Why do some Video Game fans become Power Mongers?

[undamned]

So, this whole recent Icy(not so)calm incident, got me thinking:

Why do some huge game fans/site owners see themselves as the supreme authority on things (ex. japjac, icycalm, recap, [insert credit guy], where as others, who being highly knowledgeable/intelligent (definitely more so than the others for keeping at least somewhat in touch with reality) don't lose their head and just enjoy jamming w/ other big vg fans (ex. gaijin punch, assembler)?

I doubt it is based on qty. of praise received, as I'm sure both personalities receive their share of praise. What could it be?

Discuss

-ud

[spadgy]

Just that lots of different kinds of people like games I guess...

[undamned]

So, you're saying they would be that type of person anyways, video games aside? Interesting. I guess I was thinking that somehow these people became this way in their videogame exploits.
-ud

[Shatterhand]

I think it has something to do with having a life beyond your hobby.

I may be wrong though.

[Jon]

I think it has something to do with having a life beyond your hobby.

I may be wrong though.

I don't think so.

[Dale]

I think it has to do with them putting so much time into a webpage and hating it when people critic something they put so much time into. Most of the examples you used in the first post are also people who are starting to question their heavy enthuisaism for the genre and if its real worth, or are starting to question the relevance of the hobby itself. So this makes them more prone to go over the edge.

These people also get lots of praise from people so this also builds more arrogance. Some of these praisers even will change their opinion because their favirote video game blogger doesn't agree with it. I'm guessing its a combination of these things. Some of these people also probably started these websites because they were bitter about something to begin with.

[Pixel_Outlaw]

I would think that passion can turn malignant when the person feels that they cannot express their ideas fully.

I've been there a few times.

[Udderdude]

Some people have nothing else in life but their hobbies, so they end up taking it so seriously, that it looks ridiculous to anyone else. It can happen with anything .. music, books, cars, yes even videogames.

[FIL]

Why can't they get a normal hobby like trains.

[Tempest]

I can sense this will end well, with a well thought out, rational series of discourses by all parties involved.



1.) People like drama (You're in this thread, aren't you?)
2.) People like feeling important.
3.) Being polite is boring. You fags.

[Udderdude]

3.) Being polite is boring. You fags.

NO U

[sven666]

its not related to videogames, some people are just naturally jerks with huge egos.. if you want proof just try buying a used car for another great experience

[crithit5000]

[insert credit guy]

You mean Brandon Sheffield/exodus or Tim Rogers/108? I've spoken with Brandon before via email, and he's a rather nice guy and Tim...is Tim. I've never seen either of them go on condescending forum rages like icy or recap. Even icy and recap are on the outs with insertcredit and selectbutton's forum regulars and they both write for insertcredit.

[DJ Incompetent]

Some people have nothing else in life but their hobbies, so they end up taking it so seriously, that it looks ridiculous to anyone else. It can happen with anything .. music, books, cars, yes even videogames.

I can agree with this.

Why do some huge game fans/site owners see themselves as the supreme authority on things..

I suppose maybe it's like that movie U571 where the one guy becomes the new captain of the sub, but he's asked all kinds of questions he has no idea how to answer, so he does a total freak-out and starts screaming "I don't know!!" to everybody, to which then the crew starts thinking on their own and considers defying the captain later-on. Then the old guy turns to the captain and says somethin' like, "The Captain always has the answers, weather he does or not."

Maybe it's supposed to work the same where site-runners who don't know every single thing about video games will instantly be turned-down by fans and thus, lose site traffic....

yeaaah-...-I give my analogy a 3, out of 5 -_-;;

Even then, being the loudest does serve as some kinda self-advertisement. If somebody asked you to name 10 shmups.com users in like, 8 seconds who would you drop?

I'm pretty sure my list woulda started:
Twiddle, shoe, Icarus, Ceph, Gaijin, icy, Rob,.... ..and then some nerd woulda told me I got two wrong already...

Now, you and I both know most those names shouldn't deserve to represent community like that, but can't deny their silly antics is what commits them to memory in the first place.....and now 3 are youtube-subscribed on my end.





I suppose I shouldn't really pass my opinion of icycalm. To talk behind his back instead of battling him when he was still here would prolly be rude and mild douchebaggery on my end...


'Curious. What did japjac do anyway? I only remember him posting slideshow coverage of various Japan events with way too many self-website promotions in them..

[Twiddle]

I read that as "Power Rangers" at first

[iatneH]

I read that as "Power Rangers" at first

Me too, and I was wondering how come I did not become one :(

[undamned]

'Curious. What did japjac do anyway? I only remember him posting slideshow coverage of various Japan events with way too many self-website promotions in them..

Well, as far as this site, he mostly tried peddling his insanely priced import games. I dropped his name because of stuff I'd wittnessed on the fanitsu (yes, fanitsu) forums. Basic superiority complex, "I live in Japan, I know everything," sort of deal.
-ud

[captain ahar]

I read that as "Power Rangers" at first

Me too, and I was wondering how come I did not become one

yeah, the sacrifices we make to be productive members of society.

all those missed opportunities. like makin it with Scorpina.

[sven666]

i think japjac is genuinley hilarious, whats the opposite of self-awareness?

ed: just look at thos post he recently made for instance, the madness!
http://www.gamengai.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2132

[UnscathedFlyingObject]

Another Let's bash people thread! Someone should catch them all and make an archive for when I'm bored.

[jp]

Another Let's bash people thread! Someone should catch them all and make an archive for when I'm bored.

These and all the campaigns to get people unbanned would be as entertaining as the "Worst threads" thread.

[undamned]

Another Let's bash people thread!

I am actually seriously curious and and not just bashing (the bashing has already taken place for as long as these types have been around)! The names are examples so people know the mentality I'm talking about.
-ud

[PaCrappa]

JAPJAC is not even remotely like the other two. Not even a little. His only crime is allowing Recap to ruin Fanitsu.

For the other two and the people like them I have one word: Overcompensation.

[undamned]

JAPJAC is not even remotely like the other two. Not even a little.

I just recall a discussion where he was going on about how he was basically solely responsible for showing the internet folks what the video game scene was like in Japan. Now, don't get me wrong, the guy has done a killer expose of gaming over there, but he's certainly not the only high calibre cat out there.
-ud

[ED-057]

[Ed Oscuro]

I'm glad I wasn't the only person who immediately thought of that...I think that contradicts Shatterhand's point, I hope ;)

[jp]

[Ed Oscuro]

lolz

/r/ somebody edit the EA logo into "Electronic Farts"

[Herr Schatten]

Overcompensation.

Of what?

[Etrian]

People in a position of power are so easily succumb to abusing it because others can't.

It makes sense, though. If you're in a position of authority, people will suck up to you, look up to you, refrain from insulting you, and even be afraid of you. Even if it's completely contained to virtual power - it's still power.

It isn't restricted to "video game sites and blogs" either. I would hate to be a mod, admin, or owner of a site as people would step around me due to my virtual status. I'm happy just being a user.