Why is "videogame" a bad word?

[Tinker Gnome]

Well, I have noticed that it seems there is a certain amount of apprehension towards people who like video games in this forums. Now tell me, what exactly is it that is bad about people who play videogames? I myself play them a lot less than I sued to, but I still do. And what type of video game do you all refer too?

EDITL THis is in this forum, because it seems that people think that those who play videogames are those who are bad and pen and paper RPGs.

 

[Rodrigo Istalindir]

I don't think there is any disparagement of those who like video games. I think it's more the 'video game mindset' that describes people who treat RPGs as if all they are about is the latest powerup, etc.

 

[Crothian]

THere is nothing wrong with video games....where did you see this used negatively?

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

I don't think there is any disparagement of those who like video games. I think it's more the 'video game mindset' that describes people who treat RPGs as if all they are about is the latest powerup, etc.

Exactly. The problem with that mindset, though, is that's what D&D(and RPG in general, to an extent) is. Power up. Getting stronger after killing things.

Part of it is likely a product of the gaming community getting older and looking back at the 'good old days'. Sometimes its nice to try and ignore how basic D&D is at its core.

 

[shilsen]

THere is nothing wrong with video games....where did you see this used negatively?

I've noticed disparaging comments about campaigns which are "videogamey" on the forums too. Not a lot, but enough to be noticeable. I regard it as another easy term to use when someone is essentially saying "you don't play the way I do, so you're playing it wrong" and doesn't want to be explicit about it (presumably since it's a really silly thing to say).

 

[Tonguez]

Yes like Galeros and Shilsen I too have seen Video game disparagement on these boards. The basic premise is that Video games have:
a) linear story lines
b) very little 'real' social interaction (FMV sequences and Weapon shops don't count)
c) are Driven by 'power-ups' (be they skill points, levels or bonus powers)

They are the DnD dungeon crawl in glorious technicolour and obviously (at least to those doyens who profess such notions) promote Rollplaying rather than Roleplaying

Personally I love my Video Games

 

[der_kluge]

Yes, the word here is used to describe a campaign style, which IMHO runs counter to the philosophy of the game being a "role-playing" game. Any game where the basic premise involves gather more and more powerful items, and slaying more and more powerful creatures with only a passing regard to actualy NPC interaction is "video-gamey".

See also: Diablo, and Diablo II.

 

[ThoughtBubble]

Allright, real quick now:

There's a tendancy for some of the bad things that happen with my players to be Videogamey in description. This is where:
1. They want a large storyline with lots of character interaction, dialog, and events that work around their characters without having to do any of it.
2. All events should lead to the furthering of the abovementioned plot. A murder can be investigated by walking from house to house in town, randomly talking to people until the murderer is either implicated, or attacks. Likewize, if they players are looking for a map, and an NPC needs help findnig his little brother, finding the little brother will invariably need to lead to finding the map.
3. "A Button Syndrome" Like the action button, walking up to something and 'using' it will produce the correct results. Also, anything tha can be used must be important.
4. References to "Fetch quests" or comparisons to videogames they've played before. "I got this quet once in everquest."

That's where videogameyness can seem bad. And actually, if I followed those guidelines knowingly, it'd make for a pretty decent game (for this group).

Not that I have any problems with videogames. Just beat KOTOR yesterday.

 

[Captain Howdy]

I myself play them a lot less than I sued to, but I still do.

A lot less than you sued to? Well, how much time for videogames did they award you in the settlement?

And to stay on topic, I haven't noticed any real anti-videogamer sentiments on this board. Could you maybe point out where you saw it?

 

[Psion]

I have a decent bicycle.

If someone compared my car's performance to a bicycle, though, that would be pretty disparaging.