"In the photograph you’ll see most of the RPG’s I have in my collection. Some of them are very recent, like Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey, while others are in the usual R@RE and “buy it now” sections of eBay on a regular basis and will no doubt pay for my pension when I retire. All in all, there are about 40 Japanese style role playing games, including the few I missed in the shot, but they all have a place in my heart, as well as the same thoughts from many players of the genre."

"Real news from the virtual world:

_BEST OF 2008 (SO FAR): E3, the video-game industry's big trade show, is next week, and you'll be hearing a lot about all the new software coming between now and Christmas. But there's a bit of a lull until Aug. 12, when "Madden NFL 09" unofficially marks the beginning of the fall game season. July is a good time to catch up on some of the games you may have missed. Here are the best of the year so far:

1. "Grand Theft Auto IV" (Rockstar, for the Xbox 3..."

"Videogame characters are lazy, forgetful, or just plain stupid. Cutscene after cutscene, they exhibit planet-shaking combat abilities and a level of indestructibility which would make God himself jealous. But as soon as you pick up the controller? The Incredible Hulk turns back into Bruce Banner and all of those showboating tricks and superhuman powers disappear into the ether.

They're constantly saving their best tricks until we've already done all the hard work for them, and even if not,..."

"So what does 2008, and beyond, hold for RPGs on the Xbox 360? There are certainly some tantalising prospects ahead. Mistwalker was up first with its second Xbox 360 exclusive, Lost Odyssey. The tale of Kaim Argonar, a man who’s lived for 1,000 years, it takes place over several generations, you could end up finishing the adventure with the great grandson of your original companion, bringing to the fore the theme of the loneliness of the immortal. You know, a bit like the Highlander, movie, on..."