Should old acquaintance be forgot
New Years is almost upon us, which is traditionally a time to make a bunch of optimistic promises for the following year (and then break them somewhere around January 3). Instead of going with your old stand-bys like lose ten pounds and get that restraining order lifted, why not make some gaming resolutions you might actually stick with?
7. Dont get too excited for games that will be delayed (or cancelled)
Weve all been there. We marked our calendars for the release of Duke Nukem Forever again and again and again. We bought Nintendo 64s awaiting Mother 3. We pre-ordered Starcraft Ghost. Sometimes, games just dont come out when we want them to; sometimes they dont even come out at all. Its time to stop jumping on the hype train when very little evidence exists that an anticipated title will see the light of day in the near future.
6. Avoid buying launch hardware and software
Theres something wonderful about bringing home a brand new game or console on launch day--knowing that youre among the first to try something out is a very special feeling. Financially, however, being a day-one adopter can be a disaster, and with the successors to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 rumored to be launching in 2013, this resolution is more relevant than ever. Despite the hype, launch is typically the worst time to own any sort of hardware. The features may not all be intact, launch line-ups may be sparse, and your shiny new system may get a price drop or better model within a year.
5. Dont expect a franchise to change
Though Call of Duty makes bazillions of dollars for Activision and is typically one of the best-selling pieces of entertainment in any given year, there will always be complaints that its too Call of Duty. This happens with every major franchise; for each positive comment or review, theres another criticizing the games similarity to its predecessor.
4. Stop being a fanboy/fangirl
If were honest with ourselves, most of us will admit that at some point in our lives, we displayed some sort of irrational favoritism towards a console, publisher, or series. Not only that, but our love of that particular brand made anything else automatically suck, at least in our minds. Its okay if you spend your childhood collecting anything Nintendo-related, even if that meant defending the Virtual Boy through game-induced headaches. Or maybe your teenage obsession with Final Fantasy made you curse any non-Squaresoft RPG. Admitting it is the first step.
3. Attend a convention and cosplay, because YOLO
Gaming conventions are an incredible experience. As a gamer, you feel like an outcast because of your geeky preferences, but at PAX youll never feel like you don't belong. In fact, you'll fit in like never before. Of course, there arent too many major conventions a year, and most of them probably dont take place in your area, making it difficult to attend them.
2. Complete a co-op game with your significant other
Cooperative games can be the ultimate relationship test. It takes timing, communication, and patience, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. Whether or not your better half is a gamer, 2013 is the year to complete a co-op game together. And that doesnt mean getting two levels into Portal 2 before throwing a controller because he got you crushed again seriously how the hell can he call himself a gamer and fail so horribly at picking up a freaking block--we mean playing from start to finish.
1. Play a genre or franchise you hate
Maybe you love shooters but hate RPGs. Or action games are your favorite but stealth titles bore you to tears. Perhaps youre a fan of a multitude of genres, but youve never understood the Halo hype. Why keep playing games in your comfort zone? 2013 is the year to branch out.
