Ebert's Past Reveals Quick Obession With Nintendo
See Full ImageOh, so that's why. He's denouncing his former ways, and believes games to be far too dangerous to be "art."
It was one of 2010's biggest stories: film critic Roger Ebert came out and said video games could never be considered art. After the comment, just about every gamer alive jumped on his back, and many game designers also took offense; some contacted him directly and asked him to play an "artful" game like Flower. It also sparked some articles here at PSXE, including one of our own pro-gaming pieces. However, Ebert soon recanted and explained his comment in a more reasonable fashion, which led to us forgiving him.
There's a bit more to the back story, though: as noted by Kotaku, Ebert once got a little hooked on the NES and that experience made a lasting impression. During a "Siskel & Ebert" holiday gift guide in 1989, the two critics tried to play Tecmo Bowl and afterward, Ebert revealed the following:
"I got one of these sets (NES) at home, and I started playing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with it. And after a while, after a week of this, I'd find that every time I had a spare moment and every time I came home, I was in front of the set playing with these mutant turtles.
It got to the point where it was making me quite unhappy, because I was so obsessed with it, and I finally unplugged the machine and said, 'That's it for Nintendo.'"
He finished by saying something so hypnotic couldn't possibly be good for his mental health, and that was that. Okay, so it seems Ebert may have an addictive personality of sorts, which may have led to his aversion to interactive entertainment. We just hope he doesn't believe TMNT had that same effect on everyone...I remember playing it. Never stopped me from playing football or doing something else outside after school but...whatever.
Tags: ebert, roger ebert, game addiction, video games
12/31/2010 10:49:44 AM Ben Dutka
Put this on your webpage or blog:
Email this to a friend
Follow PSX Extreme on Twitter
Comments (25 posts)
ghjrftyhs
Saturday, January 01, 2011 @ 8:51:01 PM
Air (1-24)shoes $33
Nike (R 4,N Z,O Z,T L 1,T L 2,T L 3) $35
Handbags(Coach d&g) $35
competitive price
any size available
Thanks
$$$$$$$$ w w w . s h o e r s . u s $$$$$$$$
0 up, 1 down
Alienange
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 12:24:15 PM
Reply
Mind you, sooner or later, everyone puts down a Nintendo.
8 up, 5 down
Xombito
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 12:27:36 PM
Reply
2 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 2:48:40 PM
2 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 1:58:30 PM
Reply
After reading that, yeah I think he's probably ADD too, & still in denial with it by placing the blame elsewhere, same as he was with his earlier drinking problem too.
And if so, I certainly hope he's on meds for it now.
0 up, 0 down
DemonNeno
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 1:58:46 PM
Reply
I personally think he should have kept playing. At least I wouldn't think he's an entire waste..
0 up, 0 down
Oxvial
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 2:11:10 PM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
NonProphet
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 2:42:05 PM
Reply
1 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 2:44:50 PM
Reply
Ha, Ebert probably just got pissed that his character "Michelangelo", was named after such a master artist.
0 up, 1 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 2:47:07 PM
Reply
1 up, 1 down
piratedrunk
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 7:01:55 PM
0 up, 0 down
FlyingKickPunch
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 9:07:30 PM
Reply
Also, the AVGN's review of TMNT on NES is pretty damn accurate. That game was full of "ARRGH WTF!"
Last edited by FlyingKickPunch on 12/31/2010 9:10:21 PM
1 up, 3 down
Underdog15
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 11:25:02 PM
2 up, 0 down
Superman915
Saturday, January 01, 2011 @ 9:01:36 AM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
Kevin555
Saturday, January 01, 2011 @ 10:09:35 AM
Reply
Plant a copy of Heavy Rain or Uncharted 2 (A game with acting & production values that would make Hollywood almost sh!t themselves)into his wrinkly mitts & lets see what his opinion is then.
Probably the same opinion, the old fellow seems pretty backwards.
1 up, 1 down
BikerSaint
Saturday, January 01, 2011 @ 9:57:38 PM
Reply
Ebert so far, has refused a ton of FREE offers from individual gamers, gaming magazines & gaming sites, and even from developers, who have stated that they are ALL willing to give him a free 360, a free PS2 & a free PS3, along with the games, Limbo, Alan Wake, Heavy Rain, Flow, Flower, Okami, Indigo Prophecy and a ton of other "free" games to boot, just so he can see what real art is in Video Games.
But the old coot steadfastly refuses to budges or except the facts.
0 up, 0 down
Amazingskillz
Reply
Friday, December 31, 2010 @ 11:17:29 AM
The quality and amount of information and news put forth on this sight in the past year has been outstanding.
Lastly, hats off to Mr. Shepard and Mr. Dutka for the amount of effort,love and intriguing commentary they have put into the site. Its appreciated, Great job guys. Happy New Year!