GTA IV's effects on the current generation

Before starting my blog(my first one I think), I'll have to make some things clear.

1. I love GTA (I also love GTA IV)
2. #1 isn't a sign that this post will bash GTAIV in anyway
3. #2 is true.

Now that it's out of the way, let's get started.

GTA IV's release has always been looked at as the true moment where next generation became "the current generation". Several people held off on buying a next generation console until GTA the year GTA releases. It has arrived finally and it's been released to very good reception(from reviewers especially), it even recieved the once though of as a myth, 10/10 from IGN. While the reception within the Hardcore GTA fanbase has been mixed, GTA is undeniably a technical achievement.

What you probably haven't noticed is how GTA IV's release could possibly change how you'd view OTHER games this gen. Prior to GTA IV's release, many of the "next gen" releases were given the responsibility to define just what exactly "next gen" is. Plenty of games like Halo 3 and Resistance were called out for their arguable "last gen" graphics, which seemed to have overshadowed their accomplishments in gameplay, objects on screen, storyline, and multiplayer interface.(Halo 3's movie maker/coop? Resistance's lagfree 40 player online?)

After playing GTAIV for a while, I decided I'd go back and play uncharted again. Somehow it seemed like a new experience for me. I just then immedietly appreciated how smooth the gameplay was and how flawless the cover system and shooting mechanics were. I compared them to GTA and only then did I realise how much I loved uncharted's gameplay. I've already completed the game several times and did all the challenges and got all the rewards, but only recently have I actually felt completly like I was truly immersed in the experience, and not just marveling at how good the graphics are.

Even before GTA's release I've bought and enjoyed several PSN games: Superstardust HD, Warhawk, Pixeljunk monsters, mortal kombat 2, High velocity bowling, Everyday shooter etc, but this is because i didn't consider them part of the "next gen" group. I wasn't looking at them like they're trying out for a football team and I'm the coach. It was just me playing them and enjoying them. And it seems like this feeling has crossed over to the other games in my collection and things really couldn't be better.

Graphics really don't matter at all to me anymore to be honest. I'll be impressed by them, but I won't refuse a game due to it's graphics. This is just me and I can't speak on how your experience has been so far, or how people who have always HATED the GTA series have been affected by it's release.(besides annoyance @ all the 10's it gets)

Alot of people are still waiting for next gen to kickoff. They haven't been impressed by anything so far and are a bit dissapointed by what they've seen.  To those people, what do you need to see specifically for you to erase that dissapointment? My dissapointment went away when I played Uncharted.