David-D--NelsonFall is upon us and the doldrums of summer are fading away.
I hope everyone had fun in the sun, but there's no hiding the fact that summer significantly diminishes online activity surrounding gaming.
We hope you will still consider taking advantage of PSXE's Crazy Double-Dip Game of the Year 2014 Giveaway contest if you haven't yet, but more than that we'd like to welcome you all back as the autumn and holiday releases encourage more and more discussion.
We do our best to facilitate a solid, respectable community here at PSXE. That doesn't always shine through I admit. We have our differences, we have our squabbles, I see great members come and go. I see a lot of good members contributing who are reserved in their responses, perhaps to avoid upsetting someone who is crazy-committed to an opinion. However, I implore them to step up and be bold in their engagement this year.
I also implore members who follow our articles and read our comments from the sidelines to pick an avatar and join in. It's going to be a long gaming season and we need lots of opinions to keep the discussion going. Gaming is something we have in common, even when we butt heads we should try to remember that the person on the other side of the conversation is no different from the multiplayer stranger who leaps from a hilltop and headshots an enemy that had us at 4% health.
I also invite former members who have had disagreements with us to return. If you've felt wronged or disfranchised due to a something that got out of hand I invite you to extend a hand in reconciliation, and to recognize that everyone has opinions they will hold to like a controller preferences. Recognize that folks will be who they are and it's okay to just take a few jabs, throw some good-natured teasing around and keep on trucking. The clash of opinions often ultimately ends up making strange friendships with people who, surprise surprise, we wouldn't event think of associating with based on our fundamental differences elsewhere. If you commented all summer, then welcome back anyway 🙂
It is the games that connect us after all. It is the interaction between us that makes the hobby so much more than an individual human being sitting in a dark room slamming buttons.
Some of you know my story, I found this place by chance back in 2008 after trying and failing to be a member of other communities overrun by fanboy insanity. Where before I felt the only way to talk to gamers was to be overt and extreme I now saw I could calm down and raise issues about the industry that others wanted to discuss reasonably. After years of contributing Ben accepted my assistance as a contributor to the site. My continuing aspirations as a writer were validated, and so I continue on.
Recently, I decided to follow another dream of mine besides writing. I put myself forth as a candidate to become a literacy tutor to K-4 children. Ben provided an honest reference for me, one of just two references I had to select when I did not have many people to speak for me. He and I agree and disagree on many things both gaming and non-gaming, but we both have a passion for reading and literacy. You might find similar relationships here with people about other topics. Soon I will begin the task of helping those kids and I look forward to it.
All of this transpired over the years in part due to something as simple as contributing to a community that discusses a luxury hobby in which I have an interest. So don't ever doubt that your input in something you love couldn't make a difference either on the site, in the industry, or in your life. One action always leads to another. We have members of all races, creeds, backgrounds, careers, and ages. That's what makes this a community .
PSXE isn't perfect, it isn't even flashy and exciting like many other sites, but we keep on going because we host the best place to have discussions and form online relationships that have the potential to matter.
So, finally, from us to you, welcome back to PSXE. Suit up, join in, and have some fun with each other. There's a home here, complete with all the passions that drive its members in various directions while the focal point of our hobby keeps up together.
Hats off to you for helping kids at a vital time of their lives. Glad you're making a difference.
Glad to be a part of it. I found this site back in 2010 which was right around the time I became what I define as a "gamer" I think I was looking for a background of Assassins Creed 2 or something which brought me here, and it wasn't until 2012 I think when I finally made an account. I remember seeing lots of diverse people on here, chatting, but everyone seems to have a soft spot. Which is understandable and completely ok. Its sad to see some people to have completely leave the site, because their opinions differed from the majority but I guess thats just how it had to be. Personally, seeing such a diversity in opinions and likes/dislikes makes a community feel much stronger than a narrow minded bunch of people all moving along in a line of conformity.
I didn't like Skyrim, and I tried so hard to get into it. Its souless, and is very much a hollow shell with pretty outsides and absolutely nothing on the inside. Doesn't mean I dislike anyone whose favorite game ever is Skyrim. We all have our loves and hates on just about anything, and fighting over something like that is just stupid.
So hopefully heading into the next year, we can all move forward a bit and stop getting so insulted at difference in opinions. I miss seeing all the dudes who left all because they were disagree'd with.
So thanks to Ben, and the rest of the psx dudes for hosting a website full of news (though not all news) and reviews (though biased) with a great community of mostly MGS fans.
How very nice of y- wait a minute…
Hey man here's that Natural Doctrine review you said you might be interested in:
http://www.onlysp.com/natural-doctrine-review/
Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 9/29/2014 6:15:04 AM
I enjoyed it all the way till the biased reviews. -_-
@world Anyways, good luck in your endeavors. Sounds like a great thing you are doing.
Nice one Ben and David! Good times.
When do you know if you're chosen?
Done and done, training starts today.
I don't know if anyone who can't handle the simple truth that other human beings will have a differing opinion should be welcomed back into the fold. I mean, that's a sign of mental issues.None of this is that serious to catch feelings over.
And lets stop the ridicule of other system owners. This is a PS site so it should always remain PRO Playstation but it doesnt need to be ANTI everything else. So someone who may like all systems may be a bit turned off by the negativity. Same with ridicule of people who enjoy CoD. This place could be a haven for peace and PS centric at the same time. That needs to start at the top, the mainstay members of the community.. .
Last edited by n/a on 9/28/2014 11:46:40 PM
People get in bad moods, break up with their girlfriends, lose jobs, come here or elsewhere to bash on some things. Life happens and feelings happen, but I hope this is a place where we can let stuff go and shake hands again. And then make jokes about other systems 😉
^This.
Dumb.
Over the years, I've posted numerous articles supporting other systems and condemning PlayStation systems. Of course, then people just complain that I'm promoting other consoles on a PlayStation website.
But I learned long ago that I can't win, and people will forever have SRD (Selective Reading Disease).
I thought it. Elected to say nothing. (until this post)
I love you guys.
I don't comment much anymore, but I still visit daily. It is my go to place, even if you guys aren't always up to the minute in breaking news. The community is great.
Its an RPG heavy community. I feel right at home even if I too, don't comment that much.
PS:LOL at World and LV's occassional comedic exchanges.
Word! Best of luck to you on your tutoring venture!
Thank you 🙂
yeah well i stumbly upon PSXE back in 2011 i think and came back on and off but when i was here i found it interesting to see what every one thought and who have similiar ideas and differening ones and see multiple different pespective cos i think that helps you to form a better opinion at times.
but yeah i made an account bk at the mid to end of 2013 and have now enjoyed th means to offer my voice to the community here and maybe add some insight and also thinkhing that i might possiby be the only New Zealander on this forum i know there is an aussie and a south african aswell so i have some buddies down under.
but um yeah i didn't read as much news as regularly during what u would call summer and me it was winter and now spring. just because i had alot going on with tests and trying to get a whole lot of work done on my final year engineering project so i can get my electrical engineering degree. if any one was wondering where i was cos i leave a comment on something here every other day even if its late my(NZ) time or early ur(US) time.
but like i said i enjoy reading the comments and see a wide variety of opinions and views and get me to think a little more but i love the dicussion it the social part of gaming and its part of why i love my hobby cos u talk and discuss things with like minded people and when i say like minded with the context of gaming.
i guess the only thing i would like here is some more direct or indirect replies cos some times i feel as though i'm simply speak my mind into the wind as there is no references in any other comments to anything i say most of the time. but anywho that is all have a gud week and i see you all in the comments section below
oh and if you didn't know or catch the comment ahile back i made a new account cos i lost my old one my old account was "PlatformerGamerNZ"
and this is my new one
and i give my best wishes on getting into the tutoring you doing some real good out there
happy gaming
Last edited by Rachet_JC_FTW on 9/29/2014 4:28:12 AM
I think we have another New Zealander around here somewhere.
Trust me, as someone who has put tons of work into an article that gets like TWO responses, I know it feels like you are talking to the wind. BUT there are tons of readers who don't sign up and response (I'm inviting them to come do so here) but I think every post matters because the many many members who don't comment still read them. I try to do my best to keep responding to folks but Ben and I need a thriving community to keep it rollin! Your posts help, don't stop.
Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 9/29/2014 7:02:17 AM
I dig the posts from this guy. 🙂
thats for the replys guys and its nice to know some one aprreciates my comments as i like most of you guys comments as well so nice to know and thanks for being understanding and will keep commenting as often as i can on what ever interest me. theres usually a fwe things eery day so that why i say i comment every other day.
thanks again keep making PSXE awsome guys
and one other thing i always strive to be sincere with eveything i say here so i you know i am fourth right and trust worthy
happy gaming
Last edited by Rachet_JC_FTW on 9/30/2014 7:28:04 PM
I'm still here World. Getting closer to 60yrs of age though. Dang bunch of whippersnappers lol
Life has very much gotten in the way for me this year, but I'm still here, and still reading on a near-constant basis, even if I'm not always commenting. I haven't yet found another gaming site that manages to foster quite the same level of community as this one, where it feels as though the members genuinely care for each other most of the time, regardless of differing opinions, which is why this has been, and will continue to be my go-to spot when it comes to chatting about games (and occasionally other life stuff).
It's a great place to be, is PSXE. 🙂
The best community. Simple as that.
I still visit daily even if I don't comment often. I have definitely learned a lot from you guys and I'm sure I will continue to learn.
Last edited by Masszt3r on 9/29/2014 8:28:12 AM
I've been around since forever… I was, also, a member of the xboxxtreme.com site, that was the name?
I must say that I miss some of Arnold's reviews. Hope he's doing ok
As years go by more real life problems and less internet life, but I visit this site daily and try to comment as often as possible.
Honest reviews, great opinions and a very nice community.
World, congrats on your new endevour.
While I really respect Ben as a reviewer – in my book he's one of the very best reviewers out there – I also think he is one of the worst community managers I've ever seen. His temper pulls him clear off his hinges and the bad vibes he creates while on one of his unrestricted rages typically supersedes the eventual bad vibes coming from the original poster by a very good margin.
Simply put: It'd be better if he just sustained from commenting on those posts.
Cause even though few dares comment on it – after all he's got the ban hammer and is the admin – the amount of thumbs down he receives while on his rampages really should give him a clear clue years ago about what the community really feel about his behaviour.
So, to round up with a constructive suggestion: Let David do the community work, and let Ben focus on the reviews and articles. That's a wise share of responsibilities.
Last edited by Beamboom on 9/29/2014 4:45:27 PM
Hi Beamboom!
Ben does fly off the handle sometimes if provoked enough, I'd have to agree. He does provide great reviews though.
I concur. Good idea beamboom.
I think I came around the same time World did, I used to be an active member, but slowed down due to a lot of the early heavy hitters left due to said arguments with Ben. I'm beginning to work my way back around though, just not enough articles that I feel are engaging enough to warrant my input.
I think as this generation progresses, things will revert back to how things used to be.
Second that.
I'm mostly on Ben's side as far as his opinions are, but the way he goes off when they are challenged gives me the creeps…
Also concur on that, well put.
Having been on the receiving end of Ben's OTT Rage, I have to agree with Beamboom. I've been following this site for several years, and have sadly seen the loss of some brilliant contributors in the comments sections. Heck, I've even commented less frequently than I wished to in recent times.
## Bring back the Highlander !
Last edited by Dukemz_UK on 9/29/2014 5:26:45 PM
Ben can also be very reasonable, I've seen him reconcile with even the vilest of characters.
Highlander left because he didn't like the direction PS4 was going in.
Got news for everyone:
There wouldn't be a community without me. There wasn't one when I came on. And in 8 years, the number of people banned from this site is ten times lower than any other site of comparable size. EVERYONE here gets away with FAR more than they'd get away with ANYWHERE ELSE.
Nobody has ever been banned or reprimanded for posting an opinion contrary to mine. That's bullshit. It has never happened; not once. There have been thousands of posts from people who don't agree with me and I've not had a problem with a single one. I have a problem with blatant disrespect and that's it. Those who voice their opinions respectfully to me and to others here have never – repeat: Never – been attacked by anyone. And if they have, I've kicked the attackers out.
There has been no loss of "brilliant contributors." There has been a loss of idiots who cause constant problems, and yeah, that's the job of a community manager. Highlander did not leave because of me; he left because of members here and he'll be the first to tell you that.
MOST posts here exhibit an opinion contrary to mine, in reviews, editorials, etc. If I just banned everyone who didn't agree with me, there wouldn't be a community. There'd be nothing here. This article wouldn't have received the posts it has. Care to point to another site that has LESS general hostility on a day-to-day basis over the years? Less community bullcrap from immature dopes? Know why they're not here? Because I don't let them in.
That's how this works.
OR… better idea…
How about people get a freaking back bone so that when someone tells them their idea is bad, they don't feel like staff here or regulars here need to treat them with some entitled idea of customer service.
So yeah, sometimes that comes across as being an ass, full of myself, etc. whatever… I don't really care. When it comes down to it, I am a bit full of myself/confident, whatever.
What makes that ok for me is that I don't care if someone does the same to me. It's not going to make me cry and run to some shitty comment section on another site full of names I don't know or care about. Because even if I don't agree with people all the time, or in some cases, not even very often, other sites don't have contributers like World, LV, Xenris, Temjin, Lawless, Bemboom, Cloudou, and a few others I wish I could say off the top of my head I wish I wasn't forgetting right now. :p
All of those people I just listed have disagreed with me sometimes (or for some, a lot of the time ;p ) but at least they back it up with substance… and at least they don't talk in circles. And even better, I don't have to tip toe around them and worry they might leave.
And yeah… I fully admit, I enjoy conflict and I enjoy calling out guys who ignore the facts. And my opinion is sort of… if you can't handle someone on the internet telling you what they think, no matter how aggressive it may sound, you probably shouldn't be putting yourself through the abuse that comes with commenting on the internet.
Problem is, there's just no use in discussing this with you Ben, cause you never ever admit mistakes. It appears you may not even see them when you make them.
This is not about banning asshats at all. This is about how you behave in the comments field. Usually you make matters so much worse when entering a discussion, and that is per definition bad handling.
Like when you made fun of that black guy and how he wrote a while back, "yo". "Immature" doesn't even begin to describe it. It was so embarrassing to watch I just had to close my browser. That was *horrible* behaviour.
Or that other guy who were such a huge fan of Destiny, and wanted to defend that title with all he got. Sure, he was intense, but you just made matters so much worse and escalated, not mitigated, that entire debate.
That right there is *bad* community work. And this is just from the last few weeks. There are tons of examples like that over the years, it happens on a regular basis, as you surely *must* be aware of too.
A different example would be from last winter, when you constantly were on my back about those stupid internet polls in regards to the next consoles. And when I finally bothered to come up with the links that showed you were wrong you just turned silent and went on. Not a single "sorry", not even the tiniest apology.
But here's the point: What if I indeed *did* take those polls literal back then? What if I as a community member did do a mistake in the midst of all the enthusiasm surrounding the insane polls? Why should you as a community manager be SO hell-bent on telling the community member he were wrong? What's the point? What's to gain?
It's this behaviour that wears out the audience, regardless of who is your victim. It's just so demotivating to witness.
We are *not* here because of how you handle the community. We are here because of the excellent reviews and articles, and the other members of the community. Even those who you despise.
But again, you will of course deny all this with the brash attitude that is the staple of your way of communicating in a discussion.
But if I may suggest one thing, it's this: Don't reply to my post here now. Instead, have a cup of coffee, sit back and just think about what I as an long-time member now tells you. I could have just shut up and browse on like I usually do, but now I come forward with this message to you.
There are not many who tells you this upfront – but I can promise you that what I express here are widespread thoughts amongst the community, it shows each time via the thumbs and is backed by the stats – the activity level of the community is sinking and we all see it.
Last edited by Beamboom on 9/30/2014 6:50:48 AM
I, for one, would have less fun if people didn't get hot under the collar. 😀
Beamboom: That's exactly it, right there. The last part: Telling me what to do, how to do it, and why I'm always wrong.
You don't know everything that you think you know. I admit I'm wrong about a dozen times a month. Sometimes several times a day. I admit it clearly when I make a mistake in any comment string where someone brings it to may attention. There's no chance you missed them; if you did, it means you never read the comments.
Do you know how the memory works? We only remember what we deem to be significant or outstanding in some way. You don't remember the thousands of posts made by this community (and me) that were completely benign and friendly in nature. You remember the ten that weren't. Then, your brain fools you into thinking that the only posts that exist from me are of a certain nature. Would you like to see the ten thousand some-odd posts of mine, all in a row? Do you know what percentage are angry? I'd say about 0.001 percent, if we do the math.
You draw your own conclusions and then just make out that you're right. I was insulting the overuse of "yo" in a post because it's stupid. It has nothing to do with race. And by the way, as I said there, he insulted me and flamed like mad, in a manner that would've earned him an instant ban from any other community. I did nothing at all to start that. Know what I said to the person who wouldn't shut up about Destiny? One line: We get it, you can be quiet now. That's because it was just a constant broken record, and it was unnecessary to keep posting the same comments.
That's all it was. I said be quiet. Nothing more. That is within my rights, is it not? If people want to flip out and act all self-righteous in return, no, I'm not going to be insulted lying down.
You do the research you want to do to prove yourself right, Beamboom. Most people here do the same thing. I admit I'm wrong CONSTANTLY. You just gloss over them because they don't register in your brain. It's not your fault; like I said, it's how the memory works. Those who respect me and everyone else here have never been ill-treated. Not ever. Not once. That is not subject to debate.
I came back to you with links to prove you were wrong about the poll issue. YOU were the one who ignored it and immediately resorted to the same, "it doesn't matter what I say" argument. I have the quotes; I'm looking at them in the back end right now. You said what you said and it can't be misinterpreted. You were wrong. You didn't admit it. Just out of curiosity, when's the last time you admitted you were wrong? Did you know I can probably post up several hundred links to comments where I admit I'm wrong, but I can't seem to find one where you do the same…?
And by the way, the idea that people continue to be active in a community just because they like the content is dead flat wrong. Some of the biggest sites in the world, with the best content in the world, barely have any commenters, and that's because they don't really have an active community. Communities that talk to each other on a daily basis do so because they like to be active as such, and it's not spurred on by content. It's spurred on by the members; the content GETS them there, but they have to go beyond just reading.
These are things you need to understand.
AW Underdog you mentioned me as a contributor!!! I'm honored that I am known as a regular here by people like you and World and Temjin.
Its true we all agree and disagree on different things but I think you guys are all level headed people and would be incredibly easy to hang with in real life and just shoot the shiz.
While I have had my bouts with Ben I don't hate the guy and this site is one that I really enjoy visiting and he is responsible for keeping it up. Without it I wouldn't be able to talk with all you interesting people about games.
I'm not going to argue about it, but I know my ban wasn't 100% because of flaming. I remember exactly what we were talking about.
Anyway there are some times when people in the comments are poking at Ben and he reacts and I think thats fine they were a dick first. But there are some times when he goes off on someone and I have no idea where it comes from, they might not even be directing the comment towards him.
TL:DR I love you all, and enjoy our conversations.
"Do you know how the memory works? We only remember what we deem to be significant or outstanding in some way. You don't remember the thousands of posts made by this community (and me) that were completely benign and friendly in nature. You remember the ten that weren't. Then, your brain fools you into thinking that the only posts that exist from me are of a certain nature. Would you like to see the ten thousand some-odd posts of mine, all in a row? Do you know what percentage are angry? I'd say about 0.001 percent, if we do the math."
Ben, you're doing exactly that right now.
And for the record, you didn't tell Akuma to "be quiet", you told him to shut up.
"We get it. You like the game. Your opinions don't change the facts, and certainly don't change my opinions.
Just shut up and let it go."
-Ben
And I agree with Beamboom here 100%. Part of the reason I stop commenting here is because of Beambooms points. You're the administrator Ben, we expect highly from you. I would prefer if you communicated with the community, but you need to change your tone because you escalate things instead of diffusing them. You also claimed Beam told you what to do, he didn't, he merely suggested.
Here's an example of you escalating it. This is what you said to someone, the "yo" guy.
"PS3_Wizard: That's just fine, "yo." Learn to write a complete sentence with correct grammar one day."
-Ben
How could you possibly say anything like that? Not everyone is born in USA and had a masters in English literature. We all come from different backgrounds such as myself. English isn't my native language. We all make mistakes including you. Like when you typed this, "What does Metal Gear Solid V: Guns of the Patriots have to do with the upcoming horror adventure Silent Hills?". It's not GOTP.
Last edited by Killa Tequilla on 9/30/2014 2:26:54 PM
I don't want to get too involved in this discussion, but I just want to say that getting upset over the difference between "be quiet" and "shut up" is sort of what I was talking about in my post (although it was in regards to what I say, not Ben).
Also, not to pick sides, because I have thoughts on both sides of this argument, but I do distinctly remember Ben admitting the GOTP error… So fair warning… that sort of supports Ben's selectiveness argument. I also recall the "yo" guy as being a bit of a jerk, which I don't mind, but you gotta be ok with taking abuse if you wanna dish it out. :p Again… sort of the point I wanted to make in my post.
Also, the fact you guys completely disregard World's comment in this thread tells me you don't truly respect his point of view.
Let's just all calm down.
Long time since I posted. Solid community though!
I do enjoy reading the VERY different points of view this community has though. Gives it plenty of personality.
@Ben
Maybe you could host another round of picking a few more community members to become contributors? Looms like the only one who really stuck around was david. It would help to flesh things out a bit. Just a suggestion.
EDIT: accidentally replied to this post, too lazy to delete it…HA!
Last edited by PS3_Wizard on 9/29/2014 10:33:36 AM
I love and share psxe reviews and articles with all of my friends. Usually get my daily fix through RSS.
Posting anything useful (or anything at all) comes down to lack of free time and the complexity of the login process (yes, I'm nitpicking, but figured I'd share my experience anyway).
1. 404 after login. Why?!
2. No fbook or g+ login?
3. Login session does not save / persist – guessing cookie issue.
4. (optional) Comment fields should be expanded with optional markup and other basic features.
I would absolutely add more comments if the top 3 were taken care of as I base a lot of my gaming purchases on this site's reviews!
First of all congrats World for the new endeavor, very noble and in my opining very necessary in this day and age…
This is the only place I ever care enough to comment, and the community is the main reason why I keep coming back.
Life has gotten in the way lately, went back to school for a Computer Engineering degree, got married, opened my own business and will be a Dad in December, life sometimes rushes at you all at once doesn't it? 🙂
World was right when he told Rachet_JC_FTW that many people read but don't signup to comment, I did that for a very long time until I decide to pitch in. I have not commented much lately, but I do read it every single day, no exception 🙂
So keep on reading, posting, disagreeing, informing, misinforming and fanboying… I wouldn't have it any other way.
thank you Karosso, I'm meeting lots of good people.
As a parent to be and a student I thank you in advance for your efforts!
It galls me to no end how some of my professors have no interest in really teaching, pushing the student to do better.
You will also have to deal with hands off parenting. Many parents these days feel that education is all on the teachers, they don't want to put in the effort and blame the system when their kids fail.
For me education has always been a two front effort, the few hours in school alone are not enough to get good results.
I refuse to wash my ACII case. Love.
hahaha
I remember enjoying reading Highlander's post when he use be somewhat active here. Anybody here know what's up? Something to do with a game developer that he adored or something? Heard some complaints before but don't remember all that well.