That which must not be spoken...

[Wolf Kanno]

So we've had some interesting debates over the years and lord knows gaming has had more than a few controversies over the years. My question to you, the good folks of EoFF, is what do you consider to be the most controversial opinion in gaming?

[Sephex]

Fez is a cool game and Phil Fish just handled publicity poorly.

[Fynn]

I think one of the most controversial discussions around video games essentially boil down to the story.

There's two basic camps. One thinks stories are important, the other compares video games to porn (this will be important later), where they expect there to be a story, but it shouldn't distract from the main attraction.

And then things get messy.

If we get a story, it should be simple, some would say. Anything more complex than an action flick is often deemed too convoluted to be enjoyable. Others want that kind of story with various twists and turns to keep your mind occuppied. The former camp will often tell the latter to watch a movie.

And then there's the subject matter. Are video games a valid art form that can serve as a social commentary, or is that too PC, pandering to SJWs who just want to ruin every bit of indulgence that they have left.


So the bottom line Im getting is that, probably the most controversial statement I can think of is that video games have become (or certain people want them to become) porn, in a more and less direct manner. On the one hand we have all the T&A being highlighted nowadays, more than ever before, while males get downright covered up, but there's also the other aspect. It's a self-indulgent fantasy that's supposed to bring you nothing more than escapism for straight boys (despite other genders in sexualities being just as involved in the medium).And so you get angry when people try to analyze it and certain online feminists point out how sexist it is :monster:

So yeah. Video games are porn.

[Forsaken Lover]

The gameplay can sometimes completely hinder a game's quality and ruin its story. Some games would be better off without gameplay.

[Crop]

Aeris vs Aerith.

[Pike]

The "Do video games cause people to become more violent" shtick has been going on since at least the mid 80s

[krissy]

x or o as confirm button

[Forsaken Lover]

So which is your favorite Mass Effect 3 ending?

[Rez09]

I am beginning to infer the most controversial opinion in gaming is that creators should be allowed to create what they want.

[Freya]

Most controversial opinion in gaming? Women are seen as objects in video games and female gamers don't like this.

You get several reactions here.

Women are seen as objects:
Position 1: Women aren't seen as objects, we just like boobs. Nothing wrong with boobs.
Position 2: So? Women are there to look pretty, they aren't part of the plot, what does it matter.
Position 3: yeah.. boobs.
Position 4: Yes, they are always dressed up and there to look pretty and that's wrong.
Position 5: What's the point of scantily clad women? It doesn't even make sense with everything else, she wouldn't go into battle wearing that.
Position 6: I just want more objectification for all genders.
Position 7: It's horrible, and sexist, and games need to be completely changed.
Position dabldjajsdasd: there's so many opinions on this it's crazy.


Female Gamers:

Position 1: Girls don't play video games.
Position 2: Yeah but cellphone games aren't real games.
Position 3: Yeah, we ladies do exist in the gaming world.
Position 4: Yah and we female gamers are better than guys.
Position 5: Women should not compete with men. There's no contest.
Position 6: I'm not a "female gamer" i'm just a gamer.
Position gdjkahdskja: many more positions here too


Female Gamers don't like this:
Position 1: Girls are ruining game. SJW scum!
Position 2: We ladies should have an opinion on gaming, we do participate.
Position 3: Women are just trying to take over gaming. They just play farmville, leave gaming alone.
Position 4: Men are supporting the patriarchy with gaming and it needs to change.
Position blah blah: so many angles to this too.



Etc etc. Now That's the most controversial gaming opinion of our time.

[Rez09]

It is certainly a place a lot of discussion resides.

[Pumpkin]

What Freya said

[Del Murder]

Yeah the real answer is the female representation in games. As for this site, FFVI vs. FFVII has gotten a lot of debate.

[Fynn]

And according to another thread (and all of Reddit and tumblr), LGBT issues in games as well.

Also, are video games art?

[Pike]

WAIT I THOUGHT OF ANOTHER ONE:

Inverted or non-inverted Y-axis?

(this always starts a gigantic war)

[Karifean]

Adult content in Japanese games, and whether or not it undermines a game's story or artistic value. Always a fun can of worms to open up especially in the VN community.

[Vyk]

WAIT I THOUGHT OF ANOTHER ONE:

Inverted or non-inverted Y-axis?

(this always starts a gigantic war)

My girlfriend and I are split on this lol it doesn't start a war and neither of us try to persuade the other that our way is better. It just makes it so we can't hand off the controller in most games :(

[Wolf Kanno]

Here's one for you: Was the Square-Enix merger a good thing or not for the franchises?

[Mr. Carnelian]

Here's one for you: Was the Square-Enix merger a good thing or not for the franchises?

Oooh, good one! Although, I get the feeling that most people on this site think that Final Fantasy went down the drain straight after the merger. Which isn't an opinion I share, actually. From my experience (which, admittedly, is limited) the games actually got BETTER after the merger. How's THAT for controversial?

Like people have said, representation in games is often a controversial topic of discussion. It's amazing how many gamers seem to have surprisingly backwards views when it comes to women both within games and within the gaming community.

[Formalhaut]

WAIT I THOUGHT OF ANOTHER ONE:

Inverted or non-inverted Y-axis?

(this always starts a gigantic war)

My girlfriend and I are split on this lol it doesn't start a war and neither of us try to persuade the other that our way is better. It just makes it so we can't hand off the controller in most games :(

Honestly, it depends on the game. I set it at the beginning of the game based on how it feels. If it gets changed, it takes a long time to adjust. Honestly, the sensitivity gets me more than the axis.