So, the new year is upon us, and throughout 2010, I saw, heard, and read a lot of things that really concerned me. Gamers have some really bad habits that hurt the hobby, maybe more than they realize. I want to see some of those habits change in 2011 — for the good of gamers, gaming, and its standing among other forms of entertainment. So, at the fresh start of a fresh year, it’s worth calling some of the bad stuff out so as not to repeat it. For instance:
1. Stop acting like everything is the end of the world.
A price goes up. A network goes down. A release date moves. A designer talks about doing something different. It no longer seems to matter what the news is –- all that matters is that everything is ruined now. No more dramatic overreactions to minor issues, let alone non-issues.
A price goes up. A network goes down. A release date moves. A designer talks about doing something different. It no longer seems to matter what the news is –- all that matters is that everything is ruined now. No more dramatic overreactions to minor issues, let alone non-issues.
2. Cynicism for its own sake is pointless.
The self-serving sarcasm has gotten out of control. Some gamers like hating gaming more than they like the games themselves — a uniquely self-destructive attitude compared to other passion hobbies. Gaming can’t be a game of piss-and-moan-upmanship or we all lose.
The self-serving sarcasm has gotten out of control. Some gamers like hating gaming more than they like the games themselves — a uniquely self-destructive attitude compared to other passion hobbies. Gaming can’t be a game of piss-and-moan-upmanship or we all lose.
3. Admit that you don’t know what you’re talking about, then stop.
“That game sucks.” You mean the one that doesn’t come out for four months, or the one that came out four months ago but you’ve never played? Either way, stop. Gaming is an experiential hobby; if you haven’t interacted with what you are condemning, you’ve got nothing. Once you’ve gotten some personal experience, we’ll listen. (This resolution goes double for anything related to business.)
“That game sucks.” You mean the one that doesn’t come out for four months, or the one that came out four months ago but you’ve never played? Either way, stop. Gaming is an experiential hobby; if you haven’t interacted with what you are condemning, you’ve got nothing. Once you’ve gotten some personal experience, we’ll listen. (This resolution goes double for anything related to business.)
4. Don’t expect perfection.
Games aren’t perfect because people make games and people aren’t perfect. It runs on a computer; it wasn’t birthed by one. They don’t make games like they used to, and in fact, they never did. Likewise, things break; things then get fixed. You cannot alter 60 million lines of code in 5 minutes. Neither can they.
Games aren’t perfect because people make games and people aren’t perfect. It runs on a computer; it wasn’t birthed by one. They don’t make games like they used to, and in fact, they never did. Likewise, things break; things then get fixed. You cannot alter 60 million lines of code in 5 minutes. Neither can they.
Without the soapbox, it all comes down to “Be rational.” Games will come out this year that you will like, dislike, or ignore. But overreactions, unrealistic expectations, and a quick temper are not helping the hobby you hold dear. We are all ambassadors of gaming; we represent it to every non-gamer on the planet. And gaming just can’t be defined by these irrational actions and reactions if it’s going to get the respect it deserves.
I think we all need to hold each other to a higher standard — and if you are not guilty of the kinds of stuff I’ve referenced here, say “You know, I don’t think that actually helps” when you see someone who is. A community — particularly online — can be shaped by a handful of good examples. Right now, I fear too much of it is being shaped by bad ones. So that’s what I’d like to see change.
Gaming evolves every year. Let 2011 be the year that gamers evolve.
In reference to One of Swords Blog
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