Which murderous animationic is the best in Five Nights at Freddys? Is Flowey the Flower really just misunderstood? Will we ever get that spaghetti promised to is by Papayrus? What is the true story of FNAF? Fans ask themselves these questions and more in two of the most popular gaming fandoms today: Five Nights at Freddy's and Undertale.
There are, however, those that do not share such enthusiasm; the majority on the other side of the fence would love nothing more than to see each fan base, *ahem* "disappear," never to pollute the interwebs again. (That was my attempt at putting it lightly) Love or hate it, the groups that adore each or both are here to stay.
Just to preface this a little before your eyes zoom across this piece (I thank all your eyeballs), think of this as more of a rant of sorts. I had come across this "war" if you will over the past few weeks and couldn't get it out of my head. The only way I knew how was to just write everything out and share it with you lovely people.
And now without any further ado, my perspective/rant on these gaming fandoms and those who would love nothing more than to Hulk Smash them to bits.
The FNAF Craze
Just to preface this a little before your eyes zoom across this piece (I thank all your eyeballs), think of this as more of a rant of sorts. I had come across this "war" if you will over the past few weeks and couldn't get it out of my head. The only way I knew how was to just write everything out and share it with you lovely people.
And now without any further ado, my perspective/rant on these gaming fandoms and those who would love nothing more than to Hulk Smash them to bits.
The FNAF Craze
Personally, I enjoy both. More so, FNaF. It was the first game that brought me back into the indie gaming world. Who knew possessed automatons could be so kawaii and complex that furious (yet friendly) debates were sparked all over the internet; fans debate anything from when the "Bite of '87" took place, when and where, who the phone guy is and what role each security guard served in each game. I blame and thank YouTube's Game Theorist MattPat for this.
Even though all that is discussed may or may not be true in the eyes of the game's creator, Scott Cawthon, theories cooked up from Matt and others are very fun to learn and talk about. The game is shrouded in mystery. So much so, out of hundreds of guesses and "factual confirmations" about the story and characters by fans, a good one or two were confirmed as true. To this day, after four spine-tingling titles, no one has yet to crack the code of what really happened in those creepy pizzerias. The mental exercise is way too real.
Even though all that is discussed may or may not be true in the eyes of the game's creator, Scott Cawthon, theories cooked up from Matt and others are very fun to learn and talk about. The game is shrouded in mystery. So much so, out of hundreds of guesses and "factual confirmations" about the story and characters by fans, a good one or two were confirmed as true. To this day, after four spine-tingling titles, no one has yet to crack the code of what really happened in those creepy pizzerias. The mental exercise is way too real.
Aside from all the mystery and bait and switch trolling (thanks Scott), FNaF has brought forth a creative explosion. All over Tumblr and Instagram are beautiful fan made art, comic strips that fill in the blanks of story arcs and popular shipping of characters. Most prevalent being Foxy and Mangle. I say Mangle is a girl bot. Check the lipstick, folks. I digress. The point is, the mass acceptance has been nothing shy of positive and happy.
Stay Determined...
Speaking of joy, the newest of polarizing popularity in games, Undertale. This indie title tells a humorous, 4th wall breaking, feels fest that would bring tears to the eyes of the toughest gamer known to man. The music slowly grabs a hold of you, guiding you into every funny, dangerous and quirky scenario and never lets go. Even when getting pummeled by Sans...wait, sorry... "dunked on" by Sans, those tasty grooves are absolute eargasms.
Fans were quick to show their support, wearing their hearts on their sleeves for this twisted tale. The week of launch, art work from every corner of the net sprang forth. The seeds were already sewn; gamers just had to water the soil with their love (*tear*). Papayrus and his unique brand of puns, Sans with his play on words and of course everyone's favorite Goat Mom, Toriel was represented. Flowey, the demonic flower, shows up as well. He gets his second chance to make a good impression through the artful expression of fans. This time, he uses his petals for good.
I feel this game gave birth to a bit more in the creative department given its three endings and play-through types: Neutral, Pacifist and Genocide. Forgive me, Mama Toriel. I didn't mean to hurt you. It's fun to see the plethora of untold stories in fanfiction. It's like a celebration of something I know all to well: being different and embracing the strange. Yet as the party was happening, a dark cloud of hate and indifference was looming overhead, as it always does. Although I am not on board with the negativity they bring, I do see how they get fed up with these types of fandoms.
No love for you!
Those opposed have just as much a right to voice their opinions as those that adore. Seeing eye to eye isn't a rule or a law; sometimes ideas and likes differ. There are many reasons why this crowd chooses to dislike it: boredom, annoyance of the fanbase, fed up with the games, too much shipping, fanfiction is just not their thing. All are credible reasons. The members of such vocal individuals tend to permeate the interwebs with their strong opinions. So much so some enter the fandom circles, causing all out chaos. Memes are traded, insults are hurled and Reddit forums are never the same again.
Yet can we really blame the "haters," as they are referred to, for all of this toxicity? There are always two sides to any argument. Even as a lover of the art and gameplay and silliness I have to say, the "victims" of hate are not completely innocent here. Some notice the push-back and automatically try to convince the critics their way of thinking and expressing themselves is bad. Allow me illustrate my point if you will.
Imagine walking through the mall shopping for a pair of jeans. You know, because your mom or girlfriend just can't stand the ones with the patched up hole near the back pocket. Yes, I know they are your favorite jeans....anyways, I'm getting distracted. Without warning, and without your authorization, employees from the perfume department spritz you with the latest cologne. In their minds, it is what they feel will improve your status, smell and life....for the season at least. How generous of them, right? Bombarding you with what they feel is just the right fit and smell for you? It is very much so a peeve.
And this goes for both sides. Retaliation doesn't calm the flames anymore than hurling the first insult. People will choose to believe what they will. That's the beautiful power of free will. No matter the reason for their allegiance, for or against these wonderful indie games, the opinions are set in stone. I've always been at peace to know that my love for the experiences gleaned from each title does not diminish with negative views from the other side. Working tirelessly to defend a video game is never-ending work. I choose not to join in. I love a good debate yet this is not one of them. More like a food fight except instead of food, they're tossing grenades back and forth.
Conclusion
All in all, I'd just like to just end this rant on a quote that I feel is very fitting for this topic:
Stay Determined...
Speaking of joy, the newest of polarizing popularity in games, Undertale. This indie title tells a humorous, 4th wall breaking, feels fest that would bring tears to the eyes of the toughest gamer known to man. The music slowly grabs a hold of you, guiding you into every funny, dangerous and quirky scenario and never lets go. Even when getting pummeled by Sans...wait, sorry... "dunked on" by Sans, those tasty grooves are absolute eargasms.
Fans were quick to show their support, wearing their hearts on their sleeves for this twisted tale. The week of launch, art work from every corner of the net sprang forth. The seeds were already sewn; gamers just had to water the soil with their love (*tear*). Papayrus and his unique brand of puns, Sans with his play on words and of course everyone's favorite Goat Mom, Toriel was represented. Flowey, the demonic flower, shows up as well. He gets his second chance to make a good impression through the artful expression of fans. This time, he uses his petals for good.
I feel this game gave birth to a bit more in the creative department given its three endings and play-through types: Neutral, Pacifist and Genocide. Forgive me, Mama Toriel. I didn't mean to hurt you. It's fun to see the plethora of untold stories in fanfiction. It's like a celebration of something I know all to well: being different and embracing the strange. Yet as the party was happening, a dark cloud of hate and indifference was looming overhead, as it always does. Although I am not on board with the negativity they bring, I do see how they get fed up with these types of fandoms.
No love for you!
Those opposed have just as much a right to voice their opinions as those that adore. Seeing eye to eye isn't a rule or a law; sometimes ideas and likes differ. There are many reasons why this crowd chooses to dislike it: boredom, annoyance of the fanbase, fed up with the games, too much shipping, fanfiction is just not their thing. All are credible reasons. The members of such vocal individuals tend to permeate the interwebs with their strong opinions. So much so some enter the fandom circles, causing all out chaos. Memes are traded, insults are hurled and Reddit forums are never the same again.
Yet can we really blame the "haters," as they are referred to, for all of this toxicity? There are always two sides to any argument. Even as a lover of the art and gameplay and silliness I have to say, the "victims" of hate are not completely innocent here. Some notice the push-back and automatically try to convince the critics their way of thinking and expressing themselves is bad. Allow me illustrate my point if you will.
Imagine walking through the mall shopping for a pair of jeans. You know, because your mom or girlfriend just can't stand the ones with the patched up hole near the back pocket. Yes, I know they are your favorite jeans....anyways, I'm getting distracted. Without warning, and without your authorization, employees from the perfume department spritz you with the latest cologne. In their minds, it is what they feel will improve your status, smell and life....for the season at least. How generous of them, right? Bombarding you with what they feel is just the right fit and smell for you? It is very much so a peeve.
And this goes for both sides. Retaliation doesn't calm the flames anymore than hurling the first insult. People will choose to believe what they will. That's the beautiful power of free will. No matter the reason for their allegiance, for or against these wonderful indie games, the opinions are set in stone. I've always been at peace to know that my love for the experiences gleaned from each title does not diminish with negative views from the other side. Working tirelessly to defend a video game is never-ending work. I choose not to join in. I love a good debate yet this is not one of them. More like a food fight except instead of food, they're tossing grenades back and forth.
Conclusion
All in all, I'd just like to just end this rant on a quote that I feel is very fitting for this topic:
“Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.”~Albert Einstein
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