GameSpotting Turismo

Like the garage in Polyphony Digital's upcoming racer, GameSpot's editorial staff features an eclectic array of high-performance machines. Writing machines, that is. This week, we put the pedal to the metal, discussing the ongoing backlash against World of Warcraft's server performance (or lack thereof), the refreshing lack of franchised games this year, and the public's new-found love of reading in role-playing games. We're also excited to introduce two fresh faces in the GameSpot news department, Beth Winegarner and Tim Surette, who make their GameSpotting debuts in this edition!

The WOW Backlash
Greg Kasavin/Executive Editor
"The thing is, when you put that in perspective, you start to realize that most of these people are just doling out tough love."

Reading: "FUN"-damental?
Andrew Park/Senior Editor
"Why is it that people are now actually bothering to read all this stuff in these text-heavy games, let alone enjoying themselves while doing it?"

New Faces
Brad Shoemaker/Associate Editor
"There's a stack of what look to be quality games on the horizon. More impressive, many of them don't even have a "2," "3," or "4" on the ends of their names."

Work Hard, Play Hard
Steve Palley/Associate Editor, Mobile Games
"Your participation in an imaginary world that has been designed, in part, to distract you from the realities of money, power, and politics is contingent upon your ability to lay down cold, hard cash for the privilege."

Azeroth Alternative
Avery Score/Assistant Editor, Mobile Games
"So, next time you're stuck in an hour-long server queue, remember that Resident Evil is waiting for you in the shadows, and will bring you unmitigated joy."

For the Love of the Game
Tyler Winegarner/Associate Producer, GameSpot Live
"The only thing that playing Lumines makes me want to do is play more Lumines--it's very self-containing in that regard."

Following Your Bliss
Beth Winegarner/Associate Editor, GameSpot News
"I'm not sure I ever thought I'd be working for the same company as my younger brother, but then life is full of pleasant surprises."

Excuse Me, Where's the Bathroom in This Crazy Joint?
Tim Surette/Reporter, GameSpot News
"Yeah, we may stomp around on DDR pads and have desks littered with empty Doritos bags and Mountain Dew cans, but it's all in the name of journalism."

Gaming Mailbag
Brian Ekberg/Sports Editor
"I've gotten my share of strange and/or passionate e-mails and private messages since joining the GameSpot staff but the comments really piled up over the long weekend."

Nintendo Revolution or Retreat?
James Yu/Senior Hardware Editor
"I don't like it when companies change products to appeal to a wider demographic. You end up with New Coke and Dennis Miller on Monday Night Football."

No, It's Not Me, it's You.
Jonathan Leard/GuestSpotter
"As much as I never thought I'd say this, the RPG genre either needs to shake it up or ship out."

I Write Fast, Too.
Racer X/Anime Bad Guy
"I'm really tired of losing to Speed Racer and the Mach 5. I get so upset about it, that I have to let it all out on my journal. You should unload your frustration there too. It's therapeutic."