Accordingly, independent games, in general, are - compared to independent films - even less to be understood as the 'radical other' in the face of an (imagined) mainstream culture - despite the heterogeneity and the hybridity of practices that the label independent incorporates in both cultural fields. (Ambitious) independent games may from time to time bear up against products of the dominant game industry when it comes to being innovative or creative and they may sometimes differ distinctly from the outward appearance of mainstream games - but this difference does not include an oppositional logic that is explicitly recognisable as negation or challenge of mainstream game forms.

The author sort of falls down in his analysis of why 'innovation' sets independent games apart. It's certainly true that the 'provocative and controversial vs. mainstream' paradigm doesn't work so well with games, since plenty of mainstream titles are likely to cause journalists and lawyers to foam at the mouth with their controversial and provocative subject matter. The whole issue has some interesting articles scattered about and is worth a page through.

Innovation NOT Opposition: The Logic of Distinction of Independent Games [Eludamos via
Water Cooler Games]

On a semi-related note, I take back anything bad that I may have once said about Pam. She does deserve Jim and I hope they are very happy together. Click the picture for a mega version.

The Office Takes Out a "Local Ad" [via joystiq]

As the Level Up editor clearly pointed out to Chetry and the viewers, Manhunt 2 is not for kids and rated by the ESRB accordingly. But why is this even an issue? Are CNN and its TV peers that out of touch when it comes to understanding the gaming population?

Croal explores the "infantilization" of video games in a recent posting, venting his personal frustrations (that match ours quite nicely) on the general assumption that video games are, across the board, entertainment for kids. Read on, then please discuss.

The Problem (and the Danger) of the Continued Infantilization of Videogames, Part I [Level Up]

"Sony's new PlayStation 3 video game has gone from top dog to underdog in record time."

So starts what could only feel like a kick to the gut for Sony, a story in USA Today telling non-gamer American's what a lot of gamers have been grumbling about since the launch of the PS3: Things don't look so good for Sony.

A bulk of the story seems to be pinned on the latest NPD Group numbers which show that the PS3 has been outsold so far at a rate of nearly 2-to-1 by the Wii.

It goes on to quote N'Gai Croal as saying that the PS3 is "sucking wind right now." Oof.

While I certainly agree about the current state, I do think things have already started to turn around a bit and still expect the PS3 to make a dynamic recovery come this fall. But still, ouch. Brian Crecente

PlayStation 3 is down 2-to-1 to Nintendo's Wii [USA Today]

FiringSquad has an in-depth article in which they quiz mainstream media outlet writers about games writing for the average joe:

Lev Grossman, who has written a number of video game themed articles for Time magazine, has a slightly difference stance on the subject of "dumbing down" such an article for the mainstream media. "Sure. We do it all the time. "Dumb down" makes it sound like a bad thing, but the fact is, I'm not writing for a hardcore audience, and you always want to pitch your writing to the people who are reading."

They interview a variety of writers who offer a gamut of opinions on Dumbing Down, but the general consensus is that it should be done. It goes on to point out that the big outlets don't publish as often as, say, every twenty minutes (ahem) and that game companies know they have to "feed the beast".

So even if CNN snipes our story about Duke Nukem Forever being signed exclusively to the Phantom, and furthermore being developed into an animated series for the WB by Uwe Boll, we'll still have lots of fiddly minutiae to gibber about after the big blab. Let's hear it for job security. Eliza Gauger

Gaming in Mainstream Media [FiringSquad]

Here are the links and ledes:

Rocky Mountain News
PlayStation 3's followers tire of the waiting game: Sony's announcement of a delayed street date for its PlayStation 3 may be too little, too late.

Mercury News
Sony's PS 3 delay likely means tumultuous year for video game industry: Sony's decision to delay the PlayStation 3 video game console — although not unexpected — will likely make 2006 a rocky year for the video game industry.

Wall Street Journal
Sony Delays PlayStation 3 to Fall: TOKYO — Sony Corp. said it will delay the launch of its next-generation video game console until November from the spring, even as competition is intensifying with advanced devices from rivals.

New York Times
Gamers Voice Some Annoyance With Sony: Those who invest or work in the video game industry expressed little surprise yesterday at Sony's announcement that it would delay its next PlayStation console until November. The shock appeared limited to the industry's customers: everyday gamers. And the beneficiary seemed to be Microsoft.

Associated Press
Sony does the expected and delays PlayStation 3 release: SAN JOSE, Calif. - When Sony Corp. hiccups, everyone else in the video game industry feels it.