Posted in: Games, Movies, Video Games | Tagged: Bloodborne, entertainment, From Software, games, playstation, playstation 4, sony, video games

The Cult Of Souls – Why Hardcore Attitudes Towards From Software's Titles Can Be Negative To Games

(Disclaimer: So far, I think Bloodborne is an incredible game. This is not a review (that will come in the next few days) or even frankly about From Software's games directly. It's especially not meant to annoy fans of the games. As stated several times in this article, all Souls fans I know have an inspiring enthusiasm for From's work. This is about those few who let that inspiring enthusiasm be curbed into a bit of a nasty streak.) 

I've said it before, and I have no shame in saying it again. I'm not a huge Dark Souls guy. I'm not completely blind to it though as I've spent around five or six hours with the seminal From Software game. That number would likely be much higher if not for a hardware malfunction, but that's how the cards fell when playing through the title. I want to be clear that I 'get' it though. The methodical and measured fighting system is addicting and the seemingly insurmountable challenges create an intoxicating fervor when vanquished. I 'get' the appeal of the games.

Hell, I'm knee deep in the putrid streets of Yarhham for my Bloodborne review as I type. I'm really enjoying it too. The game has gotten under my skin so deeply that I've even been dreaming about it when I sleep.

Having said that, this week something happened that really hit a long time annoyance I've had surrounding From Software's output. IGN's Review's Editor Dan Stapleton posted an opinion piece about how, as someone who had no contextual understanding of these games, he found the experience of playing Bloodborne to be actively hostile. After struggling through for 12 hours, he decided to call it quits, claiming this game wasn't for him. Bear in mind, IGN currently has an incredibly favorable review for the game up on their site.

This has created a very bitter situation where the comments section, which now sports over 18,500 comments, is a mess with some people proclaiming Dan is a casual game player who's disrespecting the game. Some have even claimed he is lying, while he absolutely isn't. I struggled through that early section too and while not having as rough a time, his concerns were mine during portions of the grind through the first area.

This whole ordeal made me realise that there's something that can be really vexing about the culture surrounding From Software's games. Now, before I go further, I don't think this of the entire community, or even most. As I said, I understand the wonder of discovery, the friendly multiplayer community and the mastery of game design on show. There really is something awful about how some of the more aggressive fans see this game though.

I'm going to call this subsection the Cult of Souls, because that is what it is. A cult. I mean, it may even be closer to a religion. There's a complex text that can be interpreted in many ways at the center (the games) that's created by a mythic figure (Hidetaka Miyazaki) and a rabid set of followers who range anywhere between incredibly smart and good practitioners to fanatics. For arguments sake, going forward, I'm only going to be talking about the 'fanatics'. Like I said, I know so many Souls fans and the way they talk about the game is almost inspiring. I have no quarel with them.

But like in any religion, there is a group that uses the central text and interprets it as the one truth to attack those who deviate from its philosophy, much like Dan Stapleton found out. There's this kind of sense in the industry and wider gaming community that you can't criticise the Souls games. As if to do so is some kind of deathwish like we are dealing with a 13th century Catholic church. To denounce yourself as a believer in the faith of Miyazaki will tar and feather you as a 'filthy casual' for the rest of your life.

I've seen too many people use From Software's games as some kind of gamer sorting hat, that separates the true gamers from the mere pretenders. "What?! You've not killed the Gapping Dragon with no armour, Estus Flasks and only a spear? Get out of my sight. You don't love video games." The focus on hardcore culture is, frankly, kind of obnoxious. It's like not completing this one title could erase all the thousands of hours you've spent playing games your entire life.

And the thing is, I have a suspicion that a lot of these players don't know what it's like to come into these games, struggle and notice how hostile they are to newcomers. Which they absolutely are. They don't tell you how to really use the game's mechanics to your advantage. Lots of people learn that through guides or a friend who is part of the community already so never experience that initial hump. Without a helping hand, these games can be actively belligerent. I recognise some people really love that. Much like some people really enjoy stressful body horror movies or mathcore music. And again, I 'get' it. I get where this is coming from. These things are, by design, meant to be an acquired taste. They are meant for a certain kind of person who wear their love for these unconventional pieces of art on their sleeve.

That just becomes irksome when it becomes a standard you live by and everyone who doesn't adhere to that standard is an enemy. It's not enough to believe something, it becomes your prerogative to either bend other people's will to you whims or brand them as lesser. Following with the theme, this is how religious crusades start. (disclaimer: Yes, I'm joking when I compare gamers angry about Bloodborne to stuff what happened in that Ridley Scott movie(Yes, that was also a joke)).

I mean, in the end all I'm really saying is play nice. Elitism is never a good look on anybody. These games are clearly a response to the casualfication of games, but that is it. A cool alternate way of thinking about game design. Not a tidal wave to wash away all the 'filth'. There is nothing wrong with casual gamers, and in fact I embrace them. They have an important part to play in the future of video games. I for one will welcome my mom, Grandma and more into playing the games. This isn't a clubhouse with a 'No Girls Allowed' sign on the front. This is an actual artistic medium that will grow and better itself with varied ideas being put in.

As I said, remember that this isn't attacking From Software's games. I'm going to jump straight back into Bloodborne as soon as I finish up here. Nor is it an attack on the whole community. Just the pockets yelling at people for not enjoying these games. No one is going to take your games away from you. Go enjoy Bloodborne without feeling the need to attack, question or belittle people who aren't enjoying it. As I said. Play nice.

Now, if you will, I have a few sewers to traverse.

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