The only thing decent to come out of this is to see Microsoft hit but this massive error in judgement by a massive profit decline.

I didn't know Microsoft and EA had such a strong partnership.

EA Sports it's in the cash

This shows how low gaming has went when corporate tycoons realised the big money in games. As you can now see with all recent next gen console announcements like the pre-owned / second hand games unable to be used (although unconfirmed) to the constant Internet connection it's all about the money. The type of gamer I am I prefer my single player games to multiplayer, so why would an Internet connection be needed to play games like platformers, hack and slash, rpg's, yeah rankings are fun but with the way the games industry seems to be heading it'll cost money to level up, buy in game items or to progress to the next level.

Some thing tells me the modern age of gaming is gone and has now entered the age of decline.

Aw look another nobody trying to weigh in on a subject they know nothing about, I'll tell you what, play I couple of games ( at least one from each genre) and get back to us then I might take people who shout their mouth off over a subject that's easy to latch on to seriously.

For many this will be a childhood game series, first hearing solid snake in mgs1 was such a delight and you really believe in the character because of the voice acting. Now I'm all for new talent and everything but Hayters contribution to the success of the series seems to be over looked some what, I mean regardless of new direction or not If you have a Snake then it has to be Hayter. Konami have turned a childhood game series into a childhood memory. Well I hope the games still good at least

This does not really surprise me to be honest, their reputation up until Wada became president was releasing the greatest rpg and jrpg's on the market. That change when he took over. Trying to concentrate on other platforms and genres and also pushing games like final fantasy too far into the opposite direction to its original intent. As for any remakes of any final fantasy, if that we're to happen especially to ff7, fans would not receive it well, mainly because the developers of remakes tend to take artistic licence to the game too far and changes appear dramatic. I'm still hopefully for the future of Square Enix and also final fantasy.