Shifting Society

[Tallim]

Has the net provided us as gamers far too much information. With the abundance of reviews, tech analysis, comparisons and discussion sites out there, has it changed the way we view our gaming in a bad way?

Before I started diligently checking reviews and opinions of games online I was more inclined to take a risk on a game if I liked the premise from what I could read on the box. I admit that this led to me having some truely dire games in my collections but also a lot of games that I highly enjoyed but weren't exactly mainstream or popular.

Bugs and glitches I barely noticed became glaring once pointed out in discussion, stories that I found meaningful seem diluted when discussed from so many viewpoints.

So my question is as the easy access and vast amount of information available to gamers corrupted the way we view our favourite pastime? Or has it empowered us?

 

[StANDY1338]

I would say it empowered us. Consumer movement and all that.

 

[thethingthatlurks]

I'd say it has empowered us. Before, we had to rely on magazines and a local circle of aquantances to discuss games, now we can just hop online. Granted, there are many downsides, trolls and other idiots, but we have now more or less developed our own culture online (for better or worse). That has to mean something, right?

 

[Tallim]

The net has given us a cultural movement, that's true. Though sometimes now with so many reviews about if a game gets mixed reactions it can be very difficult to decide whether you want it or not. Also with the different console formats I'm often concerned that I will buy the inferior product.

Though tech comparisons can be useful, Bayonetta for example I was all set to get on PS3 but given the xbox version was blatantly superior I ended up getting that. This certainly wouldn't have happened without the net.

I think the worst thing about the online gaming community is how difficult it is to avoid spoilers. Whether it's a casual remark in a review which has more spoiler potential than the reviewer thought, inconsiderate posters, or just some vague comment anywhere you might stumble upon it online.

I had the main spoiler bit of Bioshock ruined for me in a forum which wasn't even about games.

 

[Plurralbles]

I HAVE THE POWAAAAHHH!

Yeah, I appreciate the power it has given the community and value it mor ehighly than allowing corporate developers to be able to easily take advantage of us.