In which JohnT goes grognard about grognards...

[SpencerH]

So who gets to decide what's legitimate criticism and what's whining?

[JohnT]

I do.

Actually, whining is pretty easy to spot - when you say the same thing, for months on end, you're whining. When you threadjack non-related topics with complaints about how the game sucks, you're whining. When you post new threads like:

Title: Merry Christmas, "Game Designers!"

"I'm sure you will find the holiday vacations relaxing, but please remember those of us you disappointed in your Christmas prayers."

You're whining.

[Arrian]

It's subjective, of course, but for me at least, it's mostly got to do with tone.

If, for instance, Coracle had taken up his culture flip issue without the hysterics, I would not have classified him as a "whiner."

Criticism is fine, but I'd like it civil and, if possible, constructive.

-Arrian

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by Spiffor
JohnT:
Your post reminded me the release of Civ3 soooo much. We had tons of whiners, including the professional ones: Coracle, Jimmytrick, Venger, Libertarian... All of them contributed greatly to the cause of whining, and I think they should even outrank Stefu in the course for the Stalin Award.

One special mention should go to Coracle, who continued to whine for a whole year after all others had finally given up

jimmytrick came back

[C0ckney]

was i the only one who thought this thread was about john t's balls? :/

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by JohnT
Well, should we start the Civ 4 bashing now or wait until a finished product?

What? You expect Firaxis to release a finished product?

[SpencerH]

Whiner

[Enigma_Nova]

Originally posted by JohnT
But, if you don't like something why spend months of your life telling the world how much you didn't like it?

That's how you get elected!
Plus it's a good opportunity to spread your beliefs (regardless of how little anyone wants to hear them)

[Q Classic]

isn't it kinda like the people who stayed after civ3, moo3, and what not came out?

[Sikander]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
Eidos sucks... they are such a horrible publisher.

Yep, they are perma-banned in my collection.

[Sikander]

I think that there are two useful things about complaining on a game forum. Firstly, if you complain once and disappear you do not adversely impact game sales, as fan boys are going to remain forever, or at least until another game strikes their fancy. Thus you let the company get away with producing a crap game and taking your money, and don't do your duty to warn anyone whose money the company doesn't yet have. Secondly, whining is fun for a lot of people. It's not as fun as enjoying a game or anything, so you have to do a lot of it in order to get your $50 worth.