Stop using these words to discusss video games

I'm talking about the GB crew and you folks out there. It devalues any argument you are attempting to make for a video game and makes you sound like a twat.

• Hardcore
• Casual
• Dudebro
• gamer
• mario-like
• zelda-like
• God of war-like
• COD-like
• anything-like
• It has the map from skyrim, the action of fable, the look of WOW
• action is like Ninja Gaiden, the look is bayanetta but not as linear
• It is the X from this game, the Y from another game
• It is a blank-ass blank game

Discuss

as soon as the giant bomb staffers stop

@Dany: Some of those are actually valid ways to describe a game. You sound like a twat.

They do need to stop, its annoying.

@Galiant: Which ones?

They need to stop using words. They should just grunt, because Dany told them so.

I hat the term hardcore and casual when refering to gamers. I don't have a problem with the others though. deacribing a game as god of war like is a very quick and easy way to describe a game to someone who has never seen it and allows them to deside if they want to know more.

But who are we to tell people how they can and can't talk.

@GuyIncognito: Exactly, thanks.

@Dany said:

• anything-like
• It is the X from this game, the Y from another game

Depending on which games you're talking about, these are still valid.

Dudebro "Chuckle"

YOU'RE ANNOYING.

Why didn't you just say that stop comparing video games to other video games?

How would you describe rougelikes? 

This is stupid.

Why should we stop comparing games t one another if they are very similar?

@Dany said:

• Dudebro

Discuss

I agree, the negative attitude towards "dudebros" is annoying.

Ok Mr.Lexicon, give me a description of Darksiders or how the multiplayer works in the newest first person shooter. People are not using these words just to piss you off or show a lack of vocabulary. Comparing games using terms like "Mario-Like" is a great way to communicate with the audience and give them a better understanding of what a game entails.

I don't see nothing wrong with any of these words. I mean "hardcore" and "casual" are easy ways to identify two different crowds. I don't there is a exclusively "casual" game, or a exclusively "hardcore" game, but they're still valid words to use in a discussion, why not?
And wtf is wrong with gamer? I mean, seriously? Why does it devalues any argument?
And there's nothing wrong comparing one game to another. It's a quick and effective way to describe a game for someone who hasn't seen much about it... Critics do this all the time and not only with videogames.

@Dany: Add the word gamer to the list and you might have something there. However, games don't exist in a vacuum and comparing games to other games is a quick and easy way to describe some of the basic functions of the game.

These are easy identifiers to describe the general tone, style or mechanics of a game. I don't really see the problem.

EDIT: I suppose the first four items (hardcore, casual, dudebro, gamer) are valid things to complain about. The others are all descriptive terms for how games are designed, and useful in a casual discussion (OH MAN SEE WHAT I DID THERE).

I don't really get angry when people use these terms, its just a clear way to describe something i don't really see the issue other than some people find it annoying, however you could provide good Alternatives better than they're counter-parts that to encourage this, what else would you think is suitable and instantly recognisable when said.

I hate it when people go like "It's a Zelda-ass Zelda game" when talking about Zelda or something. Congrats, you've realized that all Zelda games are functionally the same, now how about you stop trying to be cute and actually talk about the game.

Everything else is fine.

Hey, why do we even call them games? Let's call them interactive electron transport mechanisms dependent on pre-programmed algorithms. Oh right, that thing called convenience exists. What a shame.

Gamer is a valid way to describe yourself. That being said I love games but do not consider myself a gamer as I feel that "gamer" carries with it a whole cultural implication. Kinda like how someone can theoretically enjoy skateboarding without being a "skater" with all that implies. Doesn't mean there aren't skaters and gamers though.

All are ok if they're used to make a thoughtful point.

Try analyzing the ideas conveyed versus fixating on the language, would be my advice...but heh, I'm old and obviously out of touch.

You forgot "epic".

I'll do you one better. Stop using words to describe video games.

Rogue-like.

You know for instance how people say" this food taste like chicken"?

People use these words as a frame of reference on what the game on hand is like. It's normal, convenient and it's not going to go away.

@Onno10 said:

How would you describe rougelikes?

Actually, roguelike is a pretty horrible way to describe a type of game; especially with games like Binding of Isaac, Dungeons of Dredmor and Spelunky being released recently. I suppose Procedural Dungeon Crawler would probably be better...

People compare the mechanics of one game to another as a reference point. You may be familiar with how X plays, so instead of describing it from scratch every time, here's a comparison. It's plenty effective with so many games borrowing from others.

That doesn't excuse "dudebro."

"Zelda-like" usually confuses me. 
Darksiders was never like this :(

"Genres in games are broken" The terms we use to define games are totally out dated and in need of revision. You say its wrong to call something "God of War Like" but how else can you describe a game like that? Action Adventure? That could mean almost anything at this point. If we had some useful Genre definitions then our shorthand for game descriptions would be a little bit less contrived.

@BeachThunder said:

@Onno10 said:

How would you describe rougelikes?

Actually, roguelike is a pretty horrible way to describe a type of game; especially with games like Binding of Isaac, Dungeons of Dredmor and Spelunky being released recently. I suppose Procedural Dungeon Crawler would probably be better...

But that is not the part that makes it rougelike. Diablo and countless other games have procedurally generated dungeons. I think roguelike relates more to the death mechanics.

Stop using "discuss" to end posts

@imsh_pl: I'd rather epic start to mean something again. It used to be a powerful word until the internet got a hold of it.

@Bigandtasty said:

Stop using "discuss" to end posts

Also that.

@Hunter5024 said:

"Genres in games are broken" The terms we use to define games are totally out dated and in need of revision. You say its wrong to call something "God of War Like" but how else can you describe a game like that? Action Adventure? That could mean almost anything at this point. If we had some useful Genre definitions then our shorthand for game descriptions would be a little bit less contrived.

But on topic this. Describing games as being like other games is totally valid. Not only is it true that games have similarities and borrows systems(shocking, right?), but it's the easiest way to describe something. Rather than tell you all about Dante's Inferno in a long winded explanation of it's mechanics, it's easier and pretty damn accurate to just say "It's like God of War but not good".

I have a list of words that you should stop using to discuss anything:
 
- All of them.

Most of the time it comes off as a lazy way to describe a game and creates a false impression of what the game entails

I do agree with the casual and hardcore terms. They are usually used by people who don't know what they are talking about.

@Bigandtasty said:

Stop using "discuss" to end posts

Also, this.

@Napalm said:

@Bigandtasty said:

Stop using "discuss" to end posts

Also, this.

Definitely this.

@Napalm said:

@Bigandtasty said:

Stop using "discuss" to end posts

Also, this.

Definitely this.

I think the intent behind this thread is to call out a few, specific examples of words or phrases that have been beaten into the ground. There's nothing wrong with expanding your vocabulary. I know Arthur Gies does this every year where he looks at the words he's used as a crutch and tried to minimize their use in future pieces.

But hey, constructive criticism is still unholy hellish criticism, right?

The etymology of game reviews & critique is often base or uninformative. Giant Bomb continues this trend but I don't expect them to alter their diction. If I want intelligent, critical discussion, I'd go elsewhere.

I would also say words like fun, epic, awesome, cool et al, are more disingenous to the brevity of interactive experience we're getting than the words selected in the OP.

Can you give us any justification other than "because I said so?"

You know I will use whichever word that I want >:3

@Galiant said:

@Dany said:

• anything-like
• It is the X from this game, the Y from another game

Depending on which games you're talking about, these are still valid.

Agreed. Some of them I agree with, sure ('casual' and 'hardcore' just aren't adequate terms anymore), but some are perfectly acceptable.

Much like you might describe an animal with recognizable features as 'dog-like' or 'cat-like' (or whatever), you should be able to do the same with games.

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and agree with you that game reviews should be held to a higher standard of language now that we're 30 years on and the medium is taking some interesting turns. A lot of those terms are lazy short-hand to convey basic ideas quickly, but I'm not about to suggest that we have to "stop" using them (or any words) because that's silly. The problem is a lack of the alternative: eloquent and in-depth reviews worthy of something more than the back page of a trashy magazine.

Rather than condemn people for being lazy, why don't you try to be the one to break the mold? There's more out there to criticize and wag their finger disapprovingly than to actually make a positive change. Try to write some reviews without any cliches or short-hand and keep writing. Make everyone eat their words.

In-game, it makes me want to choke the idiots who use "scrub" or "badkid". Basically all of the shitty insults that the obsession with MLG created.

The only things i don't like on that list is hardcore and casual gamers. Rest are okay, if they are used right.

This topic is a twat.

DISCUSS.