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This is tough to determine. One could make the argument that Gaming is inherently a childish activity that draw people with childish tendencies and childish tas

This is tough to determine. One could make the argument that Gaming is inherently a childish activity that draw people with childish tendencies and childish tastes. The counter to this would be what Nintendo learned with it’s product redesigns. Their original Game Boy Advance looked like a toy, but when they redesigned it into the Gameboy Advance SP, it became their best selling Gameboy up to that point. Nothing changed other than the design. The same could be said for the childish GameCube design, where the modern/Apple inspired successor Wii became their best selling console up to that point as well. This is probably the same issue Tesla made about EVs. Why does an EV have to look like some particularly weird looking car? Why can’t it look like a decent entry level luxury car? So ya, none of this advanced gaming hardware has to look this fucking stupid for sure. The design teams are basically insulting everyone’s taste based on some kind of prejudice, that we’re all some kind of Mountain Dew Code Red drinking neck beards with zero taste. This chair looks like it has some very good utility that solves some issues around desk space, viewing angle and ergonomics. If they just approached it with less prejudice, it could follow a smaller modern minimalist form that would appeal to vast swaths of the population. For what it’s worth, a design like this is better at tackling the reality of sitting at a computer all day than the Standing desk. The standing desk is mainstream, but this will never be. I wonder why? I cannot have a fucking scorpion chair in my apartment as an adult.

deleted 6y ago
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metalliqaz 6y ago
> One could make the argument that Gaming is inherently a childish activity that draw people with childish tendencies and childish tastes. This was true when games entered the home and Atari/Nintendo/Sega/etc decided to sell them from the toy aisle (specifically the boys toys aisle). But that was 40 years ago. Similar to how the Simpsons is now seen as an old people show (and Looney Tunes even older), video games have grown up. Especially in the mobile space, but PC isn't far behind.
stryan 6y ago
>The counter to this would be what Nintendo learned with it’s product redesigns. Their original Game Boy Advance looked like a toy, but when they redesigned it into the Gameboy Advance SP, it became their best selling Gameboy up to that point. Nothing changed other than the design. The same could be said for the childish GameCube design, where the modern/Apple inspired successor Wii became their best selling console up to that point as well. That seems to be a bit of stretch. The original Game Boy Advance was already selling very well when it came out, being the fastest selling console in both NA and Europe soon after release. The GBA also never was the best selling Gameboy lineup: that's always been the original Game Boy/GBC. It also seems like you're implying the Game Boy Advance SP was mainly redesigned to look more "adult" and that's why it was more successful. This ignores the fact that the SP also added a rechargeable battery and, most importantly, a long-requested built in light (first front-lit, later back-lit). The latter feature alone was another for many people (myself included) to side-grade from a GBA to a GBA SP. I'll leave the question of whether the original GBA and Gamecube actually had childish designs (because they're both..purple?) to people who actually understand design.
- runawaybottle 6y ago
  It’s hard to find articles about it right now, but a lot of adults did not feel shame playing the GBA SP in public. The design impacted a lot. I encourage anyone to look up the original Gameboy Advance model and compare it to the GBA SP model to convince yourself how obvious that design change was. As for the subjectiveness of the GBA and GameCube designs, it feels obvious to me. Like, the GameCube had a fucking handle on it lol. No dear sir, “purple” was the least of it. To hammer the point home, Nintendo specifically mentioned that the modern redesigns of the Wii or GBA were Apple inspired, and were deliberate. They consistently made those types of modern design changes since the success of SP’s redesign (DS Lite). All the design changes looked less childish, a simple before and after google image search should confirm this for anyone.
  - stryan 6y ago
    I couldn't find any articles agreeing with you on the GBA aspect, and I think you're overestimating the "adult design change" versus "you can now play video games without having the perfect light source" aspect. > Like, the GameCube had a fucking handle on it lol. No dear sir, “purple” was the least of it. I'm intrigued by your implication that adults never have to carry anything. The handle always suggested a briefcase look to me. I did find an interview[0] talking about the Wii's design and you're right that the Gamecube was viewed a bit like a "toy" and how they tried to avoid that again. It's a neat look into their design process, specifically how they wanted the Wii to be placed directly next to the TV, but to look more "fun" then just a piece of AV equipment. Not sure where you got the Apple inspiration part, the design imagery was set by the Nintendo DS. On a related note, the DS Lite is not an SP redesign. Typo perhaps? [0] https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Iwata-Asks/Iwata-Asks-Wii/Iwata-Asks-Wii-Hardware/2-A-Design-For-Everyone/2-A-Design-For-Everyone-205730.html https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Iwata-Asks/Iwata-Asks-Wii/Iwata-A...
falcolas 6y ago
> One could make the argument that Gaming is inherently a childish activity that draw people with childish tendencies and childish tastes. This is, frankly, an insult against a majority of adults in the US. The "average" gamer is 34 years old, owns a house, and has children. 65% of American adults play games daily. It's no more childish than watching TV or reading.
- runawaybottle 6y ago
  Yeah it’s insulting, but sometimes we do it to ourselves. Scorpion chair is a no no. Sometimes just take the easy wins.
  - hesdeadjim 6y ago
    That chair is wonderfully ridiculous, and I would enjoy the feeling you’d get every time you hop in it. Those who judge tend to have their own hang ups around this kind of stuff. What’s yours?
    - kevin_thibedeau 6y ago
      Looks unsafe if there is a fire and the power goes out.
      - jacquesm 6y ago
        At a guess you are not into bondage.
    - klondike_klive 6y ago
      I get a mild castration anxiety looking at it.
- hesdeadjim 6y ago
  Yea, more than a tad bit insulting. Let’s just forget how great of a social activity is, especially during an isolating pandemic as well. Some of my gaming experiences are my fondest memories, as “real” as any normal event. I’m also quite well adjusted with social activities, plenty of “real” world friends, adrenaline sports, and being a father. But I also have no judgement for someone who makes gaming much more of their life, as I did at one point.

deleted 6y ago

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metalliqaz 6y ago

> One could make the argument that Gaming is inherently a childish activity that draw people with childish tendencies and childish tastes. This was true when games entered the home and Atari/Nintendo/Sega/etc decided to sell them from the toy aisle (specifically the boys toys aisle). But that was 40 years ago. Similar to how the Simpsons is now seen as an old people show (and Looney Tunes even older), video games have grown up. Especially in the mobile space, but PC isn't far behind.

stryan 6y ago

>The counter to this would be what Nintendo learned with it’s product redesigns. Their original Game Boy Advance looked like a toy, but when they redesigned it into the Gameboy Advance SP, it became their best selling Gameboy up to that point. Nothing changed other than the design. The same could be said for the childish GameCube design, where the modern/Apple inspired successor Wii became their best selling console up to that point as well. That seems to be a bit of stretch. The original Game Boy Advance was already selling very well when it came out, being the fastest selling console in both NA and Europe soon after release. The GBA also never was the best selling Gameboy lineup: that's always been the original Game Boy/GBC. It also seems like you're implying the Game Boy Advance SP was mainly redesigned to look more "adult" and that's why it was more successful. This ignores the fact that the SP also added a rechargeable battery and, most importantly, a long-requested built in light (first front-lit, later back-lit). The latter feature alone was another for many people (myself included) to side-grade from a GBA to a GBA SP. I'll leave the question of whether the original GBA and Gamecube actually had childish designs (because they're both..purple?) to people who actually understand design.

runawaybottle 6y ago
It’s hard to find articles about it right now, but a lot of adults did not feel shame playing the GBA SP in public. The design impacted a lot. I encourage anyone to look up the original Gameboy Advance model and compare it to the GBA SP model to convince yourself how obvious that design change was. As for the subjectiveness of the GBA and GameCube designs, it feels obvious to me. Like, the GameCube had a fucking handle on it lol. No dear sir, “purple” was the least of it. To hammer the point home, Nintendo specifically mentioned that the modern redesigns of the Wii or GBA were Apple inspired, and were deliberate. They consistently made those types of modern design changes since the success of SP’s redesign (DS Lite). All the design changes looked less childish, a simple before and after google image search should confirm this for anyone.
- stryan 6y ago
  I couldn't find any articles agreeing with you on the GBA aspect, and I think you're overestimating the "adult design change" versus "you can now play video games without having the perfect light source" aspect. > Like, the GameCube had a fucking handle on it lol. No dear sir, “purple” was the least of it. I'm intrigued by your implication that adults never have to carry anything. The handle always suggested a briefcase look to me. I did find an interview[0] talking about the Wii's design and you're right that the Gamecube was viewed a bit like a "toy" and how they tried to avoid that again. It's a neat look into their design process, specifically how they wanted the Wii to be placed directly next to the TV, but to look more "fun" then just a piece of AV equipment. Not sure where you got the Apple inspiration part, the design imagery was set by the Nintendo DS. On a related note, the DS Lite is not an SP redesign. Typo perhaps? [0] https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Iwata-Asks/Iwata-Asks-Wii/Iwata-Asks-Wii-Hardware/2-A-Design-For-Everyone/2-A-Design-For-Everyone-205730.html https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Iwata-Asks/Iwata-Asks-Wii/Iwata-A...

falcolas 6y ago

> One could make the argument that Gaming is inherently a childish activity that draw people with childish tendencies and childish tastes. This is, frankly, an insult against a majority of adults in the US. The "average" gamer is 34 years old, owns a house, and has children. 65% of American adults play games daily. It's no more childish than watching TV or reading.

runawaybottle 6y ago
Yeah it’s insulting, but sometimes we do it to ourselves. Scorpion chair is a no no. Sometimes just take the easy wins.
- hesdeadjim 6y ago
  That chair is wonderfully ridiculous, and I would enjoy the feeling you’d get every time you hop in it. Those who judge tend to have their own hang ups around this kind of stuff. What’s yours?
  - kevin_thibedeau 6y ago
    Looks unsafe if there is a fire and the power goes out.
    - jacquesm 6y ago
      At a guess you are not into bondage.
  - klondike_klive 6y ago
    I get a mild castration anxiety looking at it.
hesdeadjim 6y ago
Yea, more than a tad bit insulting. Let’s just forget how great of a social activity is, especially during an isolating pandemic as well. Some of my gaming experiences are my fondest memories, as “real” as any normal event. I’m also quite well adjusted with social activities, plenty of “real” world friends, adrenaline sports, and being a father. But I also have no judgement for someone who makes gaming much more of their life, as I did at one point.