Dear Future Gamer,

Hi folks, thanks for the mag. It may be slightly formulaic, but then when you consider the cost and the pedigree, I like it a lot.

I've just read FG22, and wanted to reply to the letters section as a whole. With Dreamcast out, and NGPS on the horizon, everyone seems to be playing 'my console's better than yours' already. I own a PS, N64 and PC, and each is good in its own right.

Considering all letters I would like to say :

1) He who laughs last laughs longest. Whomsoever releases the spec for their machine (and thus the machine itself) later will announce better specs than any machine that has gone before. It would be stupid to release lower specs for a prospective new machine, than for one that has already been released. That's how machines evolve, and why comparisons of machines released at different times are irrelevant. Stop bickering!

2) Oh no! What if Sega or Nintendo is suffocated under Sony's weight? Well I have a tale of a newcomer to the games market several years ago who shattered the dreams and complacency of the industry giants. Remember a newbie to the games market called Sony? Let Sony stagnate under their success and become complacent if they want, as long as we keep spending money, marketing eyes immeasurably superior to our own (from other companies not generally connected with videogames eg. Bandai and Matsushita, maybe even Microsoft) will regard this market with envy and make plans of their own. If Nintendo, Sega, or Sony can't cut it then I'm off to pastures new. I will shed no tears for the demise of those who can't deliver.

3) Demise of PC with the arrival of the NGPS. I don't know the divides in market sector between business and home use, but if it does pose a threat, then I believe it to be bigger and more subtle than anyone realises. Dreamcast = PC-based. Who controls PCs? Mr. Gates. Mr. Gates is worth more than almost all small COUNTRIES! Not scared yet? Put it like this, he's the only one on this planet (to use some typical game hype,) "Who is limited ONLY by his imagination". If he wanted it, it would be his tomorrow. More bloated shovelware anyone?

Ta for the mag, and watch your backs if you ever play TFC2 on the Net, I'll be looking for you!

Hugh Williams

FG: Well reasoned Hugh. Of course machines evolve. I too, don't particularly care who makes the machine, or the game for that matter, as long as it's fun to play. If it's a dog, no matter what the track record of the company that delivered it to me, I'll avoid it. The PC is certainly a viable games machine these days and yes, there are other companies - bigger than Sony - who are eyeing the games market with interest. Again, if some mega-corporation comes striding in with a decent machine and some decent games, then good on 'em.