Videogame creators still searching for validity?

Hey all, just a semi-rant here.

After our lecture on gameplay I couldnt help but think that the videogame industry comes of as rather insecure. I remember at the launch of the Xbox game "Halo 2" the constant reminder at how much money it made, note the emphasis on "money" and not "units sold". Sure, Halo 2 made something like $US120 million (I think was the figure) but if we compare the units sold, to the number of "units", or people, that watch a comparable blockbuster film, i'm pretty sure we'd have a more accurate indicator/comparison. Lets not forget the fact that the average cost of a game in the USA is $US50, whereas a movie ticket is somewhere around the 8-12$ mark. This only made me think that it was the game industry desperatley searching for validation.

I know the fact that in the USA the gaming industry, as a whole, makes more money annually than the film industry, and while gaming is not considered a purely "geek" pastime i dont think it has achieved the sort of cultural cache that films have.

Hrmm, i dont think that i have made a point yet. Alright, how's this for one - game creators should let go of their insecurities and start to make some truly original games, instead of simply trying to make an 'interactive hollywood'. (something not set in World War 2 would be a nice start.)

This rant was inspired by something I read on www.grumpygamer.com a few months ago. Cant be bothered finding the exact article.