I haven’t bought any new PC games for… a while. I’ve been enjoying GameBoy Advance games currently (on an SP), including the new Zelda one (The Minish Cap). I have a feeling I’d play more PC games though if my system was up for it. My system is about 5 years old – time for a new one.
I don’t think 3D creation is just a talent – though talent is still involved. Anyone can learn to model – architecture, for example. But, modelling characters with personality, animating and texturing things, I believe this takes more artistic talent than just knowledge. You mention having trouble creating in the extra plane. I think while it’s true you can learn something (this would apply to anything), naturally there will be people who are more adept at doing it and will learn quicker and have more of an intuitive understanding of it.