Editorial: Are Gamers Egotistical?

Well, this is a new one.

We gamers apparently can't escape the negative labels, even when they come out of the blue and apparently have zero basis in truth and fact. I know we're steadily leaving the "geek" and "nerd" associations behind (at least, I hope we are), and I know as gaming becomes more mainstream, there will come a time when saying "I play games" will sound like the exact same thing as, "I watch movies." But I was at a social function just the other night and someone said something in passing that confused the ever-loving sh** out of me.

Somebody needed a ride home and asked if anyone might go out of their way to give her a lift. Before I could say a word, this idiot on my right piped up and said (indicating me), "well, he won't do it. He needs to get back to his games." At first, I just figured this was your standard ignorant remark I had assumed disappeared some time ago. But as I no longer care about things like embarrassment and humiliation (and in fact, I'm larger than most), I decided to seek some clarification. So I asked him what he meant, and he replied, "oh, no offense or anything, but every dude I've met who's into games is totally full of himself. Like he only cares about himself." The worst part? Three other people nodded after he said it.

...does anyone know what the hell he's talking about? Since when did the geeks become egotistical? Is it because people think gaming is still mostly a solitary hobby, and they'd rather fulfill their own desires than to cater to someone else's? Now, I know for a fact that many hardcore gamers have superiority complexes the size of Australia, but that's only online, where there's no danger of physical repercussions. In the real world, they're awkward, shy, and essentially worthless in social situations. So those people don't bother me; I've had their number figured out for years. But it really bugs me that although we went and cleared one hurdle, another one mysteriously pops up in its place. Is this just me, or has anyone else heard similar claims against gamers?

Well, anyway, just thought I'd share. And I did give the person a ride home, by the way. Why? Not because I was the only one who offered, but because I had the best car. ;) Eh, it's a shallow and materialistic satisfaction, but it'll do for now.

9/11/2009 Ben Dutka

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Comments (94 posts)

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Alienange
Friday, September 11, 2009 @ 10:24:32 PM
Reply

Who is this loser that doesn't play games?

17 up, 1 down

www
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 8:34:00 AM

Well Said!

1 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 10:39:32 AM

HA.

2 up, 0 down

Scarecrow
Friday, September 11, 2009 @ 10:28:58 PM
Reply

What kind of people live in Connecticut?

Seriously, in NYC you'd get the crap beaten out of you if you say that to me

1 up, 0 down

Wage SLAVES
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 2:06:49 AM

I bet. Everyone in NYC thinks they're badasses.

10 up, 1 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 10:40:09 AM

Nothing special about CT. The people don't have much in the way of distinction, as far as I can tell.

1 up, 0 down

King James
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 12:10:07 PM

You can't pull that ish in Dallas either.

2 up, 0 down

mustang750r
Friday, September 11, 2009 @ 10:33:14 PM
Reply

I get the same crap from my step mom.

1 up, 0 down

King James
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 12:12:02 PM

really?

1 up, 0 down

fluffer nutter
Friday, September 11, 2009 @ 10:36:53 PM
Reply

I've never heard of that but then, growing up, I didn't know anyone that fit the "gamer" label that was put upon by society. My friends and I play games, we aren't hardcore about it, but it's just one of the many hobbies that we have. I've always known the egotistical ones to be bad at anything they attempt but somehow think that being average means superior.

1 up, 0 down

NiteKrawler
Friday, September 11, 2009 @ 10:49:27 PM
Reply

I haven't heard of this rubbish slander until just now. Seems like a ridiculous label to put on us but whatever. Also, I'm kind of trying to figure out if that last part of your article was meant to be a joke or not. I know you have a kickass car, but I found it funny that you were confused about this new "gamers are egotistical" label and still decided to end the article with "because I had the best car. ;)"

1 up, 0 down

Scarecrow
Friday, September 11, 2009 @ 10:53:22 PM

It's called "smart retaliation" to the stupid statements made by that low life big mouth dumbass

Last edited by Scarecrow on 9/11/2009 10:53:42 PM

1 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Friday, September 11, 2009 @ 11:09:46 PM

Yeah, that last part was supposed to be a joke. That's why I made the materialistic comment. ;)

4 up, 1 down

NiteKrawler
Friday, September 11, 2009 @ 11:14:32 PM

Ha! I figured it must be a joke, as only a true egotistical maniac wouldn't have caught what they did. Props for making me think!

5 up, 2 down

Aftab
Friday, September 11, 2009 @ 10:56:51 PM
Reply

My guess was that the person, and the people who were nodding, were just trying to get you to drive the other person, just so they wouldn't have to.

1 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Friday, September 11, 2009 @ 11:10:11 PM

Nah, most of them offered.

1 up, 0 down

Aftab
Friday, September 11, 2009 @ 11:36:36 PM

Strange. Ben, you seem to be an a**hole magnet. Whether the remark about gamers is true or not, it most definitely was rude thing to say, especially in front of others. I hope it wasn't the lawyer dude whom you made into a christmas tree ornament one fine night. Puzzling thing was the other people nodding. Were they mostly girls? Cuz the idea of gamers being particularly egotistical doesn't smack as widespread. "Immature", maybe, but egotistical, no.

0 up, 1 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Friday, September 11, 2009 @ 11:48:52 PM

Oh, I'm definitely a jerk magnet. I wish I knew why.

But the weird part was, that guy was fine up until that point. And no, it was nobody I knew; I just met him that night...he was like a friend of a friend of a friend.

And yeah, it was mostly girls nodding. I think a lot of them have just had bad experiences with gamers or something. Hell if I know.

1 up, 0 down

Aftab
Friday, September 11, 2009 @ 11:58:57 PM

LOL. I think they were just girls who just had a lot bad experience with guys, in general, period!

3 up, 0 down

Imagi
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 5:17:21 AM

I know girls that have been jealous of the console/PC, as it has been getting the attention instead of them. Could be why they were nodding.

3 up, 0 down

SkantDragon
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 7:01:08 PM

One of the things I've seen happen with male gamers and girls sometimes is they'll arrive at a circumstance where there's a girl there, and the gamer becomes overly nervous about it. He may want to hit on her... and maybe she wants to be hit on... but instead, he buries his nose in a game and ignores her.

This tends to get interpreted the wrong way. The gamer didn't do this because they were more interested in the game. Rather it's just shyness. And putting their nose into the game just became a mechanism of that shyness. The game really had nothing to do with it.

There are, on the other hand, some people who are really interested only in the games and ignore all living people around them. But that's different and pretty rare in my experience. Totally sad when it's the case though.

2 up, 0 down

Jalex
Friday, September 11, 2009 @ 10:59:02 PM
Reply

Hmmm...I would say that, in my experience, two types of people tend to suffer from this:
I meet a lot of casual gamers who seem to think that they're rock stars or super-soldiers, based on the video games they play. And it is ultra annoying.

And then there's the PC loyalist. I generally find that people who only or mostly play video games on their computer tend to think of themselves as much more intelligent than those who aren't in their clan. I don't know why, exactly, but it seems common enough among this particular group.

And I cannot stress enough that my examples are generalizations of specific groups of gamers. I'm not trying to bash people who aren't avid gamers or love their PC.

7 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Friday, September 11, 2009 @ 11:10:36 PM

Oh, hell yes. I HATE the PC elitists. With an effing passion.

11 up, 1 down

NiteKrawler
Friday, September 11, 2009 @ 11:18:42 PM

I can't help but think that PC loyalists are the main reason gamers are having such a tough time getting over the old stereotypes. And they may be to blame for this new one too. They all have the Gabe Newell syndrome.

P.S. A bit off topic here, but has anyone hated another person so much that they don't even want to capitalize said person's name? Maybe I just hold unhealthy grudges?

3 up, 1 down

Scarecrow
Friday, September 11, 2009 @ 11:22:57 PM

OMG EVERYTHING LOOKS BETTER ON PC YEAH YEAH YEAH!

Let me get that next RTS or FPSs
Now we're gaming!

By the way, I can max out everything, and you can't!

Last edited by Scarecrow on 9/11/2009 11:24:07 PM

4 up, 1 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Friday, September 11, 2009 @ 11:50:16 PM

Nite: LOL That's it. From now on, it's gabe newell for me. ;)

But yeah, I definitely agree that the PC elitists are holding us back in more ways than one.

6 up, 0 down

NoSmokingBandit
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 12:09:34 AM

Im a semi-pc elitist i guess. I always play shooters on PC if i can. I'll be getting COD:WM2 for PC instead of PS3 because the PC version really is better (at least it was for MW1).
Strategy games pretty much suck if they arent on a PC too, and i like a good strategy game every once in a while.
But i do really dislike it when PC guys refuse to play console games at all. Just because its not on PC doesnt instantly make it inferior, just different.

Actual conversation i had:
him: "pc games are so much better, i cant stand to play games on a POS console"
me: "yeah, the pc version of KZ2 was much better. Oh, wait..."

4 up, 1 down

Wage SLAVES
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 2:17:09 AM

@NSBandit

I wouldn't consider yourself an elitist cuz elitist wouldn't touch a console with a stick. They make it sound as if PC to PS3/360 difference is the same as ps3/360 to wii. The next gen consoles are pretty close to PC. As far as RTS, yeah still waiting for a good one for ps3 (Civ Rev was close).

Last edited by Wage SLAVES on 9/12/2009 2:17:41 AM

3 up, 0 down

Blink182Fan99
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 10:15:26 AM

Spot on.

I know two guys who were in my history class, and all they would go on about was their PC games, and then were like asking all the really technical stuff to do with the PC that i don't generally know. I mean I'm not completely computor illiterate but still.

i think the steriotype comes from the PC gamer cos (and not cheap shot intended here) Bill Gates is like the biggest nerd on the planet, and if people see games on the PC it's like their making a GIANT leap from one to the other....and Big Bang Theory (that show is jokes :D)

2 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 10:41:24 AM

Yeah, I've noticed there's a widening gulf between PC gamers and other gamers. It's like one group still thinks (and ACTS) like it's the mid-'90s...probably because that was the last time the PC had any exclusive games worth playing. ;)

5 up, 0 down

Phoelix
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 12:45:56 PM

What's funny is that they probably brag about playing CoD4 in like, 100 frames per second when the human eye can only see about 30 fps.

And they have to brag to justify their purchase of a ridiculously expensive monitor that goes higher than 1080 and video card to actually support it.

But I agree that RTS games are easier to play on a PC simply because there are more buttons.

1 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 12:55:01 PM

Yes, I agree on the RTS part.

...but it's tough for me to even acknowledge a supposed gaming platform that really only features one genre that is significantly better than it would be on consoles.

3 up, 0 down

H8WL3R
Sunday, September 13, 2009 @ 7:03:35 AM

Yeah I remember playing Doom on pc (was possibly the first FPS I played). I think the first one I had though was Unreal Tournament (and actually have UTIII for PS3). I also remember Quake II quite fondly on there, along with a few others (I think I still have the PSone version). But anyways I think the consoles in general have definetly been hitting some strong strides in that genre. As said as well, there are some exclusives (which aren't availalbe on Windows) that aren't found on a pc.

RTS games though (can I get a howl for StarCraft and WarCraft III?), are primarily what I've been playing when I play something on pc. I agree that RTS has a tendency to not do very well on consoles, and the selection doesn't help. I think I remember trying an AvP RTS game for PS2. I think now though, with the consoles having hard drives and the option of using mouse w/ keyboard (which I think the PS2 does as well, except the hd) it's much more feasably convenient. Still thinking of possibly getting Age of Mythology and Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War for pc.

1 up, 0 down

MadPowerBomber
Friday, September 11, 2009 @ 11:24:56 PM
Reply

Oh, God yes! I think we're all crazy egotistical gamers. I know I am.

2 up, 0 down

dlte
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 4:16:57 AM

I'm not. I'm just really really awesome and great.

7 up, 1 down

LightShow
Friday, September 11, 2009 @ 11:25:14 PM
Reply

i know a bunch of geeks who elevate themselves by saying that theyre above the kind of behavior that they lack naturally, in an elitist way.

while this guy may have had bad luck and a poor sampling, i dont find it necessarily uncommon, in fact i think that i couldnt go to a lan party or launch event without meeting a decent amount of these kind of people.

now thats not saying that theyre representative of all gamers, just that they pop up with fairly frequent occurance.

1 up, 0 down

LinTr
Friday, September 11, 2009 @ 11:37:06 PM
Reply

Yup. Get out more, Dutka, if you really wanna see it more. I have often found this attitude among those who feel extremely ignorant by a gamers' excessive need to impart obsessive wisdom.

1 up, 3 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Friday, September 11, 2009 @ 11:49:16 PM

I get out plenty.

I'm thinking maybe too much.

1 up, 0 down

kevinater321
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 8:02:50 AM

Yesss...stay back home and bring the gamer sterotype back.....yesss

1 up, 0 down

Origami_Killer
Friday, September 11, 2009 @ 11:38:00 PM
Reply

Well I do only care about myself. So that must make me egotistical. High five for being egotistical. That pic reminds me of me. I'm so awesome.

3 up, 0 down

Neurotoxiny
Friday, September 11, 2009 @ 11:52:32 PM
Reply

Well, in my opinion, not to be hating on Xbox users or anything of the sort, but I have a friend who is extremely egotistical who spends half the day on Xbox Live.

He is super mean and everything, but in the end, he's pretty smart so it's good to have him around when you need answers. But he kind of provided this stereotype for my school, he's kind of Infamous for it.

Too bad he won't be playing Infamous anytime soon :P

5 up, 0 down

WolfCrimson
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 2:42:12 AM

You're... not sucking up to him, are you?

2 up, 0 down

www
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 10:32:27 AM

"But he kind of provided this stereotype for my school, he's kind of Infamous for it.

Too bad he won't be playing Infamous anytime soon :P
"

LOL, good one!

1 up, 0 down

Aftab
Friday, September 11, 2009 @ 11:56:40 PM
Reply

Gaming, at least at a casual level, has become such a common activity amongst all people, I wouldn't know what stereotype to draw about them. I guess the only thing I would assume about the common gamer profile is that they tend to be mostly unmarried, and don't have kids, because between job, marriage, and parenting, one runs sorta short on time for like ...ANYTHING ELSE. Even then, I'm sure there are exceptions to that, as we know from our wide readership at psxextreme. Funny thing is that terrorists seem to fit the same profile (young to mid-age, single males), but I wouldn't draw a correlation between the two (gamers and terrorists).

1 up, 0 down

dlte
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 4:18:56 AM

well most terrorists don't live that long though

1 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 12:02:39 AM
Reply

My best friend hates games and thinks they're a waste of time but he'll make me sit down and watch retarded movies like the Buttercream Gang and the brotherhood of justice because he likes to rift them.

I think being egotistical just come with human nature. Some are and some aren't. Don't see how games would make anyone more egotistical or why egomaniacs would be drawn to gaming. There's egomaniacs in every group of people.

Last edited by Jawknee on 9/12/2009 12:03:15 AM

6 up, 0 down

Aftab
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 12:21:07 AM

I concur. However, there seem to be different kinds of egotistical types. There's the selfish type, and then there's the super vain narcisstic type. Most people tend to fall in these two groups. Then there's even the super controlling, obsessive, fixated type, or the "egomaniac", also known as the super-competitive type. Less common than the other two groups, but still there.

Last edited by Aftab on 9/12/2009 12:22:33 AM

1 up, 0 down

JPBooch
Monday, September 14, 2009 @ 9:57:01 AM

Nice point Aftab, although the latter group you mentioned seem to migrate to games very easily.

0 up, 0 down

Jiggy
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 12:30:51 AM
Reply

You should have punched that guy straight in the nose. And I take women home in my car just so they can see how nice it is, haha. I'm not ashamed to say that one bit. That guy just seems like a prick.

1 up, 1 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 12:55:17 AM

Sounds good online, but in the real world, "punching someone in the nose" is assault. Hardly worth having a police record. ;)

10 up, 0 down

Jiggy
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 9:56:12 AM

Eh, very true. I do have a bit of a temper though, but no police record! Maybe you should just steal his g/f haha. That's a better idea, no?

1 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 10:17:56 AM

Definitely. But I wasn't interested in his g/f. ;)

1 up, 0 down

therabbitkinge
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 1:03:04 AM
Reply

Well I know a cocky gamer or two, personal friend of mine plays fighters (thinks he's f**king bruce lee) also plays guitar hero and rock band (thinks he's f**king slash) plays jrpg's.... (one swore he could blow up cars with his f**cking mind!) I personally don't think most gamers are cocky its the ones that blend gaming with reality that bug me...(once introduced me to his girlfriend in a jap dating sim) I KID YOU NOT! Lol

2 up, 0 down

bridgera
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 1:20:54 AM
Reply

.... well I do have a pretty big ego, but it's because I'm that f***ing awesome.

5 up, 0 down

___________
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 1:47:21 AM
Reply

huh i get that all the time.
especialy from my parents, every time i bring home a new game they say another game?
how manys that for this year 50?
but than every single day my fathers asking me when GT5 is coming out.
effin hypocrite.
thats the main reason i dont want GT5 to be out this year, because if it does i wont see my ps3 for 6 months.

1 up, 0 down

Wage SLAVES
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 2:09:45 AM
Reply

"Since when did the geeks become egotistical?"

Since we and the world realized we are the shiz.

3 up, 0 down

te la meti 14
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 2:56:16 AM
Reply

this is were ben cries and shares his feelings ()----D zzzzzzzzzz (.)(.)

0 up, 13 down

Scarecrow
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 3:11:39 AM

You have no decency

Not only is your username pathetic but you don't know the difference between "crying/whining" and pointing out a situation.

He's not asking for revenge
Nor does he feel like he's been hurt

He's just amused that this is the new tag put on gamers of today.

Moreover, it pertains to games and gamers and that's what the site's.

If you had some decency in that Dinosaur brain of yours you'd understand the point of the article.

9 up, 1 down

Deleted User
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 4:42:58 AM
Reply

in any culture you're going to find them, though I thought so many people played video games nowadays that stereotypes with "gamers" would be long gone.

1 up, 0 down

kevinater321
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 7:56:00 AM
Reply

totally unrelated news but today is my birthday! :) and what game should i get myself for my b-day? my mom is going to get me prototype but i don't want that game. And i already have batman. And any ps3 exlusives that redcently came out. (last buy was infamous i think) so what game should i get? and i don't like racing or sports games.

2 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 10:24:16 AM

Happy Birthday!

Get a paid-off pre-order on Uncharted 2. It releases on Oct. 13. If you don't want to wait that long, you might want to try Marvel: Ultimate Alliance; it comes out this week.

3 up, 0 down

Wage SLAVES
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 11:00:07 AM

Uncharted 2 reserve. Definitely.

Wag of the finger @
those that haven't done so already..

1 up, 0 down

kevinater321
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 11:53:50 AM

Thanks guys, i think i will go with uncharted 2 preorder so i will get into that huge demo ealier. I was already going to get this game but i guess now i will be able to play it sooner. (with the demo)

1 up, 0 down

kevinater321
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 8:39:02 AM
Reply

I find only the heavy nerds, the ones that stay after class to help the teacher clean up(teachers pet in other words). They seem to be full of themselves and think that they are supirior. It may be just because they are smarter than the average human and therefore think that they are better at everything. And some cartoons now a days have the geeky kid as the ignorant bastard who thinks he is better than everyone. I guess these steroeo types somehow put ideas in gamers minds that they should act like that too. Mainly because in these cartoons there are popular people talking to them and including these ignorant geeky kids.

1 up, 0 down

www
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 8:43:22 AM
Reply

No offense but I find people who prefer movies over games much more stupid and delusional.

I mean how do I sit down and watch grown men act a play when I know deep down what their doing never happened and probably will never happen. I'm not saying movies aren't worth it but their mostly full of sh*t.

Plus! I just don't get how people feel some sense of achievement or accomplishment when they finish seeing the latest movie and be like "Wow, what a nice movie" and their all in smiles? Plain stupid. Whiles a gamer on the other hand, beats a difficult game and his pride after that is definitely understandable.

Now Ben, are you sure the guy you're talking about is above 13?

Last edited by www on 9/12/2009 8:43:41 AM

2 up, 1 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 10:18:48 AM

Heh...he was 31, like me. And I agree in the sense that most people I meet who watch movies a lot tend to be dumber than those who play games a lot.

3 up, 0 down

www
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 10:28:21 AM

31? wow, then like Leatherface is saying below,
He was probably tryna c*ck block you. Maybe he saw your car and started hating already, that's exactly how haters sound, trust me I know them.

2 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 10:42:15 AM

No, I never showed any interest in his girl. And besides, guys who already HAVE girls have no reason to c**k block anyone. ;)

2 up, 0 down

Fane1024
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 4:15:46 PM

Beating a game is no cause for pride; it's not an accomplishment (pun acknowledged); your "skillz" have no value. Stop kidding yourself.

It IS a fun way to pass the time, just like watching a movie.

Is it ironic that I make this point, but my new avatar gives my trophy level? I chose it because it gives my PSN ID, not because it's my e-peen (as you can tell by how few trophies I have).

Last edited by Fane1024 on 9/12/2009 4:20:43 PM

0 up, 2 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 5:07:45 PM

Fane: Wrong. Watching movies is passive and playing games is active entertainment; if you don't take satisfaction in performing well, you don't care about the entertainment.

3 up, 1 down

NiteKrawler
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 9:42:09 PM

Not to mention the studies that show gamers being better business executives and even surgeons.

1 up, 0 down

Fane1024
Sunday, September 13, 2009 @ 4:13:47 AM

OK, go on kidding yourselves...no skin off my ass.

I just think www's absurd rant against movies demonstrated the sort of "gamer" elitism and arrogance against which you rail and you were giving him a free pass.

To be honest, I expected more outrage (but was not trying to provoke it).

p.s. Anything which makes someone a better business executive is of suspect value. ;D I'll give you the surgeons, though that's the result of general "dexterity" training rather than direct skill transfer; prestidigitation would be more beneficial.

Last edited by Fane1024 on 9/13/2009 4:35:54 AM

1 up, 3 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, September 13, 2009 @ 8:35:03 PM

To say I'm "kidding myself" because I get some satisfaction out of playing games is an insult.

To not acknowledge that viewing movies and playing games are entirely different forms of entertainment is just being obtuse.

...fail on both points, as far as I'm concerned.

1 up, 1 down

Fane1024
Monday, September 14, 2009 @ 12:02:28 AM

No, I said that you were kidding yourself if you think beating a game is brag-worthy. I certainly didn't mean to insult either you or www. I apologize if you took it that way. Maybe I should have added some emoticons.

I also never said that passive entertainment and active entertainment weren't different (which is why I didn't respond to your point), only that they are equally "wastes" of time. I don't have a problem with wasting time (most of my time is wasted). I just don't think someone should think they are accomplishing anything by beating a game (or watching a movie or posting on a website). Not that anyone actually would think watching a movie is an accomplishment, contrary to www's contention.

Which brings me to my point: the arrogance of the "old-school" "hardcore" gamer. I don't want to put words in www's mouth. because I have no idea what he believes, but his post seems to reflect a mind-set which exists within the community that gaming is better than other pastimes because the gamer "beats" the game. That the only value it has is that they can do it while others maybe could not.

I don't know if the desire to feel superior stems from a history of being ridiculed or even bullied in school, but that desire seems to drive the l33t-ism.

I think this arrogance is bad because I want the industry to continue to grow, both in consumers and in sophistication. I want games to exceed their arcade roots (not that there can't be retro games). I'm interested in vicarious experience, not repetitive behaviors originally designed to suck quarters out of kids' pockets.

In short, I don't see how anyone who praises Uncharted and MGS and is eagerly awaiting Heavy Rain can agree with anything in www's post.

p.s. I'm surprised our resident Kubrick fan hasn't defended movies.

Last edited by Fane1024 on 9/14/2009 12:47:08 AM

0 up, 0 down

NiteKrawler
Monday, September 14, 2009 @ 12:18:17 AM

I have to agree with Fane that merely beating a game is not brag worthy anymore. Games are ridiculously easy these days. Getting the platinum for a game is the new brag worthy accomplishment in my eyes. Hopefully Demon's Souls will change the way we look at hard games. I disagree though, with his comment about beating a game not being an accomplishment. It may not be a brag worthy accomplishment, but it is still an accomplishment to most of us. If it isn't, then you aren't appreciating the subtle art of gaming too much. :)

0 up, 0 down

Fane1024
Monday, September 14, 2009 @ 6:45:17 PM

If anyone can demonstrate, in concrete terms, how beating a game (or getting a platinum) makes the world a better place, I'll concede that you're right. It doesn't matter whether beating a game makes you FEEL a (false) sense of accomplishment. What is the real-world effect?

Making a game is an accomplishment, because it provides entertainment for thousands, even millions, of people. Reviewing a game is an accomplishment, because it helps people decide how best to spend their money. Even buying a game is an accomplishment, because it pays the salaries of those who make the game. Playing a game only entertains the player.

Making oneself happy is a perfectly reasonable activity, but no cause for bragging. Only a truly egotistical individual would think otherwise...which was the question Ben raised in the first place.

Personally, I enjoy the _process_ of playing a game. When I finish a (good) game, I'm more sad that it's done than satisfied that I "beat" it, even when the last bit was hard (e.g., Beyond Good &Evil--damn reversed directions). I wouldn't play games if I didn't enjoy them, which is why I avoid games that are labeled as "hard"; I get enough frustration in the real world.

p.s. The level of discourse is so much better here than at places like Joystiq. Kudos, all.

Last edited by Fane1024 on 9/14/2009 6:59:15 PM

0 up, 0 down

NiteKrawler
Monday, September 14, 2009 @ 7:00:48 PM

What if beating a game makes me happy, and my girlfriend is happy that I'm happy? Is it an accomplishment then? Just how many people must be happy or entertained for something to be an accomplishment?

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leatherface
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 10:01:46 AM
Reply

he was just trying to c*ck block Ben.

3 up, 0 down

www
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 10:29:13 AM

True, him along with the others who nodded they heads are all hi-haters!

1 up, 0 down

fluffer nutter
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 10:58:14 AM
Reply

Maybe he drives a Miata?

3 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 11:29:59 AM

Nah, that would make him gay.

3 up, 0 down

www
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 12:46:48 PM

LMAO!

1 up, 0 down

Wage SLAVES
Sunday, September 13, 2009 @ 9:20:22 PM

LOL!

BAZing!

0 up, 0 down

JPBooch
Monday, September 14, 2009 @ 10:01:07 AM

IDK Ben, that comment was gay. Never know whose a closet fag these days.

That's a comment I'd expect to hear from a girl.

0 up, 0 down

Wage SLAVES
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 11:09:44 AM
Reply

LOL!

Call me what you want but I JUST got the picture! Mirror 5! XD

*Face-Palm*

BTW I didn't open the full pic. Now I get it...more so.

Last edited by Wage SLAVES on 9/12/2009 11:11:03 AM

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Ricochet
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 11:57:34 AM
Reply

We need the "citizen kane" of gaming in order to remove these types of idiotic comments.

Last edited by Ricochet on 9/12/2009 12:04:34 PM

0 up, 0 down

kevinater321
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 12:02:27 PM
Reply

Maybe he's jelous.

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Douchebaguette
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 8:13:45 PM
Reply

He probably just had a girlfriend that had more satisfaction playing games than playing with him; the nodders are just conformists.

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Jed
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 11:36:15 PM
Reply

I wonder if it has anything to do with the people that gget addicted to MMOs, like the WoW episode of south park.

I love the pictures you and Arnold come up with, I'm still laughing about the "awesomeness" one.

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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, September 12, 2009 @ 11:59:36 PM

I can't talk to MMO people.

They're like pod people.

3 up, 2 down

Alienange
Sunday, September 13, 2009 @ 3:57:21 PM

I blame WoW for the downfall of PC gaming. When it came out it annihilated any and all competition. No one wanted to face that mob with their single player game. However in typical PC gamer fashion, they're still playing WoW long after its relevance.

1 up, 0 down

H8WL3R
Sunday, September 13, 2009 @ 7:16:18 AM
Reply

Ben I've played with people before and I've/they've been a bit competitive, but it was usually just in fun. There were times I thought I was good, but I'ver never thought I was THE BEST and that gaming took precedence over all other aspects of life.

However/unfortunately truly egotistical people can come in all shapes and sizes and from all walks of life, regardless of sex, gender, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, etc... so I suppose there may be a select few in the global gaming community as well. It's also entirely possible that some people may have formulated the wrong impression or find something to critizise/tease/bully someone about (such as being a gamer) too.

Peace and later to Ben and everyone else who enjoy playing a video/board/card game, on any platform, why discriminate? ;-)

Last edited by H8WL3R on 9/13/2009 7:20:30 AM

2 up, 0 down

maxpontiac
Sunday, September 13, 2009 @ 9:33:07 AM
Reply

Never had that problem.

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somethingrandom
Tuesday, September 15, 2009 @ 12:18:00 AM
Reply

Some people assume I think I'm better than them. This is because I won't talk to them. However the only reason I don't talk to them is because they were jerks in the past. Doesn't really relate to games, more just nerds and geeks in general though I would not cosider myself to be either.

0 up, 0 down

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