Avaloner

Ok, will ignore the name calling but will argue with whoever disagreed with me with a simple premise. In the world we live in today, and for the business Double Fine is running PUBLISHERS ARE NOT NEEDED. The internet exists. We have services like Steam, Xbox Live, PSN and Apple Store through which to channel the game. Also Double Fine have an established fan base. Its not like they need to spend a lot on marketing. They say that they want money and they get people's attention, let alone if they announce a new game. Consider Team Meat and Mojang who managed 'quite well' without a publisher. It might be hard for a new developer to break out since you need money up front to fund your development but Double Fine already has enough (I would guess more than enough) resources to supposedly be able to push out their own downloadable games without needing a publisher.

Not talking about triple A titles here cause you do require a lot of cash for that and the risk would be way too great plus its unlikely that you would be able to borrow that from a bank.

@Mumrik: I am with you on this one. Why should I fund Double Fine's business up front. First create a game I want to play and THEN I will pay money for it. Shouldn't Double Fine be investing the money they make out of their business back into the business or have they not made any money from their previous games? I have nothing but respect for Double fine. I bought both Psychonauts and Brutal Legends. I am also thinking about investing in one of their more recent games. But this for me has crossed a line. Imagine if it was EA or Activision doing the same thing! Everyone would be up in arms.

This idea would be ok if the game created would be given for free or sold for dead cheap. It does not seem to be the case if they are asking for a 15$ donation for what amounts to the game and some extra fluff.

And that is why Nintendo (or anyone else) cannot produce a console which pleases everyone. They touted the Wii U as the machine for core gamers and yet they still revolve all their strategy around the kiddy market who needs their mums to buy them stuff. When the Wii U comes out both Microsoft and Sony will be almost ready to start talking next generation. When the second generation of Wii U games start coming out core gamers will already be glimpsing the future. Still getting myself a Wii U though. I think there is only so much you can do graphically at this point in time.

Posts like this are the reason why you are the only person I follow on GB. So sorry to hear you are moving on. Good luck!

I am currently reading Koji Suzuki's 'Loop' (Rupu). Its the third book in the 'Ringu' (Ring) series. They are intriguing horror books filled with philosophical ideas that will challenge the mind. The book I read before that was David Lodge's 'How Far Can We Go?'. Very fun to read and also makes some interesting points about religion (Roman Catholicism in particular).
 
@ZanzibarBreeze:  I read Greg Rucka's 'No Man's Land' and loved it. Pity he never got to write another Batman novel.

Bob Saget! Talk about elitist jerks. 
 
It is clear that game developers need to appease both the hardcore and the casual ends of the market for different reasons. The hardcore are the most ardent of fans, while the casual are more numerous in number and provide the most income which will be used for future development. Obviously if they made the game too difficult for newcomers then there would have been a chance that many would lose interest and the series would have been enjoyed only by those with the time and perseverance to spare - something that would benefit no one. 

I seriously think that if the 360 did not have the hardware problem it does then Sony would be seriously considering getting out of the console business by now. So in that regard thank god for the RROD. A monopoly benefits no one. As a side note I had my Xbox die on me twice (a RROD and a faulty DVD drive).

Maltese

I always thought that the Sonic games where quite shallow really. It was just a matter of memorizing the level, through trial and error, then doing it in the quickest time possible. True it felt wicked for those who had the time, patience and mental dexterity to go through a level at full speed. But it did not feel like fun. I have yet to play Mirror's Edge but I think it is probably the best 3D re imagining of the gameplay from the old 2D Sonic games. You are basically doing the same thing. Plan a course, memorize it and then do it in the quickest possible time while avoiding the obstacles you meet on the way.

I  preferred the Mario games back then. In fact I STILL find the Mario games incredibly fun.