X-mas time is always a complicated season. I mean, sure there are the socio-religious issues to be brought up, but on a purely economic level, it’s hard to buy all the rediculously awesome game releases that come out this time of the year. That’s not even beginning to look at actually having the time to play them. I realize this argument is incredibly infantile; “Waaaah, I don’t have enough money or time to do what I wanna do!” I get it, I do. But gimme a second to explain it all.

Games today are $60 new. Lame. Granted it’s only $10 dollars more, but it does create a bit of mental barrier. Ok, now, games are LONGER than they used to be. On average, at least 14 hours long, not including actually taking one’s time and throughly beating a game. The xbox360’s achievement system doesn’t make it any easier. It’s dumb, but I like going through and getting achievements. It feels good on some stupid “Hey, you did it!” level, and I like it. So now it costs more, and takes longer in the process.

Here’s what came out in the last month and is still coming out this December, with prices:
skate. – $60
Halo 3 – $60
Beautiful Katamari – $40
The Orange Box – $60
PGR4 – $60
Assassin’s Creed – $60
Rock Band – $170

Not to mention downloadable games over Live!, this is a lot of time and money that I don’t really have. While this does lead to carful selection and good saving, it also leads to balancing “Well do I wanna play with friends or by myself?”. I wanna play with friends, so I won’t be getting Aassassin’s Creed until well after the new year, in exchange, I’ll invest a hefty penny into Rock Band, which I know the house will enjoy. Skate was much the same deal. I can play with Steve and MCADets, or the house can enjoy Beautiful Katamari. Katamari came first.

It’s hard not to seem like a big baby, but it’s big buisness and big dollars, and I sir, am a touch frustrated.