Thirith on 26/11/2008 at 16:28
As far back as I can remember, gamers have had things to be partisan about: C-64 vs Spectrum, Amiga vs Atari, Windows vs Linux, Half-Life vs Unreal, Quake 3 vs Unreal Tournament, Playstation 2 vs X-Box, GTA 4 vs Saints Row 2, PS3 vs XBox360.
Most often discussions seemed to run along the lines of "You're either with us or you're against us (which means you're stupid and evil and have no redeeming qualities whatsoever)".
What is it about gamers that makes too many of us like that? Is it that we're so much into computers we can only think in binaries? Part of my question comes from exasperation, I guess, since I find that sort of thinking childish and stupid. But more than that I'm interested in finding possible explanations.
Any ideas?
(And we're all counting the posts before insults start to fly and someone posts that airplane jpg... :D)
N'Al on 26/11/2008 at 16:39
Cause Spectrum-loving, Amiga-adoring, Linux-appreciating, Unreal-devoted, Quake3-worshipping, PS2-enjoying, Saints Row 2-relishing, PS3-infatuated gamers are morons that can't keep their traps shut, that's why! :mad:
The_Raven on 26/11/2008 at 16:42
Quiet, children! The adults are trying to talk.
Renzatic on 26/11/2008 at 16:55
cuz xbiox 360 has good grafix and can do rael blood and the ps3 is ghey and kitty SRLSLY U SEEN FALLUOT 3 ON PS3? OLOL LOOKS LIEK ATARI! MASTER CHEF 4-EVA! :joke:
That's why.
june gloom on 26/11/2008 at 17:03
I'd rather not try to analyze the rest of the internet, but in TTLG's case it's because we're a bunch of pseudointellectuals who think we're smarter than we really are.
Fringe on 26/11/2008 at 17:03
no u
june gloom on 26/11/2008 at 17:06
lol
Ostriig on 26/11/2008 at 17:12
Quote Posted by Thirith
What is it about gamers that makes too many of us like that?
As opposed to, I don't know, football fans, political supporters, car enthusiasts, etc.? You can find that sort of behaviour in many areas of life where some sort of "competition" occurs or
can occur. Aside from that, I think a relevant element is age. The gamer demographic has always had a large "youth" component, which also has the characteristic of being very vocal (despite not all that literate, often). Not only are people in their early or mid teens easily galvanized, but many actively look for a "cause" to rally around, a group to be part of. Gaming communities are sometimes just another fix for that addiction.
As for when it happens on TTLG, since it was brought up, I think a simpler concept is in order - 'cause it's fun.
Silkworm on 26/11/2008 at 17:15
Interactive experiences aren't just passive entertainment, they're investments. Moviegoers can argue about Blair Witch vs. Cloverfield, but it really makes no difference who wins. There plenty of time in the day to rent both on DVD, and the medium isn't one that encourages participation.
Games on the other hand, compete for audiences, mod makers, and funding. It really matters to me that so many FPS players prefer WW2 shooters as opposed to faster sci-fi games like Unreal Tournament. Arguing the merits of one over the other affects new players, general gamer attention, the mod community, webhosts, etc. Obviously this is even more pronounced in the console wars, where the "wrong" investment means -600$.
Videogames are a much more democratic artform than other mass media- or at least the average gamer thinks it is. Gamers argue because they think what they say matters, and its unclear if they're totally wrong about that.
Phatose on 26/11/2008 at 17:35
The only answer to the thread topic is "Because they're human". Everyone does that, really. Us vs. them seems to be ingrained into the human nature, which makes sense, really. Encourages group cohesion, a useful competitive advantage.
