2008 was a mammoth year in gaming. A quick glance through the games that we nominated for our end-of-year awards tells you that--from the sublime simplicity of Braid to the epic achievement of Grand Theft Auto IV and the breathtaking spectacle of Metal Gear Solid 4--it was a year to remember. But what of 2009? To try to make sense of it all, 10 of GameSpot's editors from across the world have sat down to take stock of the year ahead and let you know what they're most looking forward to in 2009, what they're most hoping for in the next 12 months, and what they fear might spoil the party.
Ricardo Torres, Editor-in-Chief
What am I most looking forward to in 2009? Simple. Marvel Ultimate Alliance II: Fusion (multi), Halo ODST (X360), Forza 3 (X360), God of War III (PS3), New Ratchet and Clank (PS3), Punchout (Wii), Sin and Punishment 2 (Wii), Mario and Luigi 3 (DS), and Resistance Retribution (PSP).
This year I really hope that Ubisoft spills the dirt on the new Beyond Good & Evil. I know, nothing's been officially announced but, unless they're working on a game based on The Island of Doctor Moreau, there's not many Ubisoft games that feature pig men. I'm also hoping for a fighter renaissance. We got Street Fighter back; next up? Darkstalkers! Or not. Sure would be nice, though…
Doom and gloom abounds at the moment, and I'm worried about the economy driving developers and publishers to take fewer chances. Sequels are cool, but if the industry is going to grow creatively and commercially, we need a balanced diet of sequels and more unique content that pushes boundaries.
Justin Calvert, Senior Editor (Reviews)
2008 is going to be a tough year to beat where games are concerned, but there are already plenty confirmed for 2009 that I'm excited about. Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned is at the top of my list right now, not only because I'm still enjoying GTAIV, but also because I've long believed that when so much work goes into creating a gameworld like Liberty City, developers should use those worlds for multiple games. The Lost and Damned isn't an entirely new game, of course, but I feel like it's a step in that direction.
Call me crazy, but I'm hoping to get my hands on Diablo III this year. Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty seems a likelier Blizzard release for 2009, but until a 2010 release date is confirmed for Diablo III, I'm not giving up on the idea of playing it in the next 12 months.
If nothing else, perhaps I'll get to play a work-in-progress version of Diablo III at one of the industry trade shows, but which one? Worryingly, the Leipzig Games Convention (a favorite of mine) is facing stiff competition from a similar event in Cologne this year that has deliberately been scheduled for the exact same dates. There's always E3, of course, but there's still so much uncertainty surrounding the "new, larger event" that I'm honestly not sure if I should be looking forward to it or dreading it. Whatever happens, 2009 is sure to be another interesting year in gaming.
Tor Thorsen, Senior Editor (News)
As the current console generation ages like fine wine, games continue to improve--and as a gamer, I can't wait. 2009 will see the release of several long-in-the works games, including Killzone 2 and Dragon Age: Origins, BioWare's spiritual successor to its groundbreaking fantasy role-playing game Baldur's Gate, not to mention Alpha Protocol, Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned, and last but not least, Half-Life 2: Episode Three.
My biggest hope is that the latest Electronic Entertainment Expo rework will kick it old-school--that is, restore the grandeur and spectacle of the E3 of yore. It would be pathetic if Europe and Japan had world-class game-industry trade shows while the US would have to make do with being a footnote to the Consumer Electronics Show. Sure, the Game Developers Conference has news aplenty, but it's an event aimed at the craftsmen behind the games, focused on processes and best practices--not dazzling Average Joe Sorethumbs.
I am terrified that the unholy convergence of skyrocketing costs and the worldwide economic implosion will further quash creativity in game development. Case in point: Electronic Arts. Under CEO John Riccitiello, the company has moved from churning out tired, subpar instalments in uninspired, often-licensed franchises to focusing on original properties and studio creativity. Although the results have been mixed, game-wise (fantastic games such as Dead Space have floundered, whereas mediocre games such as Mercenaries 2 have prospered), financially EA has taken a beating. Though gamers appreciate creativity, shareholders don't like losing money. If Riccitiello is ousted, look for publishers to retrench in existing IPs across the board while indie studios championing new IPs go hungry.
What's exciting or worrying you about 2009? Let us know below.
Calverz posted Jan 31, 2009 4:20 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)