Dear Double Agent,

I have been silent for long, longer than normal. Sometimes, I even worry myself. However, Clyde Hudman makes his faithful return... with a semi-long letter! However, I won't go into some long letter about how "Nintendo is better than Sega", or "Sega can kiss my butt, cuz Sony rocks!", because that discussion is not only totally pointless, but also has people develop a stronger hatred towards various consoles for no apparent reason. If both Sony produces an excellent system, Sega lovers won't cry. They'll simply go, "Yay, even MORE great games!" At least, that's what they should say. But people have been so engrossed in the whole system wars chaos and been devoted to one company that they forget why they're so concerned with the system wars in the first place: To play great videogames. What does it matter that Sony copied Nintendo's controller rumble pak any more than the fact that Sony stole the idea of the Pocketstation from Sega's VMS? Who cares, it all comes down to the software, and which software is better, regardless of system. Spawn is supposedly on the "better system" (Playstation), but either way Spawn sucks. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is on the "inferior system" (Nintendo 64), but that doesn't stop it from being the best interactive electronic entertainment art form of all time (guess what my favorite game is?). My point is, which system is the "better system" is not important. What is important is if you are enjoying the videogames you own.

Which fits in perfectly with the topic I am about to discuss(sort of). One day, videogames will become as mainstream as TV and movies. I have thought of some ways videogames can eventually become mainstream.

The videogame industry should eventually settle in with one format of consoles, just like there is only one format of a VCR, or music CDs, etc. At the very least, videogames should go the way of the computers, where there are only two formats (much like Sega/Nintendo in the 16-bit era). While not necessarily this generation of consoles, next generation of consoles should be all of the same format. What do I mean by same format, do I ask? When you buy a VCR, you might see various companies creating VCRs, but no matter which VCR you buy, they all can play the same video tapes. When you go out and buy a TV, you look at the features it offers, like screen size, etc., but they all, when it comes down to it, show the same shows. However, each console plays specific videogames approved by the first-party company, and then that company actually gets a chunk of the third-party's profits! The first party company seems more like an emperor than a hardware manufacturer.

There are a couple of reasons why one format of videogame consoles would be a good decision in the next ten years or so, and these reasons I will point out at this time. Firstly, one format of videogame consoles would finally end the pointless system wars that newsgroups are filled with everyday. With only one format, gamers will still debate, but on what they should be debating on, the actual software. I can go on for a month why Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back was the best of the trilogy, but that's what people are suppose to do; review the games, not the systems they're on! Another reason games should go one format is so games can go more mainstream. With three systems to choose from, people don't know which to choose from, and as a result they don't choose anything. However, with one format, people will view games less as a toy and more of a true entertainment product.

That is what I have to say for now. In a later letter, I will discuss other topics that may bring games mainstream, including price, advertising, and other things. This is only part one, part two will come after I see feedback..

-Clyde Hudman