9) Single System Devotee
You read it right: you're on here too, you fanboy. The Devotee can be easily spotted in the wild; he's the one standing in his console section praising his system's games while screaming across the store that everythingthat exists on the other console is crap and everyone who owns it is either retarded, an imbecileor a crackhead. These guys are the most hardcore of hardcore fans, and tend to be completely illogical in their devotion. If you don't agree, they immeditately decide you're biased. And if you happen to be a games journalist, they add that you're on the take from the competion.
How could showing your love be so bad? After all, we don't all have enough money to purchase and enjoy every system, why not love the one you're with, right?
Not exactly. Loving what you have is all good, buthatingthy neighbor'sfix- or opinion - can kill gaming. Here is the issue: it makes all gamers look like immature jackasses who can't be trusted to make the right decisions for themselves. Which encourages busibodied lawmakers and parents to interfere and "save us from ourselves". Mainstream observerstend to operate based upon a completely incorrect, yet long-standing sterotype that gamingis for children - and acting like a pouty six year-old doesn'tdo much to foster respect for and trust in our industry.
Above: Fanboys are in a constant battle. Too bad it's not as much fun as a fight between Mario and Master Chief would be
The other harmful effect of fanboys'inability to appreciate all things not on their system is slightly masochistic. The Xbox Devotee believes that Halo is only the greatest shooter ever and cannot be topped, except maybe by Gears of War. The Playstation Devotee will convince you that there is no better RPG series than Final Fantasy. While these narrow-minded menare correct thatthese are all great games, they're missing something: objectivity, maturity, and wisdom.So they end up denying both themselves and those who listen to their biased opinionssome great gameplay experiences.
How do we fight them?
It's tough, because it has to happen from within. If you just read this and understood, you're fine. If you got indignant and called us names, you're part of the problem.It's simple really. Enjoy your system, love it even, at least as much as a person can love a machine; but be smart enough to realize that there are other great games and systems out there.
