Comments for Punching Snakes

Comment on Polygon and the Game Journalism Club by Jesse Williams

Jesse Williams — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 02:18:48 +0000

After reading this, I must say that you do recognize that there are parts of the industry where it is a “club” and that not all of it is back scratching. My biggest issue with this industry is that it in now way acts like critics for music, movies or any other piece of art for that matter and it should though. Video Games are art just like any other medium and should be judged and given criticism in the same fashion. I started to realize that a good number of journalists write the articles in way that no matter how you read it, you are left with a feeling that you should buy the game, despite it might be a disaster. This is definitely evident in a lot of articles in gameinformer. Look at the one on RE:6 aka Giraffe Blowjob. The review conflicts itself numerous times and then gives the game an excellent review. Polygon is now a joke, especially after the whole Sim City debacle. I hope you continue to do well yourself as you sound like you have your head on your shoulders and actually want to review the art aspect of a game.

Comment on About Dennis Scimeca by Paul Eicher

Paul Eicher — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:21:06 +0000

I just read your article “I used to smoke put every time I played video games. Here’s why I stopped.” I loved it and I know what you mean about the nostalgia of getting high after quitting. Especially when looking back at those golden GoldenEye 007 days on N64! Ah good times… before the responsibilities of my 2 kids came into my life :-]

Comment on Let me introduce myself. I’m broken. by Geoff Martin

Geoff Martin — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 21:27:33 +0000

Thanks for writing. I came to your blog from reading your piece on Kotaku

which was enlightening and much appreciated.

The only other comment I have to make is, when the handle breaks off a cup it is broken, but you can still drink from it.

Salut.

Comment on Should We Even Try To Explain Video Games To The Uninitiated? by Konekon1nj4

Konekon1nj4 — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 22:29:22 +0000

Great points! You have summed it all up with this well rounded post and it’s wonderful to see that there are at least some people out there who are interested in having a reasonable discussion instead of a shouting match/ragefest.

Comment on Let me introduce myself. I’m broken. by Alexander Harpin

Alexander Harpin — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 08:09:36 +0000

I genuinely believe we need more people in the world being honest with their experiences and struggles surrounding mental illness, specifically people who grew up with video games playing such a huge role in their life. Your experiences coping with your struggles via escapism online is definitely a shared one, it’s certainly something I did as a kid. For a really long time (and to an extent, now still) I thought that my means of coping with the endless anxiety that plagued my life was a healthy one. I didn’t need medication, I didn’t need therapy, I could just alienate myself from the world from time to time and come back out into it when I was ready.

I hope this helps you, but even if it doesn’t, know that it certainly makes *me* feel a lot better knowing that other people turned to the same coping mechanisms that I did.

Comment on About Dennis Scimeca by John

John — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 06:42:15 +0000

Just read your article about mental illness and video games. I work in mental health and your tremendous insight of your illness is rare and you have clearly worked very hard at staying well. I see many people with support who just can’t overcome it. In that respect alone you are blessed. You enlightened me with your explanation of how you look back at your bad days from the good place your in now. A new way of looking at bpd for this old psych nurse.

Comment on About Dennis Scimeca by Momdata

Momdata — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 18:04:48 +0000

I’m a mom who just read your piece on Gawker about video games and how they have been therapeutic.

I wanted to say thanks for the perspective. I have a son who has suffered from depression and bullying and he is getting better but still not so self-aware to discuss how the games may help him cope. (he’s 16) You have given me some great insight and talking point to perhaps open a conversation that is not antagonistic.

You need to keep telling your story. It helps more than you probably realize.

Best to you!

Comment on Let me introduce myself. I’m broken. by Stacey Peterson

Stacey Peterson — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 06:37:02 +0000

Thank you. Beautifully written and much appreciated.

Comment on Polygon and the Game Journalism Club by Dennis

Dennis — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 13:33:01 +0000

I am clearly going to have to amend the text. “Desperate desire” is extremely inaccurate. “Wishing to do this full time” would be the appropriate phrase.

My point is that the metaphor of “the club” is not so entirely inaccurate as some people have argued. It also isn’t accurate by the way most people use it.

And I don’t think one enters a profession unless there is intent. You don’t just become a full time writing by accident. It’s a goal you aim for. If you don’t intend you break in, you probably won’t. Again, just my experience.

Comment on Polygon and the Game Journalism Club by Mick

Mick — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 03:37:52 +0000

Wow, Dennis, I think your honesty in this post is admirable. Your desperate desire to ‘be in the club’ is apparent, and not many would be this straightforward with their feelings, or this open. So that’s cool.

But in my experience (and feel free to take the un-asked-for opinion of an anonymous internet commenter with a few grains of salt), your perspective is only going to leave you desperate and unhappy. Do it for the love, do it because it’s a joy and a challenge to up your game, to increase the level of your writing and your analysis, do it to help others love what you love about gaming, do it to spread the good word, to call out the charlatans, to laud the unsung geniuses. Do it for the love.

Do not do it to ‘break in’ or ‘make it’ or get in the club. These are terms from, again, in my experience, the realm of insecurity, of needing others to approve of me, of hoping for external validation. And every time I’ve chased them I’ve ended up desperate and unhappy.

You’re a very good writer. Your piece flows nicely and is very well-stated. Don’t worry about the club. You’ll find your place in it if you’re supposed to. If, in the meantime, you’re having a ball writing things because you love them, you win no matter what.