Generational Clash Causing Major Rift Between Gamers
Call of Duty 4: Modern WarfareIn the early days, gamers were all pretty much the same age, primarily because the industry was born beneath our very eyes and catered to a select demographic. But now, three decades later, we're witnessing a generational clash that will most certainly have a profound impact on the hobby we've all come to know and love. Younger gamers and older gamers appear to be a very different breed...
Take, for example, this SlapStik article. First of all, let me support the sentiment stated within: the economy is bad, games aren't cheap, and it may not seem logical to purchase something for $60 that only provides one with several hours of entertainment. In many ways, this is where the downloadable argument comes into play, as many of the younger gamers simply don't care much about expensive discs and would rather have comparatively cheaper digital downloads. And because multiplayer has become a massive phenomenon in recent years, it's a feature that many consider absolutely essential; this also dictates a purchase decision. However, there is something inherently flawed in this train of logic, and to the real gamers, it's an obvious flaw that causes teeth to grind and jaws to clench.
One can easily make the argument that not every game is worth $60, but then again, that same argument can be made for any set of entertainment products. Not every DVD is worth $20, either. We should also remind all the young'uns that video games routinely cost $50 and $60 twenty years ago, and if you factor in the obvious advancements and inflation, I would suggest you get down on your knees and be thankful that games today don't cost $100. But that's not the point. The point is this- the younger generation absolutely doesn't understand the value of certain things. A game is worth $60 for the exact same reason a goddamn text message doesn't compare to actually speaking to someone. With your noses buried in your phones, you've lost the ability to look someone in the eye and speak in a clear, intelligible voice. With nothing but a rental or a digital download, the fleeting experience of playing a game means a great deal less; you have nothing tangible to look upon in the years to come.
No, a crappy game isn't worth $60, but if a game like God of War III comes out and is "only" 10-12 hours long and you don't have it in your collection, that's a colossal waste. Should we even remind everyone that games of yesteryear were really only a few hours long, and the only reason they seemed longer is because it took a very long time to master...? No, why bother? Longevity isn't reliant upon multiplayer. It isn't reliant upon length (and neither is quality, for that matter). We indulge in this hobby because it's fun; because it's a singular form of entertainment that we identify with; because it's something from our past that we value. Anybody who builds a collection of anything is a true hobbyist, one who is passionate about his chosen leisure activity. I don't care if it's collecting bugs; that guy is not going to get the same entertainment out of going to a museum to view specimens as he is looking at his own specimens. We pay $60 for quality video games and keep them because they're a tangible representation of our enjoyment.
I realize this is difficult to understand for those who weren't around during the golden age of gaming. I'm aware that multiplayer is huge, and without it, many gamers (all tending to be of a younger age) lose interest rapidly. I also know that a certain age group seems to lose interest a hell of a lot faster in everything. The bottom line is that, ten years after it came out, I still wanted to play Final Fantasy VII. 15 years after it came out, I still wanted to pop in Super Mario Kart. SMK cost more than FFVII, by the way, but both have paid for themselves ten times over. I didn't need multiplayer; I didn't care that I only played one race the very first time I put in SMK, and I sure as hell don't regret paying the price of admission. In fact, I was very glad I was there at the start, and it all comes flooding back to me when I take a gander at my collection. There are many reasons not to spend $60 on a game, but one had best not lecture others by saying that unless the game is "long" or the person is rich, they'd be stupid to spend the money.
This obscene level of egoism that stands in the face of thirty years of gaming is causing a generational rift. Value, sentiment, tangible, perspective...why are all these words lost on a younger generation? ...can I blame it on the texting again?
3/24/2009 Ben Dutka
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Comments (100 posts)
dillonthebunny
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 6:59:35 PM
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mind you.. Ive never seen Ben and you in the same room at the same time... I wonder if... hmmmm
anyway, as a gamer since the birth of gaming I think younger gamers dont know what its like to play through a game such as manic miner and wonder what the hell things could be like 20 years on, or simply play SpyHunter at home (wtf.. AT HOME)... OMG, arcade gaming in your bedroom.. IT DOES NOT GET BETTER THAN THIS!
...but it does, and I dont think or see how younger gamers can possibly appreciate it, its not their fault. they may say they understand it, but there is no way on earth they can.
the best a lot of these guys can come up with is "hey.. I remember when Sonic first came out"... er, yeh ok.
being at the birth of a sonic game is cool.. and yeh, landmark! its not the same, but at the end of the day we all start our gaming from somewhere.. whether it be Cybernoid, Sonic or GT5.
we should pull together as gamers, but this stupid console war is what is pulling people apart.
I was reading some reviews on silent hill 1... there were no fanboys back then, the reviews were honest and factual.. zip forward 10 years to the latest Silent Hill game and there is so much hate, its terrible... I shed tears of blood.
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tlpn99
Wednesday, March 25, 2009 @ 3:24:10 PM
For me as a kid going on holiday to Pontins or Butlins (its a holiday camp for those friends in the states and other countries, those in UK will know what im on about lol, they were cheap holidays for familys) anyway the first thing I remember doing as my cousin did as well he's as mad about games near enough as I am cept now he has a baby to look after so finds time to game harder. Anyhow first thing we did was check out the arcade see what new stuff was out and we spent most of our money in the arcade during that holiday.
There was a bit of war between the Spectrum owners and the C64 owners but it was friendly. I went to my mates house and played on his speccy and we played on the C64 when at mine. We coded on each others machines copied games out of magazines by writing them in ourselfs
The my machine is better than yours was a joke between us as friends now its all over by strangers. It is ridiculous. You should like what you have and not bash others or flame others about what they like or dont have. At the end of the day you make your choice.
So many memories coming back now thinking of the good days. One of my friends who I used to work with said "Were now in the Golden Age of gaming" and looking back at the time you always think they cant get any better than this surely and lo and behold someone comes up with another brilliant game. :)
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King James
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 7:07:12 PM
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I been down with gaming since I developed hand-eye coordination. Born in 86, been gaming since 88.
And who said multiplayer had to be required? I can't stand when ppl (regular gamers and critics) knock a game for not having some type of game mode like online multiplayer (competitive and co-op), or even offline co-op multi-player. They did it with Killzone 2 and they are gonna do it with Infamous, Heavy Rain, Alan Wake, Max Payne 3, Uncharted 2, etc.
And that texting reference is hilarious, Ben. Good read.
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WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 8:19:13 PM
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Sir Shak
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 8:22:20 PM
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Alienange
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 9:17:28 PM
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thepill
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 7:07:15 PM
Reply
Last edited by thepill on 3/24/2009 7:08:34 PM
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King James
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 7:10:19 PM
What if I don't have internet...I can't play my single player games???!!! Thats BS!
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King James
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 7:10:41 PM
I personally blame the parents.
Last edited by King James on 3/24/2009 7:10:56 PM
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coverton341
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 8:07:59 PM
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Wage SLAVES
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 8:55:58 PM
You got a point. I play COD4 like an addict but Im a bit in the middle agers among gamers (23 years old). My Dad was a street fighter nut and we, as a family, used to settle our scores on Mortal Kombat (3 was our fave).
That being said kids, nowadays at least, just don't appreciate the blood sweat n tears of these devs. We could've only wished for online multiplayer of GT or even MK. That however would NEVER be the buy point just the "Cherry on top".
Shooter addicts just want that twitch adrenaline inducing game. The pleasure of destroying another person rather than sitting through a story like MGS4. Sad days. I know a guy that has NEVER even played the awesome campaign of COD4!!!
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Jed
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 7:15:18 PM
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thepill
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 7:32:37 PM
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Wage SLAVES
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 8:57:37 PM
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Qubex
Wednesday, March 25, 2009 @ 12:22:30 AM
Q!
"i am home"
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Orvisman
Wednesday, March 25, 2009 @ 9:27:44 AM
These days, I'm constantly distracted by people texting during movies, chatting on their cells, or just plain old shooting the horse puckey [edit to avoid filter] with their buddies like they're hanging out on the corner pounding 40s.
End of rant!
As an editor and writer, it pains me to see the rise of illiteracy among the young of this country. All these young-uns do these days is play videogames, text, surf the net, and watch TV/movies. In my opinion ... Sorry... IMO ... kids do not read enough and that, as well as texting, is leading to a rising illiteracy among the youth of the U.S.
Last edited by Orvisman on 3/25/2009 9:29:22 AM
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jaybiv
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 7:16:42 PM
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It's not just with video games though. These youngsters today live in a world of instant gratification. They can't fathom a world where you had to get up and change the channel on the tv. Or use a hanger to improve the tv reception. Or no call waiting and a dial up phone. Where being told "no" by your parents hardly ever changed to a "yes".
Remember taping songs off the radio and going crazy when the DJ spoke over either the beginning or the end of the song? How about when MTV was nothing but videos?
Kids nowadays are three mouse clicks away from the lastest music/movies/games, their BFFs and anything else in this world. Video games to them are temporary distractions in an already chaotic life.
If only they knew what we had to go through to get to this point, maybe their attitudes would be different.
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King James
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 7:21:00 PM
Thanks for inducing the nostalgia, Jaybiv.
Last edited by King James on 3/24/2009 7:21:23 PM
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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 7:45:42 PM
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thepill
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 7:51:46 PM
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WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 8:21:38 PM
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King James
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 10:49:48 PM
LOL! Thats is so comical. I literally laughed out loud. LMAO...the "beast"...Where can you get rotary phone anyway?
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infekt
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 11:20:58 PM
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Qubex
Wednesday, March 25, 2009 @ 12:23:40 AM
Q!
"i am home"
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karneli lll
Wednesday, March 25, 2009 @ 1:19:16 AM
Cant... stop... laughing.rewinding and fowarding tapes when you want to listen to a song again,haha
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Orvisman
Wednesday, March 25, 2009 @ 9:33:44 AM
We're all starting to sound like our dads and grandads.
"You know, when I was your age I had to walk 20 miles to school... uphill... in the snow... barefoot."
"You know, when I was your age we didn't have these newfangled game systems and game carts. No siree, we had a cardboard box to play with... and we were lucky to have that!"
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ps92117
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 7:29:37 PM
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Tommmm0858
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 7:34:35 PM
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coverton341
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 8:01:38 PM
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Sir Shak
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 8:07:59 PM
Gamers have become increasingly online oriented and there is a general feeling among older gamers that good single player experiences may not be appreciated as much as they used to .
I am 20 by the way , so I am not that aware of the birth of gaming but I have been gaming for 16 years . Ben on the other hand is 30 , in the gaming world that is like being a grandfather . ;)
Last edited by Sir Shak on 3/24/2009 8:15:12 PM
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jaybiv
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 10:00:18 PM
We all can go back and play the older systems. That's not the focus of Ben's commentary. It's the shared evolution of gamers and systems that separate the old school from the new school.
I guess it's hard to appreciate what you have when that is all you know. I commend you for being part of the new crowd that vibes more with us older veterans. At the end of the day, we play to have fun and that what it's all about.
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N a S a H
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 7:37:06 PM
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Last edited by N a S a H on 3/24/2009 7:37:18 PM
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Sir Shak
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 7:53:36 PM
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And fu** facebook too .
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LegioN
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 7:56:56 PM
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But i do agree with you. I'll cry the day i can't look under my tv and see my pile of games. Just looking at them gives me memories of good times. And those memories alone are worth $60.
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coverton341
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 7:58:48 PM
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So all of you older gamers, we are the living history of gaming, we grew up with it we in a sense molded it into what it is because we bought what was good and more of it came, we are the flesh and blood legacy, and the younger generation can't comprehend that and like someone said it isn't their fault it just isn't possible for them to do so. You can't, as an old school gamer expect them to get it totally either, I mean who the h*ll here really knows the feeling of gathering around the radio to catch the nightly news or the latest chapter in "The Shadow"?
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LegioN
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 8:11:40 PM
It's crazy to think that we are them now, and the younger generation will be saying the same thing about the generation to follow them, when gaming is all virtual and nobody even has a hard drive of digital memories to look back on.
The circle of life eh guys? The circle of life..
Last edited by LegioN on 3/24/2009 8:12:19 PM
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Alienange
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 9:37:33 PM
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WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 8:14:24 PM
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My collection is precious to me like Gollum and the ring. Rent, beat, send back isn't how I operate. It's: buy only the best, beat, add to collection for a later date.
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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 9:14:37 PM
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Morals
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 8:26:21 PM
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I agreed with everything you said, Hard Copy any day over soft copy, Multiplayer is not necessary in a game, and I always find my self playing MGS1 over again even though i could be playing something like valkiria chronicles.
ohh and im new to this site BTW.
Last edited by Morals on 3/24/2009 8:26:49 PM
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Alienange
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 9:43:22 PM
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Qubex
Wednesday, March 25, 2009 @ 12:28:06 AM
Q!
"i am home"
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karneli lll
Wednesday, March 25, 2009 @ 1:28:52 AM
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crapreviews
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 8:35:08 PM
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I loved the old days of video games where they took hours to beat because you actually had to think about what you did, before you did it. there was only save points every now and then, unlike today where save points seem to be everywhere or just able to save anytime you want to. we have lost the challenge of actually gaming with skill and careful thought about what move to make next, cuz we knew the next save point wouldn't be for a long time.
on another note though, i do like the existence of muti-player gaming. i love being able to log online and game with tons of other people at anytime of the day or night. i was an only child growing up, and most my friends weren't really into video games like i was, so i was always playing alone by myself when i wanted to play with others.
still to this day i don't have many friends to game with on a regular basis, although that is getting a little better. i have noticed that more younger people (teens) are starting to get into gaming more these days. being able to log onto the network at anytime and play online with tons of other people is a great feature in my mind.
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WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 8:55:21 PM
Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 3/24/2009 8:55:38 PM
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Wage SLAVES
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 9:02:09 PM
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WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 9:57:13 PM
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Geobaldi
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 10:32:28 PM
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King James
Wednesday, March 25, 2009 @ 12:30:14 AM
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Wage SLAVES
Wednesday, March 25, 2009 @ 3:14:41 PM
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TGG
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 8:42:40 PM
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Riku994
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 8:49:19 PM
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It's truly sad... The amount of rpg's now are hindered by the amount of shooters and 2 hour long hack 'n slash titles. This makes companies rpg's aren't what the kids or the "in crew" are into and it ruins it for all of us who enjoy a good quality game that takes us a good 20-30 hours to complete. Multiplayer should not have to be the selling point of a game.
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King James
Wednesday, March 25, 2009 @ 12:32:59 AM
Dr. Robotnik is now called "Eggman"?????...Lame
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WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 9:01:31 PM
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I'm glad I've been around since the colecovision days, not to lord it over the young folks (and it appears we have some intelligent ones in here that know what they are talking about) but because it really makes you appreciate what is available now.
No worries though, that little kid who managed to trick his mom into buying Killzone 2 will one day have some very fond memories of staying up nights to bust heads with his friends online. It goes on and on and on...
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gumbi
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 9:02:13 PM
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I mean, i love a good multiplayer game. But I would much rather invite a couple friends over, chill out on the couch with some beers and play some games. You know... REAL social interaction with REAL friends. I dunno, call me old fashioned I guess...
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herukuti
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 9:09:41 PM
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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 9:15:33 PM
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ShamRock
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 9:28:38 PM
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Wage SLAVES
Wednesday, March 25, 2009 @ 3:12:34 PM
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sunspider13
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 9:44:30 PM
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Geobaldi
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 10:34:18 PM
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King James
Wednesday, March 25, 2009 @ 12:41:09 AM
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Alienange
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 9:52:59 PM
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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 9:59:14 PM
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Karosso
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 10:02:48 PM
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That is the same thing I argued with some friends about the new generation of gamers, I have played the Atari all the way to the PS3 (33 Years young and still gaming), and I can't think of not owning a great game that I love, it gives you this amazing satisfaction just looking at it on your collection.
There lots of generation rifts going on this days, like some of my friends criticizing Nintendo for making the so called kiddies friendly games and I ask myself, what is wrong with that? Kids should be able to enjoy the same experiences we did, I would not have my 8 years old nephew playing GTA4.
I believe this generation is kind of well balanced, Nintendo doing some fun light games for anyone to enjoy, MS is putting a good show as far as software is concerned, and Sony's PS3 is in my opinion, the most rounded console with a little bit of everything (not so much on the RPG side) for everyone, hardcore, casual and kids alike.
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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 10:17:15 PM
That's high praise indeed, and I'll ignore the pressing urge to freak out about the "blog" label...
We are a WEBSITE, not a BLOG. ;) Really, thanks, though.
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Diggity Dan
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 10:24:50 PM
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I too am not so crazy about multiplayer emphasis for every game, but I do have to say that on the whole, we're in the best time ever for video games. There's so much more variety and choice than there's ever been before, and I think this is a reflection of the increasingly large demographic of who plays games.
Several years ago, a game like "Little Big Planet" being put on a console by some unknown developer, and then going on to win all these GoTY awards would've been unthinkable.
Consoles and developers are now working harder and harder to compete for smaller and smaller niches (a lot like TV networks these days).
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Qubex
Wednesday, March 25, 2009 @ 12:32:32 AM
Q!
"i am home"
Last edited by Qubex on 3/25/2009 12:32:52 AM
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Banky A
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 10:40:10 PM
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I moved away from near poverty, at the time - to come to New Zealand to live with my mother [never met/seen my biological father])
Even though I've only started gaming in the PSX generation (when I embarked in the new country), I have mad love n' respect for all the older gamers and games. Especially the stuff in life I could never understand.
;)
EDIT: I'm so gonna' train to be Zen and a Dragon like Bruce Lee. Hah =D
Last edited by Banky A on 3/24/2009 10:43:08 PM
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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, March 25, 2009 @ 12:23:03 AM
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Karosso
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 10:43:07 PM
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Me English not tha good :(
But I mean it from the heart. The articles you write are refreshing in the way they make us think about our favorite past time, and the humanity you bring to a topic so full hyperbole, fanboy rants and so much rubbish disguised as news that I was starting to wonder if there was anyone who took it seriously, and with an ounce of respect for the intellect of its readers.
Thank you Sir and thank you PSXExtreme for the safe haven!
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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, March 25, 2009 @ 12:23:23 AM
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Cuetes
Wednesday, March 25, 2009 @ 12:41:38 AM
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25 years, and still in love with gaming.
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slackernz
Wednesday, March 25, 2009 @ 1:05:12 AM
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funnily, we both share a similar interest in ps3 games (except survival horror)
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Geobaldi
Wednesday, March 25, 2009 @ 1:30:37 AM
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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, March 25, 2009 @ 10:19:55 AM
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whooka
Wednesday, March 25, 2009 @ 6:18:32 AM
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Orvisman
Wednesday, March 25, 2009 @ 9:39:33 AM
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Also, some of us grew up in the Intellivsion/Colecovision/Geneseis/SNES era and most of us were obviously here for the Playstation 1/2 era, which really started the populariztion of videogames and took it out of the domain of geekdom.
Then you have the 12 and 13 year olds who are a part of this new 360 generation and don't have the same fondness for the Playstation brand most of us have.
It is these kids, as well as all those old Segaholics who blame Sony for killing Sega as a first-party console manufacturer, who make up the core of the Xbot army.
That is your real generational divide right there.
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Skatejimmy5
Wednesday, March 25, 2009 @ 12:40:57 PM
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Deadman
Wednesday, March 25, 2009 @ 3:30:44 PM
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556pineapple
Friday, March 27, 2009 @ 12:36:37 PM
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WorldEndsWithMe
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Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 6:47:13 PM
Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 3/24/2009 6:50:10 PM