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Vampires versus zombies: And why I


On 08/30/2014 at 02:45 AM by BrokenH

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I spent all night playing VTM Bloodlines. I did quite a few quests (Including stopping  a plague bearer cult who were spreading diseases and turning people into zombies) and now I’m on a “ghost ship” called the Elizabeth Dane trying to get a ship manifesto for the head prince (vampire overlord) of Santa Monica. Sadly this requires stealth and I friggin hate stealth!

Next month I’ll be picking up Diablo III ultimate edition. Though I was mad when the game first came out due to the always online bullshit and the greed driven auction house, it seems as if Blizzard did a good job fixing these issues and this version even includes the “Reaper of souls expansion” for the sweet price of $39.99! (At least on the 360 and PS3)

For the record, I sadly was caught up in a lot of that drama. Some people call it “Quinn piracy” but I’ll just call it “Derpanok: The great derping”.

I know some of you may be disappointed in my character because I did not take the suave collected “neutrality approach” the rest of pixlbit did and I feel I have to explain myself.

For the record, I was not solely triggered by Zoe Quinn herself and I think too many people jump to the assumption anyone against this woman is just being misogynistic and hating on her because of “vagina”. Yet for the people that had the balls to perhaps read the extensive data collected on “Know your meme” as well as look at the you tube videos of Mundane Matt and Internet Aristocrat , there was a lot more information and more angles to that sordid affair going way beyond her gilded ex boyfriend airing her dirty laundry.

I’ll be honest, I’ve been angry at game journalism a long time. Some of you will remember my fight with Bob Mackey  (Mr. This Month In Misogyny) and to be frank that was not the only time a sensationalist click bait article or shame tactic piece of “journalism” set me off.

Many of you probably remember when Kat Bailey compared Lords Of Shadow 2 to Rape-lay (At least Chris graded LOS2 from an entirely fair 100% gamer perspective) and when both Polygon and Kotaku lost it over Dragon Crown’s art-style. There was also a frenzy over Lara Croft possibly being raped in the new Tomb-raider (She wasn’t) and Hideo Kojima was accused of misogyny because his character design for the female sniper Quiet happened to look “sexy”.   

Understand as someone who “creates things” this stuff is a bit more personal for me. Yes, I draw scantily clad women,write stories that are occasionally macabre,dark,or erotic, and draw hentai. So what? It’s not because I “hate women”. (Lust after them certainly!) I’m simply exhausted by certain people’s idiotic snap assumptions. Yes, I’m a guy with heterosexual biology but that does not automatically make me opposed to diversity in games or more females being in the industry. Additionally I have no problems with gay marriage, people who identify as transgender, or well told stories that cater to the LGBT community. My frustration is despite all this and despite identifying myself as an egalitarian I often get labeled as a misogynistic-pedophile-women-objectifying- rape-culture-supporting goblin anyway.

That’s what many folks in the debate are not getting. Gamers are not “mad” at the industry for diversifying itself or catering to more demographics. Gamers are upset because the gaming journalism narrative always seems to talk down to us (And often times even the developers who make the games) as if they are goading us into fights just to get more traffic. The most famous “talking heads of gaming” seem to have some sort of self loathing complex but rather than internalize it they take it out on us to feel better about themselves!

Lastly, I want to meet the people on the other side half way! If they stop calling me a misogynist piece of vile I’ll try not throwing around words like “white knight” or “sjw” anymore. I want peace……. but I refuse to be mocked and dragged through the mud merely for having my own opinions and my own tastes.


 

Comments

Casey Curran Staff Writer

08/30/2014 at 03:50 AM
This comment has been removed.

Casey Curran Staff Writer

08/30/2014 at 03:53 AM

This whole shit was just a natural progression all game journalism's issues. Don't get me wrong, what was said is absolutely horrible and SHOULD not happen. But we don't live in a world where should is what happens.

We live in a shitty world. And in this world when you look down on other people, they're not going to listen to you. When you refuse to own up to your own faults, people are going to nitpick and blow any small issue out of proportion. When you call people shit, sexist, and worse than real life fucking terrorists, eventually someone's going to act like those things. 

We had a chance for discussions. But when Ubisoft said they were focusing on graphics over inclusivity for Assassin's Creed, there was no discussion on whether that is a dated philosophy or the market still works that way. There was shit flinging. Same goes for Dragon's Crown, Femfreq, and MGSV. There were discussions to be had. But both sides just flung shit on each other.

And the side that is supposed to be for social change fucked up. Sure, the other side is shit. But we expect them to be that way. When you stoop to their level, always boasting how much better you are, you're just going to make things worse. They had a chance to do good and instead they fucked up. All they did was convince me the other side is actually worse. But in doing so, the SJWs of the world just proved to me how this supposed side for change and equality is more despicable than I could imagine either side being.

But you know what else? Pokken Tournament is being made. So everything's going to be okay.

BrokenH

08/30/2014 at 04:07 AM

I'm happy Diablo III Ultimate Edition is out. Laughing Is Pokken Tekken with Pokemon? Could be total class!

I agree with you,Cas. There were (and hopefully still are) discussions to be had. I think both sides fuck up by getting trolled a few times then assuming those trolls represent a whole demographic. But man,as many trolls come from the gamer side yesterday proved to me just as many trolls are on the sjw side. (I apologize for reinstating that term but for the sake of discussion it's used as an identifier.)

And you're right,call someone terrible things enough they start to believe it is true and there's the chance they will become it. This is why when a good person goes to prison there's a tragically high probability he or she will come out a criminal. I hope this doesn't happen to me. I don't have much else except my humanity and I admit I'm very tired and bitter from this shit. Don't want my inner light to go out.....

Shit Cas,gaming used to be fun. Shouldn't it always be that way? Frown

Alex-C25

08/30/2014 at 05:21 AM

I've already mentioned to Casey how I just don't want to get involved because of the drama and bullshit is reckeeing and how I just want to game in peace. I quite like that Vivian James character (the one on the gif) and how they use it though.

BrokenH

08/30/2014 at 01:03 PM

Good stance. I think there's only so much debating that can be done if certain people are not willing to listen. That wall of ignorance really needs to come down but it probably will not fall all at once.

Super Step Contributing Writer

08/30/2014 at 05:27 AM

Which side does Five Guys endorse? I'm on that side. 

BrokenH

08/30/2014 at 01:04 PM

People who appreciate good burgers,Joe. Tongue Out

Nicoleb1989

08/30/2014 at 06:52 AM

Ya know I got on twitter today and there was still bs going around about the whole zoey thing as well as a game article site wrote a piece stating how we need people like her. I didnt read it because I was in no mood for it but shit like that makes me wonder about people. I firmly believe the world has lost its shit.  Im happy to say that Phil fish is selling fez and his studio. I dont think ive been more happier to hear that sort of thing. Talking about developers being jackass's he was so far the worse one. The fucking thing I dont get is they try to make it sound like "oh is fucking woe for phil" but the bastard clearly brought it on himself by being a big fucking ass.

In final about zoey, she took a risk of doing things that might have shown her in a bad light believeing she wouldnt get caught and in the end she did. This shit will haunt her forever because everyone knows about it, atleast in gaming world they do. If people wanna defend her, thats fine, if they wanna judge her, hey, she made a choice in doing something bad. Its all up to the person. In all Ben if people dont like where u stand with things, dont worry about them. There a bunch of people who feel the need to have everyone on their side. Let them talk their shit, because really what comes out of their mouths is about themselves. They just dont know it or accept it.

BrokenH

08/30/2014 at 01:14 PM

Yeah,it's terrible on twitter,Nicole. But it did allow me to put a lot of trolls on mute when they did their daily rounds.

As to why they defend people like Zoe and Phil? It's kind of one big circle jerk,really. That and many game journos are from San-Fransico, a city that carries a very radical and far left extremist version of morality.

Some of these people even truly mean well and I applaud them for their intentions. It's just talking down to and shaming one's audience is not a good way to bring people together.

Certain gamers argue in favor of more artistic games and more LGBT themed games. I'm fine with that so long as they are truly "games" and not just text logs with clickable links. I mean adventure novels "can" work but the reason Japanese adventure novels have an audience is because the characters and backgrounds are usually well drawn,are sometimes animated, and nice to look at. "Depression Quest" was a choose your own adventure without the soul more or less.

Additionally there's no reason games like Lollipop Chainsaw and Earth Defense Force 2025 should not be made anymore. I love silly,sexy,and even macabre messed up stuff from time to time so I hope games continue to offer me a variety of experiences instead of being conformed to a single set of bland ideals.

Blake Turner Staff Writer

08/30/2014 at 03:13 PM

These too videos basically sum up my view on this whole thing. These videos don't directly relate to Zoe, but they are great nonetheless.

 Here's the thing. Females criticising games for being sexist is important. A lot of them aren't saying "Ban this filth!" They're saying why can't this be better? Why is this the gold standard?

 There's no reason we can't have sexy women wearing a thong fighting zombies whilst masturbating, but why isn't there better? In movies, this is a niche genre, whereas the big stuff is supposed to cater to everyone. In games, virtually EVERYTHING caters to 15-30 year old men. With more women making games and criticising games, there will be greater variety. Even if you want Ass-PocaTits 2, variety is always a good thing.

 Just to be clear... I still love "misogynistic" games. I fucking adore Lollipop Chainsaw and Shadows of the Damned. There's still a place for these games to exist, it's just if we have a larger variety of people making and criticising our games we will have a greater variety of games.

BrokenH

08/30/2014 at 04:39 PM

But games have been "better" a long time,Blake. There are games like The Last Of Us,Beyond Good And Evil,Mirror's Edge,Remember Me,Alice, Madness Returns,Tombraider (Okay,this one is debatable but personally I like new Lara better than old Lara. She's finally more "human" to me.) Portal 2,Metroid (as a collective series), and Walking Dead by Telltale. (In which Clementine eventually became the main character.) To me perhaps the saddest thing is not all these games sell very well or are advertised very well. I did not even know about Beyond Good And Evil until I had a 360. That's just well,wrong! Why don't these games get better publicity? Sure, some of them do. But not nearly enough of them.

If I had the ability to make a difference I'd make sure good games with female protagonists got just as much commercial hype as Call Of Duty and Destiny.

But again I must stress it's okay for gaming to have its' sexy and violent grind house equivalent too. Just so long as that is not all there is.....

PS: And thanks for the video youtube recommends. Can already tell by the titles I'll probably end up agreeing a lot! (Though not all of it)

Blake Turner Staff Writer

08/30/2014 at 05:16 PM

His problem with Feminism is that a lot of people who call themselves feminists aren't feminists, they're just angry women who hate men. That in turn gives feminism a bad name and anyone attached to the movement is automatically shrugged off or attacked.

I don't know if you'll agree with him on everything, but he makes a lot of good points. Also, his other videos are quite funny.

 Yes, there are games that do it okay, some that even do it well. I'd say The Last of Us is probably singlehandedly the best example of a female in gaming, as it shows her develop from someone who is reliant on someone else to someone who can hold her own extremely well.

However, the problem is that these games are in the minority. I guess this is why a lot of women I know who game prefer games where you can create your own character and make decisions, like Mass Effect or Skyrim.

 And it is fine to have that in gaming, because it can be awesome in movies. I fucking adore Sin City and Machete, but if they were the only movies that came out I'd be pretty pissed off.

BrokenH

08/30/2014 at 05:30 PM

I concur such games are still a minority, Heck,it's gotten to the point many genres and styles are minorities when put up against those behemoths that sell so well. Call Of Duty or Halo,sir? Ugh,no! Why can't newer Fatal Frame games be on more consoles?! And will I get another Dragon's Dogma? Maybe after a few more hundred reiterations of street fighter,aye?! Oh,fuck you,capcom!

It's getting "better" but it's not as "great" as it could be,Blake.

Blake Turner Staff Writer

08/30/2014 at 05:52 PM

Yes you will get a Dragons Dogma 2. It's been promised for PS4 :p

BrokenH

08/30/2014 at 05:56 PM

P-P-Promised?! (cums) Sorry,sorry! Need a clean up in aisle 3! And don't get me wrong,many mainstream franchises get hype for starting out spectacular (And I do love Street Fighter) but it's just sad to see these bias "darlings" always get 9 outta 10's when games that are more innovative and more deep simultaneously get ignored or get shitty scores. Frown

Blake Turner Staff Writer

08/30/2014 at 06:06 PM

The problem is games get scored on polish. Games that innovate but are buggy or don't control as well get scored less than games that are super polished but have no soul.

 A perfect example of this is Metro 2033. It's been remade now in the Metro: Last Light engine and holy fuck is it good! Fixes most of the problems with that game and now it is probably one of my favourite games of all time. However, before it was buggy and there were a few issues with the stealth and the gunplay not feeling amazing. Oh, and it had the cardinal sin of being a difficult game in 2007... so it got a 6.9 on IGN.

BrokenH

08/30/2014 at 08:13 PM

Does seem as if we used to be more patient when handling difficult games back in the day. I remember when the "one hit you're dead" rule was in effect and depending on the shooter,it still is.

VTM:Bloodlines was another game akin to Metro. Great game but there were bugs,oh, were there bugs. Many scores rated it 7's and below yet once you put in all the official and unofficial patches there's a quality game there that blows away many of the top AAA titles today.

Yet I noticed "Dark Souls" became a critical success Casanova based on its' challenge. I wonder if so many gamers liked DS that the game journos were afraid to bitch,  moan, and give it a low score like they usually do with a hard game. Then again,DS seemed more polished than the original Metro too....

It's tragic how a few bugs can tarnish the reputation of an otherwise fantastic game. (Though a new Elder-scrolls entry ALWAYS gets a "Get out of jail free" pass when it comes to this rule!)

C.S.3590SquadLeader

08/30/2014 at 04:57 PM

Yeah, the holier-than-thou attitudes from both sides are a major factor towards my general apathy about the whole situation. No one's helping their cause if they're not willing to actually hold meaningful discussions, otherwise they're just going in circles.

BrokenH

08/30/2014 at 05:21 PM

We'd get a lot farther without the trolls on both sides,this is true. And while I do come from a thick skinned generation that became accustomed to talking trash on the internet, there is a time to put away the death/rape threats and the "fag" retorts to have a decent discussion. (Ditto to the trolls from the other end who throw around words like cis scum,privilege,and misogyny just to shut down any opposing opinions that do not 100% match up with their own.)

Cary Woodham

09/01/2014 at 09:26 AM

I don't like vampires OR zombies.  Ghosts are my favorite!

I haven't been keeping up with the whole game journalism mess that everyone is talking about. Although I guess I should.  I'm just having fun playing games and writing reviews my own way.

NSonic79

09/02/2014 at 01:01 PM

I finally got around to looking up this #GamerGate thing and almost fell out of my chair laughing. I recognize that there are some important core issues to address but they way they are being handle is just down right hilarious.

I can see why people are starting to hate the internet over this but I don't see why we have to defend ourselves as gamers over the "games" we play. Not everyone is going to like what we play or even decide on what consistutes a game or even the content of the said game. but at the end of the day the only gamer that a gamer has to answer for is themseleves. I myself enjoy killing people in my games to thie point where if there was a body counter for all my lifetime kills I'd be up for warcrimes against humanity!

But you don't see me defending my likes in gaming and my gaming tastes. I could care less. if I got trashed I wouldn't care. most people on here are faceless people to me who may or may not be who they say they are. If someone wants to have an intelligent converstation about things the I'm welcome to it. But this current #GamerGate thing is anythiing but intelligent. Still a good laugh though.

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