I remember a similar situation in the 1980s. It was the video game crash. Atari buried hundreds of thousands of new, crappy games.

I've been looking in the bargain basement of the XBOX Store. Keeping my eyes open for innovative indy developers, trying to make a name for themselves...

This is a bit worrisome, strategically speaking...I worry about collusion between Sony and Microsoft, against the consumer.

However, cross-platformi play is long overdue both in titles and on-line battles.

It's an overdue correction. Video game fare, even with the latest graphics are mainly cash cow titles.

You know Final Fantasy 9K, Forza in even greater detail but lackluster content, Madden 2042...

As one commenter mentioned - this is prime Indie opportunity for new talent to bust through.

I'm reserving judgement, until I have a few hundred hours in. Oblivion was my kind of game but I thought Skyrim wasn't much of an improvement.

While the mechanics are similar, the artwork stands out. It's reminiscent of the Dishonored series.

A huge game will take some time to adequately evaluate.

I'm glad I haven't preordered, as my trusted sources bear out my worry. Besides, there's always going to be a settling period, where folks learn the ropes and give us the scoop...

Instead of game themes, I'd like to display my art and family photos...

Somehow, the big 3 (Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo) should arrive at a compromise where everyone wins.

That means much less exclusivity but more satisfied customers, profitable gaming companies and Game Console/gaming investors.

Compromises may come at the sacrifice of some features/colors/dlc or the addition thereof - Market differentiation.

I think he had a great gig but 20 years IS a career.

I too wasn't impressed with him but he did his functions without being too smarmy or over-the-top with his descriptions. I won't miss him but wish him well.

Unfortunately, the persistent practice of releasing reiterated games as original has me concerned.

Also, the (apparent) use of preorder customers as Beta testers guarantees I won't order early...if at all.

I'll wait for balanced reviews from players, not "pros".

We haven't seen such a glut of mediocre video game fare, since the crash of the 1980's.

The list of "Beta's" shipping (Cyberpunk 2077, Redfall, etc.) is making people justifiably worried.

Big budget games that don't deliver should hold their executives accountable...that won't happen until their bottom line is affected - preorders are a huge part of that. Do some forensic accounting. Where did your project go off the rails? There are hundreds if not thousands of employees who suffer because some executive made unreasonable demands...or their workers are too spoiled?