I'll start things off.

This is old shit, but if you remember when Gamergate was at its height, a lot of them complained about "walking simulators," games like Gone Home, Dear Esther, etc. with very little in the way of typical gameplay mechanics like challenges that have to be overcome through skill or failure states. Gamergate dipshits seized on a white-hot, psychopathic hatred of these games, spinning the lack of skill required into bizarre conspiracy theories about game journalists promoting these as a plot by non-gamers to pave the way for the infiltration of gaming by "anti-gamers." Also because a lot of these games are about minorities, who of course GG assholes considered by default to not be "real gamers."

The thing is, I don't like walking simulators either. I've only played a few, but the only one I even kind of enjoyed was The Beginner's Guide (and even then, I don't think I would've missed out on much if I'd watched a longplay instead). The medium is the message, as the old saying goes, and the ability to engage through interaction with the mechanics is what sets games apart from other media. Walking simulators (and visual novels, but that's a different gripe) don't take advantage of this in a way that gets me invested. To me, a walking simulator feels like the equivalent of a movie that consists solely of a guy sitting in a chair and reading a story out loud.

The difference between me and a GG dipshit, of course, is that my dislike of the genre doesn't hinge on ridiculous conspiracy theories or hatred of minorities, and also that rather than wage some crusade to kick walking sims out of the gaming club, I just don't play them. In any case, though, the association is strong enough that it's something I tend to avoid bringing up.

  • Tankiedesantski [he/him]
    ·
    2 years ago

    Atomization and commodification of relationships under capitalism has resulted in some serious deformations to how most people date and find love, but talking about it is a minefield of being accused of being an incel more often than not.

    • sgtlion [any]
      ·
      2 years ago

      As much as I am favour of therapy for anyone who finds any use from it whatsoever, this is a criticism I often level at therapy and then I get told off for it. I don't think I could find any solace in talking to a person who is there for the paycheck, possibly solely by necessity.

    • FidelCashflow [he/him]
      ·
      edit-2
      2 years ago

      If we actually did fully atomize and commodfy things it might be better.

      Plenty of chuds and incells would chill out if they could do some Japanese style activities I think.

      • SuperNovaCouchGuy2 [any]
        ·
        2 years ago

        "humanity has done X behaviour that is inherent to our fundamentally fallen lizard moral nature since cavemen days"

        Source: :brainworms:

      • UlyssesT [he/him]
        ·
        2 years ago

        Dying of diseases caused by drinking the same water that one bathes and poops in is also natural.

        So is dying from ectopic pregnancies.

        For real, appeal to naturalism is pure ideology. :zizek:

    • alexandra_kollontai [she/her]
      ·
      2 years ago

      Could you elaborate on this and name some specifics, please? I'm interested to hear your thoughts.