Put on Your Game Face

April 24th, 2008

resident evil zombie face I am aware that in the past few weeks I have been talking “around” games instead of focusing on software. Of late my interests have been firmly rooted in gaming culture and issues. The reason being is that recently I’ve found myself drawing numerous uncertainties and blanks with gaming culture. For the first time in a long time I have come across something that is beyond me, that I clearly cannot comprehend with the degree of precision that I’d like. So in order to gain a wider view and sharper magnification of these topics I want to use this blog as a launching pad to further discuss these issues.

The title of this article is Put on Your Game Face which I find to be a fitting title. In the past two years, I have been studying at University and mixing with a diverse set of people. With this I have become increasingly conscious of a behavioral pattern of mine. What I am talking about is the way I react within the presence of different people.

Fortunately the majority of my University friends are female and because of this I find that when we talk together I always alleviate from anything video game related. I try my best not to talk about games unless it is necessary or an appropriate turn in the conversation’s direction. I do this as a sign of respect, it is one of the philosophies that I try to uphold (read more here).

This process is something that I have never really had any issues with and its nothing that you yourselves probably don’t already have a subconscious understanding of. What really struck me though, was the following story:

Two weeks ago I was waiting for a bus in the city and this girl approached me and asked if I catch this particular train line in which I do actually catch. I answered and then she asked me; “Are you a gamer?”.

I’m not sure how she knew it (worth following up though) but somehow she had seeked out my gamer qualities. It turns out that she was one too, quite the role playing fan as well (read: Final Fantasy VII fangirl). I found out more about her on the preceding bus ride and we inevitably stumbled upon the topic of games sometime within our conversation. I asked her if she was a fan of the Metal Gear series and she said that she had played all the games and had throughly enjoyed them (alarm bells ringing, I know). So I followed on, sharing my hypothesises on various Metal Gear Solid 4 plot ideas. It was in this moment (as well as several other, later occurring instances) that I realized that I was beginning to excuse myself for talking so indepthly about games, that I had began to delve into some deep discussion and in response I was effectively trying to change the topic. She gave the notification for me to ignore this and carry onwards which I did but with some continued hesitation.

About an hour later, while I was falling asleep in a lecture (it was a good lecture but I was tired) my mind began to wander into an analysis of this situation. What I had realized was that in this exchange my subconscious was clicking back and forth between gamer friend and typical female friend. This situation has me completely floored and really caught me unaware. It made me ponder how I see people in such ways in relation to this hobby of mind.

I found this to be a highly educational experience on my behalf so I thought that it might prove to be an experience worth sharing. I believe that we all maintain a certain level of constraint in these types of scenarios, that we all have an idea of how to handle such interactions with different people. What about you? What are your ideas on this event? Does this sort of scenario happen to you? And how do you manage gaming with other identities? Please let me know.

It’s Okay to be Fanatical…

April 14th, 2008

phoenix wright fanatical

I’m not too sure of the direction of this post. You see I am in essence pushing an agenda and trying to use my experiences as the example in point. As mentioned before I have strong feelings about this whole fan culture that has been breed throughout our industry. To summarise my feelings I think that it is okay to be a fan, just not fanatical. When your fanaticism blurs fair minded perception then there is without a doubt a problem, one in which I always try to avoid.

It seems like in this instance though, the rug has been pulled from beneath my feet. Allow me elaborate;

One morning in the middle of last week, on the train to Uni, my brother, a friend and I were discussing games. My brother and I were reminiscing over what can be called the “old” LucasArts and their witty, intellectually humorous properties. A gap in the conversation opened up and I thought that I would use the floor to share some recent Metal Gear Solid 4 updates. Now between my game playing friends and I (and undoubtedly you readers too) it is no secret that I am literally breaking my balls over this game. That I am, in essence, a fan.

Perhaps it was a result of a work focused, sleep neglected night prior to the exchange but I was aggressively sharing my opinions on the Metal Gear series and with an unempathetic passion, pulling no punches. It was within my raging banter that my brother and friend began pulling my strings, when my brother slyfully labbelled me as ‘fanatical’.

Its quite a claim, isn’t it? So I pursued onwards and what followed was a series of verbal jousting matches between the three of us. I felt outraged and insulted by their very comments. I mean how dare these two non-believers, these two people whom have never played a Metal Gear title possibly understand how I felt and what this means to me?

It was then, as my brother and friend were indulging in their pot stiring that I stopped and asked the question; “Am I fanatical over MGS4?”.

metal gear rex metal gear solid 4

I pondered over this question considerably in the days that followed and as of writing I am still yet to draw my conclusion. I decided to brainstorm a list of habits that I regularly par take with relation to Metal Gear.

Straight away I felt a great sense of guilt. I thought back to spending tens of hours processing and managing the Metal Gear saga in my head. Carefully reading over Wikipedia pages for a hope of inspiration. Attempting to make logical ties within the franchises’ extensive story. I thought of how I regularly ensure that I watch the MGS4 trailers and other video that I have captured from the games at least once every 3 days. And how I often mimic the voices within such video segments. From here on out the list just unraveled before me.

Am I starkingly mad? I hope not and in my hope I have been searching for ties to justification to free myself of hypocrisy. Fortunately I have found it, unfortunately it is subjective.

Despite my high interest in this title, I don’t think that it is damaging. My love for this series is justified. I am a fan of this genre of game, of this genre of action (be it games or film). In difference to what my friends may think I believe that I have fairly realistic expectations for this game. I am more than aware that this game will have a few short comings, I know that the other games definitely did. My Twin Snakes bashing article proves this. I do think that the gameplay in MGS2 is not as refined as it should be and even though MGS3 reinvents this it is still dexteritally painful. I know that MGS4, according to various sources should streamline and clear away these issues but the game will still not be perfect.

So, onto subjectivity, do you readers think that I am fanatical over this game or just another interested fan. In anycase being this interested in a game is healthy in my mind. If we just approach all games with a cynical snark then what is the point? Excitement is natural, welcomed and healthy for us. Its what makes this whole charade so interesting. So am I crazy and what about you? What games are you totally bonkers over?

Posted in Culture | Comments (5)
Tags: fanboy, metal gear solid, video game culture

Our Responsibilities as Gamers to Promote a Positive Image of our Culture

March 21st, 2008

video game player responsibilities crowd

Nintendo, in previous Gamecube advertisements used the slogan: ‘You are what you play, (so) who are you?’.

We don’t always realize it but as ‘core gamers’ video games have become part of our identity. The threat of anything that could challenge what we are tied to, what we love, creates its own series fan based arrogance. Look at the typecasting language of ‘n00b’, ‘133t’ and ‘hardcore gamer’. Look at the backlash towards the casual gaming phenomena. Even worse read a community forum and see what happens when someone is baited into verbal aggression. Many of us call it fanboyism, for its wider scope I prefer using the term ‘bias’. It is how we deal with this that reflects our industry.

We might not realize it but as gamers we are representatives of our medium, for outsiders looking in we are, like the slogan says; what we play. As gamers we define our medium, we create the culture and ultimately we affect how others perceive our medium. As someone whom has always had a deep passion for this medium I feel as though it is our job as gamers to uphold certain responsibilities so that we allow our medium to expanded out to the masses.

I want to share some ideals that I personally uphold when presenting our medium to others whom perhaps are new or less understanding of video games than myself. I would like to hear your thoughts as well so please leave me a comment at the end.

Create Understanding and Make it Crystal Clear

Being part of the enthusiast crowd means that for the people around us we are in many cases the authority figures. Our friends, family and the community look to us for sound gaming information and advice. As enthusiasts I think that it is very easy to get caught up in the “this game is so great, you simply have to play, you don’t know what you’re missing out on!” ideology that we lose sight of our audiences’ understanding.

When faced with situations in which we can discuss video games with others I believe that creating understanding is the key. We want to win non-gamers over. By win over I don’t mean turn them into avid players rather we need to ensure that they understand where we are coming from. They should be able to see what makes video games such an exciting medium and why they should care or at least why they should respect video games and treat it for what it is; an art form.

To do this we need to lose the bias and create a well informed, understandable case and present it effectively so that there is no reason why the listener should not at least respect our enthusiast nature. Every opportunity like this in which I discuss games with friends, previous customers, family etc I try to enforce this rule. I streamline what I say and try to be as clear and logical as possible. You would be surprised how many people change their mind about video games once someone speaks to them in a language in which they can understand.

Streamline Accordingly

Continuing on I use this same approach when speaking to other gamers as well. Nobody likes a ‘know it all’ and in many cases I feel as though I could easily come across this way. Just like in any conversation no one enjoys to be on the receiving end of someone whom knows more than their own good. Sometimes you just need to use a little restraint to ensure that both parties enjoy the spirit of the conversation. So in these instances I streamline what I say so that the other people feel comfortable with what I am saying. video game crowd

Respect Other People’s Interest

The more I think about the previous two points the more I believe that it is all a matter of respect. If we respect someone then we will treat them with respect by allowing them to understand us. This matter of respect once again continues on here.

If we respect someone then we will show that respect by accepting that they may not be entirely interested in video games. Many times I have observed fellow gamers ranting on to friends or family whom are simply uninterested.

I quite despise this actually as it comes across as offensive and for the interlocuters of the conversation it lowers the reputation of both our medium and the ranting maniac at hand.

Helping Beginner Players, its all about Community

We were all n00bs at one time or another. Its a fact of life. Which is why I think it is important for experienced players to recognize this and do what they can to assist newer players. I don’t play games online so for me this is uncommon and usually kept among my physical gaming friends but I still feel as though it is important to recognize. This whole n00b culture, especially at LAN parties can be quite frustrating to watch. If someone is having difficulty with a game or setting up their equipment, why is it necessary for us to verbally bash them about it? What gives us the right? By aiding newer players in their time of need we are only helping the community thrive as a whole.

Promote Healthy Game Culture

Thanks to…well ourselves video games are stereotyped as being unhealthy addictions. Of course, much like any form of entertainment this is all user dependent. Long sessions of gaming binges, unhealthy eating habits and awkward seating posture are all unhealthy practices of probably far too many players. By undertaking in these activities we are not only causing harm to ourselves but also to the reputation of our industry.

When this sort of behavior is observed by friends and family, despite being the player’s fault it often falls back onto the game as the reason or cause. The best way to fix this image problem is to stop playing games like this. Take breaks, go eat a stick of celery, sit in a comfortable position. Its all about looking after yourself.

Posted in Culture | Comments (2)
Tags: hardcore gaming, video game culture