If this doesn't take away from the amount of quality Hardcore titles, I'm fine with it. If these games ever become fun, and of a good quality, I may even consider playing them.

OMG!! Dutton is from NZ! NZ ftw!!! On Topic: I believe stories can be in video games. It COMPLETELY depends on the game though. For example, a linear game where you have a set path, beat set monsters, and have no freedom to explore etc. can tell a great story. But on the other side of that, open world games (like the up-coming Borderlands) that focus on freedom, exploration and choice, will have a very hard time telling a great story where you are involved. Borderlands may have an awesome story. I hope it does. But the thing is, the creators of the game cannot really control the pacing of the story, the level of the characters gear etc. Basically: the more freedom/choice, the harder it is for video games to tell a story. If there is lots of choice, it can be very hard to make the game believable. Take TES4:Oblivion. While it has great exploration and gameplay, and has some decent story lines, you NEVER really become attached to anyone. Where as in say, a Final Fantasy Game, although 12 wasn't that linear, if you look at FFX, for example, because of the linearity, the creators had greater freedom to introduce story. All games can have a great story. However, it is practically impossible for a big, open world game to completely immerse you in it, to be connected with the characters, etc. Which is why I believe people find it difficult to associate story with video games. In open world WRPGs, like Oblivion, where you tend to have a lot of choice, it is hard to become immersed. Why? Because you are supposed to ROLE PLAY instead. /argument.