There is a lot of “fanboy” hate in the gaming community and I really don’t understand why. What’s wrong with a “fanboy,” and why do people hate them so much? It’s really interesting if you think about other companies outside of the gaming world; they too have what the gaming community conceives as “fanboys.”
There are “fanboys” for every system out there. From the original Nintendo, Sega, and Playstation, to PC gaming, Xbox, Xbox 360, PS2, PS3, and Wii; they all have groups of “fanboys.” There are people out there who love their Wii, they wouldn’t give it up for anything, and these Wii “fanboy’s” will bash anyone who claims the Wii is useless and utterly dismal. The same is true of any system in the market today. Is this a bad thing? No, I don’t believe so. Unless, however, one’s love for a certain system makes them bash other systems irrationally; and this happens all too often. I hate when an excuse to disprove somebody’s idea is simply, “well they are a ‘fanboy’.” It’s such an invalid argument it enrages me; so maybe there should be “fanboy” hate.
Now it’s not just the “fanboys” of certain systems because we can go all the way down the list and see “fanboys” of specific genres (RTS, FPS, RPG), even specific games on specific systems. We all know the Halo “fanboys” hate the Gears “fanboys,” and they all hate the COD “fanboys.” However, I’m not trying to say that “fanboys” are stupid, or there shouldn’t be any “fanboys,” because, honestly, these individuals have a tendency to make gaming fun, and make gaming companies strive to make their games better. If there wasn’t such a huge Halo, Gears, and COD, “fanboy-base,” there would have been very little incentive for their sequels to be made; or to be made as well as they were. It’s a game company’s goal to create raging “fanboys” for their individual game. It’s this fan base that keeps Halo 3, Gears of War 2, COD 4 and 5, at the top of the Xbox Live list.
However, when these “fanboys” take things too far is when I have a problem with them. When a group of “fanboys” can attack a game and destroy its rating (like many did against Gears of War 2), is when they can be seen as going too far. Or maybe this is a good thing. It’s interesting if you think about the marketing Gears of War 2 received because individuals were attempting to destroy the game’s rating. I believe the sales were not hindered at all due to the negative reviews, because it became evident what was actually occurring. Ironically enough, those who wanted to bring down the Gears of War 2 score may have succeeded temporarily in negatively affecting the game’s score, but accomplished the opposite of what they originally set out to do.
In closing, I think the rational arguments “fanboys” make toward other games, systems, genres, etc., are interesting because they have a tendency to offer insight into said item that a person not as involved may not see. However, the irrational ridiculous arguments they offer are just annoying and pathetic. Finally, I don’t believe there are any real gamers out there who are not, ever so subtly, a “fanboy;” so rather than yelling at people you perceive as a “fanboy” because they are a “fanboy” lay down some logical counter fire.
People act like they have a majority share of stock in these console companies. It’s just dumb
don’t forget all the d bags who bashed LBP on metacritic.
When you constantly hear someone bashing a system you own, are you supposed to stand there and take it?
I’m getting a 360 for Christmas and I already own a PS3/PS2/PC so I’m already a multi-console owner. I do favor the PS3 but it gets particularly annoying to see people constantly attack the PS3 like rabid wolverines.
But you do have a point about fanboys.
Fanboys have been around for a long time
Zeal”ot\, n. [F. z['e]lote, L. zelotes, Gr. ?. See Zeal.] One who is zealous; one who engages warmly in any cause, and pursues his object with earnestness and ardor; especially, one who is overzealous, or carried away by his zeal; one absorbed in devotion to anything; an enthusiast; a fanatical partisan.
I like the way you think.
Fanboyism sucks when they cannot have an open mind about other opinions.
My first comment was @Leathersoup
Now, @ nostars: That’s really the point of why I wrote this article. I think “fanboyism” is really good and interesting, until they close their minds and argue illogically.
But what’s the fun in thinking logically?
i like how most people defend their fanboyism here, either that or regard it as childish.. meanwhile..
watch the same people bash the wii without batting an eye
@chris – I can easily bash the Wii for many of it’s faults without a being a fanboy. I can also easily bash the PS3 and 360, as every single one has its own share of faults
Surely, I bash the Wii with style. It needs to be bashed because there are so many issues they refuse to deal with and mimic from the other systems that do it correctly.
@ Max Some how I feel that many of the things you find wrong with it are not really problems at all. If it just carried the right company name on it you would feel completely different. Yes it does have its faults as any console does, but it is also the first place console by far. Sold more games over all in 2 years than MS has managed in 3. What reason do that have to mimic anyone when they are the market leader?
@ Matt, Console “Bashing” is for trolls and fanboys. Honest gamers will discuss things and admit that all have faults. Bashing is when you act like it is the only console with faults and yours is superior in every way.
Its less hating of fanboys themselves and more so hating how they act. People posting on forums and what not saying “PS3 SUX all you who have one are a waste” Its that they themselves are full of “hate” against anything that is not their own thing.
Its totally ok for someone to love the wii or the 360 or w/e else. But to hate a put other peoples interests down and considered less than their own is what really pisses me off. Im totally cool with a “fanboy” who has respect. But sadly you dont see that very often.
“There are people out there who love their Wii, they wouldn’t give it up for anything, and these Wii “fanboy’s” will bash anyone who claims the Wii is useless and utterly dismal. The same is true of any system in the market today.”
You hit the nail on the head right there. And nostar’s comment was also right on the money. Which is why I dislike fanboys–always ready to ignore everything great about every console except theirs, always ready to ignore (and defend) every flaw with their console.
There are too many of these guys out there.
The reason fanboys needlessly attack other consoles often stems from a deep personal hatred/annoyance towards their own console of choice, for example:
A Wii owner might bash the other consoles because they’re jealous of the amount of quality software available on the competition
An Xbox 360 owner would bash other consoles because they’re fed up having to pay good money to play online and have just sent their 15th console in for repair.
A PS3 owner may attack other consoles because they wish they could play their games without having to fill up their hard drives with ridiculously big mandatory installs first.
Usually fanboys are the ones that DISLIKE their own console the most…….they’re just too ashamed to admit they spent money on the wrong product.