More on the Switch 2 Discourse

[rynling]

I'll probably get a Switch 2 eventually, but I'm not in any rush. It doesn't mean much to me.

In the meantime, I think it's important not to bully or shame anyone who's excited about the new Nintendo console or the new games that have been announced. "Hating capitalism" isn't about shaming someone who buys a new phone; rather, it's about criticizing corporations for (to give one of many examples) the planned obsolescence that makes buying a new phone necessary. Directing hate at an individual consumer instead of a corporation is pointless and mean-spirited.

In addition deep sigh there's an absurdly intense pressure on creative people to be up-to-the-minute current on the media in their field. The accusation that "you only care about this new Nintendo game so that your art and/or writing will get more clicks" is unfortunately correct. Many creative people rely on social media for exposure, and the stress is now 9000% worse because of generative AI. Everything is on fire, and I just don't think the solution is to get upset at Nintendo fans who are interested in an upcoming game.

TLDR: Fuck Nintendo, but Happy "Silksong Real" to all who celebrate. <3

Comments

[lassarina]

Honestly a lot of that kind of discourse feels either performative or "how dare you play a video game while the world burns." Like. Listen. I as a single human am limited in what I can do about the world burning. I do things I can do and then...I need to replenish my own spirit so I can do more things tomorrow. I can contain both ideas.

[rynling]

How dAre YoU finD jOy in A ruiNEd wORldd

Like okay Kefka Palazzo, have fun in your ruined trash tower. 😎

It's a good and necessary argument to say that Nintendo sets an unhealthy industry precedent by not allowing people to own or archive the games it publishes for its console systems, of course. But still. Being excited to play Mario Kart doesn't make someone a bad person. I recently read a post on Tumblr (this one here) about how the current media consumption panopticon mirrors serious symptoms of mental illness, and it made me so tired.

[lassarina]

........oh good God. I am also tired reading that, but it makes a horrifying degree of sense.

I realize people latch onto this kind of thing partly because it's something they (feel they) can effect change with, but like. please. surely we can spend our energy in better ways.