So I'm looking for a shooter to play on the PS3 I received for Christmas, and I'm hoping some of the more experienced folks around here might be able to give me some advice (as I'm probably only going to be able to pick one).
 
First, about me:  I haven't been too into shooters since the Doom 2/Quake days.  (Yeah, it's been a little while.)  So you could say I've missed a lot of what came between.  I got seduced back into the fold, believe it or not, by Battlefield Heroes on the PC (easy to run on my not-so-current PC, low barrier of entry, lack of real 'hardcore' folks, quirky graphics and game play).  After playing that for a bit, I think I'm ready to grow up and join the current generation.   I've fiddled with some other shooter/shooter types since (Battlefield 1943 from PSN -- not robust enough, Uncharted 2 multiplayer -- fun, but not exactly what I want, Team Fortress 2 -- good, but I'm still looking for something on my console), but they haven't quite scratched that itch.
 
So second, my stipulations/preferences.  Single player on the game is not make or break -- I have other single player games that I can play.  The function of this potential FPS is mostly to participate online and kill dudes.  I only have a few hours a week I can give to this, as I have to share the TV with my girlfriend and her son, so it would be nice if the game wasn't populated entirely with the hardcore who I will never catch up with -- basically I want the ability to just join a decent game without having to maintain a giant friends list and manage that.  I won't be joining a 'clan' or anything like that, either -- I just can't devote particular scheduled times to playing games, as it just happens when it happens.
 
I reckon the three candidates for this scenario are MW2, MAG, and BF:BC2.  I've been playing the hell out of the BC2 demo, and enjoying that quite a bit, so that might just be my default position right now.  I have no experience with the other two, though, which is where everyone else comes in.  I worry a bit about MW2 because of the hardcore fanbase I mentioned above, and my concern with MAG is whether the playerbase will stick around, and whether the level of complexity will lead to super long matches (which I may not be able to stick around for).  Can anyone correct me? 
 
(tl;dr crowd: What is your favourite PS3 FPS, and why?)

If you like the controls of the BF: BC2 Demo, and you like how they work in 1943 i think BF:BC2 is the way to go for you.  Though if you want to play with all of your friends, it's likely most if not all of them have MW2.

Definately go with BF:BC2.  No offence, but you just won't be able to cut it with the MW2 crowd and MAG just isn't quite as good as BC2.

" Definately go with BF:BC2.  No offence, but you just won't be able to cut it with the MW2 crowd and MAG just isn't quite as good as BC2. "

Bad Company 2 easy, i haven't played mag, but it's definately better than modern warfare 2.

" Definately go with BF:BC2.  No offence, but you just won't be able to cut it with the MW2 crowd and MAG just isn't quite as good as BC2. "

" @SamStrife said:

" Definately go with BF:BC2.  No offence, but you just won't be able to cut it with the MW2 crowd and MAG just isn't quite as good as BC2. "

No offense taken -- that's the fear I have with that game.  A job and a family means I just can't compete with hardcore 15 year olds who have nothing else to do.   I'm loving the BC2 demo enough that I put down a pre-order today.    Thanks everybody for the advice. "

" @ChetReckless said:

" @SamStrife said:

" Definately go with BF:BC2.  No offence, but you just won't be able to cut it with the MW2 crowd and MAG just isn't quite as good as BC2. "

No offense taken -- that's the fear I have with that game.  A job and a family means I just can't compete with hardcore 15 year olds who have nothing else to do.   I'm loving the BC2 demo enough that I put down a pre-order today.    Thanks everybody for the advice. "

You made a good choice. MW2 would just piss u off to no end and MAG I can see losing many players interest. If you ever need someone to play with send me an invite. ID is Coopertus1.  "

i would say get modern warfare 2. it is a pretty fun game if ur good and don't care to much about dieing a lot.

BC2 for sure if not then MW2 is where most people are going to be. MAG looks cool but I dunno I think the other two are better even though I haven't played MAG, just doesn't look as fun to me.

BC2 without a doubt.