Regarding the discussion around the games industry a few brief observations before I crawl back in my hole for a long winter of discontent.

First, apparently no forum exists for this discussion. Even sites who's members have been vocal on the issue on private blogs have been reluctant to host a discussion on the topic. That is sad to me. I don't think any of us are smart enough and unbiased enough to solve this on our own. Without a place for discussion from all sides I don't see how this gets resolved to suit all sides (though obviously not every person will be satisfied regardless of the outcome).

Second, that we are not unbiased enough is evident everywhere I turn. Responses in this thread to your discussion make me sad to be a gamer. Unfortunately it's not just gamers. Civility and the ability to have friendly open discourse on the most trivial, which I'm not saying games are, subjects is gone from our society. How then are we ever going to have civil discussions on important topics.

My third take-away is that the gaming press is just an enthusiast press, regardless of the level. I understand Jeff's point about wanting to be excited for things. I like to be excited for things as well. But part of what I get paid to do at a job is to do things that are not always exciting. I understand how bloggers and many podcasters who are doing what they do *solely* out of a love for gaming can be willing to not have these discussions. But even those who make their living at this seem to only want to talk about the content of video games, not about the "inside baseball" elements.

The first two (and the second more than the first) are more serious and the third is merely a realization. I appreciate that you did at least have a discussion on the last two episodes even if it wasn't as full as I would have liked. I also thank you for the hard work you put into the shows - including TRS - and hope that this hobby we all love brings you more joy than sorrow.