Gamers Are Killing Gaming

Polymath writes: "There I sat staring, mouth agape, at the situation in front of me: a vote about whether to kick me out of the Left 4 Dead game in which I was currently. I had purchased the game as part of Steam's weekend offer (50% off!) and I had only had the game for about 10 minutes. I had fumbled my way around, trying to get a grasp of the controls and what exactly the objectives where and thought that considering the game doesn't come with a manual via digital distribution I wasn't doing too badly. However, it wasn't long until the match I was in with my friend, whom with which I was trying to understand the gameplay, was populated by others. People who took the game very seriously, it seems.

"Please play properly!" I'm told very sternly over voice chat. I press Y and type: "I've only had the game 10 minutes." A reply tells me: "No excuses."

It's an experience that almost has me regretting my purchase. I am a gamer of over 20 years, so I am not exactly a complete scrub at gaming. However, these comments made me feel small and unwanted, like I couldn't be part of the experience because I wasn't good at the game straight away. It was then that a conclusion hit me: gamers are ruining gaming."

[solar]

stopped reading after "obnoxious Americans". nationality has nothing to do with him being a noob, jumping into a game, and players giving him guff. happens IN EVERY online game.

[mastiffchild]

In fact if you'd read further he actually slagged off his own nationality himself far more than using a generalisation which isn't his anyway.
And yes, he could have played the SP in L4D first(but would YOU want to do that?)but the point remains fair-he shouldn't have been greeted by abuse for being new to the game. It does happen far too often for my liking at least and when he started on about WoW he was bang on the money imo. I've tried twice to get into it and have come across loads of this habit of attacking newcomers. I remember being totally slagged off because I didn't know every little piece of slang they used and when I asked what sruff meant I got laughed at basically-so how would I ever learn. As a result I never renewed my sub and prolly never will.
Theb other day I was playing Warhawk(a game where I found people when I just got the game really helpful with one guy actually giving me some pro flight lessons when I didn't know it was best to learn that from the start)and, unusually, our team was almost all headsetted up but we had one guy who obviously just started and nearly everyone gave him stick for not being very good. Calling him a n00b, questioning his birth, laughing at his deaths etc etc. In the end I said sorry to him, made my feelings plain, got some abuse back(why don't I bum him then-I was asked), told him to find some newbie servers(poor guy hadn't figured out there were even filters for that til I told him and in fairness there's virtually no manual even with the disc of that game)and sacked it for the night.
I've also had it on Live loads of times and I do think that it's out of order to harangue newcomers/those less gifted at games in this way and there is a core of gamers who feel they have some right to lord it over people because they happen to be good at one game or the other. We all started once, have all been crap at one game or another(the other day I went from ruling the world on GT5:P to not being able to finish above five year olds at MKWii)and need to remember that we got into games cos it's fun and so what if now and again you get someone in your squad that slows you down? That's what mates and clans are for innit? Cut people some slack as you'd expect some yourself if you're a decent human being.
My worry about this is that it's got more and more common. Although I have to say that my experience online on the PC with L4D was totally different to this fellas and I don't know if what he foundis very indicative of that game's community-I've found almost everyone really polite and friendly.

[FrankenLife]

From my experience on the PS3 on on the 360(I own both) this sort of thing happens more on the 360. I am not going to make any generalization about people on XBL, but it does happen more on XBL than the PSN.

[m-s-8-2]

Probably does, but if so only because every 360 comes with a headset I think. I'd say 50% who use a PS3 dont, so while theyre more likely just as douchey, you never hear from them.

[Viper7]

Actualy this is somewhat country related. In US it seems to be a lot more popular to see this kind of behavior, just because the country is so multi cultured and the ppl are so differend. The TV shows also seem to show this well with the contenders literaly bashing each other while competing. Its normal in US but for many countries it looks pretty odd.

But when it comes to bashing newbies, I think its somewhat related to the group your playing with. Some ppl just feel that they get more closer to the team when they blame the newbies from their mistakes, it might actualy make them look more pro.

I am completely oposite tough, I too tend to play in team but I am not really worrying will my team win or not. Ill just do my best to not to be the one whose fault it was that the team lost.
Like scoring above 1.0 K/D in TDM or defending and capturing the flag etc.
If some1 asks for help I am more than eager to help.

[Anon1974]

I read the comments regarding XBL vs PSN and I have to agree with that assessment. It's my experience as well that I don't have to deal with all the 12 year old, racist, homophobic teens on the PSN, which was certainly refreshing after a couple of years of XBL. Certainly part of the reason there's a difference is lack of headsets, but I've found even in matches where everyone is mic'd, you still don't see nearly the same level of problem as I experienced on XBL.

Also, the author mentioned "obnoxious Americans" and I have to say that's been my experience as well. I'm sure the majority of US gamers are just fine and the reason they don't stand out is because they're not making asses of themselves but when I used XBL, if I ran into a truly obnoxious player and checked his gamertag - 19 times out of 20 he'd be from the US. I've had the pleasure to game with gamers from all over Europe and Canada and I don't know why but they just seem a much more pleasant lot. I think US gamers need to take a hard look at themselves and instead accepting it as a fact of online gaming they need to stand up to that type of behavior and let other gamers know that it's not acceptable. If everyone did we'd find the online community a better place. Also, use the reporting tools available to you.

[jack who]

crackkhead

[lord_of_balrogs]

He should of played the SP first, I made sure before I went online in Gears 2 I beat the SP. The single player is there for a storyline and as a learning curve for the multiplayer. Even when I first started the online portion I was at a measly 1 kill or down to 2-4 deaths. It just takes a bit of time and pretty soon you'll be a killing machine. Now I dominate noobs with hammerburst because all people try to use the lancer which sucks in firepower compared to the hammerburst.

Unlike most people I enjoy matchmaking because it pits those of similar skill against each other which is fairer for newcomers.

[LostChild]

I agree that he should have played the single player first to get use to the controls. I mean hopping straight online and not knowing what you have to do in an online game, that calls for teamwork is pretty much asking to get yelled at. Plus, he could have played single player with his friend and his freind could have told him what to do without ruining/interupting everyones else game.

I like to know what he/she was doing to get yeld at because he failed to mention that part besides being new to the game and asking question. Were you Shooting at/alerting the Witch, not helping a teammate grabbed a smoker/hunter, hogging the health packs or just running off on your own?

Edit: This is also a random incident. It is not always like that. He just happen to be in a room with someone who takes things a little to serious. But please really, don't let someone get to you or stop you from enjoying your game because of what the say. Stuff like this has been happening before online had mics. Back than people yeld at you by typing.

[Dino]

people are aholes more often online for no fear of getting their head cracked open for talking smack as they surely would in person. Thats where the problem lies. some kids need their ass beat. But just like real life you wont find those people everywhere.

[-EvoAnubis-]

Some people are just like that. I think it totally sucks, but that's just the way of the internet. No one knows who you are, so you can say whatever you want. Whereas in real life, you you said this kinda mess to someone's face, you'd get your ass beat.

That's why in most online games, I play with friends whenever possible. Sometimes I just go into random games, and on PSN I'd say 70% of the time I'm there with cool people. That other 30% makes me not want to touch whatever game I was playing for at least a couple of weeks; it's sad, but it's fact.

Easy solution: Play with friends.

[The gaming GOD]

I can understand exactly what the author of the article is saying. It's like if you're new to a game and you try to play it online, you get shunned for being new and inexperienced. That can turn people away from playing games online. And that is something you DON'T want.

[Danja]

I agree and thats one of the reason why i hardly play online games on my PC ne more because of the lack of friends list...

I have come across a few a-holes in Warhawk...but it's not from losing they get killed and feels the need to rant a long line of explicits bcuz they claim lack of team work..ne who..

he should have atleast gotten use to the controls and gameplay a little b4 ..jumping str8 into online play

[The gaming GOD]

But even so, TOO many people take videogames TOO seriously.

I mean come on, I remember back in the day playing outrigger for the dreamcast and these two dudes were yelling at this kid for sucking. Which wasn't his fault since he was new to the game. And we ALL suck when we first start. I ended up helping the kid out because the way he was sounding he was about to cry. Heck, he couldn't have been any older than 12 and what sounded like two grown men were yelling at him.

[Sarcasm]

Is this guy serious or is just a straight up pansy? People are "A holes" in general no matter where you go. Welcome to reality. And a lot of them are playing games, that's just the way life is.

[Unicron]

Some people will always take gaming way too seriously. It's a pity. I'd rather help someone learn, then just kick them off the game I'm in. If I'm playing in a "hardcore mood" then I just make sure to make the game private.

You'll find elitism anywhere you go however, and I always have to laugh at those people. Yes, you beat me in a videogame... you win at life.

[Dsnyder]

The majority of gamers dont even know what good gaming is. Think about it. The underwheming Wii sells like its the cure to cancer, Innovative games like Littlebigplaent never sell and mediocre games like Halo 3 sell like hotcakes.

Gamers fail.

[theEnemy]

Article like this, and the so called gaming press are the ones killing Gaming.

[Lombax]

What do have for 'em Johnny?!

/Jim Carry

[Chubear]

Gaming PR groups using the Gaming site media to manipulate the gaming community is what's killing gaming. It's just unfortunate they have an over whelming majority of sheep to pick from.

[Corepred4]

you should always know how to play when you play something with others. nobody wants to lose. if you know how to play and you just suck that situation is a bit different cuz if you suck you suck! not because you didn't try learning the game first. oh yeah and enjoy your LIVE! lol

[SonyRulz]

...until you showed your trollish ignorance at the very end.

This has NOTHING to do with Xbox LIVE...this is about a PC gamer playing the PC version OF L4D he got off Steam. L4D is NOT a Windows Live compatible game. You fail at life.

[CharlesDCI]

Well the article does come across whiny but he does make some good points, especially about the Wii. The reason why gamers are like that is because they are doing it online. As in you can't do anything to them if they say the absolute wrong thing. If he was playing L4D at a LAN party, he wouldn't of been talked to like that.

Same reason why you get the kind of comments you do on N4G. Internet gives you balls I guess.

[Kushan]

Internet is serious business. Just look at N4G.

[Lombax]

*slaps knee*

xD

[GiantEnemyLobster]

Or is it the PS3 that is killing gaming.. Hmm I can't seem to remember.

[raddbj03]

seriously? yeah i get it people are a-holes online sometimes. but that shouldnt bother u. i agree its wrong but dont cry about it...let it motivate u 2 get better. yeah nowadays there r alot of hardcore gamers who take online very seriously. games arent just for fun anymore for better or worse. so practice or dont play...but stop crying.

[TriforceLightning]

Nuff said.

[LowCarbs]

its really not a point of crying or whinning about it.
the fact is, do you really wanna be talked down to like this?
i for one dont, and in return, i wish people to do the same.
not everyone is good at every single game, but they do wish to enjoy every aspect of the game.
does that mean he isnt allowed to go online and play?
people basicly need to be willing to drop help to anyone that needs it.
so what it takes 5-10 minutes to explain something to someone, now that they know what to do, they can take that and apply it to the current game they are playing and everything will be better instead of berating someone for not knowing.

and i'm talking about all platforms, not one or another.
take it or leave it, people need to buck up and talk straight to people, not down to people.

[tommyhj]

That's exactly why i got out of online gaming years ago. There's absolutely no room for casual play, and the tone is really harsh. If you aren't an autistic 12 yo boy with 1337 skill and a bad mood, online gaming won't appeal to you it seems...

[baraka007]

yeah most people are losers just ignore them and move on... If you think you can just join random rooms and expect people to all be polite and mature you're living in a fantasy world. When you play with good ppl though make sure to put them on your friends list and after a while you'll have plenty of people to play with that aren't messed up in the head. That's what everyone does and why open rooms will always have new people and those no one wants to talk to.

[MrJack]

We all know of the American 'Problem' that plagues PSN and XBL (More on XBL though) but I very rarely here it from my own countrymen, yes there is the occasional chav from a trashy estate with a stolen PS3, but adults? Makes me ashamed to be British.

[paracardium]

welcome to x-box live!

[PirateThom]

I think a lot of people forget, it's a game. Most people log in, play the game, talk trash, for their own amusement, probably expecting a rise out of whoever is there to get some talk going.

At the end of the game, they'll still eat dinner and probably work an office job 9-5, drive a Ford Mondeo and be, generally, average people.

They don't make articles about how they "totally f---ing pwned some gay noob".

People take internet gaming far too seriously, you can mute them if it bothers you, but complaining won't really change a lot. There's no prize at stake online (unless you consider rankings important), so just have fun, mute if you need to and enjoy the game. I personally would never mute anyone, because it's amusing, same way I've never "blocked" anyone on N4G or forums.

[Voiceofreason]

Yeah ignore is great but it wont stop people from booting you from the game which is part of his problem.

[poeo]

obnoxious Americans? really? that stereotype needs to end.

i'm European (Finnish) and i PREFER to play with Americans on PSN. most have been really cool and nice people. even the young ones. i even played Skate 2 with some guy who said he was at an army military base, while i dont 100% approve of America's wars (there are grey areas though and it's complex so who am i to judge), i couldnt help but just like the guy, and just talked crap with him for like 3-4 hours.

people need to stop generalizing. seriously.

[peeps]

haha had the same thing the other night when i too bought L4D because of the offer. End of the day i take gaming pretty seriously because i like the competitive side, play in a clan etc but thats when i'm playing against other competitive teams. in an 'open' room i wouldn't vote someone because i didn't think they we're as good as me etc etc.

So my experience on L4D. My mate who also plays it wasn't on so i was playing a bit of single player but obv the game is suited to co-op so decided to join a game online.

I picked up the game pretty quickly, i mean it's straight foward. just make sure u stick with your team mates and help each other out. We got to some hut where we stopped to fight of waves of zombies and then a boomer vomited on me through the window. i quickly backed up into the corner but before long was swarmed with zombies and downed. Next thing i knew i was being voted. I guess my team would rather vote me out instead of make the effort to save me. Great co-op spirit haha

[cherrycreamsauce]

People are assholes, but you should have beaten the Single Player first. It's a pretty simple solution actually.

[Ethreon]

this guy crossed paths with some n00bs, plenty of them in Live.

[SkolarVisari]

He was kind of dumb for not playing through the campaign to familiarize himself with the controls, but he does have a point. But I never really encountered belligerent people on Live when I had it, and even the kids were alright. I have not had any issues with PSN and belligerent people either. Then again I don't game online that much.

[PS360WII]

and he's right too. Some gamers are to much of an elitist to help gaming grow past the confines of old dude living in moms basement.

It's also a reason why SP will never die :) don't want to deal with dumb people online just play the real game and not bother with multiplayer... I know hard to do with L4D but hey it's a small step.

Games are only for entertainment purposes those who try to make it something it's not are just fooling themselves.

[Saladfax]

Several of the comments here have proven him entirely correct.

[raddbj03]

people think we live in some sort of dream world where everyone is nice...but its just not the case, as wrong as it is. i dont con done people being dumb but it shouldnt stop u from playing. my point is thats its going to happen so take away somethin positive like workin to get better and stop worrying bout stuff you cant control. geez people - you complain that gamers take online too serious yet you take some a-holes comments this serious??

[gaminoz]

This sort of thing happened to me in Gears of War 1 and turned me right off it. I'm never going to be as good as or as coordinated as the gamers who play all the time and are naturals. I don't memorise maps or get all anal about who wins. I use gaming as an escape and only get to do it in between other things in life.

Sigh...that's why I miss games like Timesplitters....screw working together like finely-tuned well-trained squads and just go and have fun!

[unpuercofeo]

But it loses its impact when the author is jut bawwwwwing through the whole thing.