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Why Chris Kluwe's Article About Xenoblade Was A Bad Idea

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by Applesteak on April 25, 2012 at 08:21 PM
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First, go read this article, and maybe look through the comments a little bit.

http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2012/04/25/why-xenoblade-chronicles-makes-me-want-to-punch-a-kitten.aspx

     Back? Okay good. Whether you agree with Chris Kluwe or are furious at him,  posting this article on the front page wasn't such a good idea. I come to Game Informer to read up on the latest  gaming news, check out some editor blogs, and maybe watch some Replay. What I don't expect to see when I come here is an article bashing a game, game system, or game company, but this is exactly what Chris Kluwe's article was. I understand that the article was listed as an opinion, and that Chris doesn't work for Game Informer, but to put it on the main page was just asking for a comment flame war. The site has user blogs for opinions, and Chris could have just as easily posted to his blog (like I am doing right now), where people could have read it just the same without it being advertised as breaking news. I understand that Chris is a good friend of Game Informer, and that he is a well known athlete, but the blogging community here on Game Informer works very hard to get noticed, and Chris should have to do the same.

     My other complaint with the article is that it felt like an angry blog rather than a well thought out opinion, and as many people pointed out in the comments, his real complaint was with the Wii, not Xenoblade. If Chris had presented a more balanced argument, simply saying that he wishes the game could have looked better because he really enjoys it, I wouldn't have been so bothered by it (and yes, it would have probably been a pretty boring article). But instead Chris uses the article as a chance to criticize the Wii, and even criticize Xenoblade a little bit, even if he didn't intend it. Looking back at the article, he only talks about Xenoblade for about one paragraph! I fear that people reading the article will walk away thinking Xenoblade's graphics make it unplayable (they don't!). I'm glad that Chris took the time to point out everything he loved about the game (in one short sentence), but the rest of the article is eerily similar to the angry comments posted below it.

     I hope this post doesn't come off too preachy or fanboy-ish. I repect Chris's opinion, and I can agree with the idea that Xenoblade doesn't look so great compared to what is coming out on the PS3 and 360, but I can't get behind blatant Nintendo bashing (even if he does mix in some good with the bad). I don't think Game Informer should have allowed this opinion to be posted on the main page (its in the headlines at the moment) because it is only leading us to fight amongst ourselves.

     Go play Xenoblade Chronicles. It is an amazing game that is worthy of every bit of praise it is getting. Also, feel free to post a comment about the blog below, but please keep it civil. Until my next blog.

- Applesteak

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  • by Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 09:14 PM
    Excellent. I commend you for posting something that is both rational and realized. I probably got a little too worked up in the heat of the argument, and kind of regret it a bit, but still stand behind my main reasoning. Sure, it was wrong of Chris to blatantly bash a console and developer, but he does voice that he thinks that the game is great, even exceptional. What I get from it (and many other arguments), is that the game could have been so much more, had it had technology that was at today's standards, rather than being nearly 10 years old in terms of processing technology. Not denying that it's a great game, I compliment it for that. Not saying that the experience is bad, or that it would have been blasted into the stratosphere with face-melting awesomeness had it been on something more powerful. Instead, I just see that Monolith was limited to a standard that is almost viewed as unacceptable by what many see to be the bar set in modern gaming at the moment. *Sigh* I don't know if I'm voicing my opinion very well. Oh well.
  •
    by Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 10:26 PM
    Well you pretty much said what I meant to say in my comment in that article. It's nice to see someone who loves gaming as a whole and not just being affiliated with one brand. My comment was extremely long (which makes me doubt anyone will read it) but I was tired of the hate, I have been for years. I hope a mentality like yours can spread across the community because it would help out a lot.
  • Mod
    by Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 11:43 PM
    Thank you. I really felt them posting that article in the headline section of their website was especially inappropriate; how often do we even see opinion articles from non-staff members up there if ever prior to this? It's obvious the person feels that the game should or deserves, rather, a better system to be appreciated on, but the same could be said for nearly every classic out today. He mentioned FF VII, a game that's disgustingly ugly by current-gen comparisons (although the CG is still pretty fascinating) that has yet to see a viable remake. Come to think of it, would there *ever be a system suitable enough for it? I think we need to remind ourselves that beautiful graphics don't make a great game; they're just a nice accessory.

    I found it rather hilarious though how he used the wii's Mario titles in his argument by calling them kitschy - which suggests that he has no true idea of the concept whatsoever and decided to use it to sound catchy - and even criticized how the Legend of Zelda games were treated, even though they're remarkable especially in art design that continues to grant the series a character distinctive from other titles. I think this is the key flaw of the argument, and why I tend to appreciate older titles far better than these monotonous and lifeless HD titles oversaturating the PS3 and Xbox 360's market. I think if he wants to punch a kitten so-to-speak over seeing jaded graphics in a game he otherwise loves, it's time to re-evaluate his priorities; he should attack the problem head-on instead of using patronizing articles as a scapegoat.

    A reasonably balanced blog, Applesteak. If the comments section turns south, remember that you have an advanced editor you can harness... *Sith laughter

    EDIT: To those who don't know, Xenoblade Chronicles is about two years old. It's not a game that was just released, which adds yet another layer to the facetiousness of the article.
  •
    by Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 11:45 PM
    I completely agree with you. You don't sound preachy or fanboyish at all btw.
  •
    by Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 01:28 AM
    I don't think he was "Wii bashing" so much as he was making a valid complaint that Nintendo's focus this gen hasn't been giving developers quality tech to work with. Which is quite frankly true, with the affluence of HDTVs Nintendo really dropped the ball on the horsepower department. Not saying they can't craft good experiences on it, but some things will never be able to fully realized on such antiquated machinery.
  •
    by Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 03:10 AM
    I've spent a ton of money on games that looked great but played like crap. The timing of Chris Kluwe's "opinion/article" is bizarre to begin with (a Nintendo HD system is coming out in a few months). His opinion was absolutely meant to trash Nintendo and their fanbase. Everybody knows that the Wii's graphic's leave much to be desired but there is much more to a great gaming experience than HD realistic textures. It's too bad Chris and his fellow haters can't seem to grasp such a simple concept. Xenoblade is a perfect example of what I mean. Most of my gaming is done on the 360 so I'm no Nintendo fanboy, I'm just a gamer who outgrew the childish console war debate. Nintendo has ALWAYS been innovative and I expect the same with the new console. To suggest that they stick to creating just software may be the stupidest thing I've read so far in 2012 (and there has been no shortage of stupid this year). Haters will hate. Gamers will game, and the Viking's will lose in the playoff's. Three things you can always count on.
  •
    by Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 03:35 AM
    It wasn't just a bad idea, it was simply bad. Besides the fact that its been made at the end of the wii lifecycle with wiiU just around the corner to address graphical capabilities concerns: The fact is a game of this quality isn't being made on ps3/xbox BECAUSE of the HD requirements. The additional hours of art work for a "niche" genre makes it a risky investment. In addition, those lamenting games "dieing" due to wii exclusivity, a) the wii has the highest install base of all systems, if a title fails it because YOU didn't buy it and b) a wii is (currently) $150au New with Mario Kart ($99rrp) - If your not prepared to fork up $50 for a machine to play games that have better design then 95% of the shovel ware / money grabbing sequels the competitors bring to the table...well again, you can only blame you. BTW PS3 is my favorite system, but some need some friggen perspective.
  •
    by Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 04:27 AM
    A big concern I had with Chris's article was identifying the topic. It was evident he liked the game, as he stated such. He also said the Wii was junk. It seemed to me like there was more he had to say about the actual console itself rather than Xenoblade Chronicles. So, given the content of the actual article that was posted; I think GI might as well have allowed him to post an article on the front page entitled: "The Wii Sucks! The Inside Look On What Minnesota Vikings Player Chris Kluwe Really Has To Say About The Nintendo Garbage Can." His purpose wasn't exactly clear either. Was he entertaining? Was he trying to make us laugh like some kind of grotesque out-of-work jester? Oh, I think I know! He was informing. After all, this is GameInformer.com, right? Yes, he was informing us about Xenoblade Chronicles; in a couple of sentences. Come on Chris, that is what Twitter is for; not the homepage of GameInformer.com.
  •
    by Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 04:44 AM
    I won't play it because it's a Wii game; that's part of the point of the article. I'm not going to give or support my reasons, but they are my reasons- and I'm not alone.

    If this was a PS3 game, or if the Wii wasn't what it is, I'd be all over this game, but...

    That's not a comment one way or the other on the appropriateness of the article appearing there instead of under the user or staff blogs section, but I do think he has a point which isn't that Nintendo or the Xenoblade is bad- but rather that there's big frustrations with both; which limit both the quality of the presentation, and the potential profitability.

    And while games with Mario or Dance in the name do fine on the Wii, games like Xenoblade can and often do flounder (whereas, for reasons not related to the brands specifically, such a title would do much better on the PS3, at least in Western markets). So there's that angle of possibly wanting to champion a good game, which for one reason or another (in this case known or at least suggested) is likely to get passed over.

  • by Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 07:42 AM
    I think the main goal of Chris's article was a humorous expression of frustration, and not meant to be taken as objective criticism, and thus should be taken with a grain of salt.
  • by Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 06:50 PM
    This blog is pointless, he was just saying that he wished a game he loved had better graphics to make it even more amazing.
  •
    by Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 10:48 PM
    Ummm... so, to summarize your issue with this article: "it shouldn't have been posted because:

    1) he shouldn't get special treatment just because he's a friend of the editor and a star athlete.
    2) he was just wii-bashing.
    3) it will lead to infighting."

    I'll address each issue respectively:

    1) Sorry, but that's how publishing works. It's not the most fair system, but having connections is how you get published. It's how all writers who don't self-publish operate, and thus of course how ALL publishers operate.

    2) This is the argument I have the most trouble taking seriously. I don't see why so many people can't see the difference between "talking about a negative aspect of something" and "bashing." The topic of the opinion piece was the limitations of the hardware. There's not much about the wii, relevant to the topic, to weigh against!

    So, to make it fit within your standards given in this specific argument, he'd have to either (a) expand the scope of the article to the wii as a whole (which would be completely unnecessary to the point he was originally trying to make), or (b) dull how he voiced the opinions so they wouldn't be so "spicy," which is just... and this is the solution you present, but I'm at something of a loss for words... I've never heard someone say "I can see your opinion, and even though the purpose and format of this article is to express your opinion, I want you to dull it to the point that it doesn't carry any meaning." I just don't understand why you would want that, unless you're just so offended by seeing opinions that vary from yours that you want to be able to pretend that they don't when you do come across them.

    3) If the people worth commenting can't act responsibly enough here to handle a single voice making a single negative opinion about a 7-year-old piece of hardware without breaking into fits of violence, I have both underestimated this community and no longer want to be a part of it.


    Sorry for the blog-bashing. (PS: It depresses me that you feel "only gushing about the game for a few sentences" is "bashing it a little bit." Just that GI has come to that point)
  •
    by Friday, April 27, 2012 at 02:12 PM

    It did take me by surprise that it was on the front page.  What I took away from it was not an in depth analysis of the game or system, rather a tipping point in his frustration.  I think it's not relevant that the system is old or coming into a new version, which has HD capabilities.  

    It's how life works; we compare to what is and what has been.  His relation is that in the same time period of the Wii, he is frustrated that the PS3 and the 360 are far more advanced in their visual presentation.  Because XC is limited to the Wii, he finds it frustrating that it's not on another console so he can see the world how he pictures it should have been.  Instead, he is limited to what he perceives as a down graded experience because of the period of which it was released, in comparison to what is/was available at that time.

    This has nothing to do with older games and taking a system for what it is.  It's a tipping point in frustration that led him to reflect and realize what the Wii was missing for some of his favorite games.  The fact that it was on the front page and not in a blog I can understand was misleading for some.