that that game is sitting next to Dues Ex somewhere in Japan. Maybe I\'m over reacting.
Anyway, I guess I\'m getting my point across. You pretty much have the same thoughts as me. Yeah, it\'s a game, I wouldn\'t play it. I\'m better than that. Someone would. Hey, if they enjoy it, more to them, I guess. Personally, I\'m playing a neat free sprite-based rpg-ish game at
http://www.furcadia.com. It\'s not much, but I like it.
As far as immersion in gaming, I heard about a Mech game that costed like 200 dollars, but it came with a console you sat at, as if you were inside one. Cool. Now if only it were cheaper. Actually, I\'m surprised 3D eye-wear and sensory gloves aren\'t being used more int today\'s games. I could only dream about playing GTA from behind the wheels of an Infernum as I brutally ran down Hatians who have a nasty pentiant against me.
Anyway, I think you are right, though. Technology is getting better and cheaper. And more immersive. Dance Dance Revolution is my own addiction.