A couple of months ago, I applied for a freelance columnist position with a popular PlayStation fan site. I didn’t get the position, but I’d like to try out my column here. As part of the application, I had to devise 10 sample topics to go with whatever theme I chose. I decided to do a column called The PlayStation Legacy, focusing on the impact (both positive and negative) that the PlayStation brand has had on video games and home entertainment. Possible topics to explore include:
- Revisiting quintessential PlayStation titles to examine what made them successful and how these games impacted future game development
- An analysis of innovations Sony has introduced to the industry (Home, Dual Analog Sticks, DVD & Blu Ray compatability, etc.)
- Constructive criticisms of mistakes or missteps (Lack of PS3 rumble, UMD video, forced SIXAXIS control in Lair, etc.)
- A look at influential development studios and how they take advantage of Sony’s hardware
- Previews of upcoming titles with potential long-term implications for the industry (for example, releasing games on Blu Ray and on PSN simultaneously)
- Retrospectives on influential games or series from Sony’s history
- Discussion of some overlooked gems that may have reviewed well but performed poorly at retail
- Asking how the PlayStation brand is perceived by the general, non-gaming public
- Discussion of the potential impact of current events (for example, Phil Harrison’s move to Atari, the announcement of the Metal Gear PS3 SKU, etc.)
- Analysis of studies on the benefits and/or harmful effects of video games (Note: As a psychology researcher myself, this is the area I am most interested in – specifically, the potential neurological effects of violent games)
Posted by brianfishman 
