A video was posted this month that has caused quite a commotion. The guy who made the video knows it as well. In fact, he says multiple times that he expects you to be angry. It's very possible that he is an attention seeker who just wants blogs like this one to talk about him. If so, I guess he wins. Either way, this video is quite stunning.
It seems that the gentleman who made it took a rather melodramatic approach to blaming videogames for his being fat, divorced, and ignorant of karate, but I've already said too much. It would be easy for me to tear this video limb from limb and drink the blood that oozes from its rent flesh, but I wish not to spoil the treat for you. If you've not already watched this, prepare yourself for quite a treat.
The only thing I know is that videogames are a complete waste of time, but making Youtube videos and begging your viewers to call you pretentious is a valuable and constructive use of a life.
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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I started to disagree with him from the moment he said the stuff about not being smarter, good at sports or use a sword.
Video games are an inspirational medium, not practical. Of course it won't transmit nervous data to your brain on how to do those movements with a character that can do virtually anything.
We all know videogames are a waste of time. That's the videogame social contract. Movies, books, music, with very rare and special exceptions, are also a waste of time. Entertainment is entertainment. The idea is to obviously strike a balance...
Which begs the High-Fidelityesque question... am I fat, divorced, and ignorant of karate because I play videogames, or do I play videogames because I am fat, divorced, and ignorant of karate?
(That was rhetorical of course, I am neither fat, nor divorced. I am ignorant of karate tho)
Am I slightly depressed? Probably
Am I slightly lonely? Probably.
Am I happy? Hell yes.
This video is insulting because it's telling me what I do is pointless and I'm missing out on things, but I have a greater question to pose? Is there actually any point to life?
It just occurred to me this guy obviously hasn't seen how great video games can be for education. Though I play games allot, possibly an un-healthy amount my assignment for the college course (game design fun enough) never get handed in late I see my GF every week when she is available and I'm not depressed.
I don't think he's blaming videogames per se, I just think he's trying to just admit one of the things the majority of us are guilty of, and that's letting our priorities get screwed up in what is, for all intents and purposes, a very addictive and expensive hobby. Is it his fault? 100%. Is he melodramatic in the process? Absolutely. I just can't understand the ire he's been getting.
Is he seriously basing half of this film on WoW? The only part where he bothered to make a point or use any kind of shocking revelation was the part involving WoW, which is stupid.
It's like comparing caffeine to meth and saying they both destroy your life because they're both (technically) drugs.
If he's going to argue games are a waste of time, what about people who watch movies religiously? Read books? A lot of people also waste several years of their life going to school for a degree they never use. A lot of people do stupid shit, but blaming it on something is just a way for them to feel better about themselves.
I kinda enjoyed the video when I saw it on ScrewAttack, I understand that the guy had a WoW Addiction and/or a Video Game addiction, and he wanted to warn people who could potentially be addicted as well.
What I saw through the video: Butthurt WoW player who spent all his life getting gear and raiding, but now has realized he let himself become a fat whale with no life and divorced, so he takes it out on the first thing he can think of, video games.
Video games aren't bad, everything has to be taken in moderation, and that's the key to a balanced life. Burning your WoW CDs and never playing it again won't make you better. All ex-WoWers think that if they bash they game just enough, maybe one day, all that bashing will make everything right again.
I am going to copy and paste my response to him, which I have preserved for prosperity due to the transient nature of Youtube comments.
----
I approve of setting fire to WoW but the rest of this video is a sack of vicious bullshit. You're having a pity-party because you've failed in life, but instead of taking responsibility for your own fuckups you're blaming video games. How pathetic can you get? Don't blame video games because you don't have any self-control. YOU chose to play video games instead of going out. YOU chose to ignore your wife because you were playing WoW (yes I know that's what brought this on.)
Video games are a form of art and expression like anything else. To say they're not real experienes is to say that a movie or a book or a painting isn't a real experience. This is not only wrong, it's a fucked up opinion to have. And you're fucked up for having it. Yes there are people who are hopelessly addicted to video games/WoW but if it wasn't for those video games they'd just find themselves addicted to something else. It's a personality flaw.
You make an attempt at covering your ass at the end by saying "but video games aren't BAD" despite the fact that you've been saying just that the entire video, and then you turn around and do it again immediately after. You are a selfish, hypocritical, pitiful whiner, and your wife was right to leave you. Fuck you and fuck your stupid video. Why don't you grow a pair and accept the fact that you're a failure only through your own doings?
I still stand by my argument that every time he says video games he should have just said WoW, this man is pointing out what we already know. WoW is an addictive, time suck that can destroy marriages, relationships and careers. Welcome to 2004.
I saw nothing wrong with the video. He asks questions that I often ask myself. It's all about balance and not getting consumed by whatever activity you partake in.
I don't play WoW but I think that the game destroys marriages and relationships and careers, people's own weak will do. If you can't overpower the addiction of the game to carry on your ambitions, it's not the game's fault. I have a friend who plays WoW. Sure, he plays a lot but whenever me or his girlfriend wants to see him, he's available. Blame the player, not the game.
that wasn't nearly as bad as I expected, however he is still flawed in that people need entertainment, some just choose video games as their outlet. No one spends all of their free time writing letters to their grandma or cooking turkeys or learning a language. We couldn't handle it. Some people watch TV, some patrol Facebook, all in all I'd consider video games one of the better ways to spend time because of their narrative value (sometimes) and ability to bring people together as stated in the video.
There is being addicted to video games and there is enjoying video games. Clearly this person got so addicted to video games he ignored everything else in his life. In my opinion every addiction works the same, doesn't matter what it is you are addicted to. (Obviously some addictions are worse than others).
The problem this guy had was not video games but his addiction.
Hey you guys, I spent my whole life reading! I never went outside and I ignored everyone else in the world. Instead of going on REAL adventures, I just read about them in books. And I mean, it's not like reading matters on a job application, so it's totally useless and stupid. Now I'm fat, depressed, and divorced. Must be the books fault right? I mean, it's not like I should have had the self-control to enjoy a form of entertainment in a healthy way! I should make a youtube video so EVERYONE can learn how horrible and life-ruining books are! Than I'll be popular!
Fuck this cocklung. By his logic I should not be reading a book or doing anything which does not produce something tangible. I for one am happy that this whiny son of a bitch was tied to a keyboard or controller for 30 years instead of spreading his "it's all your fault" bullshit logic to others. Hope he goes to the gym and meets a nice guy so he can finally figure out what really ended his marriage.
On a side note, burning the physical copies of World of Warcraft really is a symbolic gesture. Doubt a wuss like him actually deleted his characters.
Sorry you couldn't balance a hobby and real life. I am sure you won't have this problem with other things...
I'm probably older than this guy, and I've played video games all my life. The difference is I've only wasted probably only 3 or 4 weeks playing games when I shouldn't have, not 6-8 years.
Use games for what they are, even if it's a temporary escape from reality. Then put them down when you've stopped enjoying them. Taking a day off work to finish a game? Not so terrible. Yeah sure, don't ignore your real life and don't ignore your relationships over games; but if you're the sort of person who does that, then if it wasn't video games, you probably would have ignored them through gambling or some other 'frivolous' past time that distracts you from your 'real' life. The guy's motives are pure enough but his aim is off. This video is aimed at a specific group of game players who do not have the ability to weigh the value of life's moments. Sure a walk on the beach can be nice, but after 1000 walks on the beach it's just as much a waste of time if all you’re lamenting is your lack of real experiences.
Certainly: - Don't buy every game just because it's well reviewed, get what you think will interest you and you think you’ll enjoy. If you don’t, sell it. You don't have to complete every game, just go until you're not enjoying it anymore. Don't ignore people if you can give them a few minutes attention then play games afterward. Don't think anything you do with games is anything more than a distraction or relaxation; he's right about that, games are entertainment. They can relax your mind just as much as reading a book. (Though I don’t see reading the Harry Potter books as any more valuable or meaningful than playing through Shadow of the Colossus.)
Learn to listen to the real voice inside your head, the one you most indentify with, the one that says 'I was enjoying this game but I'm not enjoying it as much as I was so let's take a break'. That will bring you happiness and keep games in perspective.
I'm just going to put this out there, I think the thing that he is lacking most in his life is self control, if he was pushing aside responsibilities in his life than the problem is more on his end rather than games.
I'm married, in great shape and have a high paying job. I also play anywhere between 10-30 hours of games per week. My life is awesome.
Take it from me... Video games do NOT make you into a fat, divorced and depressed loner. However, being a whiny, bitch-ass loser that can't face the truth might have something to do with it.
He sounds like my father lol. As much as I love videogames, he does have a good point, you shouldn't let it dominate your life. Because if all you do in 30 years is gaming, you will have no good memories...especially if you only play mindless games like CoD. Hell I like CoD, but if you play it for 3 years what memories will you have? Hey remember the time I like....killed that guy...with a knife
most videogames are as memorable as porn. Really enjoyable at the time, but it leaves no good memories. Why do I use the word memories so often? Because memories define the quality of your life. Everything basically is a memory, because when you think of 'now' it is already over :P philosophical
know that there will come a time in your life when you are old and will reflect upon your life. make it good people
This guy doesn't understand that spending time and wasting time are different things to different people. I could have read one of the books he suggested? How is that entertainment medium any more or less wasteful than playing vidja games?
He needs to take responsibility for his own actions (which it sounds like he has, though not in the way I would choose to do so) without judging everyone to the same priorities that he fancies to be important.. which he half-heartedly tries to do at the end.
All in all I rate the video 2 tapeworms out of panda cub.
If he really believes what he is selling, then I'm at a loss for words.
As an avid gamer, not to mention one with over 10,000 fucking posts in the forums here, I somehow managed to be in the best shape of my life. I still found the time to try out for a pro-football team...TWICE! I still create art and am learning new skills. I still read literature regularly. I still have a healthy circle of friends. I still perform excellently at my job. How can I do these things? Because I don't let an addiction take over my life, plain and simple. He equates suffering from video game addiction to video games being valueless pieces of entertainment...hardly the same ballpark. Don't blame videogames because you couldn't balance your life and salvage your marriage...an addiction of ANYTHING is unhealthy. How he tries to qualify it all by saying "the people who make them aren't bad, it's just that the games are inherently bad themselves" is pretty sad. Placing the blame and not taking ownership of his own actions.
Besides, I believe Abe Lincoln said something along the lines of "folks who have no vices have very few virtues"
A Hem, you could easily replace "VideoGames" with, movies, books, sports, sex, fighting, smoking, or anything else sensible people do in moderation.
Also the music pissed me off. If you're trying not to sound pretentious, then don't play music designed for more important things. So he is probably looking for attention.
Boo hoo, whiny douche lost his marriage to warcraft. Here's an idea. LOG THE HELL OFF and talk to your wife! All relationships exist thru communication, and when that disappears you get more problems. WoW is a lotta fun for some people.
When you start preaching people may listen to you speak but not give a damn about the message. That's what happened here. We can all watch that vid an draw our own conclusions. And I like some of what he's saying. There is a lot out there. But, if you don't want to drive from NYC to LA or read a damn book, then of course you are going to find some other form of entertainment. This guy sounds like he wants to ignite a Luddite movement because he had a terrible life experience. Grow a pair, step away from the keyboard, and TALK to people. It's not that difficult, and folks appreciate it more than you think.
You know why that guy's a douche right? because he plays WOW. LEEERRROOOOOOOYYYY JENNNKKIIINNNSSSS.
In all seriousness, i like the way he makes a gamers joke "the burning crusades" and even though I Can't actually see him, i can feel him getting all smug with himself for making that up. Pretentious twat.
Ahh I enjoyed watching this with my 360 on, watching my friends who I know in real life get together in a lobby and duke it out on Marvel vs Capcom 2. You are the definition of irresponsible. I play videogames quite a bit and I still manage to maintain healthy relationships as well as further my law studies. You remind me of people who commit suicide, someone who generally blames others for their own fuck ups. Here's to hoping you get cancer Brian, you worthless failure of a man :D
one thing i can't understand is.. how the hell can you loose your wife by playing games. is there a more retarted cause?
also games doesn't make you fat, eating does :P
on the other hand this video made me realise i am definetly not an addict, just a player which is good.. my girlfriend won't dump me as she often plays with me although she rarely plays single.
thank god social life manage to have a meaning for me..
i spend a very long time with computer since i was a child (starting with atari, through nes etc..) and i think there was one point when i was close to addiction.. it was this stupid time comando game (also - demo :P) that made me so frustrated i started punching the monitor (yea.. that's really retarded i know..).. in fact, the filter glass broke and that's when i realized that is not RIGHT!
now i dont get angry over games.. excited yes but for god's sake!
i still think i play a bit too much but hey.. sometime you have to right ;)
wow, what a fag.
the problem is, he didn't control his addiction. he just gave up video games entirely. and it took him until adulthood to control his habit. sad little fucker.
This guy would have realised the erroneous ways of his obsession if he'd have played less WoW and played more Braid. Oh, did I just spoil something? My bad.
Hey Dtoid, I've had this account for a while but I have never posted or created a blog but I want to share a point with this grand community.
Stop bashing the dude, he does have a point. Many of the community are getting offended by this video but in reality it is not aimed for everybody who plays games, it is aimed to those guys who have an addiction and are missing out in other things in life. Anything in excess is bad, that is an obvious and commonly heard proverb.
I don't see why be offended by this video when the man makes the point that yes, video games can potentially destroy or harm ones life (and that goes beyond social because obesity can cause health problems). I am a gamer like everyone else that wanders and reads the content of this website (I check it daily) but it is important to understand what are limits and when one has to put the controller down and find something else to do. The man is not a Jack Thompson apostle now, so take it easy. I'm sure the dude is bound to play a video game every once in a while but not in the same amount as he used, assuming the story is true, even so it does bring about good points.
Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?
Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!
Contest:
6:30 PM on 02.22.2010
| 
Video games are an inspirational medium, not practical. Of course it won't transmit nervous data to your brain on how to do those movements with a character that can do virtually anything.
In fact when I'm currently studying to design games, that is my ambition. I'm nto passing that up.
dick.
Which begs the High-Fidelityesque question... am I fat, divorced, and ignorant of karate because I play videogames, or do I play videogames because I am fat, divorced, and ignorant of karate?
(That was rhetorical of course, I am neither fat, nor divorced. I am ignorant of karate tho)
Am I slightly lonely? Probably.
Am I happy? Hell yes.
This video is insulting because it's telling me what I do is pointless and I'm missing out on things, but I have a greater question to pose? Is there actually any point to life?
THis man needs a slap to the face.
But that's just my 2 cents.
It's like comparing caffeine to meth and saying they both destroy your life because they're both (technically) drugs.
If he's going to argue games are a waste of time, what about people who watch movies religiously? Read books? A lot of people also waste several years of their life going to school for a degree they never use. A lot of people do stupid shit, but blaming it on something is just a way for them to feel better about themselves.
Video games aren't bad, everything has to be taken in moderation, and that's the key to a balanced life. Burning your WoW CDs and never playing it again won't make you better. All ex-WoWers think that if they bash they game just enough, maybe one day, all that bashing will make everything right again.
----
I approve of setting fire to WoW but the rest of this video is a sack of vicious bullshit. You're having a pity-party because you've failed in life, but instead of taking responsibility for your own fuckups you're blaming video games. How pathetic can you get? Don't blame video games because you don't have any self-control. YOU chose to play video games instead of going out. YOU chose to ignore your wife because you were playing WoW (yes I know that's what brought this on.)
Video games are a form of art and expression like anything else. To say they're not real experienes is to say that a movie or a book or a painting isn't a real experience. This is not only wrong, it's a fucked up opinion to have. And you're fucked up for having it. Yes there are people who are hopelessly addicted to video games/WoW but if it wasn't for those video games they'd just find themselves addicted to something else. It's a personality flaw.
You make an attempt at covering your ass at the end by saying "but video games aren't BAD" despite the fact that you've been saying just that the entire video, and then you turn around and do it again immediately after. You are a selfish, hypocritical, pitiful whiner, and your wife was right to leave you. Fuck you and fuck your stupid video. Why don't you grow a pair and accept the fact that you're a failure only through your own doings?
Fuck off Brian , I'll enjoy my hobbie happily without you.
I don't play WoW but I think that the game destroys marriages and relationships and careers, people's own weak will do. If you can't overpower the addiction of the game to carry on your ambitions, it's not the game's fault. I have a friend who plays WoW. Sure, he plays a lot but whenever me or his girlfriend wants to see him, he's available. Blame the player, not the game.
The problem this guy had was not video games but his addiction.
On a side note, burning the physical copies of World of Warcraft really is a symbolic gesture. Doubt a wuss like him actually deleted his characters.
Sorry you couldn't balance a hobby and real life. I am sure you won't have this problem with other things...
Use games for what they are, even if it's a temporary escape from reality. Then put them down when you've stopped enjoying them. Taking a day off work to finish a game? Not so terrible. Yeah sure, don't ignore your real life and don't ignore your relationships over games; but if you're the sort of person who does that, then if it wasn't video games, you probably would have ignored them through gambling or some other 'frivolous' past time that distracts you from your 'real' life. The guy's motives are pure enough but his aim is off. This video is aimed at a specific group of game players who do not have the ability to weigh the value of life's moments. Sure a walk on the beach can be nice, but after 1000 walks on the beach it's just as much a waste of time if all you’re lamenting is your lack of real experiences.
Certainly: - Don't buy every game just because it's well reviewed, get what you think will interest you and you think you’ll enjoy. If you don’t, sell it. You don't have to complete every game, just go until you're not enjoying it anymore. Don't ignore people if you can give them a few minutes attention then play games afterward. Don't think anything you do with games is anything more than a distraction or relaxation; he's right about that, games are entertainment. They can relax your mind just as much as reading a book. (Though I don’t see reading the Harry Potter books as any more valuable or meaningful than playing through Shadow of the Colossus.)
Learn to listen to the real voice inside your head, the one you most indentify with, the one that says 'I was enjoying this game but I'm not enjoying it as much as I was so let's take a break'. That will bring you happiness and keep games in perspective.
You just won this argument.
I think you're absolutely right! EA has gone too far! They should have stopped after the booth babe scheme.
Take it from me... Video games do NOT make you into a fat, divorced and depressed loner. However, being a whiny, bitch-ass loser that can't face the truth might have something to do with it.
most videogames are as memorable as porn. Really enjoyable at the time, but it leaves no good memories. Why do I use the word memories so often? Because memories define the quality of your life. Everything basically is a memory, because when you think of 'now' it is already over :P philosophical
know that there will come a time in your life when you are old and will reflect upon your life. make it good people
He needs to take responsibility for his own actions (which it sounds like he has, though not in the way I would choose to do so) without judging everyone to the same priorities that he fancies to be important.. which he half-heartedly tries to do at the end.
All in all I rate the video 2 tapeworms out of panda cub.
I guess I don't have anything to worry about.
As an avid gamer, not to mention one with over 10,000 fucking posts in the forums here, I somehow managed to be in the best shape of my life. I still found the time to try out for a pro-football team...TWICE! I still create art and am learning new skills. I still read literature regularly. I still have a healthy circle of friends. I still perform excellently at my job. How can I do these things? Because I don't let an addiction take over my life, plain and simple. He equates suffering from video game addiction to video games being valueless pieces of entertainment...hardly the same ballpark. Don't blame videogames because you couldn't balance your life and salvage your marriage...an addiction of ANYTHING is unhealthy. How he tries to qualify it all by saying "the people who make them aren't bad, it's just that the games are inherently bad themselves" is pretty sad. Placing the blame and not taking ownership of his own actions.
Besides, I believe Abe Lincoln said something along the lines of "folks who have no vices have very few virtues"
Also the music pissed me off. If you're trying not to sound pretentious, then don't play music designed for more important things. So he is probably looking for attention.
When you start preaching people may listen to you speak but not give a damn about the message. That's what happened here. We can all watch that vid an draw our own conclusions. And I like some of what he's saying. There is a lot out there. But, if you don't want to drive from NYC to LA or read a damn book, then of course you are going to find some other form of entertainment. This guy sounds like he wants to ignite a Luddite movement because he had a terrible life experience. Grow a pair, step away from the keyboard, and TALK to people. It's not that difficult, and folks appreciate it more than you think.
In all seriousness, i like the way he makes a gamers joke "the burning crusades" and even though I Can't actually see him, i can feel him getting all smug with himself for making that up. Pretentious twat.
Ahh I enjoyed watching this with my 360 on, watching my friends who I know in real life get together in a lobby and duke it out on Marvel vs Capcom 2. You are the definition of irresponsible. I play videogames quite a bit and I still manage to maintain healthy relationships as well as further my law studies. You remind me of people who commit suicide, someone who generally blames others for their own fuck ups. Here's to hoping you get cancer Brian, you worthless failure of a man :D
also games doesn't make you fat, eating does :P
on the other hand this video made me realise i am definetly not an addict, just a player which is good.. my girlfriend won't dump me as she often plays with me although she rarely plays single.
thank god social life manage to have a meaning for me..
i spend a very long time with computer since i was a child (starting with atari, through nes etc..) and i think there was one point when i was close to addiction.. it was this stupid time comando game (also - demo :P) that made me so frustrated i started punching the monitor (yea.. that's really retarded i know..).. in fact, the filter glass broke and that's when i realized that is not RIGHT!
now i dont get angry over games.. excited yes but for god's sake!
i still think i play a bit too much but hey.. sometime you have to right ;)
keep it healthy kids and you'll do just fine ;)
also.. WoW is satan..
the problem is, he didn't control his addiction. he just gave up video games entirely. and it took him until adulthood to control his habit. sad little fucker.
Stop bashing the dude, he does have a point. Many of the community are getting offended by this video but in reality it is not aimed for everybody who plays games, it is aimed to those guys who have an addiction and are missing out in other things in life. Anything in excess is bad, that is an obvious and commonly heard proverb.
I don't see why be offended by this video when the man makes the point that yes, video games can potentially destroy or harm ones life (and that goes beyond social because obesity can cause health problems). I am a gamer like everyone else that wanders and reads the content of this website (I check it daily) but it is important to understand what are limits and when one has to put the controller down and find something else to do. The man is not a Jack Thompson apostle now, so take it easy. I'm sure the dude is bound to play a video game every once in a while but not in the same amount as he used, assuming the story is true, even so it does bring about good points.