Sure, there's been a lot of talk recently about UGO Entertainment and it's acquisition of 1UP. I'm not going to say anything about fairness or how messed up it is. I think we're all pretty unanimous about how we as a video game community feel about the situation.
But it has becoming uncomfortably obvious that video games are selling out. Anything, when it reaches a certain size, will do so. I mean come on, I've seen Guitar Hero on cereal boxes for goodness sakes. With the words "selling out" there going to be a negative connotation, but hold off on your judgment for just a while. I hate the fact that corporations run America. It sucks that a few men at the top have so much power over so many. A lot of times they're able to use that power unchecked for huge personal gain. I've experienced it from almost every level. But again that's the way the system works and it's the shit sandwich we all have to eat.
The thing is, it's easy to say hey "FUCK the man, I'll do what's right." I'm not saying I or anyone else would make a decision incorrectly. Well, actually. Incorrectly is probably the wrong word. I really don't believe in being incorrect. Not as far as morals are concern. I think it's more of a case of two view points. There are always going to be people who see it another way and won't ever be able to see things the way you want them to.
So the question came to me. And play along with me here, I know it's kind of out in left field (Keep in mind this is fiction). UGO Entertainment wants to restart the 1UP network. They come to your rag tag group with dreams of writing professional about video games. You know full well what they just did to the people you'd maybe even call your Heroes. But they come and offer you their spots. Think of it as the X-Men leaving and you being asked to fill in for them.
On the one hand, this is your dream. To get paid to do what you love is something you could only spend nights lying in bed sleepless thinking about. Financially it would solve all your problems and also would give you a legitimate career your parents would finally be proud to tell other people about. You could move out of a life of retail slavery and god knows what else.
But then it's also a huge mountain to climb. First off, you're not going to be very well liked. People are resistant to change. Using the analogy from earlier, How could you even begin to fill the shoes of the X-Men? I'd be kind of excited by the challenge to try to win people over, but it's not something that will happen easily or overnight. More importantly I'd be concerned with being under someone else's control. I've been a expendable pawn long enough in my retail experiences. I've risen in the ranks enough to to understand enough about what goes on around here. I've seen people be fired and replaced for someone who'd take less money and, honestly, I know eventually it will happen to me. But do I want to go into a situation where I know full well what is going on, as well as face possible termination if I don't do what I'm told. I don't want to jump in to become a puppet. It doesn't sound so dream-like anymore.
For some of you it would be an easy decision. Others, not so easy. There's nothing to be ashamed of. Morals vs Money. It will all be a question we have to answer in our life time. It's nice to believe that you can change the world and make millions. I think we should all go into our lives believing, not thinking, BELIEVING that we are going to make an impact. But we should all be prepared if the time comes where we can have only the one or the other, doing what we think is right versus getting what we want.
But those are the situations we face in the world. In my eyes, there really is not right and wrong. Everybody has their story and we'll never fully understand someone else's. You can make a difference from which ever team you play for so long as you "fight the good fight."
Hope that was entertaining,
David
As a reminder, we'll be recording the 2008 Awards Show Tonight around 10 PM Central. Travis, Nick, and Brad and I should all be there barring any serious problems.
These are the games released in 2008 that I played. I tried more games than the ones listed here, but these are the games that I beat or played enough of to the point where they were considered for the awards show.
I've gone back and awarded Game of the Year for the past 18 years. There are some very sad omissions, but I could only choose one for each year. Sorry Kojima. 
So back a couple months ago, we took part in the Extra Life Charity marathon for the Texas Children's Hospital. It was set up by sarcasticgamer.com, and other than us there were a bunch of other participants both from other sites and individuals.
Sure, there's been a lot of talk recently about UGO Entertainment and it's acquisition of 1UP. I'm not going to say anything about fairness or how messed up it is. I think we're all pretty unanimous about how we as a video game community feel about the situation.
