Let me start off by saying that the PlayStation 3 IS THE BEST SYSTEM EVER AND DESTROYS THE 360 WITH LARGE STICKS!!!
No wait.
THE XBOX 360 IS THE DEFINITIVE CONSOLE OF THE GENERATION AND MAKES PLAYSTATION 3 OWNERS WEEP WITH THE SLIGHTEST THOUGHT OF ITS AWESOMENESS!!!!!
No, that’s not what I wanted to say either. What was I thinking? Oh right. What I’m driving at is that IT DOESN’T MATTER!! PEOPLE SHOULD JUST GET OVER THIS WHOLE STUPID ARGUMENT, PLAY THE GREAT GAMES THAT BOTH SYSTEMS OFFER AND STOP ACTING LIKE SCHMUCKS!!!!!
Seriously people. We gotta knock this lame shit off. Think I’m an asshole? Fine. Think I should shut my mouth? Fair enough. It’s a free country. Think I might be onto something? Click the link and see where I go with this.
One thing I’ll never understand is the vicious loyalty one has for a specific video game system. I mean, I get it. It’s basic human nature to try and feel superior to others for whatever reason. It’s all about our innate sense if inadequacy we feel towards ourselves, even if we don’t realize it. Some quarrels here and there are expected of course. But to the degree we’ve seen these days? Really?
I’m not saying that I’ve never fallen into the same pattern. The SNES vs. Genesis feud was the first time I ever felt I had to defend my favorite system from the naysayers. In fact, it was a way of life for me until this current console generation. And even when I got my shiny new Xbox 360, I told everyone how crappy the PS3 was.
But then I got both systems. That changed everything.
Now I know that most people can’t afford that luxury. Truth be told, neither could I. But I figured that I could take the hit at the time – which I kind of couldn’t. Still, no regrets.
Anyways.
What I learned is what everybody already knows: each system has its advantages and disadvantages. Both Microsoft and Sony put out a great product and expect support for that product from its customer base. But remember also, each company has its own set of shitty values that screw their customer base, and business policies that further that screwing. Both companies should be both revered and reviled for their odd mix of ‘here, have this great thing’. And while we’re shaking their hands and thanking them they’re shoving a dildo covered in glass up our buttocks, that’s the reality of things.
That’s what makes all of this ‘my system is better than yours’ jazz so interesting and confusing to me. Why on earth should we show such incredibly furious support to companies that really don’t give that much of a shit about us? To them we’re a number, a bottom line – no matter how personal they try to make themselves.
Now it’s not as if I’m going to throw my systems out of the window in protest. But they way I see it, I’ll use them for entertainment and they’ll use me for a paycheck. That’s it. If they want fierce loyalty from me they can rescue me and my family from a fire or something (if such a thing would ever occur).
Oh and I realize this will piss off both camps but… Sony: get some better exclusive games. Get some better online/downloadable support for your games. Microsoft: Make sure this current iteration of the 360 doesn’t burst into flames or something yeah? I’m buying game, I don’t want to buy you people another fucking yacht. Fix your controller’s D-pad also, damn you.
That’s it.
Good call, BJ. Fanboyism has gone way too far. People being so dumb about it are just hurting themselves by missing out on solid games on whatever platform.
That first picture looks disturbing..!
This is right on the money though. Every system has it’s good points, and every system has it’s downsides as well. The more systems, the merrier, I say. More systems = more games to play.
I agree 100% with this article. The first system i bought was the 360, then the wii, then the ps3. I consider myself lucky to own all 3. before i bought all 3 i never once thought the othere systems sucked. Both the ps3 and xbox 360 are great consoles.
A console fanboy is a dude who needs to get laid. I mean really…. how sad is it when you see people on game boards messaging back and forth for hours debating the systems and taking it so personally. as if their manhood depended on it. Even people who have a vested interest (own stock in a company, work for a company) dont get as nasty as some of these lame console fanboys.
remember, the time you spend on here is time you could be playing games.
(remember time spent here is time you could be spending getting laid)
You sir are right. People need to just start enjoying their games. Seem gamers just love to argue tough.
Good article. To add to the list:
Microsoft: Don’t make it so difficult to change billing info or even cancel XBL paid subscriptions. For that matter, stop charging for a service that is hardly better than competitors. Stop forcing crap down our throats like the childish avatars. And fix that damn directional pad. IT SUCKS!
Sony: Pick up the pace on the firmware updates and give us more options. Only a few more standard features will put you on par with XBL. Don’t waste so many resources on the video service, we are gamers and want more games. Finally; Where is our FFVII remake?!
Dude, how did you get a picture of me, stalker. And I just hate reading a blog or something and I see posts with “MICROSOFT IS THE BEST,FUCK SONY”, it makes me want to find this kid, and shove a pencil down his/her throat and cut of their fingers……. sorry
yeah im with you, I also think that on the buisness side of things microsoft screw their fans a little more(no fanboyism intended folks i own a 360 too)
just play the damn games and get whats right for u. also the wii is garbage
I can’t help but noticing that in a column dedicated against console fanboyism…you didn’t once mention the Wii.
Ahh because i believe this was an article about current-gen consoles only!
Eric, have you really seen a Wii fanboy? Can you send us a photo?
They’re out there, I’m sure. Nintendo couldn’t have forced away ALL of their diehard supporters from the GameCube generation. Hell, there are still people playing Smash Bros., y’know.
I’m just saying that believe it or not, the Wii is just as relevant of a gaming system as the other two guys. Sure, it does things a completely different way from the other two guys, but publishers and developers still support it. Like it or not, it also seems to be outselling the other guys as well.
I’m just saying that in an editorial against console fanboys, it seems to me that not mentioning one of the competing consoles seems a bit counterproductive. Despite working for a Nintendo website, I’ve been very critical of the Wii in the past, but it’s still a part of the market, and still worth mentioning.
I think it’s safe to say that the Wii is almost immune to this fanboy war currently raging on the intarwebs. While no one can deny it’s massive success, people really argue between the Xbox 360 and PS3. For the sake of the fanboy argument, you really can’t throw the Wii into the mix. The main quarrels between the two “bigger” consoles don’t really apply to the Wii (graphics, online components, etc). Whether they have a huge fan base or not, what the Wii can do doesn’t factor in to what the fanboy wants to discuss.
A similar article, for further reading…
http://www.slapstic.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=154:an-analogy-for-console-fanboys&catid=11:ridiculous-stuff
Great article, Ryan! I’d read this a few days ago and meant to comment, but just got caught up with a few issues
I hear that, been saying that before I got my 3 systems, and yup, probably shouldn’t have, sooo much money
. But I’m here on top of the mountain, and really, it’s just a few feet tall, it ain’t that amazing. I’ve always frowned upon people buying games over the 360 if it was multi platform simply because of gamerscore points too. Now, if they actually did something….
yeah eric its a part of the market, because its like a disease. let me say this. a friend sees it at a friends house and thinks it looks fun. the kid goes home whines to his parents and makes his case. the tool parents buy iit.another friend sees it at that kids house etc etc. ITS CANCER.
If anyone actually thinks its even within the same league as the 360/ps3 theyr just in denial. aside from fire emblem its games are tailored so that babies can pwn at em.
Matt, I don’t think it’s immune, based upon our good buddy Chad here. I like the Wii, but I also appreciate it for what it is – a second console, used mainly for parties, Nintendo’s first party games, and the very rare mature game worth playing (No More Heroes, HOTD: Overkill, MadWorld). So you’re right, you can’t hold it to the same standards as the 360 and PS3. But I just don’t see why that instantly means people should rip on it like it’s manufactured for the sole reason of killing the industry – and yes, that is a very common argument.
it IS kind of hurting the industry, not killing it but hurting it nonetheless. it’s making big developers that make some of our favorite games want to stop and make casual games just for the sake that the casual market is a damn big one. wii is the cancer killing GOOD games etc etc
I completely agree. The funny thing is each system is only a few hundred dollars. Is that what is really segregating the two sides of being an actual gamer? You don’t need both systems and you don’t need to attack one system. I bought a Xbox 360 first, I wanted to jump right in (no pun intended) to the next generation. The Xbox 360 was great. Then the PS3 came out and it looked rather shaky at first and expensive. So I waited and I was glad I did. Otherwise I would have gotten bored and wrote the system off with the very few exclusives it had worth playing and blu ray still being in its infancy fighting HD DVD. Now I think they are both great. I have a system like the Xbox 360 with a well refined online service with some great exclusives and PC ports that suit me fine since I never gotten into PC gaming and then I have a great machine like the PS3 with a blu ray player that is awesome and some great exclusives too.
Message to the fanboys out there, shut the fuck up and die already.