Social Optimism

I’ve taken a few laps around the gaming industry block, and during that time I’ve seen many, many “next big things”. Whether it was Multimedia, add-on gadgets, phantom machines actually called The Phantom, new genres, new markets, new audiences, next big things always start with a bang and end with a fizzle, or at least a mild “pop”. So while others are excitedly talking up the new new thing over drinks at GDC, I’m often more conservative with my enthusiasm, especially when someone is touting the potential of games to finally “break out” into the mainstream and “bring gaming to a whole new audience” again.