'Only the most determined joy-killers' are pointing out that Move and Kinect aren't the next great step forward for the industry? Well, if that's true, then I must be some kind of remorseless joy assassin.
Disagree however strongly you want, but I don't think the video game industry fell into the major slump it's in because there was some sort of pressing shortage of expensive, low-utility hardware gimmicks. Forgive me if this sounds remarkably fatuous, but might the Big Three find themselves better off if they rejected the idea that video games and their hardware represent some sort of colossal pack mule for expensive and often restrictive new technology, and instead as an entertainment and artistic medium? That perhaps the point of the medium is not to provide a platform for new product but is, itself a product worthy of care, analysis, and appreciation from developer and consumer alike? That the waning interest in the industry and the tough economic climate might prove a terrible time to introduce expensive, low-utility clutter, but a golden opportunity to scale back and develop more simple, less expensive games that focus on the exploration of the medium's utility as a form of art and entertainment?
A common criticism of the industry by people that don't play games is that video games have, so far, at least, not really proven themselves to be anything more than the sum of their hardware and software; that they are, both currently and potentially, much closer to mere toys than a sophisticated medium. What you or I believe on that point is pretty irrelevant, because guess what? The people that make all your games believe it. They believe it because most video game consumers believe it, too. That is where the money has been pretty much since the birth of the industry, and popular and critical acclaim mean relatively little if they don't have any direct connection with that sweet, sweet cashflow.
So remember what I always say: express your opinion with your wallet. If you ***** tirelessly about developers, products, and games but then buy them all anyway, that doesn't really make any sort of difference. If you opt out of financially supporting products you don't like, and that ends up making some sort of difference, good for you. And if it doesn't make any difference at all because only you, me, and a few other cantankerous curmudgeons ever gave a tinker's damn, then maybe the industry just isn't for you in the first place.