The days of linear story telling in games are coming to an end. Nowadays gamers must make in-game choices that determine the outcome of the adventure. [Spoiler Alert] In one of the most dramatic decisions in video gaming history, Fallout 3 gives players the option to destroy Megaton or to allow exist. Mass Effect allows you to save the Council of see them destroyed. Mass Effect 2 gives the player the power to join the dark side or fight for what's right. These choices options give the player the power to decide and extend the life span of games, the question is: Does anyone have time to see all of the different outcomes and is it worth it?

In reality, (I suppose this isn't a serious question that deserves pondering but this is my blog and I'll do as I wish) a gamer plays until they are tired of a game and then they move on to the next game no matter how much of the game is or is not complete, but doesn't that make us wasteful. It's like throwing away your vegetables when there's kids in Africa who are still playing Madden 2003.

This decision is easier for gamers with limited financial resources, but for the gamer with a healthy gaming budget, the allure of the newest, highest rated game is irresistible. Who doesn't want to be one of the first to experience the excitement of the new hit? Plus, it's entertainment do it till it's not fun anymore then move on! Though, I wonder if this video game playing "wastefulness" says something about our generation of gamers as people. Generations before us had way crapier forms of entertainment and likely had to stick with that crap for far longer than we do.

On the other hand, the competition in new online games is fierce. If you want to get the most out of and be competitive in the MMO world, you've got to get into the games early and play a lot. There's not much hope for people starting to play Modern Warfare 2, Team Fortress 2, or Battlefield Bad Company 2 now. And if you didn't play the games you'd be missing out, and to any serious gamer this is not an option. This requires serious gamers to forgo exploring every alternative in Dragon Age: Origins in favor of building new skills in Starcraft II.

Although having multiple endings and decision trees to choose from is exciting, it's not nearly as exciting as the first time through a game. Having the option to blow up Megaton or shoot Wrex on Virmire is actually more enthralling than actually doing so because making the decision always leaves you with the feeling of what if. Not that I'd trade the option for choosing for not choosing. I just think that the excitement of choosing for the first time is far more dramatic than whatever result comes from the decision. With that said, I'm still contemplating another play through as a "evil Shepard."

With so many games offering great replay value, it's hard for a gamer to decide whether it's a better use of their time to explore the many achievements, alternate paths, and/or alternate endings or buy the newest title available.

if we didn't want to be wasteful and show appreciation for having such awesome gaming lives, then shouldn't we as gamers all be completion its? After contemplating a few of the factors involved with deciding which the better option, I think, is I prefer a balance (of course). Play games till I've explored almost all of it then work my way onto the newest blockbuster.This option allows you to not feel so bad about those kids in Africa while enjoying the newest video games available.