Readers Feature

[Nag]

In regards admitting to people I'm a gamer... that doesn't bother me in the slightest, if someone is going to judge me on how I spend my free time that's up to them... in my eyes it's no different to getting excited by 22 men chasing a ball around or watching trains... whatever floats your boat.

 

In regards toxicity I struggle to fathom the mindset of sending threats and whatnot to voice actors or game designers on social media (Ada from RE4 Remake springs to mind)... anonymity is one of the worst byproducts of the internet I guess.

 

I'll also admit that even though the word has been around for years now I still don't fully know what "woke" means... and tbh I don't really care.😂

[HandsomeDead]

I don't tell people I'm a gamer but never really have unless the other person suggests they have an interest too.  It's always been the way I dealt with it, but I'm like that with anything.

But there was a point I worked with a lot of younger people and even if they were gamers we just had different tastes.  Especially if we'd be talking about a long running series and I'd get a bit "back in my day" and there would be a good chance their eyes would glaze over as I do a history lesson.  I think there's always been different types of gamer but it's expanded more and there's even generational divides so I now don't even expect to find kinship in another gamer for those reasons alone.

 

As for the weird ideological stuff I have one story of bumping into one in real life.  I was at lets just call a 'thing' with a group of strangers and I was talking to some various people; typical normie stuff.  But one guy at one point takes out his phone and shows me some videos of GTAV mods he'd made.  It's not really my field but I try to make conversation about it.  Later during a general group conversation, and I can't remember how it got there but I think it was something guided by this guy but trans people came up (and this is 2018, 2019 at the latest, before it became more of a public thing).  Anyway I got hit for a six when he literally quoted Ben Shapiro telling someone "facts don't care about your feelings" mostly because I just never expected to hear that phrase in real life.  And also realising I have as many brainworms recognising it.  I knew I couldn't be arsed with the guy at this point.

 

But it's really not a common thing so I'm not too concerned about people assuming I'm that kinda guy.  In fact the worst opinion a normie will more likely have of you is a decades old stereotype, which is quaint in comparison.

 

[Maryokutai]

I admit I didn't read through the entire blog post but I had a similar thought recently, in that I'd rather be considered an antisocial nerd than a rightwing misogynist. But I also believe that the latter isn't very much a gamer image and is secluded as part of the online discourse – like nick says I get the feeling no 'normal' person (in the sense of 'not paying much attention to the medium') is aware of all that Gamergate garbage and is still sitting on the nerd prejudice from the 80s and 90s instead.

 

But whichever is the case, I don't really talk about videogames unprompted either. I have some casual gaming friends and they occasionally ask me for recommendations. I then mention something cool and obscure, they buy something else regardless, and we move on. I also find it not particularly interesting to talk with a more casual observer because the lack of an overview and limited exposure to the medium isn't a very fruitful base anyway. I don't mean that in an elitist way, I'm just as ill-informed about other topics like music, but I'll always remember that one guy who had only played some GTA and FIFA here and there but then decided to spend big bucks on a 360 with Assassin's Creed 1 and was so blown away that he kept telling me it was the best game ever made. It's just a different world out there.

[Sly Reflex]

I get so tired of all the discourse from those idiots. It's almost into the levels of parody when they talk about woke and stuff like DEI chins. I don't know if they ever think how ridiculous they sound. It sounds like The Onion wrote most of the complains they have.

 

These men are completely detached and deluded. It's proper first world problems. The sad thing is they probably have very real problems they could be crying about, but not, piss and moan about the new Lara Croft not being an 11/10 or some dumb shit. It just illegitimatises their overall character when they whine about shit like that.

 

As for admitting if I play games or not, I generally disclose it, but if they have no interest I don't push it. There's nothing worse than being in a place with someone that pushes their shit on you, I think we've all been trapped by a football bore or someone that explains in minute detail on what went on on Love island. Don't be that person, no matter what your hobbies are.

[DANGERMAN]

I mention I play games, I'm not going in to the lore of Bioshock or whatever with people, but I will sometimes mention it, particularly with gaming tv shows being a thing now. There's a couple of younger people on my team, we had a chat about Thank Goodness You're Here the other week, one of them is from Yorkshire so I think it came up that way. Mind you, the company I work for does hold some videogame licenses, so sometimes it's a benefit to have someone who knows games around

 

If I'm on a date or whatever I'll mention I play games, because they're going to fucking notice. Tbh, I think most guys our age play videogames in some form, even if it's just Fifa and COD. People play stuff on phones and tablets, and I know that's not seen as the same thing, but I think there's a bit less sneering than their would have been

 

As for associating me being a gamer with being a right-wing simpleton, if that's happening then I'm clearly giving off different vibes than I think I am 

[Craymen Edge]

Except for maybe talking in general terms with other people who play games in  places like this, I don't generally call myself a gamer in the same way I don't refer to myself as a reader or a television watcher. 

 

When "gamers" as a label started to become super toxic, I made more of an effort to actively avoid it.

 

I don't talk about games with people at work much, because we're not playing the same things. I've got nothing to say about FIFA or COD, and they're not interested in hearing about a game I'm playing where you answer telephone support line calls with slightly mystical problems and you have to look it up on a simulation of a 1990's computer database, or turn-based battles featuring a squad of wise-cracking wizards.

[regemond]

I honestly don't have a massive social circle, and except for Rosie, none of my real life friends are into gaming. Oscar (big kid) has an interest, but also picks up toxic gaming behaviours - throwing hissy fits, blaming everyone else on the team when we lose - so I'm trying to keep him chaotic good when it comes to that sort of stuff.

 

Nobody bats an eye around me when I mention I play though. Amongst the people I work with, both guys and girls play to various degrees, and I even took abuse for being the team 'gamer' but not being any good at Elden Ring when multiple girls on the team have rinsed it. I suppose in that aspect things really haven't changed since the '90s - boys are expected to be better than girls etc.

 

From what I can tell, I'm not really seeing any aspects of toxic gaming culture in day to day life, either. But I generally avoid online, and most of the communities I take part in are good people - yes, that includes you lot.

 

Could be wrong here, but I think the idea of being a gamer becomes more toxic depending on your circumstances. The 30-odd year old guy who still lives in his mum's loft conversion, has never moved out and can't clean up after himself is seen as being much more toxic than the people who work, have a life to live and play games when they get the opportunity.

[mfnick]

7 minutes ago, regemond said:

The 30-odd year old guy who still lives in his mum's loft conversion, has never moved out and can't clean up after himself is seen as being much more toxic than the people who work, have a life to live and play games when they get the opportunity.

Rightly so TBF. Apart from the moving out bit - don’t blame anyone for having to stay with their parents these days. 

[Maryokutai]

I dunno, I think that's a bit unfair. One might be more susceptible to certain influences due to their lifestyle, but you can be a decent guy living in your mom's basement simply because of some unfortunate circumstances. Just the same way as someone who looks like they're living a 'normal' life can be a complete asshole who's doing Gamergate podcasts on the weekend.

[mfnick]

On about the can’t clean up or basically look after himself part.
 

Thats why I mentioned about not blaming anyone who live with there parents after. 

[regemond]

Oh I agree, and even depending on circumstances, I'd still say all the individual aspects can be explained by other things. Don't move out because of anxiety, can't keep clean because of depression. That's why I specifically said those parameters are 'seen' as more toxic.

 

I try not to judge individual circumstances and was basing it on a general perception thought process.

[HandsomeDead]

It's not a case of blaming people for their circumstances, it's just that people in those circumstances are more vulnerable to getting sucked into this toxic and more extreme way of thinking.  It's an easy answer and offers community online, even though it's all a distraction.

 

I mean is it just a coincidence that the first GG was a bit after the financial crisis and now this new wave after the hit COVID did? 🤔 

Of course it's always been there but it galvanises more in these situations where people are more worried about their place in the world.  It's not every individual in a bad place, no, but it's a pattern worth recognising.

[Nag]

 

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A reader lays out his nine-point plan for change at PlayStation, including exclusive PC games and a sequel for Bloodborne.

 

I would not be wrong to say that Sony have been acting out of sorts for a good few years now. I can’t quite put my finger on when but 2019 would be a good place to start. This was when they officially left E3 behind them and shifted to the online State of Plays, which have averaged around three to four a year ever since.

 

But in-between these events there are often long periods of silence with events (often leaked beforehand) being announced just days before. Or information, like the reveal of the PlayStation VR2 being shared via the… PlayStation Blog. Which I’d bet a lot of gamers aren’t even aware of.

 

Well, this all ends today, as I am electing myself Head of Sony Interactive Entertainment in order to turn things around. Here we go:

 

1. All PlayStation exclusives that have been remastered or are older than three years will arrive on PC and Xbox. This will help create extra revenue, which will in turn help offset rising production costs.

2. For those on PC who want to experience more of the PlayStation brand, PlayStation Plus PC will be available. This will also feature a catalogue of exclusive PlayStation titles allowing a whole new group of players to experience the PlayStation brand.

3. New exclusives will be released to all PlayStation Plus subscribers around 18 to 24 months after release. These will not include DLC, but it will be available at a discounted price.

 

4. Live service games will be free to all PlayStation Plus members. Controversial perhaps, but how many people would have at least tried Concord in that first weekend? Would it have caught on? Maybe, maybe not, but it would have reached a far greater audience and probably lasted more than two weeks.

 

5. There will be a State of Play every month. These will not only feature game previews but also interviews with PlayStation studios about upcoming plans and insights into the development process. The fact that most games are now leaked months or even years in advance means Sony are able to get ahead of leaks and control the flow of information. Also, mentioned will be the month’s free PlayStation Plus games, with one of the featured games also having a developer interview. PlayStation will have a presence at the Summer Game Fest and The Game Awards.

 

6. There will be a minimum of two PlayStation exclusives developed by PlayStation Studios released every year, not including live service titles. Although there is some dissatisfaction with PlayStation, there have been well received exclusives this year, including Helldivers 2, Stellar Blade, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, and Astro Bot – the latter being the only PlayStation Studios release.

 

7. More studio acquisitions. I think most can agree that Sony overpaid for Bungie. The purchase seems to have been made to both keep them out of Microsoft’s hands and for their experience in live services games, which we are yet to see. Personally, I would have asked them to double down on Destiny 3, while slowly decreasing content for Destiny 2. So going forward, let’s buy smarter, not bigger.

 

8. As well as new IPs these studios would also bring back games from PlayStation’s past with a fresh take, much like 2018’s God Of War. Including, but not limited to InFamous, Resistance, Killzone, Twisted Metal, and WipEout.

 

9. A Bloodbourne sequel and remaster which finally includes a 60fps mode.

 

I’m not sure this will fix all the dissatisfaction with the brand, but this a good starting point going forward.

 

By reader By Hollinho

 

[one-armed dwarf]

Fuck sake, more studio acquisitions. More turkeys voting for christmas shite

[Maf]

The only good points are 3, 4 and 9 everything else is wrong

[HandsomeDead]

Since they don't have a handheld anymore can they not go to these developers in-house or have relationships with to make smaller games to help maintain interest between flagship AAA games?  Cribbing from Nintendo seems like a better idea than cribbing from Xbox if you want success.  And they should focus on new games because bringing back past games don't hit with Playstation audiences.  While Astrobot has a "who's that character?" trivia quality, I don't think bringing back these games is it.  Like while I would think it would be cool for a Parappa the Rapper reboot I don't think it would do well enough, but it would maybe do better than bringing back Killzone 😐 

[Maryokutai]

This guy has never worked in marketing going by point number 5. The amount of work, time and money that would consume would rival triple-A budgets. And a release cadence like in point 6 probably stopped being possible when the PS3 came out.

 

I agree with the argument of looking more towards Nintendo. Echoes of Time, the new Mario & Luigi, Princess Peach etc. have all been developed by external studios. There's absolutely no reason why Sony can't foster partnerships like that to revive, say, something like Sly Cooper while their in-house teams build the usual blockbuster titles. That would also mean they could bury their annoying habit of paying third-parties to keep stuff from going to Xbox.

[HandsomeDead]

I think there's some passion for Ape Escape at Sony Japan and if they reboot anything it should be that.  There's a certain vibe to it that makes it feel more current than their other platformers.

[Sly Reflex]

The PC one is already happening. it would be really nice if they could speed it up a bit and include more older titles though. I would love to play Resistance 2 online again. Same for Motorstorm. INfamous. Stuff like that would be super welcome as long as they priced it well.

[Nag]

 

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After Grand Theft Auto is banned in one country a reader admits that he wouldn’t be upset if the same happened here, in order to protect his son.

 

Earlier this week there was a news story about the country of Tajikistan banning Grand Theft Auto, as well as Counter-Strike. This was met with much patronising comment by a lot of gamers, but I have to say it doesn’t sound that incomprehensible to me. I don’t know why they banned it, maybe their reasons weren’t good, but as a father of a seven-year-old son I can completely understand why people would be concerned about the video games their children play.

 

A reader commented only last week about how the average age of players on Call Of Duty used to be in the teens. That was certainly my experience and if they’ve now moved on to Fortnite and other free-to-play games then I imagine it’s a very different, and more enjoyable, experience. It’s definitely the case that most people on GTA Online seem to be far younger than they should be, judging by the age rating.

 

When you’re a kid the one thing you want to do above all is be treated as an adult and do all the forbidden things that adults get up to. Sex and violence in movies and video games is usually a kid’s first introduction into many concepts they’re too young for and I’m not going to say that’s completely unhealthy, but there’s a line somewhere and in my opinion Grand Theft Auto crosses it.

 

My boy is not allowed to play GTA 5, but I know for a fact he has at friends’ and probably behind my back in the house as well. What worries me is that while adults can see it as a parody of the worst of Americana, to a child all that parody and satire goes completely over their head and they take everything at face value.

 

The language is a strong as it’s possible to be, the treatment of women is awful (it makes sense in that the men are all terrible people but even so), and the violence is unrelenting and treated as fun and amusing. Criminal activities, including stealing and drug-dealing, are treated as normal and without any moral consequence, if there even is a story context when playing GTA Online.

 

I don’t think I’m being a pearl-clutching prude to say I don’t want my seven-year-old playing that sort of game.

 

But, like I said, he has. Despite my best attempts to stop him. It’s not even that I want a ban, and I certainly wouldn’t campaign for one, but if it happened I would be perfectly happy. I would instantly sacrifice the ability for me to play the game if it meant that kids couldn’t. I don’t think that’s unreasonable and I’m sure many parents would agree.

 

In today’s world there is practically no way to stop kids from accessing every kind of sex and violence you can imagine, and I don’t even want to think about what kind of porn he might have watched already.

 

Of course, I’m sure plenty of people will pipe up with ‘It never did me any harm’ but when parents reading this were kids we didn’t have a game of the sophistication and complexity of GTA 5. The internet either didn’t exist or was in its early days and extreme content was nowhere near as easy to get hold of.

 

I watch the news in the last few months, and it is made very clear to me that we aren’t getting more peaceful or understanding as a society, but instead the opposite. Are video games part of the problem? I don’t know, but I know they’re not helping. Especially not GTA 5.

 

By reader Bors

 

I don't think we have too many parents on here (although it would be good to hear the opinions of those we do) but this could be used as a discussion for censorship or better parental controls or something.