When does going from enjoying a game like everyone else reach the point of thinking you actually have more of a role in the game – like how it should be enjoyed by others?
I find it hilarious when I go to a specific game’s community site to browse and I get the sense that the few dozen or so “loyal fans” registered speak like their opinion of what the game is all about and what the “proper” way to play the game is should be the only one that matters. I literally laugh out loud when I read something to the effect of: “If you want (place game’s type/addition/consideration here) then go find a different game…” The fact of the matter is, there are many more fans of the game that don’t have 10,000 posts on a specific game’s community site that also have an opinion about the “proper” way to play the game – and it may not be the same as a few dozen or so “loyal fans!”
It’s time that people remember that it’s just a game; there will be those who enjoy playing the game differently than they do (or, maybe the same way – who knows). When fans who buy a game insist that their way is the only way to enjoy a game and if anyone says different – they need to consider putting the controller down, stepping back from the keyboard, and taking a deep breath.
While I’m sure that developers take into account the loyal fan’s opinions, those fans have to be reminded that the developers must also take into account the casual gamer’s opinion just as much – probably more; the game has to be able to sell to a wider mass market (it’s not like a couple dozen copies are going to pay the bills, right?).
I can relate to one issue loyal fans of a game series continually find themselves facing: they’ve finally found a game – a niche – where they truly feel at home because a developer is able to fly under the radar and make a game the way they envision it should be like, and suddenly the demand is there to make a follow up that sells even better… so they have to begin catering to a wider market, which means – you guessed it – the game goes the way of mass market casual.
We’ve all felt that little tinge of betrayal stabbed into our backs when we realize the next volume in our cherished game series (usually after paying for it) has been reduced to just another game in the genre. However, even dissed fans don’t have a right to demand that anyone else be restricted to their preferred way of playing the game.
When it comes down to it, games are meant to be played, and people – no matter what you think or say – are going to play them the way they feel like it. So how about showing a little courtesy and respecting that fact? It might lead the next guy who comes along will respect your opinion and not tell you to go find another game to play if you don’t play it his way. Because even if you think you’re a hardcore gamer who demands respect, or a casual gamer who just wants to unwind for an hour - you’re just another gamer whose opinion doesn’t mean anything to the next console over.
Recent Comments