Ben-DutkaThis week, I will focus on one subject rather than two, and then move on to a brief gaming update. Aaaaand…here we go. 🙂
"YOU play video games?! …WOW!"
It's amusing, it really is. You may recall the article I wrote regarding video game stereotypes . In it, I explained that gamers need to do their part to erase the negative stigmas that haunt any and all adult gamers; if you don't fit the common gamer label, flaunt it. Don't be afraid to mention it. Well, just for kicks, I decided I'd test that theory tonight, and I have just returned from what turned out to be a mostly entertaining jaunt through the nightclub environment. Last weekend, a friend and I went out and we ended up entertaining a group of girls (don't ask how) for the evening, but I remember leaving and saying to myself, "hey, I never told any of those chicks what I do for a living." They knew I was a writer and that was enough – apparently – but I was never specific, and they quickly latched on to work I had done in the past, involving other forms of entertainment. That was fine, but I've never believed in administering advice if you're unable to take that advice yourself, so…things had to change a bit tonight.
The responses were all quite similar to what you see in that heading. For the record, and if we're keeping track for an unofficial survey, I spoke to 7 women, aged 21 – 26, in separate sets of 3, 2, and 2. I made a point of selecting girls that had likely never played a video game and have never dated anyone who did. As it turns out, I was correct in my assumptions; not a one really knew anything about games and all (except maybe one) were downright shocked that I not only played them, but worked with them, after a fashion. One girl, a particularly gorgeous (just…holy SH**!) bank teller, was convinced I was joking. Even when we were done talking, she still didn't want to believe me, but on the other hand, she admitted (smart girl) that it'd be silly of me to make it up. Seriously, why would I do such a thing?
But anyway, the bottom line is this: that little announcement about my job had no visible adverse affect on any of those 7 women. They did find it humorous and surprising at first, but it didn't appear to alter their perception of me in the slightest, one way or the other. Hence, I believe my point is proven: they might laugh at you, but it's not the kind of derogatory laugh that comes shortly before a retreat. It's the kind of funny, charming, touch-your-arm-while-I-laugh emotion that nobody is going to misconstrue as negative. Sooooo…damnit, don't be afraid to mention it! I swear, it won't have the effect you think it will. As for me…I will not be accepting any further questions concerning tonight's outcome. Come up with your own theories all you like, but I won't confirm or deny anything. In other words…….."no comment." 😉
Personal gaming update
I've started Prince of Persia , which I immensely enjoy, but something has happened I should've been prepared for after reviewing it: I'm gonna want every last one of those Light Seeds. Yes, I'm well aware of the fact that I don't need them all, but it's the remnants of that ol' completionist mentality I had for all my PS1 RPGs. I still have it, to some extent, and it really, really, really irritates me when I can't nab all the Light Seeds in one particular area because I don't have all of Elika's powers just yet. And it annoys me even more when I have the power(s) I need but I can't find the last few Seeds. I just know I'm going to spend the majority of my time hunting those silly things down, but you have to understand…it's kinda what I do. That's fun for me. LOL
And after the amazing recognition the AIAS has given to LittleBigPlanet , I think I need that game. Platformers have never been my thing, but if they're good enough, I might love them. For instance, much to my surprise, Psychonauts was one of my favorite games of the last generation, so if LBP is really that good, then… Yeah, it just might have to happen.
I got PoP for christmas but I haven't been playing it much, I've been too caught up with Fallout 3. But since I am almost finished with Fallout, I will be starting on PoP within the next couple of days. I get to break it in on my 37 inch HD :).
Yeah. Yesterday, I got me a Sammy (ln40a650). I wanted the more expensive Sony counterpart (xbr6), but I figured I was being indulgent as it was, but, boy, am I ecstatic (I was previously playing on a 720p 20" lcd westinghouse monitor)! I'm replaying all my games (including POP), and it's like a whole new experience. Picked me up a bluray movie, and I actually enjoyed it more than the cinema. Moreover, apparently retail showrooms only use 720p signal, or one degraded by broadcast, because what I saw at home was better than anything I've seen before. This is the "next-generation" in more ways than one, and I'm just catching up.
Prince of Persia is fun, but for me was not the kind of game that motivated me to complete everything.
YOu should definitely play lbp. Tremendous fun.
i Bought PoP. I had never played a game in the series and as it turns out, i had certain ideas in my head as to what it would be like, and i was very wrong. All In All it turned out to be one of the most boring games i've ever played, and still played the whole thing. I don't mean to put anybody down, and don't get me wrong the visuals are really really great, but overall there was no excitement in the game for me. And unlike you, I hated the light seeds. I was like, damn i risk my ass and now i gotta get light seeds. EFF THAT!!! i got my 540 and went home. Game over.
All in All, though, i think what got me through it was my weird nostalgia for Shadow the Colossus that it brought me. Did anyone else get that?
Did you get laid ben?
that's a very personal question, plus didn't he say "no comments". well anyway ben was the bank teller girl blonde lol.
Idiot
@Jed
I laughed out loud, literally. No matter which person you replied to!
Eh, it's just his style. It's annoying sometimes but I let it slide.
I for one did enjoy pop because the game was basically made for anyone to pick up and understand how to play from the get go. I also got platinum on pop and I did it in five days. also if anyone wants to get the best prince of persia experience they should play prince of persia: warrior within. that game was fun, gory, and the story was somewhat alright. but the best part was the platforming and going through time to access areas and running from the dahaki that followed you through time. man if they had a ps3 remake of that game I'd be set for my prince of persia fix.
I'm glad you threw out the props for psychonauts…most definately an overlooked and under-rated game of the last gen!! It sucks too, because I feel that could be part of the reason devs don't reach out to make similar games this gen, because such games didn't popularize as much last generation.
Hellz yeah…Psychonauts was so great, and MORE people need to recognize that!
After you get those seeds pick up LBP, it's a blast.
I play games WITH my girl.
Once they get involved they love it as much as we do. Most girls I know dont care for it and thats cool because its not really whats common. I dont want women talking to me about witch dress looks best (tho they do), but most girls are cool with it. Some will play some wont. It dont really matter because when a girls over im usually chilling with them anyways.
Josh I finally agree with you, its all about the ladies man finally no 360 gossip, your starting to become friendly!
Yeah.
Now prepare to hate me again. I live in Cleveland.=]
It's kind of strange..
I've never thought that it would be "normal" to be a gamer in my country too. Everything is about prestige and showing off (which is freaking me out sometimes).
But thursday I went to school and in the middle of the day i had German. Me and my girlfriend goes in the same class so we went up sitting and talking with some of our friends and other students.
A couple of weeks ago I introduced my girlfriend to LittleBigPlanet ( I thouhgt she would scream and run away, but amazingly didn't.)
But! We were sitting in and talking… And my girlfriend brings up LBP and starts talking to the other girls and guys about how it is and so on.. Which results in that everybody at the table wants to go home to me and play it. They were really positive about the whole gamer-thing and I really haven't ever thought they would be…
Well hald, I hope your enthusiasm can get a few more PS3 solds… always helps!
Q!
"i aM hOme"
Yeah, it could be nice to have a few good friends on my "friends-list" too.. 😉
Last edited by hald on 1/25/2009 4:55:43 AM
Yhea, seems difficult… I have 2 of my closest childhood friends who refuse to purchase one… it feels we are drifting away because they are not that interest in what I do or play… they are sticking to PC and Linux…
Q!
"i aM hOme"
Yeah, I know what you mean. My best friend have had a 360 for 2 years now and it seemed like our interest were going in different directions – Luckily he did finally buy a ps3 and threw away his 360.. So now we "meet up" online a couple of times a week and play LBP, crash commando and such.. which is great!
If anyone wonder why we just don't meet up in real life instead, then I can tell we live 3 hours away from each other and that makes it quite a travel.. so.. thats why!
Last edited by hald on 1/25/2009 10:14:02 AM
Ben is a pimp
I second that lol
Oh btw thats a 360 their playing. Hell yeah.
Yeah but I was more focused on the Man-flops…ewww!
Last edited by Wage SLAVES on 1/25/2009 5:34:51 AM
really, who cares josh?
men should never wear flip flops. Never!
I wear flipflops sometimes, but I always sport a beard 😉
i try to go barefoot constantly, but when footwear is required (like in a restaurant or on sharp gravel) I go for the flop. closest thing to barefootedness.
Josh, the 360's are a cheap thrill for these girls… they need to get something they can really handle and play with… like a Dual Shock!!!
Q!
"i Am HoMe"
I wear them sometimes. But only if im going to the beach. I couldn't see wearing them around the house tho. Thats kind of gay.
And dual what?=p
Silly boy 🙂
Q!
"i Am Home"
That just reminded me of that song Shoes.
My god its strange.
I'm a Final Fantasy fan so leather boots with plenty of buckles are the standard 🙂
its ok to wear flip flops, unless your wearing socks- then a swat to should come and arrest you
I love PoP, but i cant get platinum (which is quite easy) as i've been playing R2 and LBP too much. Plus i dislike the ending
I like Prince of Persia but I'm currently stuck into Armoured Core: For Answer at the moment
Is it good? Iv been seeing a lot of bad reviews on recent Armored Cores. I love 'em I just think that reviewers don't have the patience to get the crazy controls down.
armored core is a pretty complex game, its hard to pick up and play. I have a feeling that's the reason AC as an IP has gotten poor reviews…
For Answer is ridiculous. Game is hard and besides your mech, the game looks like crap. I got stuck on it too and never picked it up again. F3 and PoP for now (although i just got MGS4 and that game is scary good).
You haven't got LBP?!
wow, i held off, because whenever hype comes i'm sceptical, but so far, true hype has held strong. MG4, LBP, i might consider getting GTA4.
I just know I'm going to spend the majority of my time hunting those silly things down, but you have to understand…it's kinda what I do. That's fun for me. LOL
Same thing Ben! I have been grabbing those seeds for weeks now and i there is like 5 left over all…BUT I CANT FIND THEM!!!!!! UH!!!!! those stupid seeds!!
Ben am glad you made it clear to people that there's nothing wrong with telling girls what you like doing especially when you're the type who goes out late night to have some fun; I think those who feel embarrassed to tell ladies about their hobby are the real so-called nerds.
Speaking of nerds,where i am,it's the other way round, nerds don't F with games,everything is books,reading n learning for them,it's rather the party freaks who really enjoy gaming.
PoP is a big disappointment,i think the attempt to use artistic drawing didn't work out,c'mon other games like Zelda on Gamecube did it well as well as Okami but PoP,naaaaaw.
Am looking to get LBP also, along with Fallout 3.
Ben, how comfortable are you with club scene when you don't drink?
Aftab you smoke don't you? i know you!
What kind of smoke we talking about?=]
@Joshua
The kind that's coming out of your 360 😉
If you've ever been in my room it aint from the 360=p
(besides that joke sucked)
Woah, www. Spooky, especially, since I don't remember telling anyone. I smoke (cigarettes) only a couple times a day. Usually with a coffee or after an exhilirating gaming session or a movie. I'll quit one of these days, hopefully before I kick the bucket.
Quite comfortable, actually. Nobody cares if I drink or not, and it's FAR more fun reaping the benefits of slightly tipsy ladies when you're sober. 😉
Mr. Dutka on the prowl! "Slightly" is key!