I'm am responding to a pm from getgyan. First of all, I agree with everyone in this thread that (B) is clearly the best answer.

How are we determining the author's position? Here's the argument again . . .

Traditionally, video game manufacturers have been most strongly influenced by serious video gamers. Because devoted gamers have historically purchased the majority of video games, companies react to the desires of this market segment. Normally, devoted gamers crave speed and action; thus, most manufacturers continue to produce games with faster chips and flashier graphics. Unfortunately, faster chips and flashier graphics are no longer in the industry’s best interest. The devoted gaming market is deeply stagnant, and it won’t soon expand. To infuse new life into the video game market, manufacturers must simplify the functionality of their games. By doing so, current non-gamers will be attracted to join the ranks of video game fans.

Notice that all the blue sentences are purely factual and descriptive, but the final purple sentence is a recommendation (it uses the word "must") --- that's the author's own conclusion. This is a common format for a GMAT CR passage --- [fact][fact][fact][recommendation] ---- and that's precisely what we have here.

The author's opinion is that video game manufactures "must simplify the functionality of their games" -- continuing to make games with "faster chips and flashier graphics" would be a mistake, as far as the author is concerned. The author thinks this is a mistake because the "devoted gaming market is deeply stagnant, and it won’t soon expand." Thus, the first is something the author thinks shouldn't continue, and the second is something that supports the author's argument.

Does all this make sense?

Mike
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+1 B

BF1 - thus, most manufacturers continue to produce games with faster chips and flashier graphics
BF2 - The devoted gaming market is deeply stagnant, and it won’t soon expand

A) The first is a situation that the author believes to be true; the second offers evidence to explain this situation. (BF2 rather does the opposite)
B) The first is a situation that the author argues should not continue; the second provides evidence that supports the author’s position. (Best Answer yet)
C) The first is a statement of fact that contradicts the author’s position; the second is the author’s position. (BF1 does not contradict BF2, eliminate)
D) The first is a statement of fact that supports the author’s position; the second is a consideration that weighs against the author’s position.
What is the Author’s position? There could be two positions
1) Unfortunately, faster chips and flashier graphics are no longer in the industry’s best interest (BF1 rather supporting, contradicts this position)
2) To infuse new life into the video game market, manufacturers must simplify the functionality of their games(BF1 does not support this position)
E) The first is a prediction that the author believes should not hold in this case; the second is an assumption that weighs against the author’s position (On the same line as above, this option also gets eliminated)

Guys need your help! How did you all find out the author's position?


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Answer choices B, C, D, are all too similar.

b) The first is a situation that the author argues should not continue; the second provides
evidence that supports the author’s position.
c) The first is a statement of fact that contradicts the author’s position; the second is the
author’s position.
d) The first is a statement of fact that supports the author’s position; the second is a
consideration that weighs against the author’s position.

May someone explain the differences. Thanks

The author explains that devoted gamers traditionally dictate the design of video
games. However, due to changes in the market, the author argues that this
system is no longer in the best interest of the industry. Instead, to infuse new life
into the video game market, manufacturers should simplify their games in order
to attract non-gamers into the gaming fold.

(A) The first boldface portion does relate a situation that the author believes to be
true. The second boldface portion, however, does not explain this situation;
instead, it offers evidence to demonstrate why this situation should not continue.

(B) CORRECT. The first boldface portion is a situation that the author believes to
be true now. Due to changes in the market, however, the author believes this
situation should not continue. The second boldface portion provides evidence to
support the author’s contention that the best way to grow the gaming market is to
attract new gamers.

(C) The first boldface portion is a statement of fact that contradicts the author’s
position. The second boldface portion, however, provides evidence to support the
author’s position, but it is not the position itself.

(D) The first boldface portion is a statement of fact that contradicts the author’s
position. The second boldface portion provides evidence to support the author’s
position.

(E) The first boldface portion is not a prediction; rather, it is a statement of fact
(or description of a situation) that the author believes should not hold in this case.
The second statement is not an assumption, nor does it weigh against the
author's position; instead, it is a premise that provides evidence in support of the
author’s position.
_________________

B) The first is a situation that the author argues should not continue; the second provides evidence that supports the author’s position.

I didn't like should in the answer choice. Somebody pl clarify.

Traditionally, video game manufacturers have been most strongly influenced by serious video gamers. Because devoted gamers have historically purchased the majority of video games, companies react to the desires of this market segment. Normally, devoted gamers crave speed and action; thus, most manufacturers continue to produce games with faster chips and flashier graphics. Unfortunately, faster chips and flashier graphics are no longer in the industry’s best interest. The devoted gaming market is deeply stagnant, and it won’t soon expand. To infuse new life into the video game market, manufacturers must simplify the functionality of their games. By doing so, current non-gamers will be attracted to join the ranks of video game fans.

In the argument, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

(A) The first is a situation that the author believes to be true; the second offers evidence to explain this situation.
(B) The first is a situation that the author argues should not continue; the second provides evidence that supports the author’s position.
(C) The first is a statement of fact that contradicts the author’s position; the second is the author’s position.
(D) The first is a statement of fact that supports the author’s position; the second is a consideration that weighs against the author’s position.
(E) The first is a prediction that the author believes should not hold in this case; the second is an assumption that weighs against the author’s position.


Looking at the first highlighted part in the question we can directly eliminate C, D , E.

Seeing the second part we realize the author does not want the preactice to continue, So B is much stronger.

Option B

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