Chances are, if you know me on a game playing level, you know I love stirring up other gamers through the art of trash-talking. If you are one of the select Dtoiders that games with me on either PS3 Friday Night Fights or PS3 Poker Nights on a regular basis this isn't shocking news to you. It is as much part of my overall gaming experience as is the controller in my hand. For those who read my trash-talking blogs regarding Street Fighter II when I hosted on LIVE, your getting the picture. Is it uncouth for me to make those wild proclamations? Is it rude to trumpet my supposed superiority to all within earshot? The answer to those questions may vary on who you ask and are not solely based on whether they have thick skin or not, though that plays a part in it. It's just some people just can't stand it period. It's immature, childish, they say. I call shenanigans on all that crap. A video game landscape without trash-talking would be a boring barren landscape indeed.


I'll tell you what I'll do since I like you, I'll raise this amount so if you call me and lose, you still have 20 bucks left for cab fare. - An actual quote from Me, on PSN Poker.

Ever since I can remember, trash-talking and video games have been intertwined, one existing to sustain the other. Sure single player affairs are a different beast but even then I have found myself many times talking trash to the TV screen in frustration or in triumph over a level finally bested. But just because I subscribe to the trash-talking mentality that doesn't mean that I actively promote being disrespectful to people. Quite the contrary, while trash-talking can bristle and toy with people, it's purpose can be quite plentiful, not exclusive to alienating people. Surprisingly it can be used to engage gamers into actually playing or participating in an event. To awaken a more good natured competitiveness that may be lacking in the festivities. As well as to lighten up and create a comical slant to those involved. Don't get me started on also using this tactic to get you off your game.



The making and profiteering of video games may indeed be serious business but the act of playing them with your friends shouldn't be. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY and like the air I breathed, trash-talking was a part of life. Not just video games but just about everything. From the sports team that you personally promoted over others, to watching action movies and their trash-talking bravado on the big screen, to finally whole genres of music like rap and hip hop using trash-talking as a tool to tell stories, it really is all around us. Y'know when President Bush starts talking junk with his cowboy theatrics it's everywhere.


Make no mistake about it. The weigh-in in boxing is there to give birth to trash-talking as well as heighten and promote a match.

Hell, if we were to with a proverbial scalpel cut away the population of LIVE users that employ trash-talking somehow I think you might end up with just a selct few. Now let's differentitate that the racist, homophobic drivel that is spewed by a percentage of users doesn't fall under the umbrella of trash-talk. It may seem like the line is blurred between the two but it really isn't. One's sole purpose is the propaganda of racism and or ignorance while the other is geared more to ridiculing or clowning your play. There is a difference and it's more than subtle. I do it good-naturedly as most friends do to each other.


To shut a trash-talking JAMF beat his ass or use this.

Headsets nowadays may as well be called trash-talking utensils because really that's what they are there for. Do I practice this with total strangers? No. Because without any common ground of familiarity with them, they assume it's disrespect. But with friends? Oh, boy.. it's on. The floodgates will be opened, the clowning will be on display and the victories and defeats will be that much richer and impactful because of it. To those that think you don't need to engage in childish retorts to have fun..well to each their own I say. Just don't get your panties in a bunch if we ever meet in a poker table, a war torn battleground, or a fighting arena and I say:

" Is that it? Is that all you got? I could lay my controller on the floor and let my dog walk over it and it will give me a better game "

It's nothing personal. It just goes with the proceedings like they have before and will after us.

It's just trash-talk.