Tell Us Dammit

12 years ago

November 10, 2011 at 11:00 am

Today I made a realisation — sometimes I’m a sucker for internet hype. I haven’t played a Bethesda game extensively since Morrowind. Sure, I tried Oblivion and Fallout 3, but I didn’t really get into it. Not really. So why am I excited about Skyrim? I’m probably not even going to play the bloody thing! I’m guessing it’s the total saturation of voices screaming SKYRIM at the top of their collective voices. So what about you guys? Do you think you’re susceptible to hype?

Don’t get me wrong — when I get a game in my hands, I’m always keen to develop my own opinion on it. But in the lead up to release, I find it so easy to get caught up in the wave, to the point where I often enjoy reading about games more than actually playing them.

Anyway — what do you guys think about internet hype surrounding games?

Comments

77 responses to “Tell Us Dammit”

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Rob

November 10, 2011 at 11:03 am

I am the hype surrounding Skyrim.

Reply
1. Greg
  
  November 10, 2011 at 11:13 am
  
  i am the danger
  
  Reply
  1. BlueMaxima
    
    November 10, 2011 at 11:14 am
    
    I am the man who arranges the blocks.
    
    Reply
    1. Effluvium Boy
      
      November 10, 2011 at 11:17 am
      
      I am the white void.
      
      Reply
      1. Blaghman
        
        November 10, 2011 at 11:25 am
        
        I am the Walrus.
      2. PuppyLicks
        
        November 10, 2011 at 11:30 am
        
        I am Rob’s hype gland.
      3. Bryce
        
        November 10, 2011 at 11:46 am
        
        I am the all singing, all dancing crap of Vivec
      4. Disco
        
        November 10, 2011 at 12:02 pm
        
        I am Jack’s Nipples
      5. wepoo
        
        November 10, 2011 at 12:05 pm
        
        No, I am Spartacus!
      6. James Mac
        
        November 10, 2011 at 12:13 pm
        
        COMBO BREAKER!
      7. Eric Vong
        
        November 10, 2011 at 12:51 pm
        
        Hymen Breaker !
      8. DeeK
        
        November 10, 2011 at 12:55 pm
        
        I am Brian, and so is my wife.
      9. Kitty
        
        November 10, 2011 at 1:51 pm
        
        No, this is Patrick.
      10. Erebus
        
        November 10, 2011 at 3:29 pm
        
        I am Batman
      11. Tigerion
        
        November 10, 2011 at 4:33 pm
        
        I am less than impressed with Dee’s Gravartizzle
2. Roland
  
  November 10, 2011 at 11:55 am
  
  I am the lightning, i am the heat
  I am the spark
  Before the blaze
  I am the raindrop out at sea
  I cause the ripples that become the crashing waves
  
  Reply
3. Dangles
  
  November 10, 2011 at 12:06 pm
  
  I am the Skyrim to your Rob. <3
  
  Reply
  1. Lobo
    
    November 10, 2011 at 2:07 pm
    
    I am the terror that flaps in the night.
    
    Reply
    1. AerintheADEQUATE
      
      November 11, 2011 at 1:43 am
      
      I am the beans in your burrito
      
      Reply
welbot

November 10, 2011 at 11:04 am

I don’t think I am really susceptible. Perhaps I was in my younger days, but now I just tend to ignore all the hype on the net and save my judgement til I can actually play the game. I just hope I can replace my video card soon so I will actually be able to play some games again!

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1. Azza
  
  November 10, 2011 at 11:30 am
  
  I am.
  
  Reply
SeatSniffer

November 10, 2011 at 11:05 am

i think im genuinely interested.

Reply
DG

November 10, 2011 at 11:05 am

If skyrim breaks street date, will i be able to play it on PC? Isn’t it activated via steam?

Reply
1. Stevorooni
  
  November 10, 2011 at 11:11 am
  
  deleted
  
  Reply
  1. Alinos
    
    November 10, 2011 at 12:15 pm
    
    MW3 didnt hardcopies avoided the lock skyrim may be the same
    
    Reply
Trjn

November 10, 2011 at 11:06 am

I’ve fallen for it plenty of times (Portal 2, Arkham City, Uncharted 3…) but there are just as many times where the wave of hype just washes over me. Skyrim is one of those cases, I just can’t bring myself to care.

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Blaghman

November 10, 2011 at 11:09 am

I FUSSING LOVE HYPE! I’M THE HYPE TRAIN BABY, W000!

But in all seriousness, it does depend, if I have no interest in the game, then no hype will affect me, but hype can bring me from “Hmm, I might buy this game” all the way up to ‘I MUST HAVE THIS ON LAUNCH!” But that’s just how I roll.

Reply
Strange

November 10, 2011 at 11:09 am

I find hype can’t make me interested in a game I wasn’t interested in before, but if I was already interested, the hype can send my anticipation levels through the roof.
It’s even more agonising if you’ve ordered a game online and then the hype-machine goes into overdrive and suddenly everyone’s talking about a game you won’t be able to play for at least two weeks after release date.

Reply
1. Asurin
  
  November 10, 2011 at 12:01 pm
  
  Tell me about it 🙁 I had to go to the US (online obviously) to order the collectors edition for PC, the wait is murder.
  
  Reply
2. Beavwa
  
  November 10, 2011 at 2:39 pm
  
  Not necessarily a bad thing. You can enjoy the game on its own merits once all the hype has died off. Now excuse me while I go start playing Batman: Arkham City tonight since I just picked it up from the post office this morning.
  
  Reply
Stevorooni

November 10, 2011 at 11:10 am

deleted

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1. Vergas
  
  November 10, 2011 at 11:32 am
  
  Yep.
  
  Some Sydney and Melbourne Target stores have apparently started selling.
  
  Reply
Jarvgrimr

November 10, 2011 at 11:11 am

KOTAKU Editors/Web Dudes – That damn Toyota ad is broken. It always plays with volume and there is no way to turn it off, unless you full-screen it and then mute it… but then it is taking over your whole screen, as soon as you minimise it, it starts playing again >:(

I can’t think about anything other than Skyrim! I’ve got a tonne of College work but I am finding myself giving less than a shit about it right now, been doing nothing but assessments for weeks on end. It’s dull.

Going to the Insert Coin(s) event tonight in Oxford St, but am too broke to do anything other than play the free arcade games, bummed I’m gonna miss out on alcoholic milkshakes… 🙁

I plan on taking Friday evening off and just play as much Skyrim as I can before my gf gets too mad at my nerdiness!

Reply
1. buckE182
  
  November 10, 2011 at 11:37 am
  
  Step 1. Download Firefox
  Step 2. Install ad block plus
  Step 3. Enjoy as free we browsing
  
  In relation to hype – I am a huge sucker for hype! I want Skyrim so bad but like you Mark, I have only played oblivion briefly and have spent minimal time with fallout 3/NV. Luckily, my fiancé loves them so I am happy to watch her play and follow the stories in small bursts. I really hope I get sucked into Skyrim. The only problem is Zelda SS is out on the 24th and all my rpg time will go to that.
  
  Reply
  1. James Mac
    
    November 10, 2011 at 11:58 am
    
    Not helpful when you cannot install anything on a work computer.
    
    Try muting your computer instead mate.
    
    Reply
Powalen

November 10, 2011 at 11:15 am

If I see lots of positive hype around a game that I planned on buying anyway, I think it sort of makes me more excited (kind of reinforcing my idea that it’s going to be a good game). Though I’m not really the type of person who gets swept up in hype for something that I probably wouldn’t buy otherwise.

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BlueMaxima

November 10, 2011 at 11:15 am

Preloaded and ready to go at midnight. Nothing’s gonna stop me now. And I’m getting my limited edition strategy guide in 3 or 4 days so that’s not gonna contaminate my first playthrough.

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Tarshal

November 10, 2011 at 11:16 am

It’s broken street date.

http://aussie-gamer.com/news/elder-scrolls-v-skyrim-released-early-in-australia/

Won’t be able to play it on PC until steam unlocks anyway though. And elder scrolls on consoles = eww

Reply
1. Mark Serrels
  
  November 10, 2011 at 11:22 am
  
  That’s not really official. Some grandma has sold at a Target, not really a proper street date until JB or EB start officially selling.
  
  Reply
  1. Tarshal
    
    November 10, 2011 at 11:23 am
    
    I also called up my local EB store and they confirmed they will be selling Skyrim today. I made sure 🙂
    
    Reply
    1. Trjn
      
      November 10, 2011 at 11:34 am
      
      Just called my local JB and they said they’re not breaking street date yet.
      
      Then again, I’m not getting Skyrim so it don’t matter none to me.
      
      Reply
    2. TheLastQuestion
      
      November 10, 2011 at 11:56 am
      
      Best place to watch for EB is their official twitter page. They announce whenever something breaks and is for sale across the country at EB.
      
      Reply
jamesmacusedmyhandle

November 10, 2011 at 11:17 am

I got your back
Caught you lookin’ for the same thing
It’s a new thing – check out this I bring
Uh Oh the roll below the level
‘Cause I’m livin’ low next to the BASS, C’mon
Turn up the radio
They claim that I’m a criminal
By now I wonder how
Some people never know
The enemy could be their friend, guardian
I’m not a hooligan
I rock the party and
Clear all the madness, we’re not a racist
Preach to teach to all
‘Cause some they never had this
Number one, not born to run
About the gun…
I wasn’t licensed to have one
The minute they see me, fear me
I’m the epitome – a public enemy
Used, abused without clues
I refused to blow a fuse
They even had it on the news
Don’t believe the hype…

Reply
1. Roh
  
  November 11, 2011 at 11:29 am
  
  yeeeeeeaaaa booooyyyyyyeeeeee!
  
  Reply
Chuloopa

November 10, 2011 at 11:17 am

Thought i might re-post this for all you Kotaku Lovers who are a little scared of venturing into TAY
Your participation would be inanely appreciated

——————————–
Guys – i have been really busy at work and uni – so unable to get on here until now – but i have something realllly important to go over with you guys – but can’t go into detail here

The team at kotaku are awesome – so this christmas i want us all to give back.

Email me if you want in – and i hope you all do.
Spread the word – the more people who help – the better we can make this.

troy(dot)cleary(at)hotmail(dotcom)

when i get time i’ll set up a private forum for this.

If you enjoy kotaku as much as i do, this is your chance to show how much all the effort the gang put in is appreciated
————————————————

Reply
1. James Mac
  
  November 10, 2011 at 12:07 pm
  
  I’ve had my people email your people.
  
  Reply
Shane

November 10, 2011 at 11:18 am

I get majorly sucked in, but I need to have a >0% interest to begin with.

I got supremely excited for the following games before they came out:

MGS2
GTA:SA
Uncharted 3
Max Payne 3
GTAV

and they all had quite decent hype. 🙂

Reply
1. Paul
  
  November 10, 2011 at 11:23 am
  
  What… you mean to say you didn’t get excited and drawn in by the hype surrounding The Dig before it was released? Or is all the excitement post-release? 😉
  
  Oh… and GTAV ??
  
  Reply
  1. Shane
    
    November 10, 2011 at 12:08 pm
    
    Sadly, I was a latecomer to The Dig fanclub.
    
    Re: GTAV, yep, can’t explain why, but it will be a day one purchase. I think that’s the very definition of hype. 😛
    
    Reply
Chuloopa

November 10, 2011 at 11:18 am

And on to the question:

You didn’t have the same excitement for Space Marine 🙁
*sniff*

I realllly want to play Skyrim- but i am going to wait until the GOTY edition is released so i can play it in full, uninterrupted.

Reply
1. Chuloopa
  
  November 10, 2011 at 11:20 am
  
  Andi regularly get sucked in by hype… Saints row 3, for insance..
  
  AND SPAYYYCEE MAURREENNN!!!
  
  Reply
  1. Paul
    
    November 10, 2011 at 11:25 am
    
    How can anyone NOT be sucked in by Saints Row 3 hype… it looks insanely addictive! I was a huge fan of the first two, and have converted many people who only ever viewed it as a “GTA rip-off”.
    Hopefully 3 lives up to its hype, otherwise I will be extremely disappointed.
    
    Reply
Marky Martin

November 10, 2011 at 11:21 am

Played the shite out of Morrowing, Oblivion and Fallout 3 pretty damn pumped!

Reply
Marky Martin

November 10, 2011 at 11:21 am

Morrowind* rather

Reply
Zap

November 10, 2011 at 11:25 am

I’ve got to say, it’s changed.

I used to get hyped over games in a series I wanted, or something that looked cool, and ALL ABAORD! that hype train and watch reviews, and previews, etc.

Then: job, wife, baby. At the moment, I’ll get interested in a game, but I’ll get it a month or two later, or end of year, or when I get bored of the games I have. If it turns out the game was a massive let down inside that gap, then I probably won’t get it.

Not in a rush any more.

Except for the odd game here and there where I know it’ll be pretty awesome based on past experience, like SR3. That’s a game I can pick up and squeeze out an hour or two when I get a chance. Skyrim looks awesome, but I’m unlikely to get any dedicated playtime, so I can wait.

….ps: Growing up sucks.

Reply
Chris

November 10, 2011 at 11:25 am

Skyrim will be the first true RPG in a long time – I’ll be able to develop my character how I want to develop it, rather than being tightly constrained by the ‘spreadsheet’ methodologies of games like WoW and Diablo 3. I view Skyrim in the same light as Dungeon Siege 1, with all other ‘RPG’ games basically being like Dungeon Siege 3: linear in map and character development with very little wiggle room. Skyrim will be a return to taking the long view for my character and will let me get mack to my min/max roots that were developed with games like Pool of Radiance and other SSI games, and more recently Neverwinter Nights.

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Marky Martin

November 10, 2011 at 11:33 am

Chris you should play Dark Souls!

Reply
1. Chris
  
  November 10, 2011 at 11:46 am
  
  I’ve only briefly looked at it but am aware of it’s ‘difficulty’. Will take a much closer look (which means I’ll go buy it).
  
  Reply
GentlemanJ

November 10, 2011 at 11:35 am

It depends on how, who and where I see the hype come from. If I see ads from the developer or preview directly from the developer, I won’t get that excited.

I read previews, see gameplay video, see people discussing it THEN see the ads and release date get closer is when I get hyped. Case in point, Deus Ex and Skyrim.

Reply
1. GentlemanJ
  
  November 10, 2011 at 11:55 am
  
  Also, I am damn excited about Rayman. Damn, damn, damn excited.
  
  Reply
Choc

November 10, 2011 at 11:38 am

game publishers and developers are very, very good along with the media at producing Stockholm Syndrome for gamers and games. That is, the hype and attention becomes so much that the gamer must love the game no matter what, even if its bad. They fall for those who torture them so much.
🙂

Reply
Vook

November 10, 2011 at 11:45 am

I don’t give two shits about Skyrim. I don’t buy into hype.

Reply
1. Chris
  
  November 10, 2011 at 11:48 am
  
  But do you have the ability to strip away the hype, which exists primarily for the benefit of the casual audience, and work out if the game will actually be one you will enjoy playing?
  
  Reply
2. James Mac
  
  November 10, 2011 at 12:09 pm
  
  But, given your undying love of Nintendo… what if it was hype for a new Smash Brothers game?
  
  Reply
3. TH
  
  November 10, 2011 at 1:58 pm
  
  Cool story bro
  
  Reply
Ben

November 10, 2011 at 11:53 am

TARGET BROKE STREET DATE. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!!

http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/News/279669,skyrim-onsale-now—at-target-apparently.aspx

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Grandmaster B-Funk

November 10, 2011 at 11:57 am

man, i’m such a sucker for hype, i was sooooo excited for battlefield 3, but i haven’t even bothered getting it… i guess it was all just hype..

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Asurin

November 10, 2011 at 11:58 am

SKYRIM!!!!

Reply
1. murray
  
  November 10, 2011 at 3:49 pm
  
  SKYRIM!!
  
  Reply
Aidan

November 10, 2011 at 12:10 pm

Definitely. I’m a hype sponge.

Reply
James Mac

November 10, 2011 at 12:12 pm

I’ve been hyped since the brotherhood choir at the VGA’s.

I guess I buy into it… I’m prepared to put money on something fairly early into the piece. But, I guess I’m more swayed by previous games in the series.

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Junkz

November 10, 2011 at 12:23 pm

Hype? There hasn’t been a new Elder Scrolls saga since 2007. Damned straight I’m hyped!

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syvRaen

November 10, 2011 at 12:39 pm

Hype can affect me.
And all this Skyrim hype is quite overwhelming.

I haven’t played a TES game for more than a few minutes, so I’m mildly curious to try Skyrim. To add to that, I have read a few developer interviews that have me interested in the experience that results from their design. But, I’m in no rush to play it, so have no intention to buy it before I can acquire and complete Skyward Sword.

And yet, after spending a few minutes reading TAY, I find myself on impromptu quests to find the cheapest deal for the game. I’ve saved myself from hitting the purchase button on several occasions.

Reply
Hermes and Thoth

November 10, 2011 at 12:39 pm

I don’t understand the hype for Skyrim because to me it’s just Fallout 3 with swords. I mean that in the best possible way because I love Fallout 3 but, I never ever played an elder scrolls series game. So, meh. Hype for this game hasn’t caught me out.

However, I am usually a sucker for hype. I am an early adopter and all that. Damn hype.

Reply
Purgatori

November 10, 2011 at 1:02 pm

Yeah… no. Considering the media saturation for BF3, MW3, and so many other ‘AAA’ titles did _nothing_ to change my interest in them from 0, I would say that my hype-resistance is pretty good.

I’m excited (to put it mildly) about Skyrim because I’m an RPG nerd, and nobody makes better RPGs nowadays than Bethesda — AND they seem to constantly refine and improve their formula with each new game.

Reply
Weresmurf

November 10, 2011 at 2:47 pm

Eb upper mt gravatt answering with ‘skyrim now available.’ GO GET IT

Reply
N0NEoftheAB0VE

November 11, 2011 at 1:17 am

The game looks very interesting and actually looks quite improved over its predecessors but I know I won’t like it because a) I tried to like the first Mass Effect and the Sysiphean grinding got the better of me (I like ME2 a lot though with it’s more focussed missions and less MAKO) and 2) this game is reputed to be hundreds of hours long – I have something like 20 games on the pile of shame at least 7 multiplayer games in regular rotation, plans to get a PS3 at Xmas, a job, 3 kids, social obligations – I don’t have the kind of time that this game would demand – something like this you need to devote your life to it!

Reply

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Tell Us Dammit

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