FPS's are the popcorn-blockbusters of this generation. Easy to get into, generally suited for a broad audience and with a focus on visuals over content not too hard to muck up.

Well played PDF.

words of wisdom

Seems that there is a largely missed point of importance here. FPS =/= Consoles.
FPS started with it's days by id Software with Wolfenstein. A no name garage game group put together an entire genre that dominates. Theres a misconception that consoles had a choice. FPS are the realm of American developers. When Western developers started making games on consoles FPS just went with them. The major platform for the FPS was the PC. Superior controls and graphics. Wolfenstein and the follow up Doom have always been graphical techinque engines. So of course the PC gamers adopted the FPS sooner than later. Consoles took longer because the hardware couldn't keep up and the controls were just awefull.

As for why FPS are so dominant. Well it has to do with the age demographics. Most gamers of the original series of FPS gamers were/are teens. And the FPS at the time was lots of flash and candy. So when the gamers got older they moved into the industry. Of course they all had their own visions of the FPS. Now they are exposing new gamers to the FPS thus creating the circular development. Though sooner or later saturation stagnation will hit.

There is of course other important factors. Americas sub-conscious love of war. Quick rewards rather than time investment, flash/candy over substance. America is founded on gunpower. , Cowboys and Marines are icons. Other countries like Japan and Europe have their guns of course, but you will also notice a heritage to their older Icons. Samurai/Ninja, Knights/Rogues. Notice that Dante has a gun and sword. Theres of course plenty of inbetween and game design that encompasses different tastes. Megaman,Contra,Gradius have tons of guns, Oblivion, Assasins Creed are full of Melee weapons.

So FPS are dominent where ever the American developers go.

1992, almost 20 years.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfenstein_3D

That's right Wolfenstein on the SNES.
http://www.gamespot.com/snes/action/wolfenstein3d/index.html that'

As you can see the SNES was release 1 year before Wolfenstein 3D.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Nintendo_Entertainment_System

I never understood the hype about FPS games either. I mean, they're okay, but I honestly don't get the appeal. I like to play a FPS myself every once in a while, but it's probably the genre of games I play the least.

I'm not a fan of FPS games too much myself. I play them once in a while, but I get bored pretty easily. If I do, I like Co-op campaign the best. That's pretty fun.

As PDF said, I don't think it's a trend. Much like Japanese with RPGs, FPS is really America's genre and that's not going to change probably in our lifetimes.

Well they are :p

Because fps is a great genre.

b/c ppl like mindless shooting and gay stories

So is that why you own MGS4?