When the Internet was first getting started, it was common to read the occasional quirky, often tongue-and-cheek humor piece that eventually came to symbolize the Internet revolution. Some time around the great dot-com fallout, this sense of humor seemed to fade away, or at least move on to more serious matters. These days it's rare to see such articles, so it's little wonder that I immediately took a trip down memory lane when I read the "Gamers' Manifesto".

The so-called manifesto is more or less a list of demands, namely of the gaming industry. With the unveiling of Sony's new gaming platform, the Playstation 3, gamers have begun to notice that though the graphics might look shinier, the game play hasn't really improved. Throughout the list of 20 or so grievances, you can sense the author's angst about the current state of the video game industry, and overall I think it's an authentic look at the creativity (or lack-of) of the industry.

While I can't say that I agree with everything the author is spouting, I do think some of the observations are on the mark. While its been over twenty years since the introduction of the console game, the title's offered haven't changed that much, in fact they've contracted and consolidated. Unfortunately, because the costs are so high to develop games for these proprietary boxes, game designers are less willing to take risks and write really cutting edge titles.

But as has always been the cases, most console games are really just slimmed down eye candy versions of PC games. Yeah, I know there are a few console first games that blew the PCs out of the water, but when it comes to really innovative titles most of the time the PC was first. I think what is really wrecking the gaming industry right now is Hollywood. Back in the nineties, bringing multimedia into games was seen as the "next big thing". The only problem was, this usually ran up the costs and robbed the game of the flexibility we'd come to expect from adventure and problem solving games. Maybe you didn't play the game 200 times all the way through, but damn it sure looked good.

Then came along the first person shooter (FPS), which I'll admit I've played a few of. But take any modern FPS today and it pretty much plays like any of the old FPSs... only it looks a lot cooler. So what happened? Well graphics have always been a mainstay of the console game. I can remember playing the PC version of many games that paled in comparison to the console titles. And folks we are talking about 16 color EGA graphics vs. the Several Color capability of an 8-bit console. EGA was badass... if you wanted to sit around and draw in CAD or something. But if you needed to run, jump and shoot your way out of a bad situation you'd have to rely on the latest bit of Japanese technology.

And for the most part it was cheap. Cheaper to buy a console than to upgrade to the latest hardware. For $465 you can get the Playstation 3, or you can buy yourself a really kickin' video card for the PC. What's the difference? Well with the console all you need is a TV. For the PC you'll still need a fast processor, lots of RAM and probably a game controller or two.

So what can a guy (or gal) do about all this? Well for one thing, take it as it's meant to be taken. That is, the console is a cheap, entry-level piece of hardware with lots of licensed titles that lets you quickly get in, set up and get your game on. As far as innovative titles, well there are some for the PC. One of the greatest examples is the latest installment of Pirates!, which not only captures the old skool charm of the original, but adds lots of new features that will keep you glued to your keyboard. And even if you're not into high dollar titles, there are originals like 18 Wheels of Steel where you can drive a truck for a living. The possibilities are endless. Then again if you get bored you can always write your own game. These days development tools are making it easier and easier (BYOND).

So while the manifesto may gripe about a lot of things that haven't really ever changed, it's only really talking about the console world. For the rest of us PC gamers, the world is still our oyster, even if we have to spring for our own Tabasco.