Fanboyism In Journalism
by Matt Jenkins
I normally don’t have a problem when ‘Professional’ sites do comparisons between consoles, as most are well written, factual, and informative. However, after recently reading Gamepro’s Feature: PS3 vs. Xbox 360 ports: The cold, hard truth, I’m not quite sure what the goal was, other than incite Fanboys by providing anything but the ‘Cold, Hard Truth’.
First off, I’ll state that I do my very best to stay neutral when it comes to providing information. Sure, I have my own personal preferences, but they do not interfere with providing information to the general public. I have owned pretty much every gaming system from Atari 2600 to Xbox 360. I do not currently own/play a PS3 or Wii, but I will give them proper respect and will likely buy both when I’m ready. I did the same thing with the last generation. The Xbox had more games that were my style (which was almost like a continuation of the Dreamcast), so I got that first. As time went on, I picked up a PS2 and GC because there were certain experiences that they offered which couldn’t be found on the Xbox. The same was true for the previous generation. I love gaming and that’s why I do what I do. I point out strengths and weaknesses in reviews and, to the best of my ability, do not let my personal preferences cloud judgment.
For the most part, when professional websites/magazines compare games between consoles, they list factual information, generally not something that is opinion or personal preference. So, when I read Gamepro’s article, I was genuinely interested in reading what they came up with. The feature compared Assassin’s Creed, Burnout: Paradise, Call of Duty 4, and Devil May Cry 4. As I was reading each comparison, I could see a theme; the article wasn’t really about a comparison, it was about how the PS3’s ports are rapidly becoming better than the Xbox 360’s counterparts. The quote “..we’re aiming to settle the contest over which console has the advantage in multi-platform releases moving forward.” would lead one to believe that you’re going to get some solid comparisons.
As a disclaimer - I am not trying to point out one version being better than another, rather I’m attempting to show how weak arguments do nothing to move the gaming industry forward and certainly don’t help consumers with their decisions.
Assassin’s Creed - “The Xbox 360 excels with first-person shooters, but third-person action games…not so much. As such, the Sixaxis is better suited for free running about the ancient domains of Assassin’s Creed.”
Are you kidding me? This is purely opinion, with no evidence as to how/why the Sixaxis is better.
“For example, free running is done by holding down R1 on PlayStation 3, whereas you need to pull on the right trigger when playing on an Xbox 360. Using R1 feels better than having to depress the trigger-it’s an easy kill for the PlayStation 3.”
Again, are you kidding me. Another opinion. Anyone could argue the same point for the 360 version, so this weak shit has no place being published.
The article goes on to compare graphics, load times, and online integration, which seem to be accurate aside from the inclusion of the Wii version’s online feature set to be more complete (isn’t it an article about PS3 vs. Xbox 360?).
Burnout: Paradise – This comparison was actually the most factual and, as a result, I can’t see much to point out aside from:
“The Xbox 360 controller’s triggers feel better for acceleration than the L2/R2 buttons on a Sixaxis, but really, it’s a subjective point.”
Unlike the control comparison for Assassin’s Creed, this time the author feels the need to add in the “but really, it’s a subjective point”, perhaps because there’s a slight edge to the 360 version?
Call of Duty 4 – Another comparison that, like Burnout, was pretty factual. However, the comments about their online features is a bit confusing.
“…you simply cannot deny that Call of Duty 4’s online functionality works better on PlayStation 3. Stable, dedicated servers are preferable to peer-to-peer networking any day of the week.”
According to our editor-in-chief (who plays the game like a mad-man online), there are no stability issues with CoD4 on the 360 and anyone who played the game regularly knows that a patch was released a little while back to address any problems with hosts dropping games. It’s debatable about which type of server is ‘better’, so that’s not completely objectionable.
Devil May Cry 4 – Now we go back to opinions again, with quotes like:
“Even though it lacks the vibration of an Xbox 360 controller, there’s no question the Sixaxis is better for playing Devil May Cry 4.”
And:
“The face buttons are simply easier to use for combos and the shoulder buttons, particularly R1, are superior for targeting over the right bumper on Xbox 360. In terms of responsiveness, both versions fare just fine but there’s no doubt that the Sixaxis enables better control of the action.”
How is the Sixaxis better, really? I would say it’s basically the same, so it will boil down to preference. It’s obvious that there’s some personal bias here, which is fine when you are chatting with friends; not ok when providing information to the general public.
Surprisingly, the author decided the one time install on PS3 DMC4 (with half the loading time otherwise) was inferior to the 360, so that was strange. “Absolutely no contest here: the Xbox 360 crosses the finish line before PlayStation 3 can even load it up.” That seems like an opinion too, as some people may not mind that one time install if it means half the loading times throughout the rest of the game.
The last part of the comparison, and the reason for selecting the PS3 version as superior, is confusing:
“Devil May Cry 4 controls better on PlayStation 3, but is less of a hassle on Xbox 360. The Xbox 360 controller just can’t match the feel of a Sixaxis when hacking up demons. When it comes down to it, controls trump loading times–especially in a fast-paced action game like Devil May Cry 4.”
So the controls are better on PS3 but less of a hassle on Xbox? What does that mean? Well it doesn’t matter because the conclusion doesn’t make sense either.
In the final conclusion, many faulty statements are made:
“While we can’t definitively name one console as having better multi-platform releases across the board, there’s a clear winner among these four games: PlayStation 3 beats the Xbox 360 handily.”
Uhhh..how does either console beat the other ‘handily’ here? The differences, at least the ones that aren’t pure opinion, are slight, at best. Quit trying to lure in readers with such terms that hold no weight. Then, it goes further with a ‘definitive’ statement, which is based on the weak comparisons:
“Judging by what we’ve seen with these recent games, you may be better off picking up PlayStation 3 versions of high-profile multi-platform games for the time being.”
So with almost negligible differences between the consoles, readers are supposed to now choose every high-profile multi-platform game? Wow…that’s quite a bold claim. If there were many, solid facts that obviously point to one console being much better at handling these ports, I could understand a statement like that. As it is, this straw-man fallacy that is Gamepro’s ‘feature’ just blows away with the wind.
Ultimately, all this does is give out a false impression to readers and, to the fanboys out there, it gives them more fuel for their weak fires. If you take a look at the comments to the Gamepro article, you’ll see exactly what I mean – a bunch of weak-minded idiots trying to justify their purchase by bashing the other side over the littlest things. It’s pointless and it’s only hurting what really matters: Appreciation of what you have. Anyone with a clear and open mind can see that this generation is one that has winners for all, no matter if you own one console or all three. By nitpicking slight differences in an attempt to promote a superior console, professionals are setting us back in time, not moving us forward. Sure, if there are notable differences, please point them out. If not, don’t try to find ways to make your apparent favorite console look better. I will conclude with a twist on that Gamepro feature’s final sentence, which was, “For now though, just enjoy fragging terrorists, crashing cars, and slicing demons in half on your PlayStation 3.” For now though, just enjoy fragging terrorists, crashing cars, and slicing demons in half, regardless of where you do so. That’s what this industry is all about, right?
Stumble it!
View all posts by Matt Jenkins
Perhaps one of the best and insightful article I’ve read in quite a long while. Good job on this one =)
Hi Matt:
I can respect what you wrote in your post, but if I may humbly suggest this: do try to buy and experience the PS3 and Wii. It not only will provide you with new insight, but will also strengthen your arguments, since people will not be able to make the claim that you “dont’ know what you’re talking about”.
Honestly, I almost stopped reading your post when you said “I didn’t get a PS2 until after I got my XBox”, and that “I still dont own a PS3 or Wii”.
Thankfully, though, I carried on. But I hope you see my point here. =D
I have stumbled upon the gamepro article before i came here ( i belive i read it yeaterday) It has fanboy written all over it.
The biggest mistake (lie) in there was something you might want to change in your blog as well.
COD 4 is P2P has no dedicated servers on PSN as does burnout.
Infact the only games on PSN with dedicated servers are:
resistance
warhawk
and partialy dedicated /partialy P2P is UtIII
and most games comong out for the PS3 will be P2P.
Orakga,
As I alluded to in my post, I intend to purchase both a PS3 and Wii when the time is right for me. I’m not sure why you would stop reading after what I said about getting a PS2 after the Xbox. At the time, more games that interested me were on the XBox, so PS2 came later, not because I hated it, but because I just had no time for yet another console. The point I was making is that I give all systems a chance eventually, and while I have my own preferences, I ultimately want to experience games on all platforms. Unfortunately, sometimes time and money dictate where and when I can play games. It’s not necessary to experience something to know the difference between fact and opinion, which is where the Gamepro article blurred those lines greatly. I appreciate your sentiment and am glad you kept reading!
rave, the Gamepro article definitely didn’t fact check about the servers and, at the time of posting, I decided to leave a general comment between dedicated vs. peer-to-peer. Our Sony rep (as well as Microsoft rep) stated that some games are peer-to-peer and others are dedicated, which is up to the developer. Thanks for providing that information!
Hello Matt
As you might notice I m new here at your blog, and basically this article was the reason I’ve registered.
I believe I can extrapolate what Orakga tried to say. in order for someone to be well rounded and objective in his opinion or published material eg. you and this article you really have to have some kind of extended knowledge and experience eg. on all three current gen systems. At least that’s what well rounded opinion means to me…
Based on what you say by not having the ps3 and the Wii you basically lack some important assets and you basically put yourself on the same position as the game-pro journalist. Dont get me wrong I m not bashing you or your article instead I respect what you tried to do here and I con-grad you. I might go as far as saying that Game-pro is known as 360-pro site…Eg. one of their latest articles was 6 things the 360 does better…hmm ok…its been more than 2 weeks now where’s 6 things the ps3 and the wii do better? no-were to be found…A lot more can be said about game-pro which I will not get into.
As regards game-pros article I cannot agree either due to the lack of factual information, as you said the article was diluted with opinions. I think all four are up to 99% the same for the exception of Assassins creed were performance was superior on the 360 an issue which got partially addressed with the patch Ubisoft released. Also calling the ps3 port of DMC4 a runner up due to the one time install is abolutly bullshit pordon me. I would give up 20 mins initial ONE TIME ONLY instalation time for those 1 second loding times anytime!!!
The real cold truth up until now at least is that the 360 ports are somewhat better, those who deny it simply haven’t seen or played the same game on both plats…As for the controllers it will always come down to personal preference. The only undeniable thing to say when it comes to controllers is that Wii games will definitely feel better on the Wii if they ever get ported to other consoles and thats about it really. There’s a rumor going around that the 360’s controller is better for FPS…I cannot agree with that. Why? Because it is only so because when a developer makes a FPS these days one other cold truth here is that they have the 360 in mind, naturally the controls will be optimised for that console. If you played resistance and UT3 you will realise that FPS on the ps3 are equally good to the 360 when it comes to the controls. Nevertheless I am confident that ps3 ports will be identical from now to the 360. (no i wouldn’t bet on it :). The only major differences I expect is huge payouts from the companies to realise extra content on their console GTAIV anyone?
I own all three current gen consoles plus the xbox and the ps2. I own 16 games on the ps3 and 20 on the 360 (just bought a Wii I only got 3 games). To tell you the truth 2007 was 360s time and it was believe me from forza 2 to halo to biosho to mass eff I was literally lost for months. This time around its time to turn on the ps3’s and leave them on for the whole year!(cold truth NO.3 not something I would risk doing with my 360 with all due respect here!!) the 360 has some solid triple A’s coming out (cant wait for Too human and GOW2) but the sheer quantity and variety of the 2008 line up is unrivaled this time around…(MGS4,KZ2, RFOM2, LIttle big planet, Home and god knows what else, if you need more that is…)
Anyway I hope you will see beyond those 4 lines from my 2nd paragraph and understand my true intentions here. Good article though, I hope we had more of them these days some people need them…
Matt and I chatted at length about that comment last night. It didn’t make sense to me either that people would discount what Matt had to say based on the fact that he doesn’t own all 3 of the new consoles. I would have agreed with the comment if Matt was bashing the PS3 and Wii, but this article was posted to point out the fallacies in Gamepro’s article. He doesn’t have a PS3 but was able to point out that you can’t state the PS3 controller is better as a fact, only as an opinion. Plus, if you’ve used a PS2 Dualshock controller, I mean let’s be real, you’ve used a Sixxaxis. Aside from the motion controls and lack of rumble, it’s the same thing.
At least Orakga gave him the benefit of the doubt. You should see some of the comments on N4g. Fanboys just crack me up. I don’t understand how any can consider themselves a gamer and NOT want all 3 systems. Matt is one of the biggest gamers I know. He’s got everything from Japan that was cool, and tons of other classic shit like the Jaguar. How many fanboys can claim they’ve owned a Jaguar?
Anyways, that’s my two cents.
Thanks for registering. I hope we can entertain you.
I believe your article was well reasoned…. but I must question the logic behind the timing.
The majority of your article plays upon the other author’s opinions of the controlers (ps3,360). Saying there is no subjectivity behind these conclusions…..
May I ask then, why do you write an article about “Fanboyism In Journalism” now?
These same controller arguments have been used over the last year with the (majority) concluding that the 360 controller is better. The most common logic given for this conclusion is that the 360’s controller weighs more therefore feels “less cheap”.
to a simular argument about the “feel” of the R1 of ps3 vs trigger of 360 in which the ps3 was favored you said….
“Again, are you kidding me. Another opinion. Anyone could argue the same point for the 360 version, so this weak shit has no place being published.”
and yet it has been “being published” for about a year now. The only difference the conclusion being that the 360’s controller was not favored for every game in the other authors article (360’s controller was favored for 2 of the 4).
So I will ask you one final question, “how are you any better than this obvious ps3 “fanboy”, when you only claim to see “fanboyism” when it doesnt favor the 360?”
No you are not a “Fanboy” Mr. Matt Jenkins you are worse……….. a hypocrite!
The reason for calling the article “Fanboyism in Journalism” is because that was the case for GamePro’s article. Re-read GamePro’s article if you will.
Each systems controller is suitable, if not perfect, for that system. The core design of the Wii is simple, thus the controller has to be the same way. The PS3’s controller has gone through changes, but still keeps the basic button patterns we have had since the PS1. Same goes for the XBOX 360 too. What it really comes down to, is a matter of opinion, since there isn’t a fundamental law that the gaming industry goes by when it comes to creating controllers, or even work ethics for that matter.
“how are you any better than this obvious ps3 “fanboy”, when you only claim to see “fanboyism” when it doesnt favor the 360?”
He isn’t trying to be any better, and if you can provide truth for that, then show me.
This whole debate of PS3 vs 360 is getting dull and becoming more of which hand would you prefer to wank with. Both systems have faults, but do we blame the system itself? No, and nor should we take the creators at fault here either. All three parties have made mistakes, and should/will act accordingly to correct them. We have all been through this for so fucking long, ever since Sega went against Nintendo.
I am not arguing the fact of whether the gampro article was biased or not…… (it is obviously biased)
I am arguing that the author of this article, Mr Matt Jenkins, is also biased….. for the reason that he only publishing an article about “Fanboyism In Journalism” now after a pro-ps3 article…. when over the last year a large number of pro-360 articles have been guilty of simular bias (I give the controller example)
@ Drakol
as to “He isn’t trying to be any better, and if you can provide truth for that, then show me.”
”
what was the purpose of this article if not to place moral implications upon the author of the gamepro article
Mr Matt Jenkins even says, “Ultimately, all this does is give out a false impression to readers and, to the fanboys out there, it gives them more fuel for their weak fires.”
by making these implications Mr Matt Jenkins is further implying that it is against his beliefs to give a “false impression to readers” by showing favoritism to one system or the other (which he calls “fanboyism”).
Therefore it was quite clearly implied that he is “better”
Finally, as further clarification for calling Mr. Matt Jenkins a hypocrite……
definition of hypocrite
1 : a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion
2 : a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings
Mr. Matt Jenkins meets both definitions because even though criticizing the author of the gamepro article for bias and favoritism torwards a video game system….
He did the same thing by only mentioning the pro-ps3 article and neglecting to mention the numerous pro-360 articles (not even considering previous generations “fanboyism”)
oh as an amendment to my first post i said
“The majority of your article plays upon the other author’s opinions of the controlers (ps3,360). Saying there is no subjectivity behind these conclusions…..”
I meant to say, “….there is no objectivity behind these conclusions…..”
my apologies for any confusion
So you’re calling him bias JUST because you felt that his article didn’t give balance to both PS3 and 360, but instead defaced the PS3 to all Hell. Did you not read the disclaimer on purpose? Don’t you dare think I’m defending him just because he’s a fellow editor. No, I am defending his article because what I see isn’t bias, but instead a point of view from someone who is honest, and not a industry professional who gets paid for kissing ass about how great a game is. So when I create an article about how IGN is bias against PS3 due to the storage in HDD, you’re gonna jump on my gun too?
And to call him a hyocrite on top of that? Come on now, where’s the love? Where’s the factual information to say that Matt Jenkins was a 360 humping hippy during this whole article and felt the hard-on urge to write up a anti-ps3 article? Aaaaand, what the Hell is this?
“by making these implications Mr Matt Jenkins is further implying that it is against his beliefs to give a “false impression to readers” by showing favoritism to one system or the other (which he calls “fanboyism”).
Therefore it was quite clearly implied that he is “better””
Wait now. Are you saying that, because of his article to balance out the issue between both systems and bringing up the fact that this GamePro author should have said something makes Matt jenkins a “better person”?
“I am not arguing the fact of whether the gampro article was biased or not…… (it is obviously biased)”
So you do agree. Great =D
“when over the last year a large number of pro-360 articles have been guilty of simular bias (I give the controller example)”
I do agree with you on that part, but how many of those have you actually sat down and read? What were those points or arguements that those Anti-PS3 articles had that held its own? I’m not asking you to go back and finding those articles. But if you’re telling me, and I know for a fact that there are a lot of them, articles on how the PS3 doesn’t match up to the 360… It won’t matter because those are just bias opinions from someone who has a chip on their shoulder about that other company. Hell, I can poop out of my ass anti-360 articles, even though I got one, but still have a mind of my own to enjoy and be respectful to my fellow man’s opinion. There really isn’t a “Cold, Hard Truth”, except for the fact that life’s a bitch and there’s fanboys. But hey, what do I know, eh? It’s just my opinion
I can answer the “Why now?” question. Matt and I were discussing the Gamepro article at length. He made some good points about the issue and I told him to make it an article and post it. My job here as the Editor In Chief is to nurture the direction of the editorial content. Yeah, fanboyism in journalism isn’t something new, but Gamepro’s article was so off base that I saw it as an opportunity to write about fanboyism in journalism. It’s a great discussion piece and now we have an article on it. So that’s why it was written “now”.
Hey guys,
I just wanted to say that I really appreciated this article, it’s nice to see that there are still some level headed people who don’t necessarily subscribe to ‘Console Wars (TM)’. I’ve been a gamer for a long, long time and maybe it’s just me, but it seems as though this generation has created more hotheads not only among the fans, but also the enthusiast press as well (or perhaps the expansion of the internet has just given the vitriolic fanboys a more prominent voice?). It takes ‘gusto’ to call out instances of non-professionalism (as you’ve pointed out, it sets you up for fanboys flaming yourselves!). More articles such as these please!