Ben's Week In Review: January 25
This week, I will focus on one subject rather than two, and then move on to a brief gaming update. Aaaaand...here we go. :)
"YOU play video games?! ...WOW!"
It's amusing, it really is. You may recall the article I wrote regarding video game stereotypes. In it, I explained that gamers need to do their part to erase the negative stigmas that haunt any and all adult gamers; if you don't fit the common gamer label, flaunt it. Don't be afraid to mention it. Well, just for kicks, I decided I'd test that theory tonight, and I have just returned from what turned out to be a mostly entertaining jaunt through the nightclub environment. Last weekend, a friend and I went out and we ended up entertaining a group of girls (don't ask how) for the evening, but I remember leaving and saying to myself, "hey, I never told any of those chicks what I do for a living." They knew I was a writer and that was enough - apparently - but I was never specific, and they quickly latched on to work I had done in the past, involving other forms of entertainment. That was fine, but I've never believed in administering advice if you're unable to take that advice yourself, so...things had to change a bit tonight.
The responses were all quite similar to what you see in that heading. For the record, and if we're keeping track for an unofficial survey, I spoke to 7 women, aged 21 - 26, in separate sets of 3, 2, and 2. I made a point of selecting girls that had likely never played a video game and have never dated anyone who did. As it turns out, I was correct in my assumptions; not a one really knew anything about games and all (except maybe one) were downright shocked that I not only played them, but worked with them, after a fashion. One girl, a particularly gorgeous (just...holy SH**!) bank teller, was convinced I was joking. Even when we were done talking, she still didn't want to believe me, but on the other hand, she admitted (smart girl) that it'd be silly of me to make it up. Seriously, why would I do such a thing?
But anyway, the bottom line is this: that little announcement about my job had no visible adverse affect on any of those 7 women. They did find it humorous and surprising at first, but it didn't appear to alter their perception of me in the slightest, one way or the other. Hence, I believe my point is proven: they might laugh at you, but it's not the kind of derogatory laugh that comes shortly before a retreat. It's the kind of funny, charming, touch-your-arm-while-I-laugh emotion that nobody is going to misconstrue as negative. Sooooo...damnit, don't be afraid to mention it! I swear, it won't have the effect you think it will. As for me...I will not be accepting any further questions concerning tonight's outcome. Come up with your own theories all you like, but I won't confirm or deny anything. In other words........"no comment." ;)
Personal gaming update
I've started Prince of Persia, which I immensely enjoy, but something has happened I should've been prepared for after reviewing it: I'm gonna want every last one of those Light Seeds. Yes, I'm well aware of the fact that I don't need them all, but it's the remnants of that ol' completionist mentality I had for all my PS1 RPGs. I still have it, to some extent, and it really, really, really irritates me when I can't nab all the Light Seeds in one particular area because I don't have all of Elika's powers just yet. And it annoys me even more when I have the power(s) I need but I can't find the last few Seeds. I just know I'm going to spend the majority of my time hunting those silly things down, but you have to understand...it's kinda what I do. That's fun for me. LOL
And after the amazing recognition the AIAS has given to LittleBigPlanet, I think I need that game. Platformers have never been my thing, but if they're good enough, I might love them. For instance, much to my surprise, Psychonauts was one of my favorite games of the last generation, so if LBP is really that good, then... Yeah, it just might have to happen.
1/24/2009 Ben Dutka
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Comments (75 posts)
Aftab
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 6:58:57 AM
regular14
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 12:14:55 AM
Reply
All in All, though, i think what got me through it was my weird nostalgia for Shadow the Colossus that it brought me. Did anyone else get that?
ps92117
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 4:45:58 PM
cegmp
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 9:34:44 PM
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 10:04:46 PM
food86
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 12:56:07 AM
Reply
recks1jtp
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 1:17:44 AM
Reply
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 10:05:05 PM
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 1:20:25 AM
Reply
Deleted User
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 1:47:54 AM
Reply
Once they get involved they love it as much as we do. Most girls I know dont care for it and thats cool because its not really whats common. I dont want women talking to me about witch dress looks best (tho they do), but most girls are cool with it. Some will play some wont. It dont really matter because when a girls over im usually chilling with them anyways.
dveisalive
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 3:51:07 PM
Deleted User
Monday, January 26, 2009 @ 12:39:47 AM
hald
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 2:26:49 AM
Reply
I've never thought that it would be "normal" to be a gamer in my country too. Everything is about prestige and showing off (which is freaking me out sometimes).
But thursday I went to school and in the middle of the day i had German. Me and my girlfriend goes in the same class so we went up sitting and talking with some of our friends and other students.
A couple of weeks ago I introduced my girlfriend to LittleBigPlanet ( I thouhgt she would scream and run away, but amazingly didn't.)
But! We were sitting in and talking... And my girlfriend brings up LBP and starts talking to the other girls and guys about how it is and so on.. Which results in that everybody at the table wants to go home to me and play it. They were really positive about the whole gamer-thing and I really haven't ever thought they would be...
Qubex
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 2:35:49 AM
hald
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 4:55:35 AM
Qubex
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 5:58:12 AM
hald
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 10:11:47 AM
If anyone wonder why we just don't meet up in real life instead, then I can tell we live 3 hours away from each other and that makes it quite a travel.. so.. thats why!
Last edited by hald on 1/25/2009 10:14:02 AM
Deleted User
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 5:02:59 AM
Reply
Wage SLAVES
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 5:34:20 AM
aaronisbla
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 6:53:37 AM
Aftab
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 7:02:40 AM
LightShow
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 8:15:00 AM
Qubex
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 8:43:48 AM
Deleted User
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 9:34:08 AM
Deleted User
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 11:54:09 AM
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 12:06:48 PM
Random_Steve
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 1:00:01 PM
Random_Steve
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 5:15:50 AM
Reply
Wage SLAVES
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 5:36:58 AM
LightShow
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 8:16:46 AM
Alienange
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 10:57:41 PM
JaXXX
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 6:02:08 AM
Reply
Same thing Ben! I have been grabbing those seeds for weeks now and i there is like 5 left over all...BUT I CANT FIND THEM!!!!!! UH!!!!! those stupid seeds!!
www
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 6:28:08 AM
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Speaking of nerds,where i am,it's the other way round, nerds don't F with games,everything is books,reading n learning for them,it's rather the party freaks who really enjoy gaming.
PoP is a big disappointment,i think the attempt to use artistic drawing didn't work out,c'mon other games like Zelda on Gamecube did it well as well as Okami but PoP,naaaaaw.
Am looking to get LBP also, along with Fallout 3.
Deleted User
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 9:38:04 AM
N a S a H
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 1:10:47 PM
Deleted User
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 1:45:10 PM
Aftab
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 4:06:27 PM
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 10:03:58 PM
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 10:04:20 PM
N a S a H
Monday, January 26, 2009 @ 11:04:13 AM
Deleted User
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 9:37:39 AM
Reply
Qubex
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 11:40:17 AM
Deleted User
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 11:53:19 AM
LightShow
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 7:03:55 PM
and there's a lot of other PS3 exclusive game that have a universal appeal, take LBP or the soon(ish) forthcoming InFamous and Killzone 2.
not to mention the fact that a PS3 wont light up your entertainment center, not only taking itself out but all your sound equipment and your TV as well...
*actually happened to my neighbor*
Qubex
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 11:08:23 PM
daylight_dies
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 2:19:11 PM
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firehahahahaha
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 3:58:43 PM
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GuernicaReborn
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 6:53:18 PM
dveisalive
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 4:37:11 PM
Reply
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 10:07:05 PM
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 8:28:29 PM
Reply
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, January 26, 2009 @ 10:27:40 AM
somethingrandom
Tuesday, January 27, 2009 @ 6:26:42 PM
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GoldenShadow
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Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 12:10:02 AM