What’s the best time period for a video game that still revolves around Earth in some way? The cop-out answer is “the time period that best fits the game’s needs,” but we should look deeper than that. Grand Theft Auto IV might have lost some of its charm had Liberty City not been like a seedier version of present day NYC, but it still might have been fun to see Niko throw Caligula out of a chariot and cause mayhem in Ancient Rome. So which time is best for Earth and for video games? Arguments after the jump.
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Spore has recently received the honor of the 20th best invention in 2008, according to Time Magazine. This is kind of a big deal for a video game. I mean, out of all the things invented this year, Time chose to honor a video game within its pages (as well as a Retail DNA Test, Hulu, and the LHC). Is this a step into accepting games as art? Perhaps. But imagine the impact this has on the casual market. With such a presence in a magazine revered as nothing less than uber-respected, sales should shoot through the roof. Many roofs, in fact. I hope someone has roof insurance and knows a good shingle salesman.

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