Roger, Wilco

This article gets at the next wave of console gaming -- user created content. There are a couple of areas where user created content should be king.

First, and most obviously, all music games should support user mods. Karaoke, Guitar Hero and rhythm games are missing the boat by not making it easy for game players to add their own tunes to the games. Clearly, there are some copyright issues that demand a certain amount of gate-keeping. I'm sure it's difficult enough to get the rights to a Led Zepplin song without having to assure the copyright holders that you'll let some kid upload Houses of the Holy with his own chord mapping.

Frets on Fire already supports user-generated content and provides basic tools for creating new songs. Frets on Fire is fun, but does not compare to Guitar Hero. If Frets on Fire had the installed base of Guitar Hero, however, you would see local bands using the game to promote their music. Even national bands with an appreciation for alternate forms of distribution -- like Wilco for example -- would hop on board.

The guys and gals at home busting their asses on their 4 track recorders would be all over the opportunity to be a featured download with their latest tune. They would probably pay a small fee just to have access to tools that make creating content a little easier.

User created content should also be expanded for party games. Whether mini-games in a Mario Party title, Ray-man, or Super Monkey Ball or micro-games in Wario Ware, publishers should be investing in home studios that make it possible for players to build and play their own games. Imagine how the playability of Mario Party 8 could be expanded if you could mix in a few user created games onto the board. Maybe even a special space that would launch a user created game.

Players crave variety. User created content allows endless variety. Players have different ideas about what makes a good game. User created content lets those who are most passionate about a game idea bring that idea to life. The best part for publishers is that people are willing to design music charts, mini-games, or new levels for free -- so long as they get a bit of recognition for their skills and effort.