2008 Ex-EGM Awards: Hopes and Dreams for the New Year
(Note: This is the last in a series of 2008 year-end awards as judged on by various ex-EGM editors…but sadly, not including those recently laid off because we started these now-unfortunately named awards before EGM’s untimely closing.)
Opening ceremonies + meet the judges
2008: Games of the Year
2008: Most Overshadowed Games of the Year
2008: Biggest Disappointments of the Year
2008: The Other Awards
2008: Hopes and Dreams for the New Year
2008: HOPES AND DREAMS FOR THE NEW YEAR
Dan “Shoe” Hsu:
“I would like to win the SuperLotto, take the winnings, and form a new company. I’d hire all the fine folks that were recently let go by Ziff Davis and UGO, and we’d make some kick-ass new website and/or magazine. I wouldn’t care if it were profitable or not cause, hey, I just won the freakin’ SuperLotto. Also, I’d love to see: BioShock 2 be better than #1, a Burnout Paradise sequel, CHEAP Left 4 Dead downloadable content (Eat.Sleep.Game.’s Anthony Gallegos was right when he said I was a sucker for buying the console version), the time to finish old games (Fallout 3, Valkyria Chronicles, and PixelJunk Monsters trophies), someone make a Mighty Muggs videogame (but don’t make it play like a Lego game), and some new experience that will blow me away as much as Mario Galaxy did.”
Crispin Boyer:
“Some wowy-zowy games that finally show the PS3 has a clear technological edge and is worth the extra cash. Another game along the lines of BioShock that combines subtlety and a thoughtful story with big-ass explosions and fall-off-the-couch intensity. Awesome, cheap community-created downloadable games that keep us all entertained while we guard our backyard crops and fuel supplies during the global economic meltdown. That all the laid-off EGM/1UP folks achieve amazing success in their new ventures, leaving Ziff/UGO to lament the greatness they let slip through their fingers.”
Andy Baran:
“I hope to score two passes to E3 somehow (hint, hint…to anyone in the industry), and to take my wife to Japan — a trip that I’ve promised her since we married. I also hope to get my many books published, with most of them pertaining to gaming in one way or another. Finally, I hope to crest the 100K mark in my 360 gamer score. So close right now, I’ll probably hit it within a few months.”
John Davison:
“For all the ex-1UP and EGM folks to land on their feet, and to continue making bold and imaginative content about games. That, and a Crackdown sequel. And a new Professor Layton. And to beat my son at Madden perhaps once.”
Joe Fielder:
“I just want more scenarios for Left 4 Dead.”
Joe Funk:
(Did not respond, so we’ll wish on his behalf)
“I wish what Shoe and Crispin wish, therefore doubling their chances that their hopes and dreams come true.”
Kraig Kujawa:
“I’d love to see more Capcom classic games remade and brought into modern day. Anyone know who I can talk to about that? But beyond that, I really hope that the digital download space matures, making it easier for everyone to find all the cool stuff. Why can’t Xbox Live and PSN have user-rated game content? Hasn’t sortable, user-generated ratings been a staple of every website since like 2001?”
Demian Linn:
“Hopes: EA doesn’t scale back on making new IP a priority (too late?), APB comes out and is as good as it sounds, new IP from Valve, all publishers sign on with Steam and release as much of their respective back catalogs as possible, a game fulfills the potential of Mirror’s Edge (will wait until 2010 for this!), a soft landing for ex-1UP and EGM employees. Dreams: A sci-fi MMO that’s as good or better than World of WarCraft.”
John Ricciardi:
“I’d like to see Japanese developers step it up a notch and start making more original, innovative games. I’d like to see more downloadable games, including full-on “retail size” games. I’d like to see the quality of writing in games (and game journalism) improve. A lot. I’d also like a new 2D Metroid. And a pony.”
Kathleen Sanders:
“My hopes and dreams were to see the indie game movement really continue to gain momentium. We’re already seeing really amazing stuff with the iPhone and Xbox LIVE Community Games /end pimp. But now, with the news about so many incredible and talented friends at Ziff Davis losing their jobs — my hope is that they all land on their feet and find ways to continue bringing their opinions and insights to us.”
Greg Sewart:
“To finally finish Final Fantasy III. To not have any surprise deadlines [like for these awards] sprung on me by Shoe, especially since I haven’t worked for him in something like six years now. (You hold such odd power over me.) That everyone in the recent round of layoffs at ZD lands on their feet.”
Jeanne Kim Trais:
“I actually would love a real cooking sim. Not like a Cooking Mama, but one that feels real and teaches you about dishes and ingredients all over the world.
It could work with a peripheral that would let you smell what you’re cooking, too. There could be many modes — one of which could be a recipe creator where you experiment on your own and see what happens! You could track how popular your dishes are and rate then against other players over the network, too. This game would be sweet!”
Jennifer Tsao:
“I’m hoping the changes we’re seeing in gaming journalism end up being for the better. Gamers need truly independent voices who aren’t beholden to game companies, business pressures, or vocal minorities of fans, and who instead cover gaming as the serious business and art form that it is. Blogs and message boards are dynamic and valuable, but nothing can replace good old-fashioned reporting and journalistic coverage. I hope those can survive the tumultuous changes that have wracked the gaming media the past few years.”
FIN (but let’s see your hopes and dreams in the comments!)
