Another Trip into the “Mainstream Gamers” Debate

Are mainstream gamers actually gamers? Five simple words that have ignited debate from the moment that gaming evolved from two white sticks throwing a ball between each other to a multi-billion dollar industry with its own rapidly-changing, always-evolving subculture. Elitism is my absolute biggest pet peeve, so I have no problem pointing out the fact that just about all of us started as mainstream gamers and need to get off our high horses. Hate leads to suffering and all that, so let’s treat the younglings with some sympathy.

Weren’t we all “mainstream gamers” at one point or another? Did we all start our journey through the hallowed halls of gamedom by modding our systems to play super-niche import games that were probably too out there for even the mega-jaded Japanese crowd? Did we all start out with an intricate knowledge of gaming’s history? When you played Mario for the first time, did you fully appreciate how it championed video games back into the mainstream and almost single-handedly saved this industry that we all know and love? Or did you just think it was a really fun game with cool music and lots of stuff to do?

If so, what right do we really have to look down on guys that pick Halo 3 just because they mindlessly gun each other down, while you yourself are playing that super-niche import? Isn’t that all just a bit too “git off mah lawn”? Let’s not forget for a moment that “mainstream gamers” can make or break a video game. A common argument against this fact is that it is damning to “cult hit” titles: pushing an otherwise fantastic game into obscurity because it isn’t “mainstream enough” to garner a huge following, thus ruining any chance for a sequel despite a large “cult following.” I actually agree with this: sometimes lack of support by “mainstream gamers” can damn an otherwise impressive franchise.

But the reverse is also true. Mainstream gamers can save a fantastic franchise. Take the pivotal Grand Theft Auto series. GTA has been and will continue to be regarded as one of the most important series in video game history. Now, ask yourself: without legions of fans wanting to use the game for nothing more than to kill hookers and run over pimps, could GTA have survived being the biggest lightning-rod of controversy since Mortal Kombat? Without millions upon millions of “mainstream gamers” practically tearing up store shelves to get their copy of the latest GTA, could the series have survived being, most likely, the most controversial video game series ever?

I think not, my friends. So cut the crap and cut the younglings some slack. Embrace your fellow gamer in unity, pop a cap or two in their asses if you feel like it, but get off your high horse and go cold turkey your Haterade addiction. I’ll leave with a quote from a good e-friend of mine who made the following comments in regards to the “mainstream vs. hardcore” argument in the Mixed Martial Arts industry.
While the quote has been edited slightly, I find it strangely, yet perfectly, fitting the “mainstream vs. hardcore” video game argument as well.

“There’s nothing more snobbish and ignorant than ‘dedicated’ fans looking down on ‘mainstream’ fans. I’m sure when these hardcore fans played their very first game; they instantly knew everything about the industry and never said anything ignorant ever again, right? Mainstream fans are no less intelligent or worthy than hardcore fans. They just started later. That’s it. Only difference.”