How To Improve Ourselves As Gamers In The New Year
See Full ImageWe're nearing that time when we all need to take stock and set goals for ourselves. And contrary to popular belief, gamers are not omnipotent and we can all use some self-growth. Here's a list of the improvements we'd like to see in the gaming community in 2010.
Read the text. For the love of God, read the TEXT
It's embarrassing to admit that so many gamers who supposedly like to keep up on industry news never actually see anything besides titles and review scores. Really, they're so busy, they just can't be bothered. Or, perhaps they've got virtual ESP and they already know what the article is going to say. In all actuality, it's neither of these explanations; it's simply because they're lazy as all hell. If you can't be bothered to read, don't bother to comment.
And by the way, this one really doesn't pertain to anyone who frequently visits PSXE. Our readership is aptly named.
Look! The sun!
We've come a long way in the past decade and most of the old stereotypes have died along with 2D games. But when visiting GameStop, I've often noticed that a whole lot of customers still don't seem to get out much; it's as if they either just rolled out of bed the hour before, or they're squinting like they haven't seen the sun in days. Gaming is an awesome hobby and it certainly remains my personal favorite but without moderation, the entertainment level tends to fall. Temporary immersion is one thing; life absorption is quite another. There's a book coming out in 2010 called "Unplugged," and it deals with video game addiction...let's make the future so such a book can't even exist.
Yes, that person with a differing opinion is an idiot
It's certainly true that people who are passionate about something will let that passion cloud objectivity and civility. But it seems to happen on a whole new level amongst gamers...well, amongst gamers when they come together online. Obviously, those who cause the most problems and scream at everyone else for having opposing opinions are those who wouldn't be able to look you in the eye in real life. Could we possibly infuse some semblance of maturity into online video game forums and communities? Or is that still too much to ask? Really, most of us have gotten far too old to be acting like this.
Oh, we're not doing anything you couldn't do
It's a common topic among gamers, mainly because many of them have superiority complexes the size of a small continent. The idea that reviewing any entertainment product (games, movies, music, whatever) is only based on "opinion" is a common dodge that implies that critics were merely lucky in landing their position. It also makes the gamer feel better, because he's constantly jealous and the automatic response to jealousy is petty, vindictive behavior. Roger Ebert didn't win a Pulitzer because his opinion is better than yours. I like music, but that doesn't mean I'm qualified to write for Rolling Stone. Do you get it?
We all come together to form the GGRC: Girl Gamer Recruitment Coalition
I'm taking membership applications now. Our goal for 2010 is two-fold: take the girls who were only recently introduced to gaming via the Wii or music-based titles like Rock Band and force them to graduate to the realm of real gaming. And secondly, simply find the hot chicks who have never touched a controller, and convert 'em. It's an ambitious plan. It will require patience, dedication, and oh yes, a dash of charisma and charm. But when it's over and our ranks continue to swell with the finest females on the planet, we'll just be...well, that much better off. ;)
12/23/2009 9:30:51 PM Ben Dutka
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Comments (Beta)
arctic
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 4:21:52 AM
6 up, 0 down
frostface
Wednesday, December 23, 2009 @ 10:09:24 PM
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My New Years Resolution right there ^^^ :)
Btw just want to wish everyone on this site a very Happy Christmas and thank you all for your reviews, discussions and advice regarding gaming. I've learned alot and enjoy loggin in...so have fun and be safe over the holidays.
Sorry to go off topic!
9 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, December 23, 2009 @ 10:23:31 PM
9 up, 1 down
Riku994
Wednesday, December 23, 2009 @ 10:46:38 PM
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5 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 12:25:25 AM
Superhuman feat of strength.
7 up, 1 down
Fatcat3788
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 3:52:16 PM
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brighat1971
Wednesday, December 23, 2009 @ 10:46:57 PM
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I want people in 2010 to not spend all spring, summer or fall playing crappy PS3 or 360 games for trophies and achievements. Do more with your spare time than playing video games. Go outside and have some fun. As for the winter, well, some of us don't have a choice or don't like skiing or snow.
0 up, 1 down
eLLeJuss
Wednesday, December 23, 2009 @ 10:56:15 PM
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NeoHumpty
Wednesday, December 23, 2009 @ 10:57:05 PM
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Last edited by NeoHumpty on 12/23/2009 10:59:06 PM
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Gabe Newell
Wednesday, December 23, 2009 @ 11:21:05 PM
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P.S - HALF LIFE 2 IS THE GREATEST GAME EVER MADE.
5 up, 4 down
Sir Shak
Wednesday, December 23, 2009 @ 11:30:30 PM
Last edited by Sir Shak on 12/23/2009 11:33:33 PM
10 up, 1 down
ThugNificent101
Wednesday, December 23, 2009 @ 11:31:55 PM
mostly at the name and picture, took me for a bit by suprise
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LimitedVertigo
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 12:40:11 AM
3 up, 7 down
bigrailer19
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 2:34:30 AM
5 up, 2 down
LimitedVertigo
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 2:43:59 AM
Okay, I admit the whole "the end" part was not needed, sorry. It's almost Christmas, I couldn't help it.
2 up, 6 down
BikerSaint
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 2:46:55 AM
Hmmm, Burger King's not the only one that's trying to selling big whoppers!!!
Last edited by BikerSaint on 12/24/2009 2:48:11 AM
5 up, 0 down
bigrailer19
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 6:02:15 AM
Merry Christmas!
Last edited by bigrailer19 on 12/24/2009 6:07:54 AM
7 up, 1 down
Sir Shak
Wednesday, December 23, 2009 @ 11:35:47 PM
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rogers71
Wednesday, December 23, 2009 @ 11:47:22 PM
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I have always used the this line on her when she gets on to me for playing too much:
"At least I am in the house and not out getting wasted and trying to pick up girls"
That seems to calm her.
Merry Christmas to all!!!
5 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 12:26:55 AM
4 up, 1 down
www
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 4:32:58 AM
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SvenMD
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 7:48:08 AM
However, it has been very difficult to transition to "real" gaming (as Ben so perfectly put it) She can't play anything that involves actual eye-hand coordination though. It really is funny to watch her try to play a FPS....she can't move and aim at the same time.
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Phoelix
Wednesday, December 23, 2009 @ 11:48:34 PM
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And, the reason we trust critics is (imo) experience. There's not really any way to "train" someone to review games; it just comes with playing a lot of them and seeing what's appealing and what isn't. But even that falls, in the end, to subjective opinion. We trust reviewers because they usually have the opinion that we will have when we play game X.
2 up, 1 down
Fane1024
Monday, December 28, 2009 @ 3:55:35 PM
The ability to think critically, to analyze the relative merits and demerits of something objectively, is a developed skill just like logic, debate, or writing.
A proper videogame critic is more than just someone who knows a lot about videogames. It's more than someone who knows a lot about videogames and is a good writer.
Experience playing games is a requirement, just as is the ability to express oneself clearly, but it isn't the only requirement.
Which, I believe, is Ben's point.
Last edited by Fane1024 on 12/28/2009 3:56:22 PM
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Scarecrow
Wednesday, December 23, 2009 @ 11:51:37 PM
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Not easy, but doable
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hellish_devil
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 12:19:38 AM
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May all of you have a nice Christmas colecting platinums (or trying to get that hot chik into gaming with Lair)
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Jed
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 12:31:10 AM
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Classic. I love it.
Marry christmas and all that jazz. It is snowing in Texas, that is about as much christmas as it can get.
Last edited by Jed on 12/24/2009 12:32:31 AM
1 up, 0 down
LimitedVertigo
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 12:39:17 AM
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3 up, 2 down
LimitedVertigo
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 12:52:00 AM
2 up, 0 down
arctic
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 9:37:16 AM
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sunspider13
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 12:50:58 AM
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Read the text. For the love of God read the TEXT-
Some of my friends think that I'm wasting time reading the various dev pages/blogs about their games and I always tell them, "How are you going to know what's going on with that game you're waiting for?" And for what's going on with the law relating to games I go to the GamePolitics site. Oh yeah, can't forget about PSX :)
Look, the Sun!
I'm sure most of the people that come here have at one time or another, had that one game that made them allergic to sunlight and I'm no exception. But with age comes wisdom and I've learned that getting out isn't a bad thing. Besides that game will still be there (unless some tool steals your system/games).
Yes, that person with a differing opinion is an idiot-
I might not like what someone has to say about a game but that's their opinion and they have every right to voice it. Sometimes I'm baffled about the behavior some gamers have towards each other. Not the case with this site.
Oh, we're not doing anything you couldn't do-
Thanks to Ben and Arnold for doing this, they don't have to but they do and I thank them for it.
We all come together to form the GGRC: Girl Gamer Recruitment Coalition-
Best. Idea. This. Year.
In closing I like to wish everyone here at PSX Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year and hope you all get the games you asked for.
3 up, 0 down
LimitedVertigo
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 12:52:39 AM
3 up, 0 down
sunspider13
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 1:54:34 AM
Thanks, and I've never liked eggnog, makes me gag, I'm a hot cider guy for the holidays
Last edited by sunspider13 on 12/24/2009 1:54:51 AM
3 up, 0 down
LimitedVertigo
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 1:58:06 AM
3 up, 0 down
jaybiv
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 12:54:13 AM
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5 up, 0 down
LimitedVertigo
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 1:08:07 AM
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Frenchy17
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 2:17:07 AM
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Titch1794
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 6:44:32 AM
Merry Christmas to all in the forum and to John, Ben, Arnold who provide all the valuable news I long for whenever I browse the Internet (mostly from my ps3). And a happy new year to everyone and to those who love to crack a joke in the comments section.
Bottles out and lets get merry. :D XD
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DeusExMachina
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 2:40:02 AM
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BikerSaint
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 2:57:30 AM
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BTW, I've got to work both of these upcoming holidays(one of our most busiest times) so I don't always feel in such a festive mood after getting back home....
so I'll say it right now.
"Happy holidays to all, and may 2010 be even better than 2009"
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swapnilgyani
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 3:34:59 AM
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Good humorous article. For the LOL factor, it reminded me of an old article I read on Cracked:
http://www.cracked.com/article_16196_7-commandments-all-video-games-should-obey.html
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www
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 4:39:03 AM
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SvenMD
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 7:42:51 AM
You don't see why people can't play games AND go outside....I don't see why central pennsylvanians can't put down the 4th fausnaught...
I guess that's kinda the same.
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Ricochet
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 6:17:05 AM
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Yes, and 95% of why comments are directed to flamebait in N4G and many other forums.
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Rhapsodi
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 7:44:25 AM
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One improvement that will make me so pleased. Is the lower number of gamers buying/renting games for trophies I can't believe anyone would rent a game like terminator: Salvation it makes me sick.
Ugggh!! For the love god its all about the GAMES not trophies IMO
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TES37
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 9:12:07 AM
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I like the GGRC idea. Ben should be president of it. I do my part in trying to convince females to try their hand at gaming. My sister is one tough cookie when it comes to video games though. I haven't been able to get her to check out a game for even 5 minutes.
Sometimes I use gaming in conversations to get some peace and quiet. For instance, at work Monday, someone was talking too much while I was trying to concentrate. They were going through this long spill about what they did over the weekend and were getting on my nerves. So I told them I played GOW all weekend on my second run through and silence fell across the room. It was beautiful how peaceful things got just by mentioning my favorite hobby. This is one way I improved myself as a gamer, I believe, by being a little creative and getting what I wanted. Gaming conversations can be used to get people to play games, or to get them to shut up.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Last edited by TES37 on 12/24/2009 9:13:50 AM
2 up, 0 down
LimitedVertigo
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 2:58:28 PM
Merry Christmas
Oh and I LOOOVE having heated arguments on here, some of you truly make the site what it is.
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NoSmokingBandit
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 9:13:34 AM
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I've already started recruiting my sister as a gamer. She likes simple games like Wii Sports, but we recently started playing New Super Mario Bros, which is a slightly more difficult game than anything else she has played. She is pretty terrible but i always encourage her and make jokes to keep it fun. Next im trying to start her on LoZ or a simple rpg like Pokemon.
Oddly enough she loves racing games, so i got her a 360 and Forza 3 for christmas. I hope she will love racing sims enough that we can play GT5 together next year when its out.
3 up, 0 down
Alienange
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 9:21:45 AM
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PS- Why DID Roger Ebert win a Pulitzer
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Buckeyestar
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 10:08:05 AM
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0 up, 5 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 10:51:16 AM
3 up, 0 down
LimitedVertigo
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 3:12:52 PM
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NoSmokingBandit
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 3:45:44 PM
Injecting one's opinion into an article isnt a bad thing, but giving a game better/worse scores because of it is where things go bad. I've not agreed with all of Ben's (or Arnold's) reviews, but to say its just their opinion is short-sighted and rude.
Last edited by NoSmokingBandit on 12/24/2009 3:47:23 PM
1 up, 0 down
Phoelix
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 4:28:49 PM
It's not rude to say that the reviews here (and everywhere) are statements of opinion. There ARE facts that influence the opinions, but what you see on the site here is what Ben/Arnold/etc. think. We hold reviews in high esteem because usually the reviewers agree with one another.
0 up, 1 down
TGG
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 10:17:37 AM
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to_far_apart
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 10:29:05 AM
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1 up, 0 down
telly
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 11:47:33 AM
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Some girls -- and guys, for that matter -- have a bizarre hostility toward gaming. My last serious girlfriend could not BELIEVE I actually wanted to play videogames more than once a week. Unsurprisingly, we split on bad terms. Sometimes, people don't want to understand. That's their loss. But there are a lot more open-minded people out there who can be changed. I'm focusing my efforts on them.
Merry Christmas to All! I'm out of town and AWAY FROM THE INTERNET for several days. (PSP and DS will keep me warm at night ;) I'll look forward to coming back into the fold some time next week. Later Gators.
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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 12:19:36 PM
And I know exactly what you're talking about. Some women just refuse to face up to certain facts.
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GuernicaReborn
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 12:52:26 PM
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My fiance is getting more and more into gaming. Hell, she's the one that brought a working NES and N64 into my life. She mainly plays multiplayer games though, games like warhawk, Super Puzzle Fighter 2, Buzz... anything we can play together. I still haven't gotten her to play on her own.
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Banky A
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 3:06:43 PM
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They never touch a PS3.
!!! BTW !!!
Oh and I was such a pimp on Christmas Eve Eve I went hanging out with my girls and they said Zelda was awesome ;) And Crash Bandicoot (an action figure)!
The ginger/ranga one that plays piano (such a turn on) also played all the Jak - & Daxters.
They're not super hot but they're cool azzz while not being nerdy at all kkk.
Proper LOL.
That's it (:
Last edited by Banky A on 12/24/2009 3:10:42 PM
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Banky A
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 3:16:14 PM
As for the cause at PSX I will try convert the last popular female friends I have left.
I will go outside even more when I buy some new skinny jeans and get the fabled bloody Pink Stripped Puma's (First Round Repeat) sneakers.
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BikerSaint
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @ 7:08:56 PM
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How's this for site dedication .....
My state-paid vacation lasted about 3 months, and the very first thing I did once I got back on my computer(after emails), was to come back here & go digging into the archives.
I read every single article(& comment) written from the very day I went off-line(Late July) to the day I got back home(Late Oct).
And that alone took me almost 3 full weeks of reading just to catch up on everything I missed. Then I turned my attention to the forum & read everything.
There was only 1 negative drawback about it though.
After I finally caught up, my eyeballs felt the urgent need for a 55 gallon drum of Visine.
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Fane1024
Monday, December 28, 2009 @ 4:03:09 PM
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startazz
Friday, December 25, 2009 @ 12:58:21 PM
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MrAnonymity
Sunday, December 27, 2009 @ 9:58:15 AM
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Zemus101
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Wednesday, December 23, 2009 @ 10:07:25 PM