I actually appreciate that the podcast does address the systems wars issue. It’s probably what I’ll remember most from this launch period.
I suppose some level of trolling is par for the course for console launches. The problem with this launch is that there is a cultish air about even the most trivial subjects. The most common, run-of-the-mill comments are attacked and vilified. You have to wade through so much vitriol just to get basic information. There's no joy in the whole thing.
I have the feeling of being stalked by these NeoAspergers guys. And I rarely post on any forums. For journalists or anyone else who deals with this stuff every day, it has to be unbearable. They seem to go on internet patrol to challenge each and every positive comment on Xbox One. Whether it’s Kinect or “snapping” or the number of “P’s” or color of the box or even the moral character of Microsoft employees, they seem compelled to accuse and harass. I'm not even sure how "snapping" works but I've been assured by people who won't buy an Xbox that it doesn't work AND it sucks. They’ve deified anyone with any connection to Sony. The PS4 power supply is portrayed as a "clear advantage" and people are willing to fight in its defense. It’s comical but creepy as hell. I have never seen anything like it.
I ran into the problem myself on NeoGaf. I was a member since probably 2005-6. I rarely posted there (maybe 3-4 times a year) since the people there tend to be…dysfunctional. I typically went there around E3 or when there was a big announcement since they would have current information.
But this year I just made a simple comment that I was “more interested” in Microsoft’s launch lineup. I'm not even sure why I said it since no one could possibly care what I think. You would think I had committed heresy. I had seen some other posters attacked for seemingly harmless comments, but I thought that there may have been some ongoing grudges or rivalries between individuals. But within minutes there were dozens of attacks on me. I was a shill, an "astroturfer," a mole Microsoft marketer. The moderator agreed with them based on my infrequent posting history and the implausibility of my opinion. So I was “banned.” Like my 3-4 yearly posts threatened the fabric of the internet. Then they had a mini celebration for “detective GAF” outing my true identity. It was like walking into a circle-jerk and feeling like I was the weird one for not participating.
I’m a middle-aged man. I work at a bank. My true identity is pretty damn boring. I’ve never had the remotest connection to Microsoft or any employees, affiliates or anything else. Yet somehow, I’m part of the problem and need to be silenced.
It truly is a singular experience to have man-children attempt to bully me over a videogame console.
