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Monkeys Can Be Fanboys Too!
TheBrain \| 12:35 PM on 11.10.2007	6 comments

I ran across an interesting article in the New York Times recently. While it is no surprise that we humans will often rationalize decisions we make by downplaying the significance or worth of the options we pass up, apparently primates do it too.

A study was conducted with monkeys and M&Ms (as all good studies are). At the beginning, the monkeys showed no preference over three colors of M&Ms. However, when given the choice between two colors of M&Ms, the monkeys began to prefer a particular color to the point of consistently rejecting the color that had been previously passed up.

I found it difficult not to draw a parallel to the buying habits of videogame consumers. All three current systems provide great gaming opportunity, but there are still those who insist on choosing just one. They then feel the need to rationalize that choice by over-emphasizing their system's strengths and downplaying the benefits of competing consoles.

So congratulations fanboys, you are employing a strategy used by monkeys.

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2 comments | showing # 1 to 2

Mxyzptlk

Fuck you, red M&Ms are obviously the best!

Seriously, the comparison kinda falls flat because there's no inherent difference between different colors of M&Ms other than appearance, while there is between each system... but you're absolutely right, each one has great gaming opportunities and fanboys should STFU.

TheBrain

A better comparison can be found within the article itself (people had to choose between a toaster or a sandwich press, and subsequently devalued whatever they didn't choose). Obviously, they had to go with something a little simpler for the monkeys.

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about me

My name is Matt and I am a doctoral psychology student that plays and reads about videogames. A lot. I have high hopes for the games industry in terms of the application of the medium to less escapist entertainment means. I also like disagreeing with people on the internet because anonymity is awesome.

I will play any kind of videogame but I mainly play action and adventure games, although I have been known to play the occasional racing game and whatever whacked out genreless DS/Wii game that is thrown at me. Typically, the less formula-based and cookie-cutter the game, the more I like it. For some reason I have a dislike for RTS games and turn based RPGs.

To me, the best games allow for freedom, not so much the "you have three different missions to choose from" freedom. I like games that give me choices in how "levels" are defeated providing a different experience each time (GTA, Hitman, Mercenaries). I also like games that let me make real decisions that effect the outcome of the game, not basic decisions that simply keep me alive until the next prescribed story element becomes apparent (Deus Ex). That isn't to say I don't sometimes enjoy the force-fed completely linear game (Mario, Metroid, Zelda, Castlevania).

Favorite Games:

NES:
1. Super Mario Bros. 3
2. The Legend of Zelda
3. Castlevania II: Simon's Quest
4. Bubble Bobble
5. Dr. Mario

Genesis:

1. Sonic the Hedgehog 2
2. Gunstar Super Heroes
3. Comix Zone
4. Contra: Hard Corps
5. X-Men 2: The Clone Wars

SNES:

1. Super Metroid
2. Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
3. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
4. Contra III: The Alien Wars
5. Super Mario World

PS1:
1. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
2. Metal Gear Solid
3. Ape Escape
4. Crash Team Racing
5. Syphon Filter

N64:
1. Super Mario 64
2. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
3. Mario Kart 64
4. Star Fox 64
5. Paper Mario

PS2:
1. Grand Theft Auto III
2. Shadow of the Colossus
3. Beyond Good & Evil
4. Ico
5. Okami
6. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
7. Mercenaries
8. Amplitude

Gamecube:
1. Resident Evil 4
2. Metroid Prime
3. Pikmin
4. Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem
5. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

PC:
1. Deus Ex
2. Far Cry
3. Fable: The Lost Chapters
4. No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Way
5. Fa�ade

GBA:

1. Metroid: Zero Mission
2. Fire Emblem
3. The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
4. Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance
5. Klonoa: Empire of Dreams

DS:
1. Elite Beat Agents
2. Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow
3. Animal Crossing: Wild World
4. New Super Mario Bros.
5. Kirby: Canvas Curse

Wii:
1. Super Mario Galaxy
2. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
3. Wii Sports
4. Warioware: Smooth Moves

Xbox 360:
1. Rock Band
2. Mass Effect
3. Bioshock
4. Assassin's Creed
5. Call of Duty 4