The Cheap-A Gamer (What You Don't Know)

I sometimes wonder and ask myself exactly how much like the Offspring I really am. Its clear as you listen to the Offspring how carefully they watch society and that they're always up on pop-culture. They're also really not afraid to speak their mind, which is awesome and their fans totally love them for it. So today, I'm kind of going to harp on gamers a little and the reality of some of them.

Its been really fun over the last several years to watch the console wars. To see how far each console has come and the improvements that have been made. The Dualshock has gotten vibration function and developers are getting better at working with the hardware and you're hearing them complain much less concerning it. Microsoft have, after several renditions of their console mostly worked through the Red Ring and Nintendo has come to a realization that their console is a Recycling Facility and their losing their most valuable customers. We've seen a little more of an effort by Nintendo though their console is still flooded with trash.

We've seen 3D integration into the PlayStation 3 mostly with the Xbox 360 sort of dragging its feet and we've seen Sony finally branch out their online services with Qriocity (Zune), Netflix, Hulu Plus one of my personal favorites now NHL GameCenter Live.

We've seen both Sony and Microsoft evaluating Nintendo's console and integrating motion controls into their own platforms as Sony opted to retain a controller and Microsoft had chosen to take the EyeToy and expand in it in a second attempt to appeal to the gamer market with controller free gaming where you are the controller.

Through the console wars, we've also been able to find the Fanboys. The diehards that would go down with a sinking ship defending be it the PlayStation 3 or the Xbox 360 to the death. Argument's ensure, fights break out and surely some have even been killed over it but, its like the various sports. Football has its fans, baseball has its fans, hockey has its fans, etc.

What I've noticed recently however, has been kind of interesting. There's a constant battle with: My Xbox 360 has Gears of War and Halo and yours doesn't or my PlayStation 3 has Uncharted and God of War and yours doesn't. Then then are those of us who say, "I have all three consoles so I can play whatever I want." For whatever reason being that one doesn't have the money to afford a console (which to now say the PlayStation 3 is expensive is absurd and a cheap cop-out), or you're so attached to your own console that you refuse to purchase the other, or perhaps its a "I'm an American. American's should support their own" which seems to be the case with some who purchase Chevy or Ford and are bitter toward those who purchase Honda or Toyota. Even if you buy a Toyota, they're manufactured in the U.S. and you're helping a man have the money to feed his family in Texas. Or with some of those who ride Harley's. "I don't want a Yamaha. Just means I'm supporting them Japs." Big whoop. Doesn't matter what you ride, its the fact that you ride. What's funny about all this is that pride has consumed that individual and they refuse to support the opposition. But, truth be told, they're missing out and often times, that individual knows it and they find ways to get around that without others knowing.

Granted, there are many that have partiality one way or the other and that's ok. Some people like Spaghetti more than pizza. Or sushi more than tacos. But there's a lot of variety in each of those foods with many different ways to prepare and eat them. Likewise, gaming has a lot of variety and each console provides its own unique opportunities when developers choose to work specifically on that particular hardware. Its my opinion that the best software is the games that are developed by first-party developers. Perhaps many developers share my same views. Its not that they don't want to develop for other consoles, its just that they find they can get far more out of their product when they don't have to divide their attention. With first-party, you don't have a choice, but Level-5 seems to work that way. They seldom develop multi-platform and I think its for that reason. Now, granted, there are fanboy developers within the industry we've talked about before, but the point is that each console does provide an unique opportunity. The fact of the matter is however, lets face it, its a fact of life that gaming isn't cheap. Its an extremely expensive hobby and those that get the most out of it are those that are neutral. Its ok to have preference so long as you bias doesn't stand in the way. Gaming isn't intended to make others angry at each other or have a death wish toward another. Its designed to entertain and bring others together. Its a means of making friends and you might even say teaches discipline. I've learned patience and taking the time to stop and think before you do something. Stop and take a look around and plan out what you want to do and then do it. Puzzles are great for the mind.

But this, is absolutely what makes me laugh and I suppose the purpose for this. The world loves a great movie and a great story. That's a big reason we play games is to be told a great story. Well, everyone loves great cutscenes too and I've found its fun to just sit and watch them relaxed and while I'm relaxed I catch things I hadn't noticed before because my brain and heart-rate were settling from an intense moment. But, what I'd also learned is that there are some who profess their fanboyism and know they're missing out on something awesome and will go onto YouTube and search out playthrough's to try and get some sort of experience out what they're missing. You might be surprised at how many gamers do that. Xbox 360 gamers that know they're missing out on Uncharted 2 and have gone online to view its playthroughs and cutscenes. Or gamers that want to experience Gears of War but are bitter at Microsoft and won't purchase their console.

It works and you catch the gist of it, but that's only half the experience. Your missing out on the gameplay that actually makes it fun. Having three consoles is great. Having four consoles is great. Its expensive, but that's what you're getting into to be considered a 'hardcore gamer.' Its trying several different types of pizza or several different types of Italian foods. Competition is excellent and many business' understand that. Monopolizing isn't good for consumers or the economy. Its competition that keeps business' from mediocrity. In order to succeed, they're going to have to research and find new methods to appeal in a competitive market just as in competitive multiplayer. You're going to have to adjust and tweak that strategy if you want to say ahead. It actually blows my mind at how many people go out of there way to downtalk something created by talent and then find a way to secretly experience it. A lot of times we play something and we really don't like it and that's alright but with fanboyism, that's not so. Its speaking out on something and judging it before you played it or given it a chance in defense of something maybe you feel is being threatened and to protect your own ego.

There are a lot of great games in the world. There's a lot of recycled crap this is true, but to experience it all at its best is going to require competition. But its definitely the cheap way out to talk something down and secretly watch it on YouTube from someone who posted it so others could enjoy the cinematic feel of it or even maybe someone whose stuck at one particular moment in the game. It just seems interesting to me that some people work that way.