Sad Day in N4G (Part 1: PS3)

I know a lot of people here notice this already, but there is a huge and worsening problem in this community. Some people recently, including myself, have started to point it out. I know some of you (read: none of you) are wondering what this problem could be. Could it be looming invasion from IGN forums? Could it be positive (insert rival console name) news? NAY! It's fanboys.

Fanboys, fangirls, fanants, fanPeopleNamedDave. We've all seen them, they are the gaming equivalent of a big stinky tird (fact). Recently a lot of people are noticing and pointing out the sheer number of PS3 fanboys in threads that have little to no relevance to them. More times than not it's pointed out that both sides do it equally, but is that really true? Are there really as many trolls on both sides of the fence?

Lets actually take a look at how many different users troll each thread, and which side they support. I'm going to take a quick look at the three top "Hot Stories" from Xbox 360, PS3, and Industry news. I'll put links at the bottom, so you can see for yourself, how the numbers really add up.  Of those articles, I'll read the first 25 comments.

First, PS3 section. First article, "Spore Could Be A PS3 Exclusive". First post deleted toughName troll (way to make me look bad dick), on the plus side, he got 25 replies, so I don't have to actually count. Before moving on, note this is the PS3 section so there will be more PS3 positive comments. In the replies, six were direct responses (mostly attacks) at him, four were defending his comment as being sarcastic, around seven were insightful or not tilted in either way (special mention for sonarus, Action Bastard, and Ice Prophecy).

Next article, "Sony about to revolutionise online". First little bit is a decent spread of 'I'm really excited for home and here's why..." comments (good) and "HOME>GOD" comments (bad). TheMart makes a comment about waiting to try home before saying things like this. Quazi troll. It's a troll point of view, but it's actually a logical and sensible thing to do. If you look at the anticipation a lot of people put behind Lair and Haze (even if they didn't believe it) before they were launched, it's definately not a bad idea to be at least a little bit cynical. If you look at everything through the eyes of a cynic before launch, you really won't be disappointed. Not to defend trolling, just defending being cynical until proven wrong. Mart was immediately followed by three personal attacks (note: he wasn't proven wrong in these three comments, just attacked). Closing and Jamenees actually make counterpoints to Mart's position, so I'm assuming of the people that replied to him these two actually have at least a small idea of how debating works. BROWNIEPOINTS TO THEM!

Third Article, "Top 10: Essential Leipzig PS3 announcements". Holy butts, who would have thought that people actually discuss like people should somewhere on N4G. No trolling in the majority of the whole first page. Good discussion all around to be perfectly honest.

So, in the top three articles in the PS3 section we have two real trolls; in an effort to balance a little more, I'll throw in a Power of Green, because I know he does it too. There were a few flames back at them (to be expected since it is the PS3 section, and the original comments only arguably should have been there in the first place.

So ends part 1 of this little experiment. Stay tuned for Part 2.

links:
Top 10: Essential Leipzig...
Sony About to revolutionise online (not to be a stickler, but can people spellcheck at least titles?)
Spore Could Be A PS3 Exclusive