NME recently published an article about the power struggle between games and music, and quickly conversations shifted to the topic of music games versus real ones and the differing opinions about those. Some prominent rockers whined that music games stop kids from getting into real rock bands, while others hold to the idea that such games are ideal for people who plan not to be rock stars, and experience the feeling just for fun.
The Guardian continued forward with this topic, closing the article with a rather incendiary quote from Q Radio presenter David Quantick:
"Games are not rock 'n' roll, they're metal - aggressive, loud, violent and scared of women. You can't dance to a game or have sex to it. games are still for nerds. Rock 'n' roll is about fucking, games are about wanking. Rock music makes you leave the house and meet drugs, games make you stay in and smell of your own piss."
You want to stab this guy in the face, right? I can't say I blame you -- the disdainful, almost casual tone reeks of holier-than-thou bigotry. On the other fan, Quantick is not exactly the nice type -- he was taken to court after writing what was called a hypocritical, racist article about the singer Morrissey. There's more to think about here than just cheap insults though -- do people really still see gamers this way?
The industry has undeniably outgrown appealing to just "nerds and wankers" --after grossing 17.9 billion in 2007, its safe to say that games have grown to a point where the appeal is more widespread, especially with Nintendo's recent actions to gain new demographics.
Sometimes, I get to a point in my mind where I believe our beloved hobby is more socially acceptable than ever. Comments like this, however, make me think I may be gravely mistaken, and that's a sad idea to have to consider. Do you still get flak from people about your gaming habits?
Contest:
1:21 PM on 12.04.2008
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Whilst the industry I love, the gaming industry, is going from strength to strength.
As a music lover, I think he is a narrow minded dick, IMHO
Let him piss and moan, like we should care, the bloody crybaby needs to grow up and realize that games are becoming more and more popular.
In general, that single misconception is at the core of nearly all major actions by non-gamers against gamers. Computers and technology are no longer the sole province of nerds and the socially retarded, but to everyone but us, playing a video game is seen as immature escapism.
Games will not keep the true masters from picking up real musical instruments. Games may keep the Nickleback level of bands from picking up instruments and learning to play.
Sounds like a win-win to me.
While he is living/ruining his sad attempt at life we can enjoy our games. But he's right that videogames don't have anything to do with rock 'n roll... I don't get the comparison. Rock 'n roll is overrated anyway, just like this fucktard.
This is really an apples to oranges argument, just like book, film, theater. Some people like to compare cock size no matter what the metric. It's a HUGE waste of time.
If you love music, play music. If you love games, play game. If you like being an asshole, then GROW THE FUCK UP.
The only thing I don't like about these types of games is sometimes it gets confusing when you know how to play the track or it is your bands song, and you play it on a six string and you have to make it go with random button combinations.
Never-the-less, I'm glad they make games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band, and on a final note the Guardian is a band with washed up metal musicians who just want to scream about their angst. We play rock band, we wank, we get sex, so their stereotype is broken. I don't consider having sex with a minor covered in black makeup worth my time either which is generally their crowd. I'm also sure they don't get much sex because they should be busy packing their gear up and getting back on the road to the next venue.
Keep on rockin gents, don't let a bunch of angsty men try to piss on your parade.
When I played Monopoly no one ever yelled at me to go out and buy up a bunch of land. Dick.
I play video games to have fun. Period, the end. Screw this guy.
I do get a little flak for playing games but then I am pretty much the stereotypical geek (Comic, Games and Sci-Fi books all over my room with nary a semi-naked chick in sight) so it is expected. I don't give a crap though because I enjoy it and fuck anyone who thinks I shouldn't
Yeah I agree video games have gotten more accepted among the younger demographics basically anyone under the age of 35. But that doesn't mean I don't get the usual "OH GROW UP" looks from my fellow peers.
My aunt and uncle are in their mid 30s, they have a 13 and 10 year old girl and boy. They all love video games, they own a wii and 360, but they always moan over the fact that I don't have a copy of Gears of war or Rockband in my place. From the words of my 10 year old cousin, why don't you have any cool games to play?
If i'm out and about with friends and we meet up with people, and video games pop up in the conversation, Rock Band and Call of Duty or some stupid wii party game always comes up in the conversation. If someone ask what game i'm playing, If i say Persona 3 FES, they have a blank look in their eyes, I explain its an rpg, and they're like oh you mean those japanese cartoon stuff, and they give me the "You're weird" look.
So yeah video games have gotten mainstream, and its totally acceptable to play any of the number mainstream video games, but play anything that isn't a Top Seller like Gear of War, you get funky looks.
Hey I enjoy Rockband and Call of Duty, I have no hate for it, its just people assume if you play video games, those are only game out there for you to own. Just stray away from the mainstream path you get the usual Old school Judgemental Stares that all geeky gamers in 1990s use to get if you talked about Zelda Ocarina of Time.
And if you lived in the UK, you'd agree there are plenty of wankers about atm. Just not the type he's on about.
Oh yes you can!
I think for those under the age of 35, video games have become equivalent to any other form of entertainment like movies, music, sports, and tv. Watching TV doesn't make you nerd, but watching Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Re-runs does. Listening to music doesn't make you a nerd, listening to the Lucky Star Vocal Soundtrack does.
I think you guys get the picture.
People who bash video games in general are people who just dont' get it, but as those in their 20s and 30s get older, you'll see such stigma go away. It's easy for people to use the "video games are nerds" argument because frankly it was barely 5 years ago when video games were still considered to be universally Nerdy.
as for the video game bashing, who cares. If people still think like it's 1970s, then that's their fault. About half the world now accepts games as an escape from the real world or idiots like this.
I thought that watching DS9 made you cool while watching TNG made you a nerd. :)
I also get head when I play xbox.
20 bucks on Dave Mustaine.
Anyway I think this comment reeks of ignorance. We know playing GH or Rock Band is no substite for the real thing. and we don't want to be. playing videogames ia about having fun. We respect whatever this person's idea of fun is. How come he can't respect ours?
Not everyone has the desire, skill, or means to play in a real band. Not everyone has the desire to play video games. If you manage to enjoy both, kudos to you --- you're ahead of the curve.
Having said that though, I still think that all these Guitar Hero games are a joke.
There are women in this world that will not date a gamer because he games. They sometimes PUNISH you for it.
Ever see Mallrats?
I'll be we could find at least ONE person on destructoid who had a relationship issue (male or female) because of one's gaming habit.
I however am a gamer and a metal head. I also have a steady girl who will game with me every so often and doesn't find my music offensive. I love video games. I dislike the new rocker games. I find what this guy said offensive.
Heavy Metal is a strange thing. It's not for everyone, I'll say that.
I rather go off and atempt to play a real one then i might not fall asleep while doing it.
also sex piss
There could be nothing further from being a rock star than looking at a note chart scrolling down the screen and playing a toy guitar with a blank expression of concentration on your face.
However, what he fails to realize is that NONE OF US actually think we're rock stars when we're playing! To those of us who have our sanity, it's just a fun game, not a rock star simulator. So he's essentially telling us all something that anyone with a grip on reality already knows, and throwing in some "gamer nerd" attacks in for good measure.
You know, I honestly can't argue with this line. It feels about right. However, I don't think it elevates one over the other, here. Both wanking and fucking have their place, so to speak. They both have positives and negatives. The problem with people like him, is that they're defensive... they refuse to allow both, they think that one has to be elevated above the other. They're wrong.
Also, yeah, the guy's a douche. I'm familiar with the Morrissey case.
Besides, I'd rather be a well-adjusted gamer with my bf than getting filled with STDs, screwing everything that moves, and shooting up anything in a syringe just to get into "rock 'n roll."