ElkinFencer10 wrote:I definitely think we need to keep within guidelines for the most part. Pre-millennial is before 2000, but if someone plays a game from 2000, I don't think that's a big deal or a game that was released in one region in or just before 2000 but worldwide in like 2001. It's like when I refer to the Dreamcast as a console from 1998 even thought it came out here in 1999. I do think that a game from 2004, for example, would be too much bending the theme for pre-millennial.
As a caveat though, if someone were to check out the original MechWarrior and then decide to see how the series progressed into MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries, I wouldn't have an issue. Yes, MW4:M came out in 2002, but because a person was willing to start at the beginning and then look at how the series changed and evolved, I don't think it would be a problem. Said person can then relate to everyone else about MechWarrior's growth and hopefully talk to anyone checking out the original about where the series goes, so folks get a nice overview and learn about the series. I enjoy the educational aspect.
Something that was mentioned earlier was about folks not having the time or ability to do research, but one of the things about the new means of tackling TR is that, with broader categories, we don't all have to do research. Some of us already have on our own or are willing to do it, so we can share our experiences and insights. For instance, if 1990s RTS categories were to come up, I've played many of the big names, so I'm going to have to dig. But folks who haven't? Well, I can easily point them in the direction of titles that might be easier for them to get into or serve as bigger names. If you haven't played the likes of WarCraft or Command & Conquer, well, you've got a good place to begin.
Now if someone has played the big names, I'd bet odds are that they've already done some research. If 1990s RTS were to win in March, you know what I'd be looking at playing? Shadow of the Horned Rat, KKnD, or Myth: The Fallen Lords. I've already done the research to know about them and have access, but other folks who might be in a similar boat can look at what I'm doing and say "Hey, KKnD sounds cool." And then we can go from there. For folks who don't have access for various reasons, then perhaps we can mull it over and find something they do have access to which will fit the mood. Even better, it might also provide a new source of insight into the genre if they have to go with something a little nontraditional or lesser known.