Skyrim and the Future of Gaming

Skyrim has finally been released after countless years in development and it is incredible. I've only been able to play an hour or so, but the scope of the world is breathtaking. It's hard to imagine that each object in the world, be it a cup, spoon, book, or sword, has all been hand placed and can be interacted with by the PC. Not to mention the fact that every place that you see (faraway mountains and valleys) are all places you can go, regardless of how distant it may appear.

Games have come a long way from the 8-bit jumping plumber with a need to save a fairy princess. The video game industry has become the top-selling entertainment business in the world and it isn't slowing down any time soon (unless your a first person shooter franchise that tweaks one or two gameplay options and sells the same package for a whopping sixty dollars with no shame of any kind. Looking at you Modern Warfare 3.). The question is: where does it go next? We've surpassed the age of exponential graphical leaps and bounds (limited by consoles and the business angle of constantly releasing a new system every two to three years). We've seen each genre done countless times with a new-take here and a new-take there. How does the video game industry rise above what it has accomplished? Is Skyrim, a game that takes years of work and dedication, speak of the future--or does the Hollywood blockbuster model of Call of Duty games reign supreme in stocking stuffers of kids across the country?

I definitely recommend Skyrim to any avid or casual gamer. You will not be disappointed.

Warning: make sure you have copious amounts of time to forget your life. The game IS enormous.

Gameplay Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjqsYzBrP-M