While the majority of gaming's most read publications gave Modern Warfare 3 around 9 out of 10 on average, the metacritic gaming community somehow came up with a shameful 3.2 on the Richter scale. How does a game that shatters a revenue record previously set by Harry Potter and lauded by its peers find itself under such scrutiny?
Trolls.
What is a troll? In pondering the phenomenon of hate surrounding the new Call of Duty game I came to the realization that the troll is a Hipster in disguise. Instead of tight pants and scouring Is Anyone Up he wears a World of Warcraft Tee and hits up forums.eveonline.com.
It's easy to see the parallels. Watch Hipster Jim's favorite obscure band break out of the "scene" and onto a larger stage and Jim can no longer stand the band he loved "before anyone else even knew they existed". Like Jim's once upon a time Hipster band, MW3 seems to have "sold out". The sheer amount of causal gamers that Modern Warfare has drawn into the gaming folds staggers the trolly mind. He will be damned if he lets his beloved past time fall into the hands of the jock who bullied him because of his geekery.
From his mother's basement, the troll reviled Modern Warfare 3 and its popularity drove him mad. He took to the forums and YouTube comment boards. Reading his posts, your average soccer mom would wonder how the game was so successful. But being on top makes you an easy target and this Hipster nerd isn't your average consumer. He prides himself on his active online "contribution" and in anonymity he finds his courage. The Internet is his "Second Life". While 6.5 million "bros" took to playing MW3 on the first day he was busy trolling. He hates the game for the same reason its so popular; because it easily accessible and quick fun.
The Hipster troll wants gaming for himself. It's his identity. He thinks "If it's popular there must be something wrong with it because the masses are stupid and I'm unique.". But I've been a discerning gamer for well over 2 decades and I love MW3. So what if it's the King of Pop. Sure most pop culture FAILS because it has to appeal to the middle. But if a game can retain what makes it special to it's hardcore audience while appealing to a broader audience, then it will naturally achieve a massive following. Modern Warfare 3 strikes the balance of being accessible and at the same time it rewards the most seasoned gamer.
So let me be the first to say "Hipsters you trolls shall never be.". You aren't cool enough. Let your twisted envy inform your skewed view of the best selling game of all time. You're the only one missing out and no one at Activision is losing sleep because you think their game "sucks". I know it's socially acceptable to play and no one is going to look at you the same way they would if you told them you were a level 60 battlemage. The grand irony. Real Hipsters will probably be playing Modern Warfare 3.
Don't feed the Trolls!
If you're into gaming, Modern Warfare 3, or have a generally good sense of humor you'll love Jay Weinberg's "Modern Warfare 3 Some" music video.
Check it out at http://jaygotgame.com/ and get a free mp3 download of the track.
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