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- NeoGaffe? Why Denis Dyack's Newest Crusade Bears Serious Consideration
- Posted 3 months ago by Quackerdrill
Like many things do in the gaming world, it all started with a post in popular gaming forum NeoGAF.
Denis Dyack, one of the lead designers of action title Too Human for developer Silicon Knights and Microsoft Game Studios, presented an ultimatum to the site's visitors: To claim if they are "for" or "against" Too Human. This is not the first time that Denis has put his name out in front of the industry and not even the first time using his current project Too Human; Mr. Dyack had previously attacked gaming magazine Electronic Gaming Monthly for a lack of integrity regarding game previews. To clean up the mess that resulted in said forum thread following his gutsy move, Denis appeared on www.1up.com's weekly podcast 1up Yours on July 3rd. In this (highly informative and surprisingly in-depth) discussion about internet communities, the lack of emotional context in said communities, and how this affects the industry (and even society) as a whole, he comes to a striking conclusion that forums such as the omnipresent NeoGAF are lacking in ethics and responsibility to society. (For context and a well-described explanation for his thoughts, I direct you to listen to the podcast here.)
I have to admit that this is the first time I found myself consistently agreeing with Dyack’s points. I had previously held contrary opinions to the subjects he brought up, such as the idea of non-critical previews and a one-console future. As for his take on community, I became struck by his concept of the Internet’s fundamental lack of reciprocity, or reactions to an event that help maintain a set of social norms. Dyack explains that the anonymity of forums and the lack of strong repercussions for libel and personal attacks lead to an atmosphere that he refers to as “the playground scenario without the playground rules and regulations.” If any of you are familiar with NeoGAF, this tends to be a true statement; though recent regulations have been drawn out to prohibit such personal attacks, Dyack argues (rightfully so) that the same rights have not been given to him.
As the members of the forum will tell you, GAF has been like this forever. It is widely known that the site is a place where there cannot be a winner; intelligent and thoughtful posts are often torn down in seconds, obliterated by animated gifs and defaming pictures. Dyack argues that this kind of mentality will someday be the ultimate end to NeoGAF’s existence. Whether or not he is right, the statement does bring into question just how healthy a community built on cynicism is for our industry. Do they need to “reform” like Dyack suggests? Should the media and developers alike even pay attention to these forums? Can any communication on the Internet rise above its lack of reciprocity?
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Comments
This happens everywhere on the internet. It's foolish for Dyack to begin this feud he can't win, especially with this remark (copied from one of the links):
"I went through all of this for two reasons.... If you're going to look at the NeoGAF forum as a non-profit organization, if it does not reform itself, it's eventually going to crumble. There's going to be a point where they step over the line where someone's going to shut them down. That would be a loss for everyone.... The question I have to ask the moderators of GAF: Are you going to follow your own rules? With people making GIFs of myself that are, I would say, attacking me.... Why haven't 180 people been banned now? If I wanted to move in and shut that place down, do I have grounds under their own forum policy?"
I can't take Dyack seriously. Sounds like he spends far too much time on the internet. Perhaps that's why Too Human is so late.
This is a very interesting post, and can evoke opinions from more than just gamers.
I have found that the majority of online forums and communities thrive because of their members' ability to denounce any topic. The current trend of forum users all across the internet is to just deride new topics and discussions until no one can remember what it is they are poking fun at.
This seems pretty ironic, considering a forum is supposed to be a place of discussion, somewhere to share varied or common opinions on a topic.
I'm definitely agreeing with Dyack, when he refers to forums as "the playground scenario without the playground rules and regulations." I have never been to NeoGAF. But I have used plenty of other forums before. I find that "online communities," (Gamervision excluded, of course,) are, for the most part, an oxymoron.
In the end, his "attack on internet culture" is, in my humble opinion, completely warranted, and somewhat refreshing.
Nice article.
Interesting post. I'll have to listen to the podcast though before I comment any further on this.