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Let me just [Press] start (awful, I know) by saying that this is not going to be an intellectual entry into my column today. I’m not going to be discussing the psychological effects of playing too many video games, or perhaps arguing for video games as the most significant medium of our time. So if you’ve come here this week for the usual high quality and dizzying heights of discussion, I’m afraid I’m going to have to disappoint you.

That doesn’t mean that there is nothing here for you to read however, especially for a particular group of gamers. I’m talking to you people. Now, you people are quite hard to define. Fortunately, this is because I like to think that, amongst the gaming community, you people are the minority. Now, first I’ll take the time to say that these statements only come from my own personal experience, so you might not know what I’m talking about in the slightest. Perhaps further alienating most from what I’m about to talk about is that the phenomenon of these people seems to be mainly focused in the UK. You probably get something similar in other countries, but again, I’m speaking from personal experience.

So, let’s cut to the chase. Who… What am I talking about?

There seems to be a certain kind, nay, a certain breed of gamer that are just plain simpletons. They choose to limit themselves, playing games that are poorly made, dull and generic; namely FIFA and Call of Duty games. Don’t get me wrong, I can assure you that I am not talking about casual gamers; I completely and definitively covered that subject in my previous article. Now, if the majority of these gamers were around about the age of fourteen, with educational limitations such as being held back for a year or two, then I would almost probably excuse them. However, this is not the case. Let me be clear here, I am not berating Call of Duty players neither am I condemning FIFA players. I’m just targeting people that play these games, and these games only.

Where is the variety? Frankly, there are so many masterpieces within gaming. Killer 7 is a fantastic first-person shooter that outdoes any Call of Duty game, this generation or past, on every single level. Shadow of the Colossus, Viewtiful Joe, and Journey, all of these games are (arguably) masterpieces. The issue that I have is that people refuse to venture out of their comfort zones to try anything that their friends aren’t playing, or that don’t receive as much popularity as more generic titles.

And they are generic. FIFA games, as well as Call of Duty games, are recycled year after year with the sole intention of making more and more money. Again, going back to my previous article, game developers and publishers making money is not by any means a bad thing. However, effectively re-releasing the same title with improvements such as ‘full 360 degree movement’ (yes, that actually happened) is just embarrassing. However, the shamelessness of the guilty parties makes those that support the production of these titles by spending real money on them and actually playing them even more of an abomination.

These games also fail to maintain any sort of inventive or astounding art style. Comparing the visual magnificence of something like Journey to the browny, greyish black mess that is Call of Duty is like comparing Milton’s Paradise Lost to the Twilight series of books. Granted, in relation to FIFA you could argue that there is only one way to visually convey one of the most boring sports on the planet, which is by keeping as close as you can to what you would watch on the television. This is not the case. Take for example the little-known Sega Soccer Slam, a fantastic sports game that boasted a unique art style, with memorable characters that were visually exuberant.

Now after reading this, I’m sure that the chances of you agreeing with me are little to none. And that’s fine, if you’re disagreeing with me then you’re no doubt one of these people. Furthermore, if you don’t know what I’m talking about, well again, I’m afraid to tell you that it’s you. Enjoy FIFA, enjoy Call of Duty. But what I’m asking you is to consider what it is you are doing. Go out and buy something that you’ve never played before. Pick out something that you have never heard of, put it in your console, and experience something new.

Fortunately for me, the social and intellectual limitations that you people face are so strong upon your being that you probably won’t even read this. You’re too busy playing your simpleton games. Oh look behind you, it’s a shiny shiny… Aaaaaaaand you’re distracted.

(Please note: My views and opinions do not necessarily reflect those of other members of staff at GAMElitist. Even though they should).