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Dodging the Hype Train
wanderingpixel | 5:04 PM on 11.09.2009 19 comments




So, there’s this little game called Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, maybe you’ve heard of it? Well, just in case, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is a game about a group of dudes who hate this other group of dudes, and they kill each other with guns that shoot bullets. Also, it has multiplayer.

This is what it looks like… I think.



Have you ever felt frustrated when everyone around you is excited about a game, but you’re not? It’s that feeling of disconnection you get when yours and another person’s mind is on two different planes of thought. I’m sure everyone has felt this way at one time or another. Maybe you were anti Halo 3 because you hate shooters, or perhaps you didn’t care for Super Smash Brothers Brawl because you didn’t have a Wii. Whatever the game, it can make you feel like the odd man out when cruising the internet and seeing the news and forums all centered on one game.

That’s the feeling I’ve been getting lately whenever I see something relating to MW2. All my friends are super excited, they’ve all pre-ordered it at Gamestop, and a few of them have even reserved that huge special edition with the night vision goggles. It’s not just them either; the internet is all abuzz with COD fever, with new info and announcements. Yet, I just can’t seem to get into the spirit.

It’s not that I think MW2 is a bad game; I just don’t see what’s so special about another military shooter. But this article isn’t about bashing MW2, it’s about how hype can split-up the video game community.

It can make you feel frustrated and left out. Like a party you’re invited to, but you can’t find a ride. So, naturally, you try car pooling with your friends.

By car pooling, I mean that you try to use your friend’s excitement to get yourself excited, but I can tell you from experience that you can’t force yourself into wanting a game. I tried forcing myself to get excited about Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, but I didn’t have a PS3. I came close to buying a PS3 Slim, but I changed my mind after I realized that I would be buying a whole console for just one game. I came close to spending four hundred on a game that I didn’t even want, all because I wanted to be part of the hype, I wanted to belong. Don’t make that mistake; you’ll just end up wasting money.



It sucks being the one looking through the window. Sometimes you just want to conform just to feel accepted, but you can’t force yourself into things. Sometimes you just have to take the hit and keep on going. When MW2 is released, I’m still going to be playing Borderlands. If any of my fellow rebels wish to join me, hit me up on Xbox Live, I could always use the company.



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19 comments | showing # 1 to 19

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Coafi's Destructoid Blog
No worries, man. I feel the same way about MW2. It's the same thing all over again. I'm picking up L4D2, I know it's the same as the first one. But I never bought the 1st L4D. And also thinking about buying Borderlands, but I'm still not sure.
Handy's Destructoid Blog
Good for you! I’m still getting it but I’m a follower.
pascuz46's Destructoid Blog
This article can be about teenage self help and it would still work. But I know what your saying, for sure everyone has been in that awkward position. I have many times. In my group of friends there are 4 of us, I have a ps3 the other 3 only had Wiis (this is back in late 2007). At the time ps3 was going through some really rough patches while the wii had its best year ever. Nothing on that console interest me enough to warrant a purchase. My friends loved the new Zelda game, Mario galaxy, SSBB and others. I felt really out of the group because I couldn't bring myself to getting excited about any games on that console and the console itself. But the way I dealt with it was just to be happy about what interests you. Know what I mean? Sure you may not like MW2, that's fine, but get excited about other games coming out this fall (Im sure there's something out there that interest you).
Steel Squirrel's Destructoid Blog
Oh, the hype train.
Holyetheline's Destructoid Blog
Yeah dude... to be honest I got really hyped for Borderlands (with good reason, I love this game) and now I fear other games will suck and I will just rather play Borderlands. My gamertag is Affinitia, hit me up on live if you wanna play. I'll be getting MW2 but it's not looking like a purchase I will make on day one or anything.... I'd just rather play Borderlands still...
double2's Destructoid Blog
I experienced the polar opposite of this with DJ hero. I was really excited about it but no one else seemed to be which was tough. It made me wonder when my gaming taste moved to a pack mentality. If I only ever bought games people were excited about, I would never have bought cosmic spacehead, my favorite game on the mega drive! I am literally buying cod:mf2 BECAUSE of the hype - I want to be on the hype train as is goes off the side of the earth. I wan't to be a part of this landmark in history. I did the same with Halo 3 and thoroughly enjoyed the time I gave it (not so much ODST)
oh, and just because I can't let it lie, PS3 also has LBP and Fat Princess. Maybe you should rethink that purchasing decision :D
HiddenAHB's Destructoid Blog
I live in Brazil, i don't get an allowance and i don't have a job, and i'm in high school. So i'm already used to seeing a footage of a game that i REALLY want and only playing it 8 or 10 months later. I guess this made me hype-proof, so let's rebell together!
Magnalon's Destructoid Blog
Modern Warfare 2 will last me hundreds of hours in multiplayer, and I still won't be max level.

Borderlands, I can get 50 in 40 hours, then I'm done with it.

I can see where you're going, but I think MW2 will be a better game overall. Also, Uncharted 2 will probably be better than both of them.
Jonathan Holmes's Destructoid Blog
I feel this way all the time.
Eaten by a Grue's Destructoid Blog
Goode Show!
P-Dude's Destructoid Blog
I'm in the same boat as you, man. I find it hard to buy a game like MW2 when I have a game I KNOW I'll enjoy more right here. I'm of course talking about Team Fortress 2. Now MW isn't bad, but when compared to other FPSs, it just doesn't come close.

However, MW and (I assume) MW2 have two things going for them:
They are good CONSOLE shooters
They actually have a good story

That being said, I'll probably rent MW2 later in life just to play the single player.
Gortexfogg's Destructoid Blog
Happened to me a bit with Halo 3. Those awesome adds, the intense excitement of so many people (I'd only ever played some random multiplayer of the other two). But, I passed. My gaming experience has shown, just because a game is good or incredibly well liked, doesn't mean I will enjoy it.
Riegel88's Destructoid Blog
"Have you ever felt frustrated when everyone around you is excited about a game, but you’re not? " I feel EXACTLY this way! I've seen stuff on facebook about it all day, and I'm just like meh, another FPS..set in war time. Woo!..
kauza's Destructoid Blog
I'll be back on Borderlands when the DLC hits. For sure,
Qalamari's Destructoid Blog
Amen, sir. I'd happily join you for some Borderlands...except I dodged the 360 hype train too. Sorry about that.
Joseph Leray's Destructoid Blog
Dude, I feel the exact same way, I'm still loving Borderlands. Gamertag is jOrcist if you want to play.
Elsa's Destructoid Blog
Good blog... and I know exactly what you're saying about MW2. I finally just told my husband to cancel the pre-order unless he intended to play the campaign himself. I doubt I would play online unless it was with people I know, the co-op missions have to be unlocked, and the campaign is only 8 hours or so which essentially makes the game a rental - unless he actually will also play the campaign in which case it would be worthwhile to probably buy the game.

All the hype actually has me less interested in the game... but also more interested. Such conflicting feelings!
Velt's Destructoid Blog
I mean, the game itself is nothing out of the world, as a PC gamer was a no-buy since the idea behinf MW2 was the MP since the SP is rather short for 60usd. But the screw the MP so....
Borderlands!
Dragon Age!
Left4Dead 2!!

Thats it, dont be ashamed of coming out the closet,
Occams electric toothbrush's Destructoid Blog
Yeah, I don't get Modern Warfare 2. Played the first one and meh?


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Hello there, internet. My name is wandering pixel, and I'm here to rock your world! Or at least cause some sort of tremor.

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My real name is Jack. I live over on the east coast, and currently working for an A&P grocery store as a part time job, since I'm still in school. What I really want to do is become one of three things: a cartoonist, a game designer, or a writer. I'm starting to lean a little towards writing, seeing as how most of the animation and game industries are located in California. But that's alright, because I can drive up to New York City and Philadelphia and enjoy the theater. That's another thing, I have a pretty broad range of interests in just about any form of art or entertainment you could think of, but video games are probably my all time favorite. The reason is because I believe that video games are the all new canvas for a new generation of artists, like me, to leave our impression on. Unfortunately, gaming is still locked in it's Hollywood mentality, and publishers are more interested in money rather then exploring the potential of the interactive format. That's something else you should know about me: I like stories that have depth. That isn't to say that I don't enjoy simple entertainment like action flicks and comedy. Quite the opposite in fact. I just prefer for my stories to have some type of meaning to them, and this, unfortunately, is a rare commodity in games. But I hope that I may be able to take advantage the narrative opportunities in the video game medium someday. Until then, I'm just Jack.

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