Are we ever optimistic about anything anymore?
- Thread starter KazeAizen
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Yes. This, in fact, is exactly the problem. We are too cynical. The reasons for this are many, but I believe that one of the biggest contributors is negative game journalism. This is not to say that game negative coverage and criticism is bad, but there is a correct way to do it and a wrong way to do it. Fortunately, we have perfect examples of each type right here on the escapist.KazeAizen said:
First we have the bad: Zero Punctuation. I will fully admit that Zero Punctuation is very funny, but it is also the shining example of negativity, cynicism and general jackass in the gaming community. It is excessively negative, rarely gives any sort of constructive criticism, is full of personal attacks on the developers of the game being reviewed, and, while Yahtzee rarely outright lies, full of misrepresentations of the truth for purely comedic effect. When he
It is entirely possible that Yahtzee has valid points under all the anal jokes and assholery but he very rarely gets to good criticism because he would rather spend that time trying to convince us that Shigeru Miyamoto is a closet furry.
This is a man who is well respected and highly influential within the gaming community. And people wonder why we have such problems with personal attacks on developers and other internet dickery within the gaming community. Examples like Yahtzee have shown that this sort of behavior is acceptable and praiseworthy.
On the other hand we have Jim Sterling. While the majority of the videos he makes are highly negative, he is always careful to focus his negativity to worthy targets, keep that negativity focused on the problem (not the game maker, unless that is the problem,) and give praise where it is due. Even while swearing up a storm he is always careful to spell out exactly what the problem is and how it could be fixed. While I do not always agree with him he at least tries to be constructive.
Edit: I feel it is important to note that when I blame game journalism I am blaming the community in general. There is a much closer connection between game journalists and their audience than in any other medium. Game journalists are very much a product and part of the larger gaming culture. We made them what they are.
Yes, we are optimistic about the hope that things could get better.
Enthusiastically shouting about how awesome everything already is, has nothing to do with real optimism, it's just simple-minded, idle, complacent panglossianism. The shallow, cosmetic "optimism" of calling a glass "half full", because it sounds more cheerful than "half empty".
The idealist is the one who groans and complains and whines about reality not yet matching his ideals, the real optimist is the one who demands that the glass be entirely full, and right now.
Enthusiastically shouting about how awesome everything already is, has nothing to do with real optimism, it's just simple-minded, idle, complacent panglossianism. The shallow, cosmetic "optimism" of calling a glass "half full", because it sounds more cheerful than "half empty".
The idealist is the one who groans and complains and whines about reality not yet matching his ideals, the real optimist is the one who demands that the glass be entirely full, and right now.
Well, for starters, when you're younger, you really don't care about certain issues like consumer rights, business practices, ethics and politics, and similar subjects. So long as the game is good, you're willing to put money into it, and it is also a lot easier to see good in a game when you aren't as worried about mechanics, user friendliness, etc., just how easily the game distracts you. As you grow older, all of these issues that affect games become a little more prominent in your thought, so it is a lot harder to judge the final experience based on the experience alone. Granted, caring about an issue is not the same as having any relevant knowledge on the issue, but people will still judge games based on those issues they care about regardless of their level of knowledge (or lack thereof).
Anyways, personally, I'm optimistic about most things in the industry. Even with my lack of interest in a lot of genres, I'm still finding it hard to get around to all the games I want, and I don't see this lack of great games going away any time soon. I'm also really interested to see where EA is headed, given that the last year has seen them take numerous steps in the right direction in reconciling their interests with that of gamers' interests, and I'd imagine they'll have things mostly figured out within the next few years. Those are just two examples that tend to stick out in my mind the most. Granted, there is still plenty to be worried about, but I hardly think a doom-and-gloom mentality is necessary given our current situation and where we seem to be going.
Anyways, personally, I'm optimistic about most things in the industry. Even with my lack of interest in a lot of genres, I'm still finding it hard to get around to all the games I want, and I don't see this lack of great games going away any time soon. I'm also really interested to see where EA is headed, given that the last year has seen them take numerous steps in the right direction in reconciling their interests with that of gamers' interests, and I'd imagine they'll have things mostly figured out within the next few years. Those are just two examples that tend to stick out in my mind the most. Granted, there is still plenty to be worried about, but I hardly think a doom-and-gloom mentality is necessary given our current situation and where we seem to be going.
I'm optimistic about indie games, the crowdfunding model, and advances in procedural generation... and as far as I'm concerned, predicting the crash of the AAA market is optimism. The future of gaming looks brighter than it has since the 90s, we just have the ruins of the past to break down and recycle first.
I'm as jaded and cynical as they come... but I look forward to books, movies and games with the excitement level of a child, usually. I get giddy and it's all I can think about. And honestly, I enjoy things more than I say I do. I'll ride the badmouthing bandwagon sometimes, but in reality I actually don't think whatever it is was as terrible as most people do. I usually point out its flaws when I'm done... but I have fun while I'm playing/watching. There are quite a few things coming I'm really excited for. Not to say I let the way companies treat me slide - I often wait to buy things on sale/full games with all the dlc included because I don't support release day DLC/day 1 patches/etc.
The Sims 4 being one of them, but I won't mention that here because that'll get me hated. I also bought SimCity a couple months ago and really enjoyed playing it. Yeah, it has its issues, but I did enjoy it. I wanted to believe in Fallout 4, so I did. I really like FFXIV: A Realm Reborn and think Square is turning it around. I don't hate Origin. All sorts of things that'll get me railroaded.
But I like to keep games, books and movies in my childhood in some ways. I don't like to let the politics and drama and bitching ruin what kept me going while growing up. I'm happy and excited and really optimistic about pretty much everything that's coming. If it doesn't live up to my hopes, fine, I'm an adult, I can deal, but I like to still get excited and I like to still enjoy things.
The Sims 4 being one of them, but I won't mention that here because that'll get me hated. I also bought SimCity a couple months ago and really enjoyed playing it. Yeah, it has its issues, but I did enjoy it. I wanted to believe in Fallout 4, so I did. I really like FFXIV: A Realm Reborn and think Square is turning it around. I don't hate Origin. All sorts of things that'll get me railroaded.
But I like to keep games, books and movies in my childhood in some ways. I don't like to let the politics and drama and bitching ruin what kept me going while growing up. I'm happy and excited and really optimistic about pretty much everything that's coming. If it doesn't live up to my hopes, fine, I'm an adult, I can deal, but I like to still get excited and I like to still enjoy things.
Eh, sadly enough being optimistic doesn't usually turn out well for me. Just a few weeks ago thanks to PSN network holiday/we can't sell it anymore anyway sale, I bought Marvel vs Capcom 2 for $4. I was really happy since I loved it on the PS2 and couldn't buy it fast enough. Unfortunately this meant I didn't do my usual research before buying something, and didn't know that they didn't let you bind multiple punch/kick buttons to a single button anymore. Now it may not sound like a huge thing but suddenly doing things like super moves became a lot more annoying and thus it became different from what I wanted, in a very bad way.
And I know it was just $4, but still I shouldn't have been so optimistic about it since that just made me buy a game that had changes that I REALLY didn't want. Being cynical may sound bad, but I believe it's smarter then being really optimistic. Least it's better then getting disappointed.
And I know it was just $4, but still I shouldn't have been so optimistic about it since that just made me buy a game that had changes that I REALLY didn't want. Being cynical may sound bad, but I believe it's smarter then being really optimistic. Least it's better then getting disappointed.
The idea is that the current AAA industry is backwards on their priorities. They focus too much on creating massive budget titles with as little risk as possible, with the result that games are becoming more and more generic over time. In addition, Because their massive budget titles require hundreds of millions of dollars to make, they use highly aggressive monetization techniques like excessive DLC and attacking previously held norms (like the ability to sell used games) in hopes that they can wring just a little more money out of their title at the detriment of the consumer.KazeAizen said:
The hope is that if there is a AAA crash that business model will go away, at least for a while, but video games will not. There is too much demand and too many willing to supply for video games to go away for any length of time. And with the old guard gone the creative and consumer friendly developers will rise to take their place.
It would basically be the golden age of indie development. With all the big guys exiting the market it is a chance for the little guy to snatch up all that market share to the benefit of both the developer and consumer.
I am not sure if I agree with the idea, but it is optimistic in a roundabout sort of way.
A kind of twisted optimism if you ask me. I see the logic now but still.....I don't know. Though it sounds like if that did happen and several big players fall it would be an interesting time. Heck Nintendo is the only giant I see right now that actually would fit in with the indie devs. When do you see those guys in the DRM/DLC debacles? Not as often others. However I am optimistic that maybe some of the bigger guys are starting to recognize the value of indies. Nintendo is actually reaching out to them. Making 5 outlets for indies to publish and get discovered. We shall see what happens with that though I personally hope there isn't a market crash yet still have an indie explosion.DrOswald said:
I do feel that gamers, when viewed as a community, are definitely a pretty cynical and negative bunch. It's hard to find general agreement on anything positive these days. That said, I don't see any reason at all to stop being positive in your own views or to avoid seeking out those who share your opinions. I may not have the same positive feelings for may of the the franchises that I grew up as I did when I was younger, but I'm finding myself extremely positive about the games that are coming out now. There are so many great games these days that I don't have time to play them all, and I invest my time keeping in contact with gamers and Youtubers that actually open my eyes to new experiences instead of wasting time droning on and on about the ones they don't like.
Yes, we are too cynical.
The moment where I, of all people, become a shining light of happy thoughts, excitement and being pleased with what I'm given is the moment that we have gotten FAR too cynical. The entire gaming community managed to out-cynic a general cynic. D:
The moment where I, of all people, become a shining light of happy thoughts, excitement and being pleased with what I'm given is the moment that we have gotten FAR too cynical. The entire gaming community managed to out-cynic a general cynic. D:
I think we are too pessimistic and too cynical as well, but I suppose after years of disappointments, we've grown used to it. I know I'm making up excuses but to me, that's how it is. It's better to be pessimistic about a new game and be pleasantly surprised than go into a game with high expectations and be left with the nasty taste of disappointment in your mouth. I guess it's just human behavior to see our opinions confirmed by other people rather than stand apart from everyone. It's ok being pessimistic some of the time, but I see the community has become excessively negative where people find a single flaw in it and just go nuts. Multiplayer communities as well (Looking at you League of Legends and DotA 2) have become incredibly toxic. People just need to start acting like people rather than the miserable excuse of a human being that is being presented now. I'm tired of calling people 'trolls' because there is an art to internet trolling, not spewing profanity in capital letters and acting like a child.
To Timzilla, I believe the thing Yahtzee mentioned was this Punnet square. http://www.splitreason.com/product/theescapist/1225
To Timzilla, I believe the thing Yahtzee mentioned was this Punnet square. http://www.splitreason.com/product/theescapist/1225
I remain optimistic. Because generally I don't really gain any catharsis out of hating things, and I like to remain cheerful when I'm not naturally cheerful in order to spite people.
I'm pretty optimistic about PC kicking the so called next-gen consoles' ass. I'm optimistic about exclusives like Star Citizen which will make use of all the glorious machine sheer power.
On a more serious and less sarcastic note, I consider all this entitlement is part of society nowadays and globalization and internet has a lot to do about it.
On a more serious and less sarcastic note, I consider all this entitlement is part of society nowadays and globalization and internet has a lot to do about it.
I'd agree. At first I was shaking my head when I read your post. Then I finished it and didn't want to anymore.pilouuuu said:
The Internet has supercharged everything. Its like the internet skipped the "everything is hunky dory" stage that say NBC does and went straight to the "everything is screwed up" stage that Fox news is known for.
I try not to be very cynical myself. Although I also try to take things with a grain of salt as well. I guess it's a thing that happens when you get older.
Really though, I'm okay with how things are going. There are still plenty of great games alongside the bad ones, and it's also easier then ever to purchase older games as well. So my options in what I want to play are pretty open.
Really though, I'm okay with how things are going. There are still plenty of great games alongside the bad ones, and it's also easier then ever to purchase older games as well. So my options in what I want to play are pretty open.
You got me. Yeah, things aren't going that swell from the AAA side of things, but I'm sure there are better ways to improve things without wishing for the loss of countless jobs.KazeAizen said: