I was writing this morning, and I realized that although I have not rolled RPG dice in a year or so - I play more time playing Role Playing Games today than I did when I was 17 (which, has been a while).

The Xbox360 represents, to my mind, the pinnacle of gaming. That is sad, really. I have rolled RPG dice with Gary Gygax, Dave Arneson, Jim Ward and Jamie Chambers, to name a few noteworthy authors I have games with. I have met Mark Miller - creator of TRAVELLER, though never gamed with him. These authors have created some of the best games I have ever played. But, I may never play them again.

I can remember when I could play a Ranger or Cleric, roll up my character, and group up with friends and play a game like Dungeons & Dragons. I remember having the small white boxed set, and even the THREE Hardcover Books for ADVANCED dnd. Yeah, Baby. I remember buying my first set of BLACK DICE with RED Numerals and Pips (at Bosco's in Anchorage, Alaska). NOW that was HOT stuff! The Thieves of Badabascor, and Isle of Dread formed the nexus of a compaign world that lasted for 4 years, and we played every weekend. But, occasionally, I would have to wait with the thief player and the wizard player for that stupid Paladin player - Steve was on the football team, and had an annoying girlfriend who wanted him to spend part of Saturday with her! (as if!)

Now, however - my X360 waits for ME to play. It sits on my shelf, patiently. I can play at noon, 5pm, after work, or 2AM when I can't sleep - the X360 is always happy to see me, never asks why I am late to game. My X360 does not spill their soda on my wife's carpet, or leave a mess. And, it has never showed up for gaming needing a shower worse than the Sahara Desert!

I can even play with friends online - as illustrated by Stan Marsh when he quipped "I am socializing, Rtard! I am logged on to an MMORPG, with people from all over the world and getting XP with my party using teamspeak". (ahhh, southpark).

Now, I am not a video gamer. The last system I owned before the X360 was the super Nintendo, and the one before that was a colecovision, on which I could play PONG and TANK Battles, or something. I do enjoy Card Games, board games, war games and RPGs. Video Games have NEVER been my thing.

I read somewhere that Borderlands (an rpg for the X360) sold more copies in 10 weeks than Settlers of Catan has sold. Ever. (which may or may not be true, I could not find total copies of settlers sold posted on the net anywhere) But, for Borderlands I read published numbers of 1,530,000 copies sold in the first 10 weeks of release. (not picking on Settlers, its my favorite board game of all time) Just illustrating a point. I was also told that Mass Effect 2 sold nearly TWO MILLION COPIES it's first week of release. Nice.

Ever heard of a new board game or rpg book selling a MILLION copies in the first 10 weeks of release? Or, its first week?

It has become clear to me that while I have known for a while that people spend more money on video games than table top games - that fact has finally been driven home to me, and I now understand why, because I bought an X360, and Borderlands (as well as Left for Dead 1 and 2). While Left for Dead 1 and 2 are great games, they are not RPGs, but more like aboard games. Borderlands, however, is a great RPG - with 4 character classes, subclasses for each of those, thousands of items and weapons and "armor" and other items with which to customize your character. I have 3 SIREN class characters, all in the 30-35th level range, all quite unique due to customization. And, I can play any time I want. For 15 minutes, or 9 hours.

I also read something about an iPhone app for Monopoly, and heard about one for Settlers of Catan. Which can also be played online at some site, along with Carcassone. For free? That's what my customer told me!

Will I one day be selling Settlers for the X360 and PS3? How about Munchkin and Dominion? In fact, I cannot think of a game that is popular in my store that would NOT translate well to console or computer gaming, and online play - allowing for people to enjoy gaming alone and with each other - without actually having to see one another - which is the only aspect of social gaming I prefer - the social-ness of sitting around a table and playing a game with friends. But, we could also be sitting around the coffee table, and playing the X360 in my living room. In fact, I am planning to set up a four player lan in my home for the X360, so my kids and I can all play together.

Gaming, I have come to realize - has changed significantly in the past 10 years, and most significantly in the past 2.

This past month I have been scouting locations for store #3. I think I am now going to change up my desires to open a third retail game store, and either look to open a BIG store, a Tyrano-Store-Use REX type store for Entertainment - something in the 20,000 square foot range or

My third business could a different type of business entirely. Maybe in either Battle Creek or Kalamazoo - rather than go further afield in terms of location, going further afield in terms of what we sell, offer or do.

All because the Xbox360 has made me question........ well, everything. Marcus King

Owner, SRMFIC & Chief Bottlewasher
Titan Games & Music
1504 West Michigan - Kalamazoo, MI 49006
637 Capital Ave SW - Battle Creek, MI 49015