An Expensive Autumn

Anyone who has even a slight interest in games knows that the last few months of the year are the busiest as far as big game releases goes. Publishers seem to save their big guns to coincide with 'the holidays' (it's all about pleasing Americans, or so it seems), that lucrative Christmas market.

Which leaves skinflints like me with a dilema: shell out big money now on thos big new games or wait six months when they'll be at most half the price.

There are a few games I want to get in on whilst they're still hot:

Modern Warfare 2 - or Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 or whatever they want to 'brand' it. Despite my moaning about online games I really want to give this a go. After watching the following interview I felt Infinity Ward, the bods responsible for this, were genuine in their intention to make the game accessible to all kinds of players, what with the inclusion of 'Deathstreaks' - ie if you get killed 5 times in a row without scoring you get some temporary boost. With me being the epitome of an inept gamer this appeals.

Here's the video

I'll doubtless play it without a headset so as to avoid the rabble. It ought to be fun, but the publisher, Activision, are taking the proverbial by charging more for the game than normal, thinking they can clean up - this game had better deliver!

Beatles Rock Band - I want to pick this up whilst my friends are still playing it, yet you can't find it for less than £35 at the moment, and it certainly won't come down in price before Christmas at the very least.

There are a few in the 'not quite, but maybe later' category like Halo ODST, Left 4 Dead 2 and Guitar Hero 5, but when money is tight you really have to think carefully.

I regularly pick up cheap games but sometimes you have to be in there whilst they're new, and to be honest I feel like an idiot sometimes. I've been burned before.

Anyway, I get paid next week, so which games will get my attention?