Allow me to be the first to admit that I am something of a star fucker when it comes to twitter. That is to say that follow people in the video games industry that would never follow me for any reason just because I am interested in what they have to say. Usually this doesn’t lead me anything interesting but tonight by random chance that has changed. I happened to be sitting by my computer when a tweet from Ken Levine came across. It contained a link to the ECA (Entertainment Consumer Association) website page hoping to get people to sign a petition known as the “Gamer Petition” and to help spread the word.

For those not in the know, the supreme court is set to hear a case known as  Schwarzenegger v. EMA, also known as the “violent video games case” either this year or next. What hangs in the balance is whether or not games should be given the same first amendment protection that is given to TV, movies, and books. I really don’t think I need to go into detail as to why we as gamers should take a serious interest in this case.

I am going to use what little soapbox I have to ask that everybody please take a minute to go to this link and sign the petition and then try and get every gamer you know to also do the same. This is one of the few chances that we have to really stand up for something that means so much to us, so don’t waste the opportunity to support the industry that has given us so much joy over the years.

Thanks,

Shayward

            I have sensed an unnerving trend lately amongst my fellow gamers. For years we have been considered outcasts among not only our peers, but by society in general. Now we find ourselves in the enviable position of being the forerunners in what is becoming the most popular form of entertainment of current times. As we sit here holding the high ground (pun absolutely intended) that for so long was outside of our grasps how do we portray ourselves? Well, in no uncertain terms: absolute elitist pricks.

            During my formative years I played baseball and football, after every game you lined up, shook hands, and said good game with the opposing team even if you didn’t really mean it. While it may have been remarkably disingenuous you still did it as to maintain some amount of sportsmanship. When was the last time anybody said something encouraging or congratulatory to the other team after playing a round of Halo 3? If your child was playing in a Pop Warner game and after being tackled the other teams player stood over him and tea-bagged him, would it still be funny? Similar to my last question, change the scenario and have a child being called a noob by the other team after striking out in a baseball game, still funny? It really seems strange to me that behavior we would find repugnant in real life becomes totally acceptable when we don’t have to look our opponents in the eye.

            For years we gamers have been considered outcasts by most people for finding enjoyment in a hobby that has been considered the realm of children. Yet now as it grows we go out of our way to decry the influx of new people as the dreaded casual gamer. Who are we to decide what types of games are acceptable for others to play? Puzzle Quest was very entertaining to me, and it was nothing more than bejeweled with only the slightest bit of RPG thrown on top as a window dressing. My grandmother is nearly 70 years old; she owns a wii and loves to play Dr. Mario, I guess the next time I go to her house to take my daughters for a visit I should refuse to play the game with her as she is the type of person that is ruining video games.

            How could any objective review of what is wrong amongst our brethren be complete without mentioning the absolute worst amongst us, the anti-fanboy. What is the anti-fanboy you ask? Simply put; the anti-fanboy is the gamer that that doesn’t stop at disliking something, the anti-fanboy hates everyone who doesn’t have exactly the same opinion as they do. Perhaps someday they will realize that not everybody shares their opinion on things, nor are their opinions any sort of ultimate truth. In my opinion it is differences that make life interesting, so why do some feel the need to attempt to make other see things the exact same way they choose to view it?

            Well folks, that seems to be all that is on my mind at the moment. If you ever see me on Live and want to play a game fell free to shoot me an invite. At the very least I will treat you well, even if you are an elderly individual with a different taste in games then me.

Dear Seth,

                I am not usually the type of person that takes the time to write a letter, but in this case I think I must make an exception. I pride myself on my ability to be able to deal with people no matter how difficult the situation and retain my composure and ability to effectively communicate.  For the first time in many years I feel that ability is possibly slipping from my grasp. When we first met I found you to be a pleasant challenge, you won round one and I won round two. Then for whatever reason you felt the need to inform me that you had not really been using your full potential during the second round.  What kind of man feels the need to invalidate the positive actions of another buy informing the other party that they had essentially thrown the round by not really giving it their all? An absolute asshat coward, that is who. Why do you feel the need to taunt those who defeat you? Why not just give it your all from the very beginning like a man should? Then as if to prove your vast superiority you use some sort of vortex of doom to suck me into your yin-yang of death and then shoot me across the screen as if I was a piece of trash. You sir, can kiss my ass. But to be fair after the 37^th time you beat me, when I finally finished you with a Tiger Shot and Sagat stood victorious over your defeated body I did fell a true sense of accomplishment.

Sincerely,

Shayward23

P.S. I hope you die in a house fire.

I sit in my oversize lay-z-boy recliner holding my psp ready to play the game I had purchased at the store only a few hours before. With every purchase I make I arrive home with the anticipation of having an interesting and unique experience, today would be no different.

More after the jump!