Often, I get asked by my readers/listeners/viewers which is the “best” console: Sony Playstation 3, Nintendo Wii, or Microsoft’s Xbox 360. I wrote my thoughts about deciding which console is best for you back in December, and I think some people benefited from it. When it comes to gaming, I’ve noticed that it’s extremely difficult to give a non-biased recommendation to someone else. It seems to be proportional to the passion gamers have for their platforms and titles. Take a look at this little tidbit: I made a 17 second video which asks the question, “Which is better, Xbox 360 or PS3?”. I didn’t give an answer, but I gave this:
The result is over 200 comments and 1000 views in less than 24 hours. What does that say? Gamers are passionate about what they love. I find that this passion is driven by their wants and preferences, which I call selfishness. I know some of you are already offended, but I’m sorry to say, everyone is selfish at some point. It’s the truth.
So are gamers selfish when they are quick to say which console is the “best”? Note they don’t usually say is “best for me”, but the “best” period. Here are the classic lines:
- Console X has the best games
- Console Y has the best online game play
- Console Z has the best multimedia experience
- Console A gives you more bang for the buck
People will look you straight in the eye, and tell you that these are facts. Yes, they call them facts. Note that if you look at those reasons carefully, they are highly based on opinions and personal preferences. They are hardly factual. How can someone claim they are factual when it’s obviously opinionated? Selfishness. Wow, I can see the steam rising from your heads from here. Watch how Kyle from South Park breaks down how selfishness can warp your reality (Warning: adult language and typical South Park):
Sometimes, I think it can get this extreme for some gamers when it comes to consoles. Their opinions are so valuable that they become factual in their mind and it becomes a passionate, pointless argument. Hear me gamers: Everyone doesn’t think like you. Step outside of your selfish world of perfectness and realize that you are not the center of the universe. It’s OK for someone to love their Xbox 360. It’s OK for someone to love their PS3. It’s OK for someone to love their (Nintendo) Wii.