I sympathize with the modern games critic. There are many of them out there doing great, thoughtful work. They’ve got things to say. And the broad response from gamers, at best, is “we don’t care.” Or at worst, “shut the fuck up.” Of course there are people who like their work, but my feeling is that is a tiny niche.

https://twitter.com/yacobg42/status/1684236237316534278

Games can be thematically meaningless, politically abhorrent, fundamentally not cohere as a story, and yet fans who have conflated their own sense of self-worth with the product they like will break their own spine to defend it.

Anyway, my question is, are they at fault? Not with the things they say, but their tack. Their approach to talking about games as a whole.

I view games largely as a functional art. I recognize I may be on an extreme end of this spectrum, but for me, the systems are the juice, the aesthetics are the rind. My assumption is that the same is true for developers. The conversations they are having with each other are not ones of theme, but of genre. Not of political systems, but mechanical ones.

Of course, there is value in pointing out developers’ deficiencies in this regard. They make all kinds of assumptions about life and politics as they fill their world with bad guys and goals. Why does Mario collect the coins? But the answer to most of these observations, for the game, is “it doesn’t matter”.

But of course, it matters to the critic! But therein lies the dilemma: the game is a jumping off point for conversation, rather than the target. Because gamers don’t care, and developers don’t care. If the themes and politics of games are reflections of the culture they’re created in, then the ultimate target of “thoughtful critique” is at culture itself. Which is why it doesn’t land with the target audience. They are enthusiasts; they don’t want to read about why they shouldn’t enjoy something, gamers just want to have fun.

What do you think? Do you think there are flaws in the approaches of some games critics? Do you think the conversations we have about games are flawed? Do you approach the narrative of games with a critical eye? Do you think you should? I could keep asking more questions, but I think you get it. This isn’t super well thought out, so I welcome “you’re wrong, dummy!”

  • the post of tom joad
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    1 year ago

    I may be in the minority, but i like game (and generally) reviews for their own sake. Sometimes i can even appreciate the media even better with their insight.

    Sometimes, (like with EVE online) I just like reading about a game i won’t play. Sometimes, (like with dark souls) I’m inspired to push past my limits to try to find the game they found so wonderful)

    I used to love reading rock paper shotgun for John walkers pissy, aggressive work. Even if i disagreed with him, i liked the way he opined.

    Even a bad review is a joy in itself. When a bad game or movie comes out i get excited to read what clever turn of phrase the critics are gonna use to put it down.