Jimquisition: Why So Serious?

[TheMemoman]

Damn... a lot of people taking this so personally. That itself is pretty ironically funny.

Good point Jim, another aspect of why on-line discussions are usually pointless cesspool's of human behavior. On-line thugs are just out to hear themselves as loud as possible, not to get new information from healthy debate, unless it validates their narrow-mindedness. That's why fun is seen as a weakness, because people are on a self validating crusade. It's war! And war is serious.

 

[The Ultimate 2]

Once again Jimmy boy you have proven why I watch your show. My personal philosophy with anything be it an anime, movie, game or what have you has always been that you can't be a fan unless you acknowledge its flaws. Example, I love BIoshock Infinite but don't like the two weapon load-out, I like Kamen Rider Den-O but refuse to watch the Cho-Den-O movies. I like Youtube but absolutely loathe it's recent copyright system. You get my point can't wait for next week.

 

[gargantual]

Reminds me of that comic Concerned: Gordon Frohman made with Garry's mod. A very exceptional critique of Half-life 2.

http://www.screencuisine.net/hlcomic/index.php?date=2005-06-27

http://www.screencuisine.net/hlcomic/index.php?date=2006-08-09

 

[Canadamus Prime]

I'd actually like to see those 10 Golden Rules articles. Can they still be found?

 

[Rabid_meese]

I saw it Jim! Val Kilmer!

In all seriousness though - you scratched the top of this issue, but its kind of deep seeded. Having a laugh at something is seen as immature - its popular to think that rage and hatred are more mature, and therefore, a better source or discussion about a game.

The truth is that the kind of people this episode is targeted towards, ironically, love 'trolling', making a scene, or are just genuinely full of malice. They either see it as mature, funny, or see an attack on something they enjoy as an attack on a part of their personality. The kind of people who do that probably aren't mature enough to take a step back and say "Oh hey, people can like different things than me. Oh hey, them making fun of something I love doesn't mean they're making fun of me."

 

[PunkRex]

I'm a fan of Timesplitters, in my experience no games did this better.

 

[Fappy]

Agreed on all points.

Also, kind of off topic, but is Zhang He your favorite DW character? Every time you show footage of DW you are always playing as him XD

It's because of the dance party he hosted that one time, isn't it?

 

[WildFire15]

I've looked at things like this for a while. If you can't make fun of something, anything at all, then you obviously don't love it. I love City of Heroes and Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, but I also have a list of reasons why I thought they were flawed and in City of Heroes, it provided some good humour (such as when you finish a mission, leave the map and find out the next mission is in the door you just exited through, as if you either need to go to another floor of the building or the baddies sneaked in as you cleared out the last lot).

Also, is Dara O'Briain, a self confessed gaming nut and regular host of the BAFTA British Academy Game Awards, a troll for this routine?

 

[cynicalsaint1]

I'd actually like to see those 10 Golden Rules articles. Can they still be found?

I was about to ask that exact question, but then I remembered something, so without further adieu:
http://bit.ly/1aEy8aW

 

[PunkRex]

Also, kind of off topic, but is Zhang He your favorite DW character? Every time you show footage of DW you are always playing as him XD

It's because of the dance party he hosted that one time, isn't it?

Who else is as fabulous?

Also, what dance party!?

 

[LordLundar]

Although I think you meant Police Squad when you said Naked Gun.
Police Squad is more a spoof on detectives and Naked Gun has it's aim set more on spy movies like James Bond.

I always though those were made by the same guys and that Naked Gun was just a movie version of the best Police Squad gags. But I have no clue, haven't seen them in ages. I guess I should re watch them soon.

No, you're right. The Naked Gun series was a movie extension of the Police Squad series. The first movie's full title was "The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!". It's sort of similar to what happened with the Red Alert series. The first one was meant to be a prequel to the core C&C series but the second and third went in another direction.

 

[Fappy]

Also, kind of off topic, but is Zhang He your favorite DW character? Every time you show footage of DW you are always playing as him XD

It's because of the dance party he hosted that one time, isn't it?

Who else is as fabulous?

Also, what dance party!?

Best DW ending of all time:

 

[rasputin0009]

CAPTCHA: change yourself

YOU CAN'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO CAPTCHA, YOU'RE NOT MY REAL PARENT ANYWAY!

Ha! Good one!

I still cant get over how the Sniper woman looks in Metal Gear Solid 5. Maybe her clothes (or lack of) have some sort of explanation that I don't get as I've not played any of the games myself, but come on. Why is every male character in that trailer dressed absolutely normal, but the one woman has super tight, revealing clothes and a tied together bikini. Shes not blending in with the environment or gaining any functionality from that outfit, but oh well...

If you had the chance to influence some really hot cosplay, wouldn't you? Ya, it's pretty blatant that they only want you to admire her high-polygon butt. She could end up being an interesting character. Just that she'll end up being an interesting character with her T and A all in your face. I've met some interesting strippers before, so it's not entirely impossible.

 

[babinro]

Can't say that I can relate with this episode.

Resident Evil 4 is easily in my top 5 games of all time and I've had a lot of fun tearing it apart for fun. I've seen plenty of other people in my circle or even on twitch do the same. Maybe I just don't frequent enough game forums whose fanbase takes things to seriously.

 

[Bayushi_Kouya]

I suppose I'm asking a bit much of a 6 minute internet video, but perhaps a bit more in-depth analysis of this problem would make more sense?

As both a video game and CCG hobbyist, I get to spend a lot of time on forums like this one talking about the things I love, and I am familiar with phenomenon of which Jim speaks, and I'm pretty sure I know why people are being serious. They're being forced to.

Head #1 of the Hydra: The Internet
This is the Internet, and 15 years ago, when it was the Wild West of communications, pretty much no one cared what level of crazy you were. These days, people have cottoned to just how much information is available on the Internet, and with debates happening everywhere as fast as the electrons can carry them, people are getting more used to malarkey being shoveled, and now have the tools to fight said malarkey. So any claim on the Internet may come with a tacit or explicit 'show your work' in order to be 'taken seriously.' I know I've caught myself reflexing hunting for proof before I make an opinion post. I can't imagine I'm alone.

Head #2 of the Hydra: Dicks
There are some people who will say something and then try to get away with their faux pas by claiming that they're kidding. I don't tolerate these people IRL, and I imagine broad stretches of the Internet are the same. I've watched people get swarmed with reports when they intend some lighthearted satire, and the mods capitulate just to shut the mob up, because to some, they are indistinguishable from people being dicks.

Head #3 of the Hydra: Console Wars
I'm sure you know what I mean. People like to be on the winning team, because it gives them license to be a dick to the losers, and that's something we all want: to be dicks, occasionally. Console manufacturers stirring that pot for press is obnoxious, but understandable.

Head #4 of the Hydra: The nature of comedy
I haven't tried especially hard to be a comedian in my life, but I do try to be funny where I can, and I've noticed that unless you specifically cordon off where the comedy is happening, some people won't get it. Notice how the reaction to flash mobs is typically confusion, rather than amusement? That's because people didn't know they were past the comedy tape. Once they're aware, then the laughing starts. If someone doesn't feel something is funny, they may have moved the comedy tape. There's no saving it, then. Worse still, if someone steps outside the comedy tape, they can occasionally move others to do the same.

 

[PunkRex]

Also, kind of off topic, but is Zhang He your favorite DW character? Every time you show footage of DW you are always playing as him XD

It's because of the dance party he hosted that one time, isn't it?

Who else is as fabulous?

Also, what dance party!?

Best DW ending of all time:

OH YEAH, HAHA! I actually completed 5 with every character, I forgot.

Dance you glorious bastard!

 

[Sigmund Av Volsung]

I've met some interesting strippers before, so it's not entirely impossible.

I can't help but be reminded of that Critical Miss strip,

This one, to be precise:

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/comics/critical-miss/10271-On-Dongles

To be honest though, it's Hideo Kojima being Hideo Kojima again.

Let's not forget Mistral, and every other female character he has written in recent memory.

(Also, those quasi-creepy tweets about asking cosplayers to dress up as her in a "sexy" way, as if he is going to ogle his female fanbase).

 

[The Squid King]

Good episode. I wish more people could take a tasteful joke about their chosen fandoms. As a Nintendo fan I do sometimes laugh at the more creative Wii U jokes even now after the quite bad announcements this week, so it is kind of depressing seeing people lash out against jokes made towards well received and respected franchises.

The flaws of a franchise give it character and sometimes those flaws are hilarious. This isn't a bad thing. Would the old 3D Sonic games still be as enjoyable if the voice acting and plots were decent? Probably not.

 

[WhiteTigerShiro]

Why So Serious?

Jim makes a point about humor and defensive fandoms the only way he knows how - by dressing up in silly costumes and exploiting tired old film references.

Watch Video

I agree completely with you about people over-using the term "troll". It's like people forget that the point of the term was to describe someone who something specifically to bait an irate response (or a flamewar, if you will); to try and get under someone's skin. Yet I'm known as "the troll" in my WoW guild because I tend to tell the most jokes and love bad puns.

 

[Something Amyss]

This doesn't apply to games I like, right?

Saints Row IV and Far Cry 3 blood dragon seem to be the only games last year that actually wanted to have fun.

If "have fun" is a way of saying "hollow clown face," yeah.

One does have to recognize the difference between light hearted ribbing of something and legitimate trolling. Although that can be difficult sometimes.

The problem is we're so sensitive (overall) that we tend to go immediately to "troll" or "hater" when it's not valid. Ivé been called a hater or a troll for specific and focus criticisms right after praising a product. GTA V is the latest example, but far from the only one. I hate it so much I've spent over a week in online. I HATE IT SO MUCH. I just got called a fanboy--twice-for suggesting that Sony's streaming service would be better received than Xbone's original "always online/no used games" strategy. I'm not sure I even like the streaming service idea, but I'm a Sony fanboy for suggesting others might.

One thing I have to give is that with Jimothy Sterling, it often is a blurred line. But again, I think the overall point is the haste with which we get offended because someone "hates" the things we like.

Heh, very true, though I wonder how Yahtzee would take your comment about most good jokes coming from a place of love.

Well, he did say most.

In defense of some of the people you talk about, sometimes it's hard to tell online when someone is joking.

He gives a decent way to parse for context, though.

If you haven't noticed, some of Yahtzee's best reviews were of games that wound up getting on his "top five best games" list.

On a personal note, some of my favourites are the games he rips into that I like. I mean, I still sometimes think he's off base, but my primary goal is entertainment anyway, and there's always somethign wrong with a game, so....