Topical Tuesday - What The Escapist Means to You Contest

[carpenter20m]

Here is my submission:

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There are two mysterious qualities that set apart a good gaming website from an exquisite one; the first is character. Like a fleshed out protagonist of an indie shooter, The Escapist has an abundance of character which creates a sense of community exactly because the visitor can identify with the various facets of The Escapist's personality - facets residing in its carefully selected staff.

The second quality is, as Italo Calvino would like it, lightness. A game is a game is a game and The Escapist seems to know this very well. And the site's appeal is found precisely in the recognition of this playfulness that characterizes the alternate worlds where millions of people try to escape every day.

Character and lightness, then. Would these suffice? Of course, but The Escapist isn't only that; it knows that gaming doesn't stop within the boxes that hide CPUs, GPUs or Cell Processors. Gaming is a culture, a way of life, clandestine once, mainstream nowadays, but with a long history of misconceptions against it, which still continue to this day. If the Escapist is something, it is part of the effort for gaming to gain acceptance as a legitimate form of entertainment and -why not?- art. Let us not kid ourselves: Gaming is not equal to film, for example; not in terms of budget or popularity, but in terms of acquiring its proper place within the entertainment industry. This will be achieved through communities like The Escapist, open, tolerant willing to spread the word of gaming as... as what? The choices are endless and it is the work of this community to make them all and make them known.
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Quick note here: "A game is a game is a game" is not a typo. I apologize if you already knew it wasn't.

 

[The Austin]

Here's my submission:
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What does The Escapist mean to me?
It means the essence of awesome took decided to take the form of a website.
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The end.


Hope you like it!

 

[Captain Pancake]

Post it here do I? very well gimme a day or so to work one out and I'll have it to you. This makes good practice for my advanced higher english course too.

 

[Tagball]

Tagball's Marvelous, Magnificent, Magical Escapist Essay: A Tale for the Ages

Prologue:
Once upon a time, in a mystical land called New Jersey (home to mutant creatures like the ones seen in Jersey Shore), there lived a sad, little grub boy named Tagball. He was chomping down some delectable cheese curls, bored out of his skull and was watching X-Play. The aforementioned television show introduced Tagball to a rather snobbish, yet different kind of critic: Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw. Yahtzee was Tagball's key to a wondrous new website he hadn't discovered yet: The Escapist

The Journey Begins:

As soon as you could shout "Branston Pickle", Tagball was teleported to a beautiful area of the cruel, harsh land of the interweb. A safe haven, if you will. This place of magic and wonder was ripe with videos containing that snooty Yahtzee, plus a warm and absolutely friendly community. It seemed too good to be true...yet it was good. The best you can get in fact.

The Great, Geeky Adventure of The "E":

Tagball quickly signed up to become a member of this valued community. Tagball dubbed himself the anonymous name of....."Tagball". Shortly afterwards, he made a nominal monetary sacrifice and joined The Publisher's Club. Here is where the true adventure started and where Tagball met his true bros....his internet bros.

Conclusion: Switch to first-person!!
The Escapist is exactly that: a place where someone can escape from reality, into a great realm where kind strangers share like-minded interests. This place is a sanctuary, a home away form home. I can't quite put my finger on it, but it's just a place that works, an addictive website chock full of shining, shimmering splendor. To me, it represents the safe side of the internet, a heaven, where only the best can go. I love the videos and most of all, I love the community. You guys may not know me, but I'd like to thank you for providing me hours of entertainment. I'd be damned if there were a better website with a cooler community. In the end, my slightly deformed heart belongs to the good ol' Escapist.

 

[Captain Pancake]

Alright, here it is, copied and pasted. I hope you like it, and I mean every word of it.

What the escapist means to me

For the longest time, I spent my life covering up my unorthodox hobbies of video and role-playing games from my peers, scared by the stigma of even mentioning such things as ?Valve? or ?Real time strategy? in a world where ?Celtic and rangers? and ?The X-Factor? reigned supreme. Even amongst my friends, who shared some of my eccentricities, they never seemed to click perfectly with my own persona. So you can imagine my shock when, just over a year ago, I found an entire website of people I could actually relate to. A place where I could voice my geeky quips and be appreciated for them. A place that has harboured me through the highs and lows of the past year, giving me passive aid simply in helping me forget about the problems of the real world, a place to escape. A place to be an escapist.
When I first came to the escapist, a few things about it struck me as unorthodox (But pleasantly so). For the first time in my experience of internet forums, I found a calm, intelligent user-base, where rational discussion and clear arguments outweighed the memes and ?GTFO??s. The second was the incredibly involved staff of the website. Even though they spend their working hours maintaining and updating the website, the long time employees still find time to engage themselves in the community, imprinting their own distinct, familiar personalities into the equation that makes the website work. The escapist wouldn?t be the same without the insights of John Funk, Susan Arendt, Logan Westbrook or the Paul Giamatti-like Russ Pitts, and the many other yellow names who give the impression of an extended family. It?s this distinct society that makes the escapist what it is for me.

-Ben Cassidy

 

[K_jingles]

For some time I had just come here in search of entertainment. "Zero punctuation" was my only reason for my visits at the time. I had not even made my self a member yet. Over time I looked further through your many(and varied) articles. What I found was the most varied works of the "nerd" community(of which I am a proud member of). This site/magazine is like the "maxim" of the techy/nerdy/gamer flavor. And I'll tell you that is a wide flavor. This site breaks the stereotype that people like us don't go out,don't have other things to talk about other than just games, or just the shut in anti social weirdos we are made out to be. This site is not afraid to poke fun at it self,and its hobby. It also talks about more than just games. Your reviewers just feel so much more humble and into the medium they are commenting on. Unlike some gamer media that over plays it self; trying so hard to reel in the unfamiliar with a whiz bang tactic. They forget so quickly that the game should be the star. I am thankful to you all for making gaming fun again(well to talk about that is. If there was a reputable news paper out there that told it like it is and no needless fluff, this magazine/site is just like that.

Thank you for your ears of listening.

 

[monkyvirus]

To me, The Escapist is like a friend who comes over to play a couple of rounds of Super Smash Brothers; that?s actually excited I finally managed to defeat the final boss in the latest Final Fantasy. Yet, with this same friend I can happily debate religion and politics with and not risk never hearing from again. The vibrant community at The Escapist is just one side of the coin; here we can become part of gaming culture and actively debate, review and explore. On the other hand, we can sit back and bask in the wealth of opinion and information being offered. The Escapist possesses a shared enthusiasm for gaming that crosses over boundaries of different consoles and gaming genres to look at societal issues in a refreshing and intelligent way. Gaming is as much a part of the modern world as every other facet of the media and The Escapist embraces that.

In a word it understands not only its community but society at large and how we fit into the grand scheme of things. Like games it offers escapism, entertainment and something to do on a Sunday but more than that it opens our eyes, by speaking a language we all share, it addresses discrimination, societal trends and the human psyche. It is funny but it is often equally poignant. The Escapist makes me think: it shows me the other sides to arguments I always assumed were two-dimensional. It gives us common ground: gamers of all types happily express their opinions on subjects that range far beyond the scope of just computer games. It?s a divining rod that shows us the way to the crux of an issue.

The Escapist is like a friend: it?s part of me and we are all part of it.

 

[Danpascooch]

My submission:

The Escapist is a place to discuss topics that interest me. It is a place to converse online with people who share my interest in playing videogames, and it is my favorite place to watch hilarious videos. It is a place to relieve stress, enjoy interesting discussions, and get a few laughs along the way. When I come to the Escapist I simply kick back and relax, which is why instead of bothering to get this anywhere near three hundred words, I'm going to watch the new Unskippable.

 

[mykalwane]

As for giving our names out that just means the first name yes?

[sub]No I'm not paranoid, just curious[/sub]

First and last name.

What about Middle and Last name? I ask since I don't go by my first name on anything.

 

[9NineBreaker9]

Huzzah! A chance. Not a very great one, but a chance, all the same! So, here's my one and only hastily written draft (not a very good show of things, is it?):

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The Escapist was once nothing more than a yellow background and the fast-paced musings of a charismatic stallion who visited me for only a brief stay every Wednesday. Otherwise, The Escapist was an awkward acquaintance with which I had little in common save for a love of video games. He didn't say much to me, and I had nothing to say to or of him.

As we both aged, experiencing a bit of drama, a bit of heartbreak, and a great deal of growth, we exchanged the occasional greetings on the forums. All the random and clever usernames, all the irrelevant and humorous user avatars, and all of the banter entertained me, gave me a good chuckle, and even introduced me to a few good bands. I lurked and The Escapist was happy to oblige.

I grew more confident, both in myself and of my blossoming opinions (as a teenager cannot exist without them), and decided that I was to finally join the legion of Escapists. I created an account and, under the familiar veil of anonymity I had granted myself years ago, tested the colorful waters of the forums. Here was but one place where I could make my voice known and, rather than be beaten back with blank, uninterested stares, could find an uninterested audience - my posts have found me a few friends, some off-topic ramblings, and a greater sense of self, but damn if I don't charish them.

The Escapist is my friend who I visit whenever I can. I've laughed, I've raged, and I've been enlightened by people whose only identity can be found in their username. But, more than anything, I've found a place that has let my opinions bubble and lets me know I'm not alone... and for that, I love The Escapist.

---

Hopefully that whole "grammar" thing hasn't eluded me yet again... xD

 

[Nick Angelici]

The Escapist has always been an interesting and professional site to me. To be honest, its actually quite a joy for me to go and see the latest movie or play the game I?ve been craving for only to see Yahtzee or MovieBob go and tell me what?s wrong with it, or maybe actually like it when I don?t. Does that make me a glutton for punishment? Maybe, in the critique/opinionated kind of way I guess you could say that, but I?ve always been one to enjoy an argument where I can at least make a solid point, even if my ?opponent? claims I don?t.
But I don?t go to the escapist solely for opinions and reviews, I also enjoy viewing the occasional Unskippables or A Good Knights Quest, and maybe if I am still in the mood, I Hit it With My Axe. And even after watching all these, I still feel that professionalism that I would expect from the site.
You see, the way I see websites is similar to a movie theatre, I don?t just see the screen and what is on it, I see the people around me and their thoughts and views as well. Granted, the Escapist isn?t so professional and uptight that their personalities scream ?holier than thou?, it?s a sense of professionalism that you would expect from that of a game studio or something along the lines of it, people doing what they love, and being smart about it. Its this sense of walking up to a group of coders and artists during lunch break and talking about the latest movie or game, even breaking into a argument about it, or maybe just a update of our day to day lives based on related subjects. It?s a office break, on the web.

 

[Arronax]

Where to begin... I suppose praising Yahtzee's information warfare [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/zero-punctuation/208-Eve-Online] or Movie bob's reviews [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/the-escapist-presents/622-MovieBob-Reviews-Watchmen], but the bottom line is that this site is run by folks that make it their time to entertain the rest of us. Brilliant works of fiction such as Unforgotten Realms and Doomsday Arcade would be unknown to me if The Escapist wasn't around(and if you haven't seen those you're in for a treat).

It's a place where like minded people share ideas, where (almost)nothing is sacred, it's a port of call where both renegades and diplomats discuss the pros and cons of their favorite games, series, movies or whatever and everybody is invited.

This is the place to get up to date information in the information age and if that sounds like a big deal... well that's because it is.

Above all else this makes the world just a little bit better than it is, but hey it's just The Escapist [http://www.escapistmagazine.com]. Making the world better one word at a time.

 

[Jorias]

My official Submission

What the Escapist Online Magazine Means to me

By

Jorias

To the average passerby of web surfing , The Escapist is nothing other than a website dedicated to reviewing video games and a outlet for gamers. Digging more closely into the website reveals so much more. For instance, the weekly comics that are presented to the public for enjoyment. Such Flash language comics as my personal all time favorite "Unforgotten Realms". It depict what is meant to seam as two ordinary people trying to enjoy a fun and adventurous time playing a "Pen and Paper" role playing game. The Avatars of these two ordinary people are represented by "Sir Schoompy of Awesometon" and "Elaumous Nailo" two hero's who seem to be on the opposite sides of any agenda. The true embodiment of laughter is to relate to the audience, and I can say with upmost certainty that most of the Escapist readers would have at one time been in the shoes of either aforementioned avatar.

Another astonishing achievement that goes unspoken to many fans of any platform of video games, is the sheer variety of types of gamers out there. No other time in history has the world been so immersed in stereotyping, but the escapist magazine looks beyond stereotypes with such grace. The Escapist reviews a wide array of plays styles that have been developed over the years. One can say that once you "transcend" to watching reviews at The Escapist website you never get such a un-biased opinion elsewhere. This is due to the fact that The Escapist listens to the actual people of gaming, they are not another news source that buys into corporate biasness. As a whole, The Escapist ranks among the top echelon in online news and entertainment.

 

[Novania]

The internet can be a dark and intimidating place. From the depths of /b/'s image boards, to the unfiltered content of youtube; there is seldom a haven from this mayhem. For an age I trudged through the sludge of the web before stumbling upon this domain name. At first it was the scattered game reviews and features that hoisted me from the shallows of my weary wifi onto the warm, welcoming, and refreshing page of account creation and login. I was a minnow in a lake. A cell in a blood droplet; my post count read zero. But I was becoming part of something greater.

From the raging flame war of March Mayhem against the trolling forces of Zynga, to the ?odd? articles and threads of my peers; I have experienced something incredible. I fit in here. Not just because the webpage is easily and comfortably navigable. Not just because of the hilarious ?Reviews? by Yahtzee and the collection of web comics and mini-series?. It?s everything.

Everything about this intersection of bits and bites just...fits. The staff have crafted a truly incredible commune. Speaking of which, The Escapist?s threads and forums have introduced me to a global gathering of anyone and everyone. The Escapist Community is perhaps the best and most accepting of all I have witnessed. Anyone can post their ideas and discuss anything that can possibly come to mind. If you don?t believe me, look through the forum archives....I feel comfortable sharing my thoughts here amongst my fellow gamers and people who truly have a passion for what they do.

I can happily say, as I dry my eyes, that this is my nest. And while I?m still a fledgling of The Escapist, it?s become not just my homepage, but my home.

- Novania

 

[esserius]

This will not be taken well, but I'm afraid I'm not going to praise The Escapist. What we've seen here is perhaps the largest conglomeration of the videogame community that is, for all its bluster, much ado about nothing. I've respect for what the site intends, but I generally cringe when I watch the videos that receive praise here. I can't honestly tell if it's being done in good humor or is a cosmic "meta" joke that I'm not in on. The writing is interesting at times, but generally it comes from outside the purview of The Escapist proper. The contributing writers are what make The Escapist live and breathe, while the generic, day-to-day content seems lifeless.

The seemingly honest appreciation of such vapid media is something that greatly worries me today, for all aspects of the games industry. The slant-writing, personality double-speak, and closed-door haranguing are things that worry me more today than they ever have before. When games like Bioshock 2 are praised from the mountaintops even by the "different" media, there's a problem with the media that's being presented in general. What is the goal of media, if not to challenge the experience? What we see here is the unwashed masses being spoon-fed pre-ascribed opinions, and the internet is no richer for it, save for those who continue to believe their "contribution" to the imagined community is worth anything at all.

So I'm sorry Escapist. I really do want to like you. You certainly seem like a hip, cool dude. But you've long since changed. Neither part of the problem nor the solution, just part of the same holding pattern that the unconscious minds continue to lap up. Clicks are joyous in their plastic-y little way, but they are siren calls.

- Stephen Keating

 

[drdamo]

This is not an official throw towards the contest, but my way of saying what i think of this place.

The Escapist

Once upon a midnight's dreary
I found the Net making me weary
It felt like it had naught to offer
But the bones a dead-mans coffer
I wandered aimless in the dark
Lost my hope, my bite, my bark
When yonder flickered a warming light
Illuminating so ever bright
Yahtzee's yellow described the label
Where blood gushes forth upon the table
With limbs astrewn across the floor
A feast to the eye; hardly a bore
Yet all this horror was merely a dish
Of the greatest feast; the ultimate wish
Flavours of all, together, alike
Tastefull, refreshing, confronting, oblique

So renewed i took place 'round the fire
Observing the ones i admire
And with this torch by my hand
And a mouse as my friend
I'm again barking & biting to inspire!

 

[Uncreative]

The Escapist was a way to keep my brain from starving.
In a world that all too often falls into banality, it allowed me to sit down and read and laugh without fear of judgment or embarrassment. Nowhere else would I be presented a calm and collected opinion on the ethics of an intentionally addicting game, and also be informed of Kesha's subconscious love of Star Trek.

It never felt like I was just reading what someone was paid to write today, or watching the result of someone typing random phrases into youtube. I was always reading something someone truly considered interesting, and watching a video the poster probably enjoyed as much as I did. The Escapist is made by people who care about what they're sharing. The staff is as much the intended demographic as the readers. And it shows.

That feeling of sharing has caused The Escapist to grow a community which, though sometimes very strange, is one of the most welcoming you'll ever find. Every day I go onto the forums, I see an outstanding number of people happily talking about anything and everything without even the slightest ill will. I've seen things from angles I never would have considered, just because people were willing to explain.

Over the two years that I've lurked, and the nine months I've been a member, The Escapist has become more than just something to let me think. It's begun to feel like a strange, pony filled extended family.
A family I'm very proud to be a part of.

 

[f0re1gn]

Most people on our planet have no idea, what the Escapist is. In fact, most people on our planet have no specific definition for the word "escapist" in general.
For most life forms who visit escapistmagazine.com this is simply a website for watching videogame-related content, reading articles and just getting to know the gaming world a bit better. For me this is more than just a website. This is a town.
The Escapist Town was built by its founders with constant help from newcomers. And it has its own population.
The people who live in Escapist Town are quite interesting for the fact that they are amazingly versatile. There are your regular by-passers, who have heard something about a guy ?with a sweet hat and a chip on his shoulder? who tears games to shreds in his reviews. Nobody knows where he lives, otherwise he wouldn?t have been living anywhere by now.
The Escapist Town has a pub. It?s called ?The Forums? and is regularly visited by thousands of people. They drink beer (or anything of their liking) and have all sorts of gaming and non-gaming related chatter. The pub is constantly full of people ? some go, others come, but chatting is an obligation.
Then there are the Contributors. They are the ones who make the town interesting by building all sorts of interesting stuff. With the help of the government they built the Escapist Movie Theatre where all the sometimes hilarious and useful videos are regularly shown. The Escapist Printing Office is working thanks to the Contributors. There regular articles are printed and handed out to anyone living in or visiting the town.
Many other useful things have been done by the Contributors with the help of the Escapist Town?s government, but we might come back to that later.