I actually enjoyed the VGAs this year a lot more than I usually do. Was it perfect? No. But it was a step in the right direction. Sure, it was a tad bit ridiculous. Well, okay, it was REALLY ridiculous. But I think that kind of worked in its favor. When LL Cool J came on the stage and said "Don't call it a comeback!", I was thoroughly enjoying the VGAs.

The biggest improvement I saw was definitely the actual awards. I agreed with most of the awards and I felt that most of them connected with the hardcore crowd a lot more than previous years. It was much less "YO! HALO 3!" and much more "Hey, these guys are really good and here's why." However, the show was still riddled with gamer cliches, such as the opening segment with the "battle against books, exercise and intimate relationships". That's just not helping anyone. And yes, some of these people that presented had no business being anywhere near this show. That supermodel in the beginning had no idea what the hell was going on and I think the entire world facepalmed when she said "The maps will launch tonight, pacific time". However, the segment that stole the show was most definitely the end Brutal Legend segment. The whole "Tim freakin' Schafer" thing was awesome and the fact that they actually gave Jack Black a working flamethrower was just ridiculous/awesome/dangerous/awesome again. That was one of the main segments of the show where I felt they really connected with hardcore audience. As for the Weezer performance at the end, I guess that was a pretty appropriate way to end the show. However, personally, that just reminded me that "Man...Weezer sucks."

Overall, I'd give the VGAs this year 2/5 stars. Not nearly as good as they could be but nonetheless a step in the right direction.

I don't understand what people's problem with the DSi are. People seem to keep saying "OH, ITS JUST A DS WIT A CAMERA! LAMEEE!!" But it's not that at all. Obviously, that's what Nintendo is focusing on the most. And the camera is all well and good. But what really excites me is the actual gaming possibilities.

I am much more excited about the SD card slot for downloaded games and the DSi Ware service. Nintendo hasn't really detailed what exactly DSi Ware is (to my knowledge, anyway) but to me, that sounds like downloadable DS games to which I say "yes, please." That and whatever downloaded games will be available via SD card, which to me sounds like classic NES/SNES games. The Virtual Console has been such a success and bringing that DS would be awesome.

I realize that most of my reasons for buying a DSi is my predictions. But the possibilities are endless with these features. So, even if I'm not spot-on with this, the DSi could definitely still end up hella awesome. Unless Nintendo goes and fucks it up. Then, all hope is lost.

So, Nintendo might be adding a camera and music playback to the DS...That's cool. Really, it is. The features may not be needed but they are nice to have. But one of the things I have always liked about the DS is that it's a gaming console. Plain and simple. You play games on it. It doesn't try to be an internet browser or a MP3 player. It just plays games. Now, that's not to say that stuff like a internet browser and a MP3 player are bad. Sure, that would be great. But if I had my way, the DS would stay exactly how it is.

The only thing I can really think of adding to the DS is some better online multiplayer options. Wi-fi is a pain in the ass and friend codes are an even bigger pain. Get rid of the friend codes. Find a better solution to wi-fi like ad-hoc or whatever that shit that the PSP uses and you're all set.

The whole idea of Google buying Valve is very strange to me. Google, to my knowledge, has never had anything to do with video games. Not even like in-game advertising or something. So, why they would want to buy a video game company is beyond me. But even stranger is, why Valve? Valve is primarily a hardcore gaming company. Chances are unless you play a lot of video games or a lot of PC games, you don't know what Valve. I would think that if Google wanted to get into the gaming business that they would start big. Like maybe going after Activision or something like that.

Regardless, what would happen if Google bought Valve? It's a tough question because you don't really know what Google's plan is here since they never did anything within gaming before. My first guess would be nothing. I think Valve would continue to make great games as they do and Google would only add onto the marketing aspect. I think Google could make Steam much bigger, making it a household name. Hm, I guess this isn't such a bad idea when you think about. Valve can only benefit from Google.

I think Nintendo right now is simply in a transition period. The same way the industry as a whole is in a sequel transition period, Nintendo is a casual transition period. Or maybe, I'm making excuses. I don't know. But I'm sure everything will work out in the end. Nintendo has been in the video game industry for over 20 years for a reason because they know what the hell they are doing. Nintendo knows how to please every demographic and make the all "smile" (I hate myself). Will I sell my Wii? Hell no. Are you all forgetting that Animal Crossing was also announced at this E3 conference? That's reason enough to keep your Wii. And besides my little sister still plays Super Smash Bros. Brawl on a daily basis.