Anatomy of a Fanboy: A Psychological Analysis of Console Gaming's Super Fans

Join Myarcadeplanet.com as they delve deep into what makes Fanboys tick.

"Fanboy [fan-boi] (n) Technocratic zealots; evangelicals of geekery. Characterized by irrational advocacy of a particular OS, console, company, or franchise.

Console fanboys don't realize that Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo all create both good and bad products."

[RadientFlux]

Just what N4G needs a guide to fanboys, a very interesting read by the way

[Foliage]

No kidding, and yes it was a decent read.

[HeartlesskizZ]

great, this is a great read for reasonal people.

"More gaming less flaming"

[DG]

"If this analysis has shown us one thing, it’s that fanboys are sad creatures. Whether over-compensating for their perceived shortcomings or lying to themselves to avoid feeling duped, the life of a fanboy is fear-based and insulated from reality."

And I thought this article was flame bait. It was actually interesting with the references to facts and entertaining because it roasts fanboys.

[donalbane]

Don't forget to click on all the pictures... they link to fairly entertaining youtube movies.

[Gamespot-equals-EGM]

wow, didn't even realize that. thanks for the heads up.

[Rooftrellen]

Nintendo makes bad products? Oh, yeah, Virtual Boy. Actually, what you consider good and bad products could make a company make only good or bad products in your mind without any bias. I don't consider the 360 a good product, because of the high failure rate it had, and I don't have any interest at all in most of their games (like Halo), so, to me, MS doesn't make a good product if we look only at gaming.

But someone else may look at the power of the 360 and love it, and like their games, and think Microsoft doesn't make bad products.

Capcom rarely makes a game I don't enjoy, so I would say they're on the other end for me.

Saying all companies make good and bad products is really misleading, because different people have different ideas of "good" and "bad."

Anyway, this was a good read. I can see where it all comes from, and maybe I like almost all Capcom games because I loved Mega Man? There's some food for thought for me...hmm....

[thereapersson]

I love Sony's products, but as a company they have done some things that have made many consumers feel cheated or misled, one such example being the marketing and promises behind the PS3. However, I am always loyal to the Playstation Brand and have stuck with it since '96. Microsoft has had some shady and underhanded business practices and has never made the most reliable products, but I still think the 360 is a good system and there are actually some games coming out for it that I am highly anticipating. I can't really see much in the way of Nintendo screwing up, although I don't really care for the casual direction they are taking the Wii; I feel like the Wii needs a substantial game library with titles that equate to more than just casual minigames or short gaming sessions. At least i'm glad to see that will improve soon starting with Metroid Prime 3.

edit: glad to see the rabid fanboys disagreeing with my balanced opinion! Good job living up to your asshat title, guys! It would be nice to at least get an explanation as to why people disagree around here, as I always try to back up my choice. But I guess giving phantom fanboys any sort of credit is a mistake...

[Kholinar]

I agree with you. I never press the disagree button. I press agree occasionally when I see a particularly well-reasoned argument on either side. The disagrees only make sense if you're out of posts... but I think most use them just to troll.

Having said all that, here's my argument in your post:

"However, I am always loyal to the Playstation Brand and have stuck with it since '96. Microsoft has had some shady and underhanded business practices"

Yes, Sony makes reliable products, but ethically they're not in any way superior to microsoft. They hurt consumers all the time with draconian tactics. I won't emphasize any, because most people have probably seen my list, but it's lengthy. Reliability is a good reason to support sony, personally I'd lean toward them because there'll be more Japanese titles (unlike the 360)...

[thereapersson]

Yeah, I know all companies do underhanded things behind the consumer's back. Maybe I should have worded that differently...

Still doesn't negate the crappy disagreeing without explanation, though. Bubble for you for explaining yourself, however. :)

edit: re-worded original post

[snoop_dizzle]

that video was funny.

[power091999]

That was a fantastic read.

Puts a bit of perspective on some of the N4G folks.

[Vojkan]

Now, ddo you see folks, or should i say fanboys, you have some issues. You all should be like the rest of us, normal people
/ making fun lol

[Anything but Cute]

You get use to the certain console brand. You become buddy with the console. Especially since the consoles are in compitition. It's just like being a fan of a football team.

I myself was a PS3 fanboy, because of the PS2. I became a PS2 fanboy because of games like GTA III, you think wow PS2 is really cool.

In the end I'm a fanboy of the console that has my favorite game. It's tough to be a fanboy when your favorite game is multi platform. I guess I'll go to the console that has the best version of my favorite game. And that's probably XBOX 360, since most third party games are lead developed on 360 this gen.

[Leg-End]

a few months ago, i first saw the gta4 trailer - i instantly said "fu(k the wii, i need this game.
then i thought "that means i need a 360 or a ps3"
then i thought "well, i have played all the other gta games on playstations plus motorstorm looks cool"
all this was happening when the 360's reliability problems were being targeted in the media, so that's y i have ps3 and not 360, all cos of gta...

[Leg-End]

1) i didn't see the gta trailer
2) i didn't think motorstorm is cool
3) i don't have a ps3

WTF - GET A LIFE, GO OUTSIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!

[thereapersson]

People are just disagreeing to be a d1ck, and not because they actually have a valid retort against anyone.

[thetruthinator]

Your Mom goes outside!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

oh snap!

god im funny...

[Leg-End]

i assure you i'm not however, i think they are sad.
see, i know i'm prone to cynisism; my spoken opinions make grown people listen

[snoop_dizzle]

why limit yourself to one thing if you can have it all?

Granted not everyone can but i just don't get the rabid hate.

People like that and i mean extreme fanboys not fans, just strike me as very sad angry people.

its ok to dislike something but i think its quite childish to be rabid about it.

[GnaM]

HAHAHA, I like how you got 5 disagrees. 5 fanboys must have read your comment and been like "OMG FCUK U I HATE 360/PS3 AND IF U DONT URA F4G!!1111". That's how a lot of people responded to my "360 vs PS3: It doesn't matter" article...truly pathetic because they're basically just proving how blind they are.

[snoop_dizzle]

you do make a good point, but you are probably more of a fan than fanboy.

A fan boy is one who is rabid and will attack any opposition.

or maybe its just an extreme fanboy.

[Kholinar]

Very true. Modding you up.

Fanboys have, not just favoritism of a console, but identity and insecurities resting on the success or specs of the console/brand of their choice.

A fan will cheer. A fanboy will not even admit any weakness and will attack anyone who points one out.

They'll also hold grudges and disagree at random moments. I guess fanboys themselves would disagree with a non-fanboy's definition.

[Bill Gates]

Just for the record you XTURDS, I'm not a "fanboy". I just know CRAP when I see it, and the 360 is CRAP, and is not worth anything above $10 pesos, which is the equivalent of like $0.25 cents....AAHAHHAHHAHA

[snoop_dizzle]

lol

its the funnest piece of crap i have played then.

[NRG]

Thanks for the info, fanboy.

[thereapersson]

Almost make me ashamed to be associated with Playstation Nation...

[GnaM]

lol, I like how 8 Sony fanboys are just disagreeing with everyone who disagrees with BillGates. It doesn't matter what an ass he makes out of himself or how reasonable the comments are, they just have to disagree cause they're fanboys. So now I'm in line to get disagreed with. COME ON FANBOYS, DO IT UP!

[Bloodmask]

games ever since the NES days and I think the term "Fanboy" came into fruition when Microsoft joined the console race. The PS1 and PS2 were the big kids on the block. And I guess these devout groups of console owners were on the defense if you will.

I do prefer XBOX but can also appreciate a good game for PS3. And I also very much like the Wii.

I just like to harp on the Sonykids on this site bc they take it way too seriously. Note...not Sonyfans...Sony kids.

Overall I am more of a Sega and Nintendo fan seing as that is who I grew up with. This new rabid generation of fanatics is something new to the PS2 + Era.

[thereapersson]

But you know the same could be said with fanboys of any Console. Heck, even the Wii has some pretty ignorant extremists following it. And I remember back in the day when there was the whole Saturn Vs. PSX debate. Or how about the argument about which was better: SNES or Genesis? Also, remember the Dreamcast Vs. PS2 flamewars?

But I will give you an agreement for your post because you explained yourself so well.

[XENOCIDE]

on the well said. Very good article n' read also. I think the one of the most intense wars was waged between the Genesis and SNES, that one was hella crazy, I remember it well. Things nowadays have just exploded far out of context with these new consoles n' their respective fanboys. Though last gen I had the luxury of owning both Xbox and PS2, there was no way I was dropping an excess of $1,000 on hardware alone this gen. I'm a fan of the 360, but I'll tell you quick I can remember very well the weeks it took for me to make the decision between the PS3 and 360 (seein' as how I'm not rich...yet). I'll tell you quickly how excited I am for LittleBigPlanet n' Mario Galaxy. I'm simply more interested in games than consoles themselves. If I could play them all via my shoe I would.

[GnaM]

Fanboys were around way before Xbox came around...I remember seeing the word used to describe Nintendo and Sega zealots in Gamepro circa 1992.

[AllroundGamer]

hmmm where is TheMart with his annoying comment? this article is about him, so it have to be an honor for him to speak/type...

[thereapersson]

Don't forget FirstKnighT and PowerOfGreen!

[AllroundGamer]

and Bladestar too... but he is a MS shareholder, which i think is even worse than being a fanboy :D

[jcgamer]

don't forget Larry 007, Nasim, WaggleLOL...

or anyone with 1 bubble or less...

[thereapersson]

Yeah, pretty much whenever I see posts by any of these users I kind of die a little inside... :D

[ItsDubC]

I would classify WaggleLOL as more of a troll than a fanboy, though both entities exhibit the same characteristic mental immaturity.

[jay3]

I agree with it all but i think the whole "They have no confidence" thing is reading too much into it.

[Kholinar]

nah... you see it a lot even outside gaming.

When someone needs to win an argument so badly that it upsets them, so badly that it makes them unfriendly... that means that they either 1) don't have a strong enough argument and are aware of it or 2) are insecure and need to be right in order to feel validated.

Most people are insecure and/or lack confidence. There's nothing wrong with that (unless you want to act like you're perfect, more insecurity). I do have insecurity at times, and did more when I was a teenager (as do most teenagers, you can't be self-confident unless you know yourself and as a teen the self is constantly changing.) Fanboyism is just a manifestation of these things.

If you get mad/hostile because a little box that you play games on is being attacked... can people really not see how silly that is?

[Lightning Mr Bubbles]

My favorite franchise is Silent Hill. So Silent Hill V is on both PS3 and XBOX 360. So I don't know what console to be a fanboy of.

But I think Silent Hill V is being lead developed on XBOX 360. So I'm now an XBOX 360 fanboy. 360 is my console.

[thereapersson]

but where did you hear that?

edit: how the hell can someone disagree with this post? It doesn't even say anything negative or imply any fanboyism!

[Lightning Mr Bubbles]

Put imagine that I'm wrong, and I just bought an XBOX 360 and sold my PS3. I would be feeling pretty damn silly.

PS3 has my other favorite franchise, Final Fantasy. So when Final Fantasy XIII comes out, there's gonna be trouble. But I don't have to worry about that till fall 08. which is the same time SIlent Hill V comes out. So WTF? I'm all confused this gen.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

Props to you for such a great find! It was a great read indeed.

I think one of the most interesting points brought up was the relationship to ownage of a console. I have always felt one of the biggest factors to these flame wars we see is one side or the other wanting to feel vindicated in their choice of console and that the real arguments going on have very little to do with gaming and are much more about the individuals feeling secure in their purchase. I mean one of the worst possible feelings is that you bought a lemon. Fortunately for us all each system really does offer a lot of entertainment and honestly....nobody is losing out. We all are getting great games.

Ok, enough rambling. cain141...again great find and post. An article like that was long over due.

[donalbane]

I have a Masters in counsleing and wrote this article. Nobody in the psychological community seems to respect video game culture, and always focus on the harmful effects of games. As someone who loves nearly all video games, I want to use my education to promote my hobby in a way that the mainstream scientists seem unwilling to do. Anyway, I appreciate your remarks ;) If the article does well, I will possibly write other psychological examinations of gaming culture, but I'll be damned if it isn't extremely time consuming reading through tons of journal articles.

[GnaM]

It's too bad that the psychology field ignores games because I think gaming culture really shows a lot about how people give in to their habits in various ways and how a hobbies fit into a person's life and how it effects their outlook on the rest of the world. I definitely recomend doing more articles on the psychology of gaming; good work donalbane!

[Daewoodrow]

this site must be a psychologist's wet dream.

[donalbane]

*nods in approval*

[g4n]

i say tennies because most of them rely on Mom or Dad to buy them game consoles and many wont buy them more then one.

Even someone working at minimum wage has had enough time to save up for all 3 consoles, so the whole "my HW rocks yours sux because i only own one of them!" things should not apply unless they are completly unreasonable and extreamly low class.

I own all the, the 360 is not even hooked up because, well, i can play a new FPS for exactly 15min and im done. it either gets WAY to low class, like biocock shooting little girls or jerking off, or its just not chalanging in the way i like, i like games that make you think, not just require reflexes...

PS3 is NOT in much better shape atm, hack-n-slash HAS to be GoW quality to keep my intrest, and i'll admit i have not even completed GoW 1 but i still turn it on from time to time, HS demo is ok, we'll see.

I like the Wii Wii for family games, but my heart is always with anything Zelda, Metroid, Mario (Nintendo) and pretty much anything Square Enix can dish out (all 3, but only 1 on 360 ffxi and that play much better @ uxga on a PC...)

The part they missed was exclusives and ppls love for a spefic genre. for me its RPG's #1 BBBIG time, so the order (by upcomming titles) is PS3, Wii, 360.

[Kholinar]

*grabs popcorn*

Bioshock flames in 3... 2... 1...

[cain141]

I wasn't a huge fan of bioshock either. It was great while playing it, but that only lasted about 12 hours. Now I'm bored with it. And the whole not able to die thing really detracts a lot from it...

[The BS Police]

and I bought it for Halo 3 and of course other games.

[DG]

I bought mine because it came out first. I like it because it has the most AAA titles at the moment. I'm not buying another one for now because I cant afford it and will wait for a price drop for the Wii (and Wii Fit, yes I like the game). As for the PS3 I want one for the BR player and MGS4 and will wait until its $300 (yes I know Ill be waiting until at least 2009). The fact that there are too many fanboys is a realization of the fact that the gaming community is and has been focusing on games that are going to come out (and we all know how release dates work) and their respective systems as opposed to enjoying what is available now. You also have to realize that fanboys are mainly kids with low IQs. I'm not saying this to degrade people but one way IQ is measured is whether or not you seek others approval. Which is something kids do when they start to grow up. Sorry for the rant.

[BigFART]

Other games?

[ThisPlaceSucksBye]

That article was freaking great!
Good find, Cain141.

[Bazookajoe_83]

With the exception of Bill Gates... =)

[THAMMER1]

LOL

[Nuclear Death]

maybe is because this article written by a so called masters degree is one opinion agreed to and read by a koom-bi-yaa gang of vag|nas. last thing we need at n4g is some fkn know it all hack pretending to be an anal-yst.

nuclear death

[OC_MurphysLaw]

Sounds like the article may have hit a little too close to home for some.

[fbetancourt]

Glad you all liked the article, dont forget to support the writer and join the site.

[jro211]

I enjoy gaming like everyone in here, and I admit I've been at a crossroad when deciding what system to get (I chose PS3) but to have this all out infatuation with a console then bash someone for not owning it is ludicrous. Especially if you aren't getting any kind of royalties for it. It's like a gang member screaming this is our turf but the city owns the streets. It's dumb. I laugh when I see fanboys (adults are the worst) bashing others for their choice and opinions. Usually it's an illogical or irrational thought followed by a swear word or two. It's funny and yet sad. Just be happy with your choice people. PS3 isn't the greatest system in the world but it makes me happy. To be honest I chose the PS3 out of brand loyalty. I've owned a Playstation since PSone and have been mostly happy with my choice. (Except for the PS2 hard drive). To me, that's what matters. Anyone has a problem like that, fanboys, you can go to hell and shove your opinions up your culo. Have a nice day peeps.

[Umbrella Corp]

Interesting a guide to kill fanboys....oh its just a guide to fanboys (sigh)......

[AllroundGamer]

well since the fanboys are scared to comment and most mature people with some brains are here i would like to say, that i like Bioshock on the Xbox360, Metroid 3 on the Wii and Warhawk on the PS3 :) and yes, i have played them all :p

[i Shank u]

damn! the disgree bot is up in this BIAtch! ill take 5 disagrees with some fries please

[AllroundGamer]

i don't mind the disagrees, maybe some people don't believe, that i played those games... but thats ok, cause i enjoyed them too much :p

[i Shank u]

article was a good read. fanboys suck because they forget about what really matters, the games, and instead get wrapped up in some dumb "war" and a battle of Hype. i think most of the people on this site are games fans and not fanboys, and that the fanboys make it seem like there's more of them than really is because they don't shut up (and some make multiple accounts like nasim/larry007/mohib, so you hear them alot more)
it's a weird psychological thing, being devoted to a brand. i remember growing up in the South (U.S.A), and hearing grown adults getting heated arguing over bullsh!t like which car is better (Ford vs. Chevy), and then they'd have stickers of Calvin pissing on ford or chevy symbols on their truck(i think that sh!t is funny but some people really do hate a car brand, which is fvcking retarded). or how you hear some people say "only buy sony for home theater equpiment" while others swear by Pioneer. I guess as humans we're all competitive as fvck, and some people let that flow over into areas of their life that it shouldnt and make everything a damn competition

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

Fanboys make this world go around because without them, what would we enjoy? Metalica, Nirvana, Star Wars, Heroes, Lost, Xbox, Nintendo, PS3 (haha) Chevy, Ford, Toyota and even Blu-Ray (which is just the PS3 fanboys) and HD DVD. Those who spend so much of their time trying to fit in the middle are just Wh0res and will suck anyone for people to like them.

[i Shank u]

fvck nevermind this im komputer retarded

i guess since i clicked ill reply. i agree with what you say, only that some people think that if they are pro-playstation, then they think they also need to be anti-xbox and look at everything xbox negatively, or vice-versa, which is fanturd territory. but like you said, if you stay in the middle everytime then you dont have an opinion at all, which is an even bigger waste of time

[Bazookajoe_83]

Well there´s a diffrence between a fanboy and a fan... a fanboy is a nerd bully, he´s always right. I doesnt mather if he´s been proven wrong, he´s always right.

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

I love the Kansas City Chiefs and everytime they play the Raiders I dont cheer for both I want the Chiefs to f**king destroy the Raiders. When the Olympics come around I don't want Canada or Germany to win any gold medals, hell I want my country to have all the gold. It's just our competitive nature and correct me if I'm wrong but hasn't gaming always been competitive?

[Spinitus]

look at the nerds with the xbox plate :D

[i Shank u]

thats no nerd thats a twinky with legs :p

[7ero H3LL]

If you consider the persuit of expert knowledge in a particular field being a fanboy, I guess we all are in some way or other.

And this forum and any other based on AGREE/DISAGREE lends itself to the invasion of such. So, there's no getting rid of them, so long as we keep it this way.

[Sovannah Phum]

even if fanboys read this, they'd be in complete denial about it.

[wii on your face]

This is why I gave up on this site. You can’t even have a rational conversation with anyone. I do see some intelligent posts, but they’re few and far between, especially regarding the wii. It’s like arguing about religion with someone. You try to be objective, look at both sides, remain impartial, and you still get: “but Jesus is lord”.

I enjoyed Nintendo products as a kid, and later on I picked up a gamecube. Nintendo approaches games differently, and it’s what I usually like. I’m sure there are great games on the other machines; they’re just not usually my style. What I don’t understand is how you can hate another console. With all the sh!t going on in this world, how does one have the energy to personally wish for the demise of some company? Who the fvck cares?!

It is annoying to try to have an intelligent debate and see this:
“OMFG! FUC WII! I FUCING HOPE WII FAILZ AND NINTENDO BURNZ IN H3LL!”

Or to try to engage someone in conversation, only to be told wii doesn’t count because it’s hardware is last gen. I just have too much to worry about to argue with irrational people about fvcking video games. Bummer, I love to debate, it’s just impossible here.

edit: Mr. Phsych major: I would also like to read about the need for people (esp. many gamers or other enthusiasts) to create a diversion or distraction from their boring lives, hence getting all wrapped up in the drama on a video game website. That would make an interesting read as well.

[The Wood]

this site and many others become somewhat addictive. i think the internet is the biggest trojan horse after the telievision. The thing about sites like this is its the fanboys who inadvertently get others to join and even convert some rational thinking people into new fanboys creating a self perpetuating fanboy haven which maybe why you stayed away. A lot of fanboys will obviously have lives outside of sites like n4g but im sure some do not.

I for one will admit to typing a fanboy comment that i wouldn't want my missus to see through sheer embarrassment and when i realised that i knew that i had been sucked in and had become addicted. Im now in rehab and try my best to stay away from the flamebait articles on a micro level and the internet on a macro level because of my weaknesses for things that the internet can bring but in can be hard.

Sites like newsnow and stations like skysports news are like brainwashes and should be avoided once compulsive/addictive symptoms start. Fanboys on this site come in many forms and some are labeled fanboys just for preferring something that another doesn't which is silly but things like what the author of the article have been happening since man had an opinion, basically forever so the clergy of yesteryear is now a fanboy and to be fair i know what would/did cause the most damage.

Fanboys are annoying but they're also fun and i think we all know this its just that some just cant be asked to have to interact with fanboys sometimes or at all. we should all remember that banter is fun and shouldn't be taken too seriously, i mean how many people have no friends that support a rival team or have a rival console? the problem is if you dont then you are truly sad.

[GnaM]

Yeah, it's sad. The majority of the community at N4G tend to be fanboys who just sit there scanning the headlines for "wins" and "scores" for their favorite console, and for "losses" of the enemy consoles so they can get in a flame over it. I think this is a phenomenon is universal to news sites, because most reasonable people don't have to know every piece of gaming related news the second it comes out unless they take personal stock on it...the only people who take personal stock are the fanboys. Also, the comments section tends to be geared towards making brief 1-line little remarks rather than involved, well supported opinions. This it attracts the dumber section of the site's audience - the type that just wants to be like "HAHA this game sucks screw you [insert company here]".

I don't think it's that everyone that reads N4G are idiots...it's just that only the idiots would care enough about the console wars to comment, particularly when this comment forums here are not really conducive to involved discussion.

And yeah, the worst part of the fanboys here is that they drag you down with them. I find myself skimming over the comments just out of boredom, and pretty soon I'm so disgusted by all moronic flame warring going on, I almost want to get involved just to set all the stupity straight. I often find myself becoming biased against the system with the stupidest fanboys. For example, one day I'll be browsing a topic and all these Sony fanboys will be trolling and being dipsh1ts and making really stupid remarks, and I find myself hating the PS3 a bit and wanting to jump in and defend the 360. Then I'll be a different topic and all these moron xbots will be trilling and being asses, and I find myself siding with the PS3. In reality, I don't own either system and don't care how either one does financially, but in an effort to navigate around the stupidity I occasionally find myself slipping into bias.

I think it's generally better not to get involved and not to even read any of the flaming BS. But occasionally when I need something to read real quick, I find myself clicking on stories that I know will piss off a lot of fanboys just to enjoy watching them writhe in anguish. It's a habit I gotta kick.

[vickers500]

"Lets get back to talking about nintendo."

Microsoft and Sony fanboys together: "SHUT UP F@GGOT!"

LMFAO!