wow, that Final Fantasy 7 movie is really impressive. CGI has come a long way. There are some insanely rendered fight scenes, general purpose pretty post-apocalyptic backgrounds, and traditionally terrible music. Should be out in the States in a year or two, check it out.

I never played a single one of those games, but I had a roommate at one point who did. He replayed two of the earlier games to celebrate the 9th one coming out. I think he actually quit a job in order to keep playing it. Anyway, at 100 hours or so per episode, in never seemed worth it.

I better not discuss the Civilization series or (showing my age) Ultima.

I predict a world in which gaming addiction is just as serious as alcholism or a crack habit. Parents will have to put hardwired time limits on their children's gaming or computing machines. Kids will soldier or code their way around them. Social dysfunction will become even more prevalent. Present day example: there are 26 million-ish South Koreans. 1.5 million of them bought World of Warcraft. That's enough to affect GDP.

I better stay the hell away from it.