Poll: So apparently it's pathetic that I like 28 Days Later because I enjoyed Left 4 Dead

[Evil Top Hat]

People like to feel better than you, they will try to make themselves feel better in a number of ways, and when people say "oh I was a fan of it before it was on/in X" is just one of the common ways in which people will do it.

I don't judge people for doing it though, because when you have something you loved before it was popular, it is sometimes hard to resist the urge to tell people when whatever it is comes up in conversation.

 

[agnosticOCD]

I don't really understand what you're saying or asking... but the music in GTA us amazing.

Uhm... I was mostly ranting... sorry.

 

[agnosticOCD]

What? That's ridiculous. I don't know anyone who thinks that way, gamer or not :\

I mean, I know some people who are just opposed to playing games, but even they wouldn't be against me discovering some worthwhile piece of music, film, or literature from a game.

They're not "against" it, they just think it's something that's not as good as, oh, I dunno, Googling it or something. People in my place generally have a low opinion on video games.

 

[agnosticOCD]

I honestly think that everything involved in this situation is just unintelligent. I'm glad you saw 28 Days Later, but what did you think of it? Did you think it was great social commentary, or OMG ZOMBIES?

Games do that sort of thing by giving you an all around "evil" or "bad" antagonists because it fuels your ability to be desensitized to killing them. It's all schlock and idiotic when you're thinking you're actually being heroic in a game. That illusion is just impossible to get around. There really isn't anyone in the gaming industry actually attempting to make decent social commentary out of the massive potential the gaming market has to showcase it. We're all spoiled by the ideas you're talking about, and it just makes me sad to see it.

28 Days Later has so much to offer, just like so much of what Danny Boyle's done. Too many people just skim the surface of art and think it's simply "cool" or whatever. The scenes involving the soldiers in the mansion are the scariest part of the movie, the most intense, and carries the most weight of the film. Zombies didn't need to exist for these guys to be like this, just the idea. They're the desensitized dudes who think they're going to do the world a favor by raping a teenage girl, for example. 28 Days just uses the zombie idea as a backdrop to push bigger ideas through.

Left 4 Dead? You kill zombies. There's teamwork. It's intense. It's the most vacant game I can imagine. It's a shame Valve is distributing it as a full fledged title when it's the most flacid Source mod I've ever played. Hell, Brink has a good amount of substance to its story, but they hide it beneath a team based shooter; that's about as close as I've seen modern gaming hit that mark.

You seem to have a very low opinion of me now, at least from what I garner from your post... Now, I went into 28 Days Later expecting exactly that: OMG ZOMBIES! but I wasn't unimpressed by the undertones, no matter how much I tried to avoid anything that had to do with symbolism for a while, but I'd felt a bigger emotional tug when the agenda of the soldiers had been exposed, and I kept getting reminded of a lot of the leaked news of what US soldiers were doing in the Middle East to gratify themselves in such a desperate environment, but I had the idea of looking up the movie after I'd played Left 4 Dead, if anything, just so I can find something with zombies in it. My reasons at first were shallow and just a product of the zombie-nerd thing, but I finished that film with more than what I was expecting, and I seriously got a kick out of... well, the little girl in the car with the captain in the back, I don't wanna spoil it. And even though I play these games for a rush, for entertainment, that doesn't mean that I think that any of this isn't just in the game world, I'm not the kind of person that gets the idea that killing tons of douchebags is the only form of heroism. That statement I made was an exaggeration, just the same with the "sexually fueled" UFC and NBA thing.

The thing that pulled me in Left 4 Dead is not the "good v bad" thing it had to it, it was the idea of trying to survive in an absolutely hostile environment, where my previous notions of "I can do things myself" are completely falsified by the fact that a single mistake will get me killed, and I'd be at the mercy of how willing my teammates are to keep my ass alive. The feeling of "I need this person, and he needs me, or we're both dead". It wasn't just superficial, it wasn't just mechanical, it wasn't the same as with how my brother played it, completely ignoring little details and rushing only to get from Point A to Point B. There are more things that go on inside my head than there are things happening displayed onscreen.

I apologize if all you seemed to have gained was "This kid's statements seem like they're only trying to justify him playing a violent game rather than focusing on his schoolwork."

 

[Speakercone]

What? That's ridiculous. I don't know anyone who thinks that way, gamer or not :\

I mean, I know some people who are just opposed to playing games, but even they wouldn't be against me discovering some worthwhile piece of music, film, or literature from a game.

They're not "against" it, they just think it's something that's not as good as, oh, I dunno, Googling it or something. People in my place generally have a low opinion on video games.

Your brother is a douchebag. Tell him the internet thinks he's a asstard.

Seriously though, hard not to take that sort of thing to heart when it comes from family. I feel for you, mate. For what it's worth, you don't sound pathetic to me. You sound put upon. Stiff upper lip, son. Just one of those things.

 

[dyre]

What? That's ridiculous. I don't know anyone who thinks that way, gamer or not :\

I mean, I know some people who are just opposed to playing games, but even they wouldn't be against me discovering some worthwhile piece of music, film, or literature from a game.

They're not "against" it, they just think it's something that's not as good as, oh, I dunno, Googling it or something. People in my place generally have a low opinion on video games.

Well, I guess my parents might feel amused that I discovered something worthwhile out of something they consider worthless. They'd probably make some kind of condescending comment. Nothing to get riled about; they've got a right to their biases

For example, if someone told me they discovered a great song because it was the background music to a porno they were watching, I'd probably be like, "uh, that's kinda weird," but I don't think they would or should be offended!

 

[Milo Windby]

28 days later (in my opinion) is and will forever be one of my favorite zombie movies, the music and atmosphere as well as the characters blend together to make what truly is a great movie.
28 weeks later (The sequel) was an epic bomb... it failed what the first movie did.

On top of liking 28 days later I also love L4D. Is it bad to like both a video game and a movie? No. Why should it matter at all? I love various types of media it just depends on what it is that I like... 28 days later, L4D, Iron Maiden (Music)

All that really matters is what you like, and if that makes you a geek... then raise a glass and make a toast, welcome to the club ;3

 

[Madman123456]

While it is certainly possible to make anything pathetic by a reference to anything. it certainly depends on what is referenced in what and in what way.

so my choice is [x] oh look! a chicken!

 

[BetterSummer]

No dude, I like you, you're thinking straight.

And what you're just describing is gameplay, which is fun and dynamic in Left 4 Dead, but as a game it's pretty thin, wouldn't you admit?

 

[Doclector]

People calling the discovery of other entertainment through one kind of entertainment pathetic is...well, pathetic.

I got a lot of criticism for getting into dragonforce through GH3, for example. Shouldn't they be happy someone got into a great band, no matter how they got into it? I know I'd be happy to welcome new George a Romero fans whether they discovered him through imdb or through dead rising.

 

[Ace of Spades]

I never would have heard of Cage the Elephant if it weren't for Borderlands.

 

[Mr Pantomime]

I enjoyed the rant, but I always find that threads like this turn into one giant jerk circle. We already know that games arent worthless, that theyre an exciting new medium etc etc. You're pretty much preaching to the choir.

You have pointed out a problem i've been seeing. While youd have no trouble on this site reccommending interesting , innovative, even odd games, or having a real discussion about whether or not games are art (even if that generally is just people saying "all games are art" without any real qualifier). But in real life it's a lot harder. My Sister, for example, seems to exclusively play casual games on her phone. Shes vey much into one in particular, a slot game with all the fun of playing slots without the monetary aspect, which really irks me. Anyhow, she mentioned the ad for Portal 2, and said it was funny. I mentioned I had it, told her it was a pretty good game, and said she should try it, to which she responded "nah it seems stupid". I felt such an urge to smack a *****.

But even though I call it a problem, it isnt really so. I look at all the frat boys playing Black Ops, the annoying highschool girls playing Farmville, the housewives with their Bejeweled and Peggle, and see the same escapism quality that made the film industry grow to acceptance during the Great Depression.

Now, I know you dont really want to think that these are the games that are going to bring video games into general acceptance as a real medium, but you have to accept something ive learned long ago. That the best of anything will never be the most popular, at least not while its new. Look at the film industry, or even the music industry. Chart toppers are merely passing fads, while the truly great entries dont even grace the top 10. Give it 20 years. Noones going to remember Black Ops, like noone remembers the Highlander sequels, or how noone would listen to "Sugar Sugar" unless they were being ironic.

I really liked the rant, but id urge you to post it where other people can see it, not just gamers, everyone. I saw its been posted on what I can only assume is your tumblr, so thats a good start, but who really reads a blog anyway? Try get it published in your University Newspaper or something.

 

[omega 616]

How come no one ever mentions the benefits of gaming over movies, etc.? When you're watching a movie, you have practically zero brain function, it is pure input. When you play in an interactive medium, you have no choice but to be actively reacting to the situations around you, instead of just sitting there mindlessly. Have your brother message me or something so I can explain to him why you are inherently more intelligent than he is. Also, make your brother sit down and play Bioshock, and let him tell you it's not as good as a movie. He won't be able to, or at least not with any sort of backing evidence.

While agree with you, it is very easy to zone out and mindlessly play any game. Infact thats what I did with bioshock. I only really tuned in when the infamous golf club beating happened.

I only collected like 4 audio tapes aswell, I am not much of an explorer. Despite my many years of gaming I have yet to develop my "check everywhere" skill. I tend to just rush through the story and take in small parts of it.

On topic.

he's got a lot of counter-evidence. lol

I would be interested to read that.

Sounds like he is quite ignorant of what can be gained from games. Shame really, while I can never be accused of over thinking a plot or even looking up the names of songs in a game, I do love my games.

 

[Fursnake]

It's not pathetic, you find the things you like through other things like video games or perhaps on accident. Take waht you can get where you can get it and ignore the people that belittle or disrespect you for that as best you can.

 

[agnosticOCD]

I enjoyed the rant, but I always find that threads like this turn into one giant jerk circle. We already know that games arent worthless, that theyre an exciting new medium etc etc. You're pretty much preaching to the choir.

You have pointed out a problem i've been seeing. While youd have no trouble on this site reccommending interesting , innovative, even odd games, or having a real discussion about whether or not games are art (even if that generally is just people saying "all games are art" without any real qualifier). But in real life it's a lot harder. My Sister, for example, seems to exclusively play casual games on her phone. Shes vey much into one in particular, a slot game with all the fun of playing slots without the monetary aspect, which really irks me. Anyhow, she mentioned the ad for Portal 2, and said it was funny. I mentioned I had it, told her it was a pretty good game, and said she should try it, to which she responded "nah it seems stupid". I felt such an urge to smack a *****.

But even though I call it a problem, it isnt really so. I look at all the frat boys playing Black Ops, the annoying highschool girls playing Farmville, the housewives with their Bejeweled and Peggle, and see the same escapism quality that made the film industry grow to acceptance during the Great Depression.

Now, I know you dont really want to think that these are the games that are going to bring video games into general acceptance as a real medium, but you have to accept something ive learned long ago. That the best of anything will never be the most popular, at least not while its new. Look at the film industry, or even the music industry. Chart toppers are merely passing fads, while the truly great entries dont even grace the top 10. Give it 20 years. Noones going to remember Black Ops, like noone remembers the Highlander sequels, or how noone would listen to "Sugar Sugar" unless they were being ironic.

I really liked the rant, but id urge you to post it where other people can see it, not just gamers, everyone. I saw its been posted on what I can only assume is your tumblr, so thats a good start, but who really reads a blog anyway? Try get it published in your University Newspaper or something.

Well, I did post it on my Tumblr, and I try to fit video games one way or another into my essays for school, which are surprisingly given praise, thank goodness. I do try to get these across, and I thought it'd be a good idea to share it here too. I don't mean to make the forums seem like having the same topics over and over though, and looking back, I noticed that. Sorry.

 

[agnosticOCD]

No dude, I like you, you're thinking straight.

And what you're just describing is gameplay, which is fun and dynamic in Left 4 Dead, but as a game it's pretty thin, wouldn't you admit?

At first glance, sure, but the gameplay wasn't the only thing that got me interested in Left 4 Dead, it was the concepts that made it work, and how they virtually made it so that if you try being a lone wolf, you're as good as dead. Little details and stuff. It's mainly a multiplayer game anyway, so I can understand that it's not doing much outside of focusing in gameplay for reasons of practicality.

 

[agnosticOCD]

28 days later (in my opinion) is and will forever be one of my favorite zombie movies, the music and atmosphere as well as the characters blend together to make what truly is a great movie.
28 weeks later (The sequel) was an epic bomb... it failed what the first movie did.

On top of liking 28 days later I also love L4D. Is it bad to like both a video game and a movie? No. Why should it matter at all? I love various types of media it just depends on what it is that I like... 28 days later, L4D, Iron Maiden (Music)

All that really matters is what you like, and if that makes you a geek... then raise a glass and make a toast, welcome to the club ;3

To be honest, I kinda like the sequel almost equally as the first film... but of course, it doesn't have the same impact. I loved the ending for 28 Weeks Later though. Viva la Rage Virus.

 

[Layzor]

Feel sorry for him. He's missing out on a lot.

 

[BigDeadMushy]

no matter how you find it,cool stuff is cool stuff.it's no different to strolling into a new store and seeing something awesome there that you want to try.it's how I found Games Workshop systems and DnD which is a large part of what turned me into the happy geek I am today.

 

[WaywardHaymaker]

I've always thought that so long as you enjoy something, it shouldn't matter how you found it. I bought Dragon Age: Origins because it came with armor for ME2. (or at least that moved me from, 'Maybe' to 'It's Bioware, why not?')