So, a simple fanbase question...

[FalloutJack]

A show comes on, a game pops out, a book is published...and so on. YOu get into an entertaining thing, like it, talk about it...all this is fine and normal until such time as you or anyone else become so into it that you have raging discussions about it to the point of even extreme obsession.

To you, the most devoted fans, I ask you this: Why do you care that much?

Everybody loves something, even dearly. But...enough to get truly seriously bile-spitting mad about? I have opinions, hell even heated opinions. But even then, I can't reach one-tenth the anger I'm truly capable of. I'm a fan of things, but not THAT much a fan of things. What makes you that way? I wish to know to further understanding of others in the future.

 

[Erja_Perttu]

I can't speak for others, but the bile spitting madness happens to me when someone dismisses me out of hand about/for something I like, especially if they've never seen/heard/read/whatever it.

That makes it more about being personally insulted than getting mad about someone insulting my favourite show.

 

[Vault101]

it depends entirly on context

like....Mass Effect, I'm mad for Mass Effect

so if somone dislikes Mass Effect the wmotional side may take over (but thease days I can ignore somone disliking it simply because they dislike it..thats fine)...but if somone dislikes it [b/]for stupid and/or unfair reasons[/b] then the guns come out blazing

TBH this forum seems to have more "anti-fanboys" than actual fanboys

 

[Kae]

The only time I'll get at someone is when they dismiss Zelda Majora's Mask, but that game is very special to me, I quite literally had no friends as a kid and pretty much played that instead of doing whatever it is most kids do, it's so special to me that the reason I'm able to be in this very forum is that game, the sole reason I learned English [small](Without classes mind you)[/small] was to understand that game, obviously later in life I took classes otherwise my posts would look like Vault's posts[footnote]Sorry Ma'am couldn't resist I was looking at you're post while typing this.[/footnote], but even then I tend to not post what I type about it, like that time some guy made a Zelda voting thing, and Majora's mask made it into the list, while Twilight Princess didn't and he somewhat confused said Majora's Mask? I would have put Twilight Princess there, now Twilight Princess being the Zelda that I like less, I typed a really, really long post [small](Yes, way longer than this one)[/small] about why Majora's Mask deserved to be there, but in the end I didn't post it, so even then I tend to not post, but that's the only game that would make me act like that.

 

[Hazy992]

I only really get mad if their reason for disliking something is just completely nonsensical and bullshit or if they attack me personally for liking it

TBH this forum seems to have more "anti-fanboys" than actual fanboys

This. Soooooo much this.

Thirded.

 

[Weaver]

I guess because for some people a show or what have you extends beyond "I liked it". There are a few pieces of media I feel had a hefty weight in who I am today, or even modified my outlook on life. Given me something to shoot for, so to speak.

When a show goes from "that was good" to "I want to change the way I live" is when I become a fan. Even then, I don't get mad when someone doesn't like it. I do get mad when they word it like "That show sucks" or "It's so bad" or "How can you like such trash?" because they assume their subjective opinion on something that is really important to me is an objective fact and that everyone must share these opinions.

These are usually 15 year olds on the internet so one assumes a level of stupidity and inexperience. Nonetheless, it pisses me off when the wording is "You're wrong to like this" because no one is wrong to like anything.

 

[putowtin]

I only really get mad if their reason for disliking something is just completely nonsensical and bullshit or if they attack me personally for liking it

TBH this forum seems to have more "anti-fanboys" than actual fanboys

This. Soooooo much this.

Thirded.

And fourthed!

I'm a huge ME and AC fan (tat's to prove it) I run the inFamous wiki, I'm fine if someone doesn't like and can provide a reason, but the "oh it's crap so you must be an idiot" are firmly at the top of my shit list!

 

[Palademon]

If you can't be enthusiastic about your interests, what can you be enthusiastic about?

 

[Mutie]

Resident Evil. That series is hands down my most favorite of all time... I recognize it's flaws and weaknesses, but also saw those games a true artistic accomplishments. It was the atmosphere, the visuals, the pure sense of terrified panic and abandonment. I even recognize the merits of Resident Evil 4, despite it's radical shift in gameplay and themes. But then Resident Evil 5 came out... I don't like being "that fanboy" but man... How do you even balls something up so badly? The very mentioning of that title sends me red with an uncontrollable rage. It is, pretty much, the only property I can get truly riled up about due to its modern incarnations (now that I've erased the majority of Star Wars from my memory).

Then again, it looks like Prometheus has just done the same thing to Alien... And then there's Planet of the Apes... Oh, who am I kidding? The world seems destined to keep regurgitating everything that used to be good these days. Have we really run so low on ideas?

 

[Fappy]

If you can't be enthusiastic about your interests, what can you be enthusiastic about?

What you don't like. That's how politics work

 

[Palademon]

If you can't be enthusiastic about your interests, what can you be enthusiastic about?

What you don't like. That's how politics work

Good one, Fappy, but I guess that still technically counts as interest, even if not positive.

Like, "I am interested in making homosexuality illegal".

 

[Fappy]

If you can't be enthusiastic about your interests, what can you be enthusiastic about?

What you don't like. That's how politics work

Good one, Fappy, but I guess that still technically counts as interest, even if not positive.

Like, "I am interested in making homosexuality illegal".

Touche!

I suppose that is true >.>

 

[DaWaffledude]

I don't know actually. I just hate it when people are wrong. Especially on the internet.

 

[CrimsonBlaze]

If you truly enjoy something, you're going to talk about it and have a vested interest in it. Be it a sports team, video games series, anime, manga, movie, etc., you enjoy it nonetheless and want to let others know that you enjoy it, as well as share your own thoughts on the subject.

Over time, you develop your own personal standards for the things you like, knowing clearly what that interest stands for and what it doesn't. When something new about that interest arises, you want to not only experience it, but also analyze it objectively to see what is good or bad about it, what has improved/changed, and if it holds up to your standards. When new content often falls short of one's expectations/standards, there is often an outcry to change it or hope for something better in the future.

That is what defines a true fan: being devoted and supportive to an interest while still being able to acknowledge the good and the bad within the awesomeness.

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

I really, really love my favorite game Freelancer and will talk about it a lot. I would probably defend it to an extent but I don't see myself diving into the almost religious frenzy some people get into when they talk about their favorite things.

I care about the things I love to enjoy but not enough to make an ass of myself in the quest to defend it against all the critics.

I only really get mad if their reason for disliking something is just completely nonsensical and bullshit or if they attack me personally for liking it

TBH this forum seems to have more "anti-fanboys" than actual fanboys

This. Soooooo much this.

Thirded.

And fourthed!

Fifthed!

While I don't identify with any big fandom groups, I don't mean to condemn the fanbases themselves. It's just the sometimes fanatical desire to convert everyone into that fandom needs to be pushed back. I appreciate the love of a series or product, I don't appreciate you bombarding me with arguments to join your particular group.

EDIT: Wait a minute... Is owning the Miracle Of Sound Fans group make me the head of a fandom? I never considered that.

 

[lord.jeff]

I'm not certain if this is true for everyone but I'm never really angry or obsessive, I get into long winded discussions because that's what forums are for.

 

[BENZOOKA]

I'd say it a form of maturity. To not get all heated about something not worth it (the subject of liking a game/movie/book/etc.). Otherwise the reason might sprout from inept social skills or being exceptionally uncomfortable with confrontations.

In other words: getting angry has nothing to do with being "the biggest fan".

I can argue about these kinds of things with friends, as long as there's an adequate level of knowledge of the matter on both sides and it doesn't simply boil down to personal preferences. It's quite a natural thing to have a conversation about.

 

[TheSteeleStrap]

I really don't get heated. I enjoy debating people in any aspect of life, and entertainment is no different.

 

[Canadamus Prime]

I can't speak for others, but the bile spitting madness happens to me when someone dismisses me out of hand about/for something I like, especially if they've never seen/heard/read/whatever it.

That makes it more about being personally insulted than getting mad about someone insulting my favourite show.

Pretty much this. If someone talks trash about the things I like, esp. if they know nothing about them, that tends to get my blood boiling, but other than that I can't muster even a 10th of the rage some people do when it comes to this sort of thing.

 

[phantasmalWordsmith]

I imagine we care that much because it's fun and kills time. Life is short and we naturally seek to enjoy it best we can, even if that involves getting overly involved in debates and support of their side; kills a little time at least.