Gamers Are Better United Than Divided

N4G is ripe with hatred. There, I said it, my opinion is out there and I'm sure many will deny that. It's whatever. For every Nintendo article there tends to be more than enough people splooging the same tired rhetoric over and over, whether the points are valid or not. In every Xbox One or PS4 article you have the usual users butting heads constantly at each other, quite often over remedial issues like resolutions and framerates (at least until the Wii U is put into the picture).

The basic point is, us gamers argue a lot on the internet. And as I've observed (and participated) it's not often very intelligent or productive. However, user DragonKnight posted a blog some time ago talking about something that made me think; the truth is even though we often disagree, there's a very good chance we would have a very pleasant conversation on the matter if we were talking face to face rather than through text. Check out this blog, I think you will like it as much as I did. http://n4g.com/user/blogpos...

It's moments like these that gamers are not always the angry and apprehensive basement-dwelling shmucks that most people stereotype us as; we are very capable of objective thought as well as subjective understanding. YOU might love the Sony brand while I love the Nintendo brand and chances are, here on N4G, we would butt heads, but in person we would probably be as cool as ice cream about it. It's an interesting conundrum that actually leaves me feeling a little sad that the internet does not provide the same sort of clarity in discussion.

Furthermore, a united online gamer body is far more effective at company improvement than division. Take Microsoft's Xbox One; not long after E3 was over and done with, Microsoft was suffering a major conundrum, what with fans and opponents alike criticizing its then confirmed "always online" features and bar on used games. Because so many of us UNITED in a common interest, whether we were Xbox fans or otherwise, our voice was eventually made loud and clear, both online and in the mainstream, that Xbox One's restrictions were not going to be tolerated.

While the intention may not have been the same from person to person, we came together in such a way that Microsoft HAD to hear the common word. They had no choice but to make the Xbox One BETTER and more consumer friendly. That was US. WE did that. And because of it, those interested in buying an Xbox One will now be buying a better product.

Wii U's Super Mario 3D World may yet undergo such a transformation if the planets align just right. Months prior to the recent trailers, I had actually spoken to friends and advocated that fans speak out and tell Nintendo that they desired online multiplayer for the upcoming platformer. Unfortunately, it never picked up steam (though I noticed people on Miiverse talking about it for a time). Unfortunately, not every Nintendo fan supported the movement (I will reserve the details for a later blog). However, YouTube user Shokio has recently put out a video calling out Nintendo apologists and making exceptionally excellent points in favor of online multiplayer and rightfully criticizing Nintendo on the issue, bringing many fans up to speed and hopefully warranting a movement of fans demanding this standard feature. Now look at it from my point of view; I can't wait to play the game because, online or not, it's probably really fun to play. However without online I cannot enjoy this game with my friends who are far away. Now if those of you who are as unhappy about it as I am also spoke out, MAYBE Nintendo would understand and give us what we wanted, a la Xenoblade Chronicles localization. But this is just a wishful dream on my part. In the end it's up to those of you reading this blog.

As for Sony, well... they are doing a lot better than the early days of the PS3. So kudos.

If we could focus on that aspect of the matter as well as mutual respect, these online discussions would probably feel a lot like a shlong length comparison contest and more like an actual discussion and debate on entertainment devices. That way, even though we don't agree, we can all go home happy and wind up buying better products and being all the happier for it. Bottom line is this: in my opinion, we are stronger united than we are when we are divided. Competition is fine, don't get me wrong, it helps immensely depending on the companies and rivalries, a common group creating a louder voice always has a greater chance of being heard. Food for thought.

So those are my thoughts on the matter. What are yours?