Possible major video came companies destroy the industry?

While I think you do have valid concerns, your doomsday prediction for gaming is exaggerated. Videogames have become a larger and more lucrative industry than music, and movies. Making the videogame industry the largest entertainment industry in the entire planet. It's not just going to 'die'.

One thing I've learned about this industry over the years is that it's very difficult to make predictions for it. You can't even foresee something a year in advance in this industry without risk of it going upside down in the time between.

Yes, EA is absolutely evil and satanic. And the quicker everyone realises this, the better. But their greedy business practices and anti-consumer behavior isn't the end-all of videogames. In fact, they actually lost millions of dollars last year. Their behavior just isn't making them money. And if they don't change, they'll sink.

Wheras companies like Valve, who genuinely are consumer friendly, gain increase in profits every single year. This is from a company who gives to consumers, instead of taking from them. And they're VERY successful. There are quite a few companies that I've noticed whom are following Valve's example. All hope is not lost.

And then there's also the fact that many companies and developers are simply NOT for sale. EA CANNOT buy Valve, for example. Even if EA threw a nine hundred billion dollars at Valve, they cannot buy it, unless Gabe Newell says so. Valve, like quite a few other companies, is a private company.

For a good example of how publishers like EA drive development into the ground, misdirect games, and axe potential games. I suggest you watch Brian Fargo's video concerning Wasteland 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZGi5oLXfLI

And even beyond that, there's the recent Kickstarter craze. Developers making videogames, funded by actual gamers themselves - and not faceless non-gamer corporate suits only interested in profit. The prospect of developers who actually have a passion for the medium being able to make games as they see fit directly for gamers themselves, without being shackled by publishers - has lured many developers onto it already. FTL - Faster than Light is a recent example is how a small developer with a bit of cash can create something fantastic.

Then there's obsidian's recent kickstarter success of a whopping near 4 MILLION dollars in pledges straight from gamers.

Look man, I get your concerns about the game industry. I really do. But we can't allow ourselves to be flooded by negativity from companies like EA and Activision. The industry is evolving to a point where publishers like EA and Activision might not even be needed anymore. Yes the industry is changing. But some of that change is good.

Developers are learning about other ways to create games using methods that were never available before. Sure EA and Activision might run their franchises into the dirt. But those frustrated developers could quit, yearning fans can throw mountains of money at them, and they can all create brand new games directly aimed at us without the bounds and shackles of publishers. In my eyes, I think the next 10 years of videogames will be a scary one. Some companies will sink, some franchises will die. But as a whole, gaming could emerge stronger, more developed and sophisticated than it ever has been.

We just have to wait and see, and support good developers, and good business practices.

What do you think you are talking about? Have you got a clue about the industry or are just reciting Fox News talking points? Medical equipment is overpriced by the manufacturers and their profits are obscene. For example, a chalazion eye clamp costs the hospital five hundred dollars, but cannot cost twenty to make. Do you really think that a 2.3% tax makes any difference to profits like that? The eye clamp is simple a pair of tweezers with a graduated screw that keeps the eyelids open during surgery. How expensive is that to produce? If you want to know why health care is so expensive, look at what we pay for wound dressings or IV solution compared to what they actually cost to produce! The costs are also increased because we must keep track of every gauze 4 X 4, and every time we take a temperature. A single payer system like Canada's does not have to support the huge bureaucracies ours does of oaccountants, clerks, credit checkers and bill collectors. You have no idea what you are talking about.

Interesting post.

These companies will either learn from their mistakes or fail after losing too much business. I'm hoping they flop because when a huge company flops and dies a flock of smaller companies will swoop in to pick at the carcass and a fresh wave of games will come in.

I'm personally waiting for the next big MMO changer to come out and set new standards. I'm tired of the fast food MMO's they keep spitting out the drive-thru window.