@ejamer/BnM
These last two responses were worded especially respectfully and civil (not that they weren't before, just giving credit where it is due). Please keep in mind that I appreciate that as I go on to explain why we are still not on the same page conceptually...
... when things aren't going well are bound to vent and complain a little bit. That's part of life.
It sure is, never said it wasn't... I have no idea why I have to keep defending that very central part of my message.
Because he spent a moderate amount of Club Nintendo points (which are a limited resource and far from free to collect) on a reward, picked something that was newly added, and then found out that the quality was very disappointing and his points wasted.
So he bought the games for the Club Nintendo points not the entertainment? Do games with CN points cost extra? We can buy 1st party games at a lower price if they don't have CN points? He didn't do his research before making an online purchase?
Really, the article doesn't come across as disappointed. It comes across as angry. It's fine to be disappointed in anything, but if he's got anyone to be mad at? It should be himself.
Why are news stories and forum responses largely negative lately? Because they are direct reactions to what Nintendo has done in 2011. I'm as long-time Nintendo fan, but really don't have anything to show for 2011 so far outside of: an expensive imported Wii RPG that required I install homebrew to play; a 3DS console that has minor scratches on the top screen due to poor design, a handful of emulated NES titles to play, and most likely an updated version coming out next year with significant upgrades; and hope that 2012 will be a better year for Nintendo fans.
I guess that's why 2010 was full of positive stories about having all kinds of 1st and 3rd party content being released? I guess that's why 2007-09 looked at breaking sales records as an outright success instead of some kind of casual dismissal and sure indication that Nintendo would be doomed this time next year.
Hint:
http://gamrconnect.vgchartz.com/thread.php?id=109863@BnM
"Drama breeds ratings" is, pardon my french, a bullsh*t excuse. Are we here to discuss common interests or are we here to make sure NWR's advertisers are happy? Let's try to make the goal of news outlets attracting viewers by being a source for valuable information and education. Not because of "dependence theory" (the comm. theory you describe in which people will rely on/visit the media during times of uncertainty/distress).
Let's try to have a community were people want to share ideas because they can benefit each other. Not just because they have a friggin' axe to grind!!
No, you're not actively chasing people away. But the fervor with which people leap to the defense of negativity as if it is some kind of censorship issue? It safe-guards a behavior which does the task for you. As gamers, WE control the culture. You can't say that about all walks of life. It makes no sense that we should protect negativity at all costs, but be afraid of positivity for some irrational fear of appearing to "sell out" or "be a fanboy" or lose some kind of street cred.
Again, as I mentioned before the "people care and want to help" rationale is also bunk. If you wanna help? Go join Operation Rainfall and spread the word. Don't spew negativity about how "it's never gonna work. NoA is too stupid." Go do some research and highlight the Club Nintendo reward that you ARE happy with. That way others can enjoy it to. Telling us NOT to buy this one item leaves us open to the dozen or so other possible mistakes, doesn't it?
In other words, if people really cared, they should do something about the problem. Dragging a storm-cloud to every community you visit does nothing. It's not constructive, it's counter-productive at best and destructive at worst.
"But NinSage, you arrogant hypocrite, you're just sitting on a forum complaining (about complainers). That's why you got the custom title you currently bear. You are no better than that which you condemn."
Au contraire. Not the website linked in my signature. I've run it for almost 3 years now. Go read the Mission Statement and you'll see what we're about. Unfortunately, though I feel I have a good handle on the media (abd PhD) and game culture (dissertation in hardcore game definition), I know next to nothing about effective website promotion. So, we limp along, we have a small (less than 10) group of dedicated gamers who are awesome. But it's hardly been enough to improve game culture as we'd like.
I'd like to live in a world where Kotaku writes at least one story about Monster Hunter Tri. Not because it's on the Wii, but because it is a quality game that many people enjoyed. I'd like to see a media where Morgan Webb doesn't see Mario Galaxy is "too kiddy" in the same segment she calls Ratchet and Clank more mature and compliments it's "burp gun."
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Still waiting on Insano, or anyone, to link me to those multiple websites where people enjoy playing games more than complaining about them.[/quote][/quote]