I'd like to sidestep all of the notions of whether one can be happy with a singular console, as it seems patently clear that if one were not happy with their lot they would simply buy another console and each console has more than enough quality content to satisfy anyone who does not spend an unnatural amount of time gaming, and address the original podcast itself. While Malstrom's summary was heavy-handed and partisan, it was not that far off the mark, and frankly I find it concerning that such individuals are considered (even if only by themselves) the voices of true gaming.
First, there's the idea of achievements and its connection to the fabricated 'hardcore lifestyle'. Does one really need any more incentive to play a game then simply deriving enjoyment from playing the game itself? Honestly, stop and think about that one. It gives you extra incentive to play a video-game regardless of its quality. In other words, it motivates one to continuing consuming and burning through games, and serves to both legitimize the ballooning pricetags of games by offering more 'content' and softens the blow if the game is inadequate because you are still able to flaunt how much money you have spent to perpetuate your 'hardcore lifestyle'.
What is going on? Why would you not want to play a game for any other reason than the fact that it is a good game? Can anyone really honestly say that their valuable time and money is better spent on elevating one's hardcore status by playing Cars Race-O-Rama than by playing a legitimately well-made game? The whole Achievements phenomenon is nothing more than mutual exoneration, telling yourself that it's all right to keep spending ridiculous amounts of money and time and pledging allegiance to the hardcore community because at least you're not alone! Every $59.99 spent is another opportunity to catapult yourself to the upper echelons of the gaming elite, regardless if the games that fuel your ascent are unsatisfactory and callow.
I would have to say my experience with the Wii has been the least lonely of any experience with video games. Granted, this is because I play it with actual people that I know in real life, friends and family as well as newbies and veterans, instead of gazing upon everyone's collections of virtual trophies and taking satisfaction in knowing that I'm not the only one slogging through Avatar.
I'm not saying that there isn't any place for the HD Twins or any system, as they all are able to fill important niches and provide unique experiences. I'm saying that anyone who plays a game for any reason other than to play a fun game should re-examine their priorities and try and find a more productive and healthy (and less needlesly expensive) way to experiene accomplishment. No amount of badges or trinkets should be able to justify the playing of Pixar-License-Game X in the eyes of any true gaming enthusiast.
These 'journalists' do nothing but play games, for both work and leisure, and it is only natural that they seek validation for the extravagant triviality of their existence, and achievements seem to do the trick.
The whole show just reeks of self-importance. They believe that the small community that they speak for represents an unshakeable foundation that all game companies should build off of, rather than the fly-by-night demographic that is everyone else. Man-children they may be, but can they honestly convince themselves that within five to seven years that they and their audience will be able to realistically keep up with the demands of such a resource-intensive lifestyle? That anyone beyond that brief window between childhood and adult responsibility will be able to justifiably pump as much time or money into the 'hardcore lifestyle'? That it makes more sense to dedicate not just two but all three consoles towards the 22+ male bachelors of the world rather than focus on entire families? Their disconnect from reality and their increasing irrelevance is staggering. Their breed is facing extinction, and I say good riddance to such ignorance and bigotry.
