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I had a feeling that the post was going to take this direction...
The icon for this story is one of the best things ever.
The icon for this story is one of the best things ever.
lol, i think we were on the verge of seeing a side of holmes we never knew existed right around the 2:50 mark...i swear he was seconds away from piledriving that woman. I think deep down most women(not all) dislike video games, or anything that diverts mens attention away from them, for that matter.
First: "Some (like Jobs' biographer Walter Isaacson) think that Jobs' ability to sell tech to the everyman puts him in the same league as Henry Ford and Thomas Edison"
I think the only hurtful thing in that statement is comparing Jobs to Edison. Edison was a hack, and Jobs deserves a better comparison.
Anyway, I kind of like the mainstream acceptance that games have been steadily receiving.
What I do notice is that a lot more people have played games in their lives, even if they're not 'gamers'. There are no real gamers in my friend group right now. But: one of them has played lots and lots of Myst and is interested in Portal, one loved Need for Speed, another recently asked me whether his PC would run Mafia okay, and so on. That is a nice thing to see, and it makes it easier for them to understand why I do what I do.
However, there is another side to this as well. What I (obviously) don't like is that a lot of the games that are gaining said acceptance are games that I simply don't like and probably will never like. So, half the world's population, some of which people who may have shunned games until the past few years, is exited for Modern Warfare 3, are they? GTAV?
Well....I'm not.
I don't have much of an interest in the Hollywood-style shooters, so it saddens me a little bit that those are the games that are becoming mainstream. Same goes for the more casual titles.
It's becoming increasingly more difficult to explain to the man in the street why I'm a Nintendo-gamer, and that's not the development I was hoping for.
I think the only hurtful thing in that statement is comparing Jobs to Edison. Edison was a hack, and Jobs deserves a better comparison.
Anyway, I kind of like the mainstream acceptance that games have been steadily receiving.
What I do notice is that a lot more people have played games in their lives, even if they're not 'gamers'. There are no real gamers in my friend group right now. But: one of them has played lots and lots of Myst and is interested in Portal, one loved Need for Speed, another recently asked me whether his PC would run Mafia okay, and so on. That is a nice thing to see, and it makes it easier for them to understand why I do what I do.
However, there is another side to this as well. What I (obviously) don't like is that a lot of the games that are gaining said acceptance are games that I simply don't like and probably will never like. So, half the world's population, some of which people who may have shunned games until the past few years, is exited for Modern Warfare 3, are they? GTAV?
Well....I'm not.
I don't have much of an interest in the Hollywood-style shooters, so it saddens me a little bit that those are the games that are becoming mainstream. Same goes for the more casual titles.
It's becoming increasingly more difficult to explain to the man in the street why I'm a Nintendo-gamer, and that's not the development I was hoping for.
@ salamagogo- You read me totally wrong! I wasn't angry at her at all. In fact, I was mostly just in shock that she had the guts to come right out and say that she doesn't like videogames on a show about... videogames.
She was really nice and really brave, and I think we're going to be friends. Actually, we may play some Puzzle Fighter later tonight. Good thing I didn't let a knee jerk, defensive reaction to attack anyone who might malign my favorite pastime get in the way of friendship making!
She was really nice and really brave, and I think we're going to be friends. Actually, we may play some Puzzle Fighter later tonight. Good thing I didn't let a knee jerk, defensive reaction to attack anyone who might malign my favorite pastime get in the way of friendship making!
Do the Dhalsim!
The "gamer," "non-gamer" monikers are definitely unnecessary because of the wide appeal and possible applications of videogames.
People are allowed to have varying levels of interests in things and various focuses. Some people only want to go to the movies to watch raucous comedies, some want to watch Pierrot le Fou. Nothing wrong with that.
The "gamer," "non-gamer" monikers are definitely unnecessary because of the wide appeal and possible applications of videogames.
People are allowed to have varying levels of interests in things and various focuses. Some people only want to go to the movies to watch raucous comedies, some want to watch Pierrot le Fou. Nothing wrong with that.
"I don't like games because they're lame"
"What games have you played?"
names several games that really are kind of lame
Ha! Women! XD
(I haven't actually watched the whole thing yet, btw)
"What games have you played?"
names several games that really are kind of lame
Ha! Women! XD
(I haven't actually watched the whole thing yet, btw)
Great article and video this week. Perfect example of how negative stereotypes of gamers put up barriers between us gamers and non-gamers(who actually like certain games anyway)
Its funny how video games have always been looked down by the public because people think you are just mindlessly mashing buttons to get the top score in frogger at the local arcade
and now that our beloved medium has evolved into something that not only rivals movies and books but outshines them, the same people telling us that we are wasting our time and rotting our brains are now the ones playing the rudimentary time suckers that amount to nothing at the end of day
FUCKING HYPOCRITES
and now that our beloved medium has evolved into something that not only rivals movies and books but outshines them, the same people telling us that we are wasting our time and rotting our brains are now the ones playing the rudimentary time suckers that amount to nothing at the end of day
FUCKING HYPOCRITES
I would just like to know how someone as open minded and with very broad tastes in games as you can say that Uncharted 2 is their least favorite game. I don't understand how nothing at all in that game appealed to you o_o
I also love very different things from Uncharted to Seiken Densetsu to Bit Trip Runner etc etc and I would assume something would spark you interest in that game since it has a lot of stuff in it. But nothing at all?
I also love very different things from Uncharted to Seiken Densetsu to Bit Trip Runner etc etc and I would assume something would spark you interest in that game since it has a lot of stuff in it. But nothing at all?
Hahaha, I guessed that 'make that change' would link to Man in the Mirror before I clicked on it. Quality, Holmes. Quality.
In other news, another great article. I may now feel a little less distaste for Apple.
In other news, another great article. I may now feel a little less distaste for Apple.
Steve Jobs deserves recognition for making technology accessible to stupid people. Thats all. Instead of requiring people to get smarter, he catered to the lowest common denominator. I'm not saying technology shouldn't be accessible, but Apple took it too far in my humble opinion.
Of course, my past experiences in IT may be coloring my thinking.
Of course, my past experiences in IT may be coloring my thinking.
@Shadeoflight-I hear ya. I'm a Ninty gamer too and lately I've been losing a lot of interest in video games because they just stopped appealing to me. Though I'm psyched about the WiiU and Skyward Sword, that's about all there is left. It's become harder and harder to explain why I love video games to people as the industry expands. I dunno why. I don't know why my roommates love Halo Reach so gosh dang much! Eh...at least they enjoy it.
Oddly enough, I had an experience similar to Holmes about talking to girls about video games :) I met a girl (who I later asked out) and she dun right told me that video games are bad. What do I do? I educate in the diversity that is video games. My Wii served me well in that front :)
Oddly enough, I had an experience similar to Holmes about talking to girls about video games :) I met a girl (who I later asked out) and she dun right told me that video games are bad. What do I do? I educate in the diversity that is video games. My Wii served me well in that front :)
I hate being labelled fullstop, in any situation. I think stereotypes only harm interactions between people. If people ask me whether I'm a gamer I usually say no, it's a redundant term. I'm not a dancer because I go dancing occasionally, I'm not a sportsman because I play sport occasionally, and I'm not gamer just because one of my hobbies involves videogames. There are some people that let their hobbies define their entire lives, and that's fine, they can use the label if they like, but as evidenced by the video, the stigma of the label isn't helping anybody and as I said earlier, is redundant.
With so many genres available now, it's the best time to be into games. I doubt we'll be dropping the "gamer"/"non-gamer" stuff anytime soon, but it seems to be getting there. I'm sure once all the crotchety old people croak, our current generation will take over and that's when everything will be as Jobs intended it. Everyone using computers/tablets/gaming consoles and having fun.
Opinions will always remain though and that's fine, regardless of how it "shortchanges... living", we can't like everything. I hate country music. Doesn't mean I'm not living to my fullest. That music wasn't made for everyone anyway. I love J-rock and classical music and the combination of the two. That's what makes me feel more cultured and like I'm actually living, and like I'm not limiting myself to music made locally.
Opinions will always remain though and that's fine, regardless of how it "shortchanges... living", we can't like everything. I hate country music. Doesn't mean I'm not living to my fullest. That music wasn't made for everyone anyway. I love J-rock and classical music and the combination of the two. That's what makes me feel more cultured and like I'm actually living, and like I'm not limiting myself to music made locally.
Wonderful thoughts in the write-up, the fact that the term "gamer" even exists is proof of the medium's immaturity.
Wow! This was a really great article and there's a lot to discuss.
I think it's great how you described the idea of 'console age groups'. It had never occurred to me.
I never really thought of Steve Jobs as a tech ambassador, either. As for why people disliked his company, I feel there are other reasons. While the cynic in me agrees that it was because people felt his products were 'mainstream', there are other reasons. Many people felt like Jobs was selling flashy, overpriced tech that had superior alternatives and pandering to novice users who wouldn't know the difference.
The explanation is similar with indie culture. Many people feel that the motivation of mainstream media, be it film or games, is to sell tried and tested ideas rather than experiment or branch out. Thus, these people will eventually lose interest altogther.
Ultimately, the frustration with the mainstream isn't just an obsession with hating all things popular. It's more like people think a concept is getting way too popular and it doesn't deserve the attention. So there is a legitimate beef to be had with mainstream culture.
Having said that, I think your advice is excellent. Often, an item's mainstream status will cloud someone's vision. I think we should just ask if it's good or not.
I for one am a reformed Apple hater. For me what changed was realizing that I had never really looked at the products - I sort of joined a bandwagon. I still have criticisms - but I try to divide my criticisms of their products with my criticisms of their mass appeal. In fact, I embrace Apple because they really have become gaming's greatest evangelist.
Now my problem is the opposite: I mind game enthusiasts who feel that people who play iOS games aren't worthy of the 'gamer' title. I think it's important for the labels associated with video games to completely fall away, and I think game fans should spread the word after they've dealt with their own misconceptions.
I think it's great how you described the idea of 'console age groups'. It had never occurred to me.
I never really thought of Steve Jobs as a tech ambassador, either. As for why people disliked his company, I feel there are other reasons. While the cynic in me agrees that it was because people felt his products were 'mainstream', there are other reasons. Many people felt like Jobs was selling flashy, overpriced tech that had superior alternatives and pandering to novice users who wouldn't know the difference.
The explanation is similar with indie culture. Many people feel that the motivation of mainstream media, be it film or games, is to sell tried and tested ideas rather than experiment or branch out. Thus, these people will eventually lose interest altogther.
Ultimately, the frustration with the mainstream isn't just an obsession with hating all things popular. It's more like people think a concept is getting way too popular and it doesn't deserve the attention. So there is a legitimate beef to be had with mainstream culture.
Having said that, I think your advice is excellent. Often, an item's mainstream status will cloud someone's vision. I think we should just ask if it's good or not.
I for one am a reformed Apple hater. For me what changed was realizing that I had never really looked at the products - I sort of joined a bandwagon. I still have criticisms - but I try to divide my criticisms of their products with my criticisms of their mass appeal. In fact, I embrace Apple because they really have become gaming's greatest evangelist.
Now my problem is the opposite: I mind game enthusiasts who feel that people who play iOS games aren't worthy of the 'gamer' title. I think it's important for the labels associated with video games to completely fall away, and I think game fans should spread the word after they've dealt with their own misconceptions.
@Johnathan Holmes
The reason why I "hate" apple is because they DON'T have the common mans interests at heart. Overpricing five year old tech and then reiterating it every six fucking months every time revenue drops is a far cry from advancing tech. Yea if you dumb something down for the tech retarded its going to go mainstream and self perpetuate by its own sensationalism(just look at mass effect 2), but is that true progress Holmes?
I realize that hating a specific company is just as trivial as being a "fanboy" for a different one but I am of the philosophy that technology should progress as rapidly as humanly possible simply because it is a core aspect of our own evolving humanity, and stunting that progression for the sake a steady net profit disgusts me because i don't want to be part of a society that marches to the drum of the free market fuck circus
Id rather be part of something more... sentient.
The reason why I "hate" apple is because they DON'T have the common mans interests at heart. Overpricing five year old tech and then reiterating it every six fucking months every time revenue drops is a far cry from advancing tech. Yea if you dumb something down for the tech retarded its going to go mainstream and self perpetuate by its own sensationalism(just look at mass effect 2), but is that true progress Holmes?
I realize that hating a specific company is just as trivial as being a "fanboy" for a different one but I am of the philosophy that technology should progress as rapidly as humanly possible simply because it is a core aspect of our own evolving humanity, and stunting that progression for the sake a steady net profit disgusts me because i don't want to be part of a society that marches to the drum of the free market fuck circus
Id rather be part of something more... sentient.
such gif worthy moments...
i used to get angry because someone not-gamer liked a game that i liked, but don't know about it as much as i do. But now i love people that likes the same things as i do, because is too friggin hard to find someone like that.
i used to get angry because someone not-gamer liked a game that i liked, but don't know about it as much as i do. But now i love people that likes the same things as i do, because is too friggin hard to find someone like that.
I totally agree. A really good friend of mine does this, and it pisses me off. Every time I mention some popular game I like, he'll mention some art film or indie game he got into. He only likes indie stuff, and while indie games can be great, it's really limiting, and only alienates yourself from some amazing games.
My friend is a jerk.
My friend is a jerk.
@Browneyewinkin
Then I would say that your hate is quite ignorant. I'm an Android-supporter myself but what you're saying makes no sense at all. You are, of course, probably trolling but what the heck:
*Overpricing five year old tech*
Actually, there are a lot of companies out there who overprice their products, Sony and Philips come to mind. People pay more for flashy/expensive looking designs and companies take advantage of that. Nothing new to see here.
Also, when a new iPhone comes out it's usually one of the most powerful smartphones on the market. And how would you exactly run a game like Infinity Blade on five year old smartphone tech?
*reiterating it every six fucking months every time revenue drops*
Actually, is well over a year. Companies who make Android-smartphones do this, companies who make HDTV's do this, car companies do this, etc. Your point being?
*is a far cry from advancing tech*
That might be true, but that goes for thousands of companies out there. A company will not pump millions of monies in developing new tech if the existing tech is still deemed profitable enough for the foreseeing future. Actually, the computer-industry is already one of the fastest moving tech industries out there so what are you complaining about?
*I am of the philosophy that technology should progress as rapidly as humanly possible*
So am I, but I am not delusional. The world revolves around money and companies are not developing new tech from the kindness of their own hearts.
Hate them or not, but Apple kick-started major technological advancements in the smartphone market by transforming it from an executive toy into a mainstream "must-have". In much the same thing as they did with the MP3-player. Smartphones became very lucrative, thus inspiring more companies to advance the tech to grab a piece of that glorious money-pie.
Also, Apple was the first company who made a proper, GUI-driven home computer, the first user-friendly MP3 player. And Steve Jobs was the man who saw that Computer-Generated movies could be a major source of entertainment (thus monies) while nay-sayers said that it was too much trouble and too expensive. Tell me, how's that "stunting progression" exactly?
Or are you just too ignorant to understand that technology can only advance faster once it's widely adopted?
Then I would say that your hate is quite ignorant. I'm an Android-supporter myself but what you're saying makes no sense at all. You are, of course, probably trolling but what the heck:
*Overpricing five year old tech*
Actually, there are a lot of companies out there who overprice their products, Sony and Philips come to mind. People pay more for flashy/expensive looking designs and companies take advantage of that. Nothing new to see here.
Also, when a new iPhone comes out it's usually one of the most powerful smartphones on the market. And how would you exactly run a game like Infinity Blade on five year old smartphone tech?
*reiterating it every six fucking months every time revenue drops*
Actually, is well over a year. Companies who make Android-smartphones do this, companies who make HDTV's do this, car companies do this, etc. Your point being?
*is a far cry from advancing tech*
That might be true, but that goes for thousands of companies out there. A company will not pump millions of monies in developing new tech if the existing tech is still deemed profitable enough for the foreseeing future. Actually, the computer-industry is already one of the fastest moving tech industries out there so what are you complaining about?
*I am of the philosophy that technology should progress as rapidly as humanly possible*
So am I, but I am not delusional. The world revolves around money and companies are not developing new tech from the kindness of their own hearts.
Hate them or not, but Apple kick-started major technological advancements in the smartphone market by transforming it from an executive toy into a mainstream "must-have". In much the same thing as they did with the MP3-player. Smartphones became very lucrative, thus inspiring more companies to advance the tech to grab a piece of that glorious money-pie.
Also, Apple was the first company who made a proper, GUI-driven home computer, the first user-friendly MP3 player. And Steve Jobs was the man who saw that Computer-Generated movies could be a major source of entertainment (thus monies) while nay-sayers said that it was too much trouble and too expensive. Tell me, how's that "stunting progression" exactly?
Or are you just too ignorant to understand that technology can only advance faster once it's widely adopted?
@Forsakeneyes
I forget posting your feelings on the internet usually gets misconstrued as a concrete fact, ill have to be more careful, but to humor you...
FACT: A user friendly interface IS reiteration NOT progression.
TRUTH: Complacency breeds mediocrity
I forget posting your feelings on the internet usually gets misconstrued as a concrete fact, ill have to be more careful, but to humor you...
FACT: A user friendly interface IS reiteration NOT progression.
TRUTH: Complacency breeds mediocrity
It is strange that "gamer" has become a label. Did people label you as a movieviewer when it was new? Was that ever a thing people said? I like to believe that video games encompass everything from art to distraction and people will eventually embrace it without "gamer" being relevant. It is a little troubling when the publishers exploit this gamer insecurity though
Putting Henry Ford in there... well, while Jobs was a self-important scumbag who was horrible to his employees and even cheated out his own friends... at least he wasn't a raging anti-Semite who had business dealings with genocidal fascist dictators.
I don't think it's so bad to shun things, especially when you genuinely do not like the game in question. Still, if your basis for disliking something is because everyone else enjoys it, then you're wrong. I know it's an opinion, but it's an entirely negative and false way of thinking.
I will say that I generally do not play popular games until hype dies down, though. When I hear everyone ranting and raving about something, I like to let the air clear before I go in with bloated expectations. Hyping something up too much usually leads to a massive downfall.
I will say that I generally do not play popular games until hype dies down, though. When I hear everyone ranting and raving about something, I like to let the air clear before I go in with bloated expectations. Hyping something up too much usually leads to a massive downfall.
I like all kinds of games. Angry Birds, Mario, Uncharted, Gears of War, Final Fantasy, Minecraft, Dwarf Fortress...as mainstream or as obscure as you can get. If you play a game and it's fun, it's fun.
Errrybody should be gaming agnostic!
Errrybody should be gaming agnostic!
I dislike the fact that the woman you interviewed assumes that the only mentally stimulating games are the ones that are mentally stimulating for her. That's a very arrogant and closed minded position to take.
@Tivo392
No but movie buff is a term that gets thrown around a lot. I for one have no problem being defined as a gamer. For the majority of every day I am either playing, creating, writing about, talking about or thinking about games, therefore I am a gamer. Nothing wrong with that in my eyes.
@Tivo392
No but movie buff is a term that gets thrown around a lot. I for one have no problem being defined as a gamer. For the majority of every day I am either playing, creating, writing about, talking about or thinking about games, therefore I am a gamer. Nothing wrong with that in my eyes.
@DaedHead8
There it is, Movie Buff. Thats the word i was looking for. Hell no nothing wrong with being a gamer or identifying with it as a label. Its more the people that use it to belittle Video Games and gaming as a whole that gets me. Much like the woman in this video saying "boys in there rooms" as if they never get out and do other things. Not really the same connotation with Movie Buff i dont think...
There it is, Movie Buff. Thats the word i was looking for. Hell no nothing wrong with being a gamer or identifying with it as a label. Its more the people that use it to belittle Video Games and gaming as a whole that gets me. Much like the woman in this video saying "boys in there rooms" as if they never get out and do other things. Not really the same connotation with Movie Buff i dont think...
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