I believe we may just have a gaming travesty on our hands...

[ThaBenMan]

Okay, I had NO problems with this until they cut to the rooftop. Reality TV needs to die; I can't stand them. Jackass and the Viva La Wildboyz offsprings are as far as I go.

Also, the VG Cats have spoken on the matter [http://www.vgcats.com/comics/images/090423.jpg]

Wow. I'm gonna kinda meander off-topic here, but that comic was terrible. Way to rip off the Colbert Report (which has... what, exactly, to do with that gaming reality show?) And there was just a whole lotta "Baaaaw, gaming isn't a cult thing anymore! Waaaaah!!!" Grow up and get with the fucking times, man (not you, Paulrus, whoever made the comic)....

Sorry to go off-topic, but I just had to say that...

 

[Labyrinth]

Oh wonderful. More attempts at pandering to a demographic who would rather interact with what they see than just sit and watch like lemmings. This is pretty much an endless cut-scene, complete with crappy voice-over and unlikable characters.. SHUNNNN.

This is not a case of "Any popularity is good." People will just further stereotype our demographic according to what they see in this. It's in the behaviour. And frankly, putting even normal people into a Big Brother house situation is going to change their behaviour. I doubt these people were chosen because they're genuinely good at the games. That just won't get enough views. I bet they were chosen because they'll be dramatic in a reality television sense.

 

[Neosage]

I think the show will be crap, but I also think it's good that it will make it more popular.

 

[fliptopia]

I think you would be hard pressed to find a meaningfully large audience for a real gaming show at the moment. Maybe this will lead to a more hardcore gaming experience. I like the idea of giving them a real world test of these things but I dont think it should count towards being the "ultimate gamer". Would have been better to have an international comp to get the thing started.

I have no really issue with the games selected. Not what I would have chosen but they encompass a broadish spectrum from basic/casual through to more "skilled" games, but not really pushing the envelope much at that end.

 

[Varchld]

I was beginning to lose faith in people overreacting to things but finally on page 3 of this thread some people have let me post this.

The typical nerdy/gamer kneejerk reaction is pretty pathetic, elitest and xenophobic aren't things to be proud of supporting.
Getting territorial about gaming is a bit late, the industry can't go back to how it used to be, it's all gotten too big to support things on the old foundations alone.

If you don't like it, then don't watch it and recommend noone else does.
Acting like a two year old when someone wants to play with your rattle isn't going to achieve anything but make you look foolish and immature.

I saw a few episodes of this because of a friend, and yeah it's not good but it's mainly because of who they chose as the contestants.
The show itself is no worse then others of it's type, so still not worth paying attention to.

 

[Woe Is You]

Why the hell do people care so much about competitive gaming to the point they put on tournaments like this? Games were originally designed as entertainment. That's exactly why I want to become a game developer, because along with cinema and theatre (my other passions) I enjoy creating entertainment. Games were not meant for such competitive play.

I don't know. What else is there to a game like Quake Live if it weren't for the competitive aspect? Or a game like Street Fighter? Some people might actually like the fierce competition in games like these, who's to tell them that "games are mere entertainment, not for competition"? Just like cinema, just like books, games don't always have to just be entertainment. They could be something else as well.

As for the show itself, it's your regular reality TV show: lots of drama, very little actual competition. Makes for a very boring show like reality shows usually are.

 

[Strong Intelligent]

You don't play paintball based on the mona lisa.

You don't do stuff like that with art.

 

[Azazcyh]

I was beginning to lose faith in people overreacting to things but finally on page 3 of this thread some people have let me post this.

The typical nerdy/gamer kneejerk reaction is pretty pathetic, elitest and xenophobic aren't things to be proud of supporting.
Getting territorial about gaming is a bit late, the industry can't go back to how it used to be, it's all gotten too big to support things on the old foundations alone.

If you don't like it, then don't watch it and recommend noone else does.
Acting like a two year old when someone wants to play with your rattle isn't going to achieve anything but make you look foolish and immature.

I saw a few episodes of this because of a friend, and yeah it's not good but it's mainly because of who they chose as the contestants.
The show itself is no worse then others of it's type, so still not worth paying attention to.

hey were not immature duddy head. *sucks thumb* whares my bottle.

 

[Peach_hat]

Why would they give up their names as great gamers like that?

 

[Sevre]

I couldn't watch it, I read the title and threw up.

 

[garfoldsomeoneelse]

Well.....needless to say Sci Fi has lost what little respect I still had for them.

They lost all of my respect when they cancelled MST3K in favour continuing of their shitty "Sci-Fi original movies".

 

[asiepshtain]

Seriously, it's the kind of show I expect to see on a channel called SyFy.

For shame.

 

[D_987]

I hate to be the one to say this, but I'm thinking that anything that promotes gaming as a mainstream acceptible pastime and helps to bring awareness and understanding of it to more people is a good thing for the industry, even if it is a sub-american idol reality show...

Your right in some respects, but the show itself doesn't accurately portray gaming at all - look at the games they play (Rock Band is a competitive game now...?), look at how overly dramatic they act when playing and look how idiotic they are making gamers look.

It may promote gaming as mainstream but its still giving off the wrong message.

 

[Galletea]

How very silly. People will make a tv show about anyone these days. Oh well, I'm sure people will have lots of fun laughing at them, and it's unlikely to subvert any stereotypes.

 

[XJ-0461]

Oh good. More reality TV. Why are shows about manufactured, unlikable people popular now?

 

[ultimateownage]

No, just no. They aren't gamers, they're retards, and games aren't the same has real life, why should they compare them to each over? of course you can't fight by playing virtua fighter, you just tap a bunch of buttons.

 

[Voicuboyy]

i think i might puke my guts

 

[Biek]

Whats next? Someone showing up at the competition with eye of the tiger playing, wearing a shiny, hooded robe and punching the air as he goes on stage. Then reveal a overweight, pit-faced teenager ready to crush the Halo 3 competition?