I haven't played Modern Warfare (I know it won't be my thing; I have no desire to play a game just to bitch about it on forums online), but this seems like it has to be an exaggeration. Feel free to correct me and call me an idiot if I don't understand the game.

Okay, well, at least you're honest. Most people won't admit that they decide what the facts are based on the political parties of the people talking, but if you want to admit you'll believe someone who was paid to write a letter making their side look good just because the person they're talking to is of a different…

Are you really taking his attorney's letter at face value? It's hardly an objective source. It's clearly a "look at how we can argue the elements of defamation line up with what you did." They're probably giddy that she published it, because I don't think they could make those statements to the media otherwise.

"But what I loathe even more is people who thoughtlessly propagate stereotypes and fall back on an easy gag for what they think is going to be an easy laugh—which it shocks me not a little to realize is what I in fact did."

I thought about it, but I didn't want to give him traffic...

That's a simplification. He doesn't suddenly realize everything about his way of life is completely wrong and become an entirely new person, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have an interesting character arc. Like Xaxir said, he goes back and forth balancing "his ego with his remorse." No, he doesn't become an chaste,…

Sounds like you've played a lot more games than I have (or at least have a broader awareness of games), which probably helps. I wish I had more time to play stuff just to see what it is like, even if I didn't think I would like it much. Maybe part of my problem is that my perspective on "video games" really only…

I agree that innovation can be found in iteration. I think it is a different type of innovation though. Innovation is on a scale, with "pure" innovation on one side and no innovation on the other, and iteration is somewhere in the midde-right side of the scale.

I still don't think you understand what I am trying to say. I'm not even sure what you disagree with me on. Of course comparing them is unfair. That's part of my point. The fact that Space Invaders is a different genre from Pong is, again, part of my point. That's what I'm trying to say: back in the Space Invaders…

I think I probably worded that poorly.

I didn't say most of that, but I agree with more or less all of it.

I chose Pong and Space Invaders because the article used those two games in sequence. I chose Gears and Halo because those were two roughly sequential shooters that had a big influence. I could do RPGs or platformers or action games instead, but it would be redundant. Assassin's Creed (or more accurately GTA3) is…

This is of course (mostly) true, but it doesn't rebut the criticism. It actually bolsters the criticism. The thing is, innovation spawns copycats. So lots of copycats are actually a sign that there was an innovation in the first place—you can follow the chain of copycats back to the innovation.

I'd have to disagree that not many people got to play Halo 1. It was hugely popular where I live, tons of people played it. More people I know in real life have played Halo 1 than have played any Final Fantasy game (which might be a shame, but that is another discussion).

I dunno, I kind of disagree with that. You can get that level of content with the right site. Not a site like Kotaku, because Kotaku doesn't aim to create that kind of content. But sites like critical distance, kill screen, and gamasutra produce good content. Not with perfect consistency, but individual writers have…

Okay, perhaps there is more of value then I thought. (Although I thought there was system link in the original, I remember playing it at parties with more than four people.) But that still doesn't justify re-reviewing the game for me. Those features don't sound like they are substantial enough that you could spend a…

Why does being a big deal necessitate a review?

Why do a review of a re-release? Isn't it basically just a graphical overhaul? An old game (good or not) with a new coat of paint doesn't merit a whole review...

Okay, this picture made me chuckle out loud in a library. Love it!

You don't need to clarify your position, I understand what you're saying. But I think your faith in sanity and rationalism are misplaced, because it isn't a question of how sane or rational a person is.