June brought in one key release this month, alongside with a slew of different casual or low-key games. So let's get to it:

Here are the requirements for representation on the Chosen Twelve:

1. Quality has to be high enough to recommend a must-play or must purchase

2. Game has to have a defining feature that can be easily described (ex. difficult, easy to learn)

3. Game, above all else, can be tried by a broad audience without being overly convoluted and complicated.

4. Game, preferably, has to be a new property or bring something new or fresh into other games. Or, it can be a game that was missed previously.

First, as more accessible as Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is, I still can't recommend this game to everyone. Is it a Game of the Year contender? Absolutely, for it's masterful blending of cinematics and tense gameplay; but this game still isn't for the masses.

A far more accessible game is Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3. Although it's mostly known as the XBLA game that comes with the beta of Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo HD Remix, the game is a very competitent top-down shooter. However, XBLA has plenty of these games (PSN, however, does not).

From shooting random soldiers to shooting random planes, Blast Works: Build, Create, Destroy was released on the Nintendo Wii. Boasting what is a detailed level editor and fun, if not short, single player campaign, this game has a lot for a future programmer to sink his teeth into. However, this game is meant for the creative and to those who will devote the time to make these levels.

Next, there's the 2D classic remake Space Invaders Extreme. Taking the classic formula and putting a musical and power-up twist on the ordeal, SIE puts a new type of challenge and fun to the classic game. This is the best way to commemorate a classic franchise.

From 2D to 3D, there's the beautiful on-rails shooter Aces of the Galaxy for XBLA. Featuring what has to be some of the best detailed 3D graphics for an Arcade title, this game manages to outdo what Nintendo has been trying to do for years: Bring back the magic of Starfox.

After space shooting, there is space...babies? Despite having one of the most embarassing names in recent memory, Roogoo is a potentially well done puzzler/timing based game. With a mix of Fisher-Price graphics, but challenging puzzles, this game is sure to please anyone who gives it a shot.

Speaking of embarassment, there is the completely not embarassing Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures. Unlike Kingdom of the Crystal, Lego Indy takes all the great things about the first three movies and, of course, puts it in Lego form, sans Nazis.

Now, the 6th member of the Chosen Twelve is:

What quite possibly might be the best Retro remake ever made (yes, even surpassing Pac-Man: Championship Edition), Space Invaders Extreme remains faithful to the original game, but gives enough of a graphical polish, sheen and great aesthetics to appeal to gamers today. For the cheap price of $19.99 on both DS (recommended) and PSP, you can't go wrong at all with Space Invaders Extreme.

The Chosen Twelve for the first half of the year is as follows:

Coming up next is the Top Games for the First Half of the year so far and others...

Wow, June was a good month for games, wasn't it? Ninja Gaiden II, Battlefield: Bad Company, etc...so this month should be chalked full of gaming goodness too, right? Umm...well, it's not as dense and huge as June, but there are definitely some key titles, such as...

A sparse week this week, with a Guitar Hero expansion with tbe band Aerosmith being a key release. Much like Rocks the '80s, Guitar Hero: Aerosmith will just be a themed version of the most recent main release. The other release worth noting is Trauma Center: Under The Knife 2 for the DS. From what has been seen of this version, it's exactly like the original Trauma Center and its Wii ports, so don't expect something too outlandish.

Only three releases this week, but they very well maybe some good crowd pleasers. Let's start with the niche game Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo's Dungeon for the Nintendo Wii. Since roguelikes are becoming a mainstay on the Nintendo DS, some companies, like Square Enix, are taking a bet that they can make a splash on the Wii. All signs point to low sales at this point, but I would much rather see the new Shiren the Wanderer that was made in Japan be released so if this game helps that along, I will be for it. Unreal Tournament III, last year's mod-happy shooter for the PC and PS3, is being ported to the 360 sans modding support. That transgression will probably be made up for the fact that XBOX Live's servers are better equipped for multiplayer firefights. Lastly, there is Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution for the PS3, X360 and DS. Taking everything great about the Civilization series on the PC and streamlining it for consoles, this game seems to be a faster paced game for multiplayer purposes. Thus far, the demo leaves me highly impressed and in waiting for the full version.

Sports games seem to be the main releases this week, starting with We Love Golf! for the Wii. Impressions and previews have game sites saying that this is the game that Super Swing Golf should have been, but still leaving some to be desires. Also, there is NCAA Football 09 for all major consoles being released. There's really not much to say except that if you're a college football fan, you'll more than likely be picking this up already.

It's a DS filled week with some sequels to some classic and popular franchises. First, there's New International Track and Field, sequel of the classic NES and Arcade game, with (obviously) touch screen controls for mini-games. Next is the sequel to one of the more popular roguelikes in the states, Izuna 2: The Unemployed Ninja Returns. When it comes to roguelikes, the accessability ranges in between Pokemon Mystery Dungeon and Shiren the Wanderer, so it's challenging but not too challenging. Finally, there is the 3D remake of Final Fantasy IV. Since FInal Fantasy III was a popular game when it was released, it looks like Square Enix will continue the trend of putting these installments on the DS until Final Fantsay VI (like they did with the GBA versions.

A mega-ton release happens this week, alongside a game with a worldwide cult following and...another strategy RPG for the 360 (let's just hope it fares better than Operation Darkness). Let's first talk about Spectral Force 3, the strategy/RPG from Atlus Co. And that's really all that is known about this game. The cult Japanese baseball series is getting a second go-around with MLB Power Pros 2008. This was one of my favorite sports games last year (aside from FIFA Soccer 08), so I'm really happy to see an update to this franchise. Let's hope they improve on the Success mode as well. Finally, if something inside of you burns, it's either your soul enternally retold or suddenly you're regretting seeing that woman on that vacation from Key West. If it's the former, then you're itching for some Soul Calibur IV, coming out on X360 and the PS3. With slight modifications done to the engine and new characters being thrust into the limelight, including console exclusives Darth Vader, The Apprentice and Yoda, the game seems to add more into its roster every day.

So let's get down to the categories:

Popular Game: Soul Calibur IV/NCAA Football 2009 - Depending on your tastes, this is a good month for fighting game fans and for sports fans. Expect both to top the charts at the end of the month.

The Dark Horse: Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution - This might be the only version of this game that both Hardcore Civ fans and casual strategists can get behind. Ratings have been nothing but positive.

The Watchful Eye: MLB Power Pros 2008 - With a better release date then the last version (the original released after the World Series), Power Pros might just get the chance to be one of the premier baseball franchises.

The Scornful Stare: Spectral Force 3 - The last strategy-RPG for the 360 was a complete dud. Nothing new or good has been said about this game either.

Another List has been completed....onwards to August!

Tomonobu Itagaki's departure has sent a sizable ripple not only into Tecmo's financial portfolio, but throughout the enthusiast press and industry. What made this rather notable news is not only because of the lawsuit attached to the departure, but to a basic question being asked throughout the enthusiast gamer population: Just how important is the director or lead designer to a videogame and does it warrant this much attention?

The director, lead designer or a production studio of a game or game series is only as relevant as their games are, essentially. If the lead desinger of Ninjabread Man were to have an outlandish departure from whatever parent company that game came from, few would notice (or rather care). The reason why you remember the names of Shigeru Miyamoto, Hideo Kojima, Tomonobu Itagaki and Warren Spector because they re-invented what you expected from a game or have made a string of quality titles with a style that deserves recognition.

However, there are a few production houses or personalities that have gained notoriety and have done so through public relations, such as Cliff Blysinsky (pre-Gears of War, Epic Games), Denis Dyack (Too Human, Silicon Knights) and the development studio Gamecock (Hail to the Chimp). These guys have made some memorable games (aside from Gamecock), however, they have yet to gain the respect of some of our most treasured game makers.

The question is, however, what exactly is Tomonobu Itagaki and what is Tecmo losing with him being gone? First, let's go through Itagaki's history with Tecmo of Japan:

• Tomonobu Itagaki started his career with Tecmo doing the American version of Tecmo Bowl. To American gamers, both sports nuts and general classic game lovers, this seems to be his most memorable game to most of the US audience.
• The Dead or Alive series starts as the arcade fighting game that had almost laughably expressive "chest physics" which was given to the more endowed female fighters. The series sold rather well in Japan, but gained a cult audience in America where it had a slim fanbase.
• Dead or Alive 2 was then released on the Arcade with what was possibly some of the most detailed graphics at the time. The game was later released on the Dreamcast, where fighting fans looking for their next fix after exhausting Soul Calibur could fight with beautiful graphics and a multi-tier stage fighting system. The game was later released on PS2 as DOA2: Hardcore
• A year later, on the launch of the XBOX, Dead or Alive 3 was one of the main titles. Featuring even more interactive stages and some of the best graphics to date, DOA 3 set what would be one of the best fighting games on any of the three systems.
• Soon after, Itagaki created Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball. Taking the brilliant idea of taking out all of the men from the DOA series and leaving the women on a remote island in their bikinis doing...well, volleyball. The Pokemon for pervs aspect of the game let you collect all sorts of bathing suits for the girls while earning money play games like volleyball or gambling. Few give the game credit, but DOAX is essentially one of the very first "casually-minded" games to be released on consoles.
• Then came what would define Itagaki's career: Ninja Gaiden. Featuring some of the most fluid and beautiful fighting animations, along with one of the most brutal difficulties, Gaiden remade the classic game with one of the most graceful learning curves in any game. Action gamers fell in love with Ninja Gaiden because of its rewarding combat and its incredibly slick graphics.
• After numerous ninpo attacks came Dead or Alive Ultimate. DOAU is essentially revamped versions of Dead or Alive 1 & 2 with online capablities and the graphics of DOAX.
• Like the original XBOX, the 360 launched with Dead or Alive 4. Once again providing beautiful graphics with even more elaborate stages.
• A year later, Dead or Alive Xtreme 2 was released featuring even better graphics and skimpier outfits. However, many ended up not liking the game due to its difficult and unresponsive new minigames.Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword was then released on the Nintendo DS. This being Itagaki's only portable game, the game utilizes the strength of the DS rather well with very responsive and simple strokes representing movements and attacks.
• Finally, to date, there is Ninja Gaiden II. After the numerous remakes (Black, Sigma) of the original, the new game brought gory finishers, plenty of blood and an even more deep fighting system. A problematic camera and less than impressive graphics, however, tarnished what would still be an excellent edition of the series.

So, looking at all of the games of Itagaki, let's see what his core philosophy in creating games:

• Simplicity: A core Itagaki game is actually quite simple to learn and play. This started from Tecmo Bowl and stayed with the DOA series. Notice how some of the prime things to do in each game requires one button press, such as tackling in Tecmo Bowl or doing a 4-hit combo in DOA. Control needs to be as simple and as flexible as possible. Sure, you still need to master the game itself in order to progress further, but the fundamentals of the game are still very easy to get into.
• Production Values: Sure, a good game could have decent or not so great graphics, but Itagaki believes the best games nned to have the best graphics and sound on any system. Each Itagaki game was made to have the best graphics, whether it was the drop dead gorgeous vistas of DOAX 2 or the very polished graphics of Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword (for a DS game, of course). Gamers, deep down, want to play a game that will excite their senses as well as their reflexes.
• Interactive: The more you can play around with the environments, the better. Static backgrounds are a nusiance: Why leave something barren and lifeless when you can create something to entice the gamer in the background? Besides, slamming people to ground is dull...why not slam that person into an icicle that will smash into a billion pieces? Or down a waterfall and have them land on their back? Itagaki's games seem to make everything have a purpose, from interactive stages that cause more harm to a player to even little subtle touches in the background.
• Power Hungry: Itagaki has said time and time again: he will only develop for the systems that are the most powerful and most flexible, utilizing the system to its fullest. Great game makers know not only how to make a great game, but to use the hardware to make the game better. This is why his games end up having some of the flashiest graphics and the smoothest animation.

These four things have led to Itagaki's games being successful in not only Japanese markets but in the Western markets as well. With the loss of Itagaki, what could this mean for Tecmo?

• Product Uncertainty: With the most vocal person of the group out of the equation, Team Ninja now lacks a face to the games that seem to be self-promoted through Itagaki. Everything from the core philosophy of the games created to the charm and style that the games carry. Whether the fanbase will still like these games more or less without Itagaki is still uncertain. It's incredibly hard to emulate someone's personal style without feeling phony or pretentious, so this may be a difficult process.
• Lack of Visibility: Tecmo hasn't been big in the US since the NES days, with the sole exception of Team Ninja's efforts. Losing quite possibly one of the most noticable names in the industry for the west is going to drive a huge blow to their American market sales. Furthermore, with most Japanese made games on a decline in sales in the US, it almost seems like they won't have much of a market to take. In fact, the only other game that Tecmo has had any success with in the US is the Fatal Frame series, which takes a backseat to Resident Evil and Silent Hill.
• Credibility Tarnished: Allowing someone like Itagaki run rampant while letting him make the games he wanted to make gives two points across: We foster creativity in our people no matter how out of the norm they may be and we want to have a personality outside the business. Itagaki personified that for Tecmo, now Tecmo really doesn't have anyone that will personify that feeling. In a way, they are like every other game company out there.
• Unstable Change In Direction: Let's face it: Tecmo has been noticed solely as the land that Itagaki built. With that man gone, the entire company has to shift into a new face and they must do it quickly. This change in direction can be jarring: it could mean the cancellation of certain games and series, while shifting others to different development studios. It could also mean the desolvation of Team Ninja.

There could also be some positive aspects to Itagaki's departure as well:

• A Fresh, Revitalized Outlook: With Itagaki away from the attention of Tecmo, Tecmo the company can now be in the main spotlight for the first time since the NES days. They don't have to make the games that they've been making if they choose not to because they might want to stay away from anything that reminds people of Itagaki's games.
• Conquer New Markets: Tecmo can do one of two things: Merge with a larger company and/or take over more subsidiaries or they can grab American properties to challenge Itagaki's notion that Tecmo has no reach in the West without him. Merging with other companies (Sega, for example) could expand their repetoire and their resources while being able to give their studios more ideas for better games.
• Introduce New Talent: Maybe Itagaki wasn't the only person with great talent in Tecmo, but Tecmo didn't want to give someone else the spotlight. This will give Tecmo a chance to show how much talent they have in their studios. Give an upstart, fresh director reigns of an important franchise (let's say...Ninja Gaiden?) and see what he can bring to it. It might just bring more fans in.

There is definitely one thing that is certain for Tecmo: They need to step up in the Western market in order to not be fully affected by Itagaki's loss. Itagaki represented the "hardcore" players connect to Japan without being a Japanophile, so they need to step up and be the company that represents that bridge. Only time will tell if they can succeed at this task.

Next Blog: Itagaki: Can he step up and be the next elite gaming mogul (like Miyamoto or Wright)?

I guess its good that I saved some green last month because June seems to be containing a huge hit in the wallet. With an average of 4 games a week coming out worth a look (not including downloadable games), this month is looking rather stuffed and packed.

You'd think this is the calm before the storm, but this week is packed to the brim with some high-quality games. Let's start with the bloodiest, and possibly the most anticipated: Ninja Gaiden II. Featuring an upgraded weapons and combat system, NGII seems to make the action more diverse, flashy and bloody, while maintining the deep combat that made the first so incredible. Speaking of incredible, The Incredible Hulk is releasing too on all systems. Taking a queue from the excellent Ultimate Destruction, this movie tie-in is a open world game where nearly everything is destructbile in the environment. If it stays close to the last game, this could definitely be an enjoyable romp. If that's not enough angst, how about Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Conspiracy? Based off of the novels by Robert Ludlum, you play as Jason Bourne as you find how he became this super agent and go through key scenes of the novels. The game demo actually seemed fun, if not a bit shallow. After Bourne is Jones, Indiana Jones. Lego. Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures takes the first 3 Indy movies and gives them the lego treatment. Finally, the long awaited game where I can play has Short Round has finally come true! From short round come round tracks with GRID, the next game from Codemasters, the creators of the hit DIRT. Taking on a different feel and a wholly raw sense of speed, GRID will differentiate itself from its previous game without changing the core engine. Stock racing then goes to stock shooting (?) with Blast Works: Build, Trade, Destroy. This one's been pushed back a couple times but if it does release on this day, have fun with creating your own levels, ships, enemies and the like in this Xevious lite with a level editor. Finally, as the only portable game of note, comes Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee 2 for the PSP. Taking the launch title's signature gameplay and style while impliment ing new characters and courses, Open Tee 2 strives to bring more success to the Everybody! Japanese line.

This week is not as big as the last when it comes to quantity, but some potentially huge hits are landing this week. First, you can kamehamehaha all you want in the first next-gen version of the Dragon Ball Z franchise: Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit. This game seems to cater more to the fans of the series than ever: The game plays like an interactive cut-scene/fighting game hybrid that is surprisingly interesting when you play it. Sports titles include NASCAR 09, the shake-n-bake edition with...well, I'm not entirely sure what's new in the game. Maybe Ricky Bobby is in the game? Also, the splendiferious, Americanically driven Don King Presents Prizefighter is being released on the 360 for those of you who want to get your boxing fix. Then, there is Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. With Hideo Kojima saying that this is the last game you'll see Solid Snake in, this follows the final battle of Solid Snake as he takes on the Patriots...and this all has something to do with a monkey with iron-clad underwear. Just like Robin Hood Men in Tights!

Another small week but with some rather notable releases. The long dormant PSP is getting a big boost this month, with not only HSG Open Tee 2 in the beginning of the month, but also with two notable releases this week . First is the stealth action farce Secret Agent Clank, where you play as the dry-witted robot in a snazzy tuxedo. Advance word is that if you enjoyed Size Matters, you're bound to enjoy this spin-off. Next, for the PSP and the DS, is Space Invaders Extreme. Sure, there are tons of classic games that get graphical facelifts, but the added boss aesthetic and rhythm action beats tend to give this re-iteration a tad more invigoration. On the DS, there's Arkanoid DS, which is exactly what it sounds like: Arkanoid for the DS. Whether they do anything new with the game has yet to be seen, but if you want to import the optional dial controller. Finally, Supreme Commander is being released for the 360. However, nothing but negative has been said about this PC to 360 port: Terrible graphics, unintuitve controls and an overall mess of a HUD brings the game down. Buyer beware!

Some oddities, classics, sequels and expansions are being released throughout this week. The most notable release is Alone in the Dark, which Atari is saying may very well be their last big budget release before they become completely casual minded. Next is the revisioned Battlefield franchise game for consoles: Bad Company. With an added focus on single player campaign and completely destructable environments, Bad Company may very well be the best Battlefield on consoles. Whether it will be one of the better FPS's on consoles, however, is yet to have been seen. Shooting Nazis, who are also zombies, is the main grift in the offbeat Operation Darkness, which is a tactical RPG coming out for the 360. The demo, which was released last month, didn't exactly get praise or any support, so we'll see how the final release bodes. Command and Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath is also released on the 360 this week, but much like the previous, it's entering in a market with increasing skepticism of how well RTS's can do on consoles. Gamecock's Hail to the Chimp is finally being released after many delays, which is odd to say because all that is known of this game is that it's a mini-game collection with a humorous political backdrop. Hellboy: Science of Evil is hitting the 360 and PS3 before the film's release...let's see if it at least holds the tone of the comic and the movie. Guitar Hero: On Tour comes out on the DS and...I mean, really...what's next Rock Band on the PSP? Top Spin 3 is also coming out, which is being made with a completely reworked engine to better utilize foot placement and stanima. Lastly, there's Final Fantasy Tactics Advance 2: Grimiore of the Rift for the DS. Otherwise known as FFTA2:GOTR, the Ivalice Alliance of Square Enix is continuing the story of the lands with another story of an adolescent troublemaker transported by a magic book into a far away land. And to think, this land is the same land that Vagrant Story was based on.

Let's bring back a few features, shall we?

And so ends another List of the Fates...have plenty to play before September!

When it came to releases in general, May didn't really have much to get excited over. Same could possibly be said about the pick for this month's Chosen Twelve. However, these games listed are definitely quality games that should be checked out.

Here are the requirements for representation on the Chosen Twelve:

1. Quality has to be high enough to recommend a must-play or must purchase

2. Game has to have a defining feature that can be easily described (ex. difficult, easy to learn)

3. Game, above all else, can be tried by a broad audience without being overly convoluted and complicated.

4. Game, preferably, has to be a new property or bring something new or fresh into other games. Or, it can be a game that was missed previously.

Let's get the lone DS game out of the gate: Crosswords DS is essentially what it says it is. With the game, you get a huge amount of crossword games, plus word searches and anagrams to peruse from. For the price of 20 crossword books, you definitely have a large amount of pages to go through before this game is complete.

On the Wii front, there's Boom Blox created by EA and Steven Spielberg. Take Jenga, make it playable on the Wii and add a slew of different types of blocks and mini-games and you have one of the most interactive and fun party games you could get into. Plus, there are hundreds of puzzles you can do on your own that are a lot of fun.

Switching to the 360 Live Arcade, we have what quite possibly be the longest title ever for a videogame: Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness - Episode One. Penny Arcade takes the conventional RPG staples, adds a very intuitive battle system and a hilariously witty script to give possibly one of the best RPG's this year (yes, even better than Lost Odyssey). The length leaves more to be desired, but here's hoping for more of these games coming up soon.

This month was the debut of the WiiWare gaming service on the Wii and the service ended up buffing some gems for its audience. On launch day, there was Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life As A King. Taking a more scaled down mix of Harvest Moon and Simcity with a medievil fantasy theme and bring in a less serious, more whimsical theme. After an hour, you instantly see progress and development of your town, which is more than what either of these games can say.

So, for the month of May, the newest of the Chosen Twelve is:

Boom Blox
Developed by: Electronic Arts Los Angeles
Produced by: Electronic Arts and Steven Spielberg

Without a single doubt in my mind, Boom Blox would be a part of the Chosen Twelve on ANY MONTH. Don't let the very few releases fool you into thinking it got lucky, Boom Blox might just be one of the best games of the year and easily the most accessible. Great physics, loads of different types of games and a robust multiplayer game and level editor, this game may just be the must have party game for any Wii owner...that's if more Wii owners will actually buy this game.

So far, these are the Chosen Twelve of 2008:

Next comes June, which might be the hardest month to choose from...

The release of Grand Theft Auto IV has brought on all sorts of comments of the status of gaming at this time. "The revolutionary game that will change videogaming forever" is one of them, while others have been calling it "The Godfather" of gaming. So many outlets are ready to pinhole this game as the next coming to bring games to the mainstream as a permanent foothold.

I'm not writing this to discredit GTAIV because it is, in fact, a superbly technical game that deserves the praise it has been recieving. However, i can't help but think that this "revolutionary step in videogaming" isn't really something that attracts not only different gamers but different people in cultures. Specifically, this game shows the divisable rift that I feel legitimizes videogaming as the art form that it is striving to be.

For the past few years, there has been a secret skirmish going on in the battle lines of the hardcore gamers: the "hardcore" game versus the "casual" game. However, videogaming experts (senior writers and editors from gaming sites) have refuted that there is no such thing as "casual" and "hardcore" gamers: it generally is used to stir arguments on message boards.

I for one agree with this, but there definitely is a segregation of the types of gamers that exist in this medium. This type of segregation in entertainment mediums isn't uncommon: In films, for example, there are "scholars" (viewers who love to dissect a movie on themes and messages), "buffs" (viewers who like to know as much about a film as possible), "thrill seekers" (those who love 'torture porn' or 'horror movies') and "chick flickster" (those who frequent chick flicks) just to name a very few.

For the longest time, gamers have been segregated just like movies: it just took Grand Theft Auto IV to show it to some people. Here are some types of gamers:

Graphic Whores - Let's start with some of the more easily impressed gamers, a la "Graphic Whores". Whenever there is some impressive graphical effect or some really good modeling or "realistic" rendering, these gamers of the night go completely nuts over the game. Set to believe that graphics completely add to the bravada of the game itself, these gamers want photorealism in its most purest sense to project a sort of "virtual reality" that makes you believe you are in the world you are currently running through.

These gamers fell in love with games like Shenmue for the Dreamcast, Metroid Prime for the Gamecube and God of War for the PS2, which are graphical put-outs with actually great gameplay. There are, however, those games that are truly faulted from a gameplay or design standpoint that truly makes these games completely for these types of gamers.

A recent example might just be Assassin's Creed. The game's setting was perfectly conveyed in a photorealistic view of Jerusalem. The beauty of the fields and the intricate detail of the buildings left an undeliable impression on many gamers...that is if you were not concentrating on the gameplay, which repeated itself one too many times to be as engrossing.

Graphic whores tend to be the most excited about system launches because they seem to buy into the raw power of the machines, even though potential isn't fully realized until well after 2 - 4 years in the system's cycle.

Graphic whores aren't the equivalent of a movie-goer who likes to see "boobies and explosions" however. Graphic whores tend to see the very minute, little visual details of a game that other games seem to completely miss. To some, this seems highly inconsequential to a game. However, the slightest break of reality can be jarring for a graphic whore. These guys are usually the pickiest of the bunch when it comes to recommending games because, to them, the minor imperfections to some on the graphics tend to be huge red flags that can't be let go

Technologicas - Unreal Engine 3. Renderware. Source Engine. Do any of these terms mean a thing to you? If they do, then you are a technologica: someone who systematically sees the pros, cons and defining characteristics of the engine. You can tell within 10 seconds that the people who made Dark Sector is using the same architecture that the people who made Gears of War is making. Or, that the people who created Portal is using a heavily modded physics engine of Source, whom Valve used to create Half-Life 2.

Technologicas can look at anything simple from a character model, textures or even just a way an object moves and can instantly say "ok, this is a Havok engine game". Generally, these technologias have had interest in creating their own games or have made the step of learning how to create mods.

Furthermore, there is one key characteristic of a technologica: They play a lot of certain types of games. Unreal Engine and Source has clearly been used on many First Person Shooters, which is why most FPS die-hards are very familiar with the engine and its limits. Renderware works on a lot of racing games, so they also have defining characteristics.

Technologicas can also be minor graphic whores: like a piece of art, technologicas might be more impressed with a shimmer, shadow or how something reacts to its environment more than colorful, realistic graphics. They can fully discuss what makes a game like Boom Blox so amazing, when others might just see it simply as "a falling block" game.

Technologicas are very much a "show-me" type of gamer. Seldomly do they believe in "hype" or "buzz", these types of gamers are instantly skeptical of any type of game without knowing the intricacies of how the game runs, plays and acts. Lastly, technologicas tend to be PC gamers, since there highly more likely to use mods.

Breathers - Immersive technology. Living, breathing world. Deep, involving storyline. Over 100 hours of gameplay. You've played over a hundred hours of playing as Tommy Vercetti, Commander Shepherd and the Hero of Kvatch. You believe a game should not only make you believe in its world, but have you experience it like its your own. You want to be a great hero worthy of praise or a dispicable person of little merit and of many fear. If these types of games are what you're into, you are most definitely what I'd call a "breather".

First off, a breather demands a good story with believable and involving characters. More often than not, breathers play RPG's for that simple reason. Game engines, technology: hell, even graphics seem rather inconsequential if the story is worth going through. That seems to explain why some RPG lovers, after years of having the same turn-based battle systems, are still willing to accept that tired system if the story is still interesting.

Story might not be a factor to a breather, however: There's a little something called atmosphere that can really envelope a breather in the game. It could be as little as a radio station on Grand Theft Auto III or the utopia gone wrong 30's setting of Bioshock. Again, if the player can believe his place exists while the disc is in the drive, he's in it for the long haul.

In fact, "breathers" may very well be the most relaxed gamers of these sects:: For years, they have been willing to drudge through archaic battle systems (Final Fantasy VII), atrocious camera problems (Kingdom Hearts), simplified game mechanics (Bioshock) and unexcusably bad controls (Resident Evil) to be fully engrossed in its said game.

The argument could very well be that "breathers" really aren't "hardcore" gamers (or the least "hardcore" of the hardcore), they are entertainment lovers seeking the next great story or world to dive into, like Star Wars for film and The Lord of the Rings for books. They are simply just finding that next fix with games.

Statlies - Calculated. Detailed. May very well be obessive compulsive. Like the "breathers", you love your gameplay deep, involving and to last a very long time. However, unlike your breather brethren, story and atmosphere is furthest in your mind. That is, unless, it has something to do with your character or avatar.

See, you don't seem to care if your sister died or the fate of the world is in your hands. Nay my friends, all you care about is how this highly expensive sword is going to effect your attack/defense rating or whether this character your training is the right character for the job you just acquired. Or, if my formation has enough balance so my long distance magic users have enough coverage with my footmen against my enemies. You get pissed off everytime you neglect a single stat detail because you didn't take into account 30 different variables that could effect your win. You are a "statly".

"Statlies" can definitely be seen pinning for the next big strategy RPG, such as Final Fantasy Tactics or Disgaea. They also can be seen playing simple strategy games such as Advance Wars, Carcassonne and Catan. It's also very likely that they get excited for games like Fire Emblem, Dia Shayruka and Civilization. Outside of videogaming, it's more likely they enjoy a game of Chess, Magic: The Gathering and Poker.

As you can plainly see, "statlies" seem to gravitate more towards strategy-RPG's. However, don't be surprised if these guys are caught drilling in multiple seasons of Madden NFL, FIFA, Pro Evolution Soccer or any other types of sports games. These season modes, filled with signings, trades, morale and otherwise may be considered lightweight to most strategy gamers, but they seem to fill a nice void.

The one chief thing that defines a statly seems to be the consistent need to think. These are the type of gamers who don't seem to get the popularity of such games as Peggle, Geometry Wars and Pac-Man: Championship Edition. To these gamers, the words "simple" and "accessible" clearly means "watered-down" or "inferior".

Traditionalists - You started gaming 20, maybe 30 years ago. You may have seen the first Pac-Man machine when you were at a young age, being mesmerized by its colorful cabinet and strange glow. Hell, you may have owned an Atari 2600 or a Colecovision at one point.

Or maybe you're not that old-school. Maybe you were young when the original Super Mario Bros. was released. Or when the Super NES and the Sega Genesis were constantly trying to battle each other for console supremacy. You distinctly remember your first arcade experience with Street Fighter II, Mortal Kombat and Metal Slug. You've lived through all those controversies and have tried to convince your parents to purchase those games for you, despite the media warnings. You were there when Super Mario 64 was released...and was simply amazed.

Nostalgia might mean "old" to some, but to you, it means "classic", "quality" or "timeless". You are a "traditionalist".

To traditionalists, games that are considered "old" by some standards still stay fun to this day. They can still see the joys of playing Pac-Man and Frogger. However, traditionalists still feel that some of the best games being made have absolutely nothing to do with the hardware they are being developed for. Graphics, sound and engines may change, but great gameplay never changes. Traditionalists love gems like Super Mario Galaxy that not only bring something new to the table, but harken back to what made older games so memorable and fun. Traditionalists believe may have one mantra to live by: "Old games don't just live in the past, they live through every single game being released".

Sadly, as true as it may be, traditionalists are the most hard-headed and steadfast of the group. New gameplay inventions, such as what Guitar Hero and Rock Band brings to the table, seems to take traditionalists much longer to be convinced of how good these new games are. Some traditionalists also think that some advancements are unnecessary to gaming, from something like motion controls to something more drastic, like online gaming.

Mavericks - You want to be amazed. You want to be wowed. You want to know that the $400, $500, $600 you spent on that shiny new system will one day pay off with, if not at least, one game that will change the face of gaming. Furthermore, if it means a new way of playing something, you're all for trying it out. You probably went crazy when you heard about the Wii.

You live for the moments: The first time you got a hooker on Grand Theft Auto III, rocked out in Guitar Hero or played Wii Sports. You want the rush, the feel of something refreshing. Hell, you might be a thrill seeker in real life. You are a "maverick" and you're ready to be blown away.

"Mavericks" are all about diversification. Hell, they have to be if they want to try the next great big thing. They can be amazed at watching Grand Theft Auto III happening in front of them, then playing Halo with its all engrossing storyline via first-person prespective, then playing Guitar Hero with a bunch of people in their house. Then, suddenly, being enthralled about how visceral God of War is.

Furthermore, "Mavericks" want the gaming industry to be not only compared to movies or books, they want it to be known that they are the superior storytelling medium. Mavericks believe that a game is the best way to envelope someone's imagination into a story or a character to truly experience the life of this character. Mavericks are completely devoted to that rush.

Which is also the main detractor of a "maverick". More often than not, Mavericks end up not liking sequels of games mainly because they don't "wow" them like the original. Sure, the game could have slight improvements that make the game more refined and responsive, but if it doesn't break the mold, it's not great. To a "maverick", quality equals innovation and different gameplay.

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These six are only a few of the ones I could come up with and there are many more. The key point I wanted to get across is simply this: We all have our likes and dislikes with games. However, these types of gamers are neither hardcore nor casual gamers: they simply enjoy different types or different aspects of games. I firmly believe a dialogue should be discussed with not only gamers on message boards, but with gamers who run these sites that each type of gamer is fully represented.