My thoughts on why people get so defensive about the game~

[bcmii]

I never understood why people get so defensive about it. It's as if people take criticisms of the game as a personal attack. I could understand if they were the creators of AC. I just don't understand why ordinary players feel the need to be so concerned about what others think, as if the game is their own creation that they put their blood, sweat, and tears into. I could understand if they were the creators of the game and had spent months working on it...the reality is that's not the case, and others' opinions actually do not affect these players whatsoever.

However, now that I've thought about it a bit longer, I believe what's going on is similar to the effect that occurs when you tell someone about your favorite song/movie/show etc. and they turn out to not enjoy it as much as you do.

Here's a little bit from an article I found about this effect:

Whenever we strongly recommend something, be it a movie, TV show, song, short video, recipe etc. to someone and endorse it as “our favorite”, we have an uncontrollable urge to find out whether they like it or not.

Moreover, we actively try to get them to like that movie, show, song etc.

People’s likes and dislikes form part of their identity. Being a Star Wars fan, Red Sox fan, Ugg-boots-wearer, if held strongly, can be an identity for some people. For some their opinions and identity are more coupled. Criticizing the thing they like is criticizing their judgement and criticizing their identity.

Saying, “I don't care for the movie,” might be heard as, “You have poor judgement and I hate something that’s an expression of who you are.” It may come off as a pronouncement rather than an opinion.

I just wish that we could all respect one another's opinions and get along! I can have my opinions about the games and you can have yours! If I see someone say something I disagree with about the game, I simply keep scrolling and go about my day. I DO respond, however, when you start attacking and putting down others for feeling different than you. That's when I feel the line has been crossed.

 

[Moritz]

I honestly take no issue with people disliking the game or thinking its lacking in areas or anything like that. The world is filled with people, I can't expect them all to agree with me.

I dont feel I am defensive about the game as such. I feel kind of annoyed by how the game is a year old and people are hanging around a fan site for the game, and never seem to have anything positive to say on the subject.

I come here because I genuinely love the game and want to share that love with others. And then you have some people who come here to do the exact opposite.

And when it's kept to one thread that's cool and understandable. But when it goes into threads that aren't made to complain about the game, it turns what was a positive and happy environment, into one filled with angry people because the game isn't one they enjoy.

And then you also have some people who hang around here and hate on the game so much, it's not enough to post on the current threads, they need to find old threads to post it on as well.

It can just feel sometimes that this is not a place where you can just come and be happy because you enjoy the game. It gets tiring.

 

[Serabee]

I honestly take no issue with people disliking the game or thinking its lacking in areas or anything like that. The world is filled with people, I can't expect them all to agree with me.

I dont feel I am defensive about the game as such. I feel kind of annoyed by how the game is a year old and people are hanging around a fan site for the game, and never seem to have anything positive to say on the subject.

I come here because I genuinely love the game and want to share that love with others. And then you have some people who come here to do the exact opposite.

And when it's kept to one thread that's cool and understandable. But when it goes into threads that aren't made to complain about the game, it turns what was a positive and happy environment, into one filled with angry people because the game isn't one they enjoy.

And then you also have some people who hang around here and hate on the game so much, it's not enough to post on the current threads, they need to find old threads to post it on as well.

It can just feel sometimes that this is not a place where you can just come and be happy because you enjoy the game. It gets tiring.

This, exactly.

Also, I don't mind when people share constructive criticism- that's helpful and good. I've certainly shared my opinions on how the game could be improved (no game is perfect, after all, and ACNH absolutely could be better), but then I leave those threads, because it feels like it inevitably turns into bashing the game. And, I'm pretty sure I've said before, when you really enjoy something and a bunch of people are bashing it... yah, you do kind of take it personally. That's pretty natural. I mean, some people do get unnaturally defensive at times, but it feels like there's so much negativity on here... and a lot of it ISN'T constructive. It's just ranting/bashing/whining.

Like Moritz, I came here to talk about my love of the game. That's what I wanna bond over. I don't want to bond over ranting about how much I dislike something that I... still joined a forum about. Same reason I don't generally care for "ugliest/worst" villager threads when I could be talking about my favorite villagers- even when I do complain about something or offer feedback on something, I'm still generally positive, and I take ownership of what I'm saying being MY feelings. I'm totally cool with talking about ways game could improve, but I have no interest in talking about why the game sucks. And it's a pet peeve of mine in general when people state opinions as facts. Like if someone starts a topic with "Well, obviously we all know ACNH isn't the best Animal Crossing game...", I'm gonna ignore that topic. But if you start a topic like "Do you think ACNH is the best Animal Crossing game? Why/why not? If not, what could make it the best game?" then you're opening up a discussion, as opposed to what feels like a way to only lure in people who agree with you (or people who disagree who you can all them team up against). That's something I feel safe and comfortable sharing my thoughts in, and it isn't going to make people feel defensive.

TBH, like I said, I don't go on the rant threads and stuff nowadays, so maybe it's changed. But when I first went on those, most were so negative, it was like... I don't need this. What I noticed early on, I felt like the problem was less defensiveness (though, again, some people do get overly defensive) and more how things were framed. They were often framed in a way that would naturally make people defensive.

And, frankly, even when they aren't sometimes you're so used to HAVING to defend yourself, that you end up getting defensive out of habit. Which, while admittedly not helpful, is completely understandable.

 

[Moritz]

Edit: you know what, fine, you win.
This isnt a community I want to be a part of any more.

Reserve the right to change my mind later but yeah. This place is just far too negative for me.

I just wanted a place to share with others a mutual love for the game.
Clearly this is not the place for that.

Some amazing people here don't get me wrong. I'm just done with it though.

 

[Millysaurusrexjr]

Constructive criticism is great, I think it's good for the game and the community. But there are some people on here that act as if New Horizons is the only game in existence. They complain about it multiple times a day, every day, in multiple threads on this website. It gets tiring to see 2 or 3 whole new threads created almost every day saying essentially the same things: "New Horizons is empty" "There's nothing to do" "How can New Horizons be improved? Part 4,656,327,194" "Are there enough updates?" "Do you enjoy the game?" etc. It's the same threads over and over again. We have a rant thread and now a petty complaint thread, which honestly are one in the same because people don't seem to know the difference between a rant and a petty complaint. But I digress - I wish people would just stick to the rant threads rather than creating a whole new thread to complain about something that's been complained about since the game was released.

I get that people have a right to complain. I get that New Horizons is not perfect, it's not where it could be. I just don't think we need a million threads dedicated to the same topic each day. Then again, I suppose there wouldn't be as much to talk about on the forums if there wasn't free reign to rant. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[Serabee]

Constructive criticism is great, I think it's good for the game and the community. But there are some people on here that act as if New Horizons is the only game in existence. They complain about it multiple times a day, every day, in multiple threads on this website. It gets tiring to see 2 or 3 whole new threads created almost every day saying essentially the same things: "New Horizons is empty" "There's nothing to do" "How can New Horizons be improved? Part 4,656,327,194" "Are there enough updates?" "Do you enjoy the game?" etc. It's the same threads over and over again. We have a rant thread and now a petty complaint thread, which honestly are one in the same because people don't seem to know the difference between a rant and a petty complaint. But I digress - I wish people would just stick to the rant threads rather than creating a whole new thread to complain about something that's been complained about since the game was released.

I get that people have a right to complain. I get that New Horizons is not perfect, it's not where it could be. I just don't think we need a million threads dedicated to the same topic each day. Then again, I suppose there wouldn't be as much to talk about on the forums if there wasn't free reign to rant. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Agreed. Criticism and productive conversations are great and always welcome. But I've also had situations where people are sharing excitement or joy over a situation, and all of a sudden someone has to bring up some unrelated or barely related complaint that seems designed purely to bring the whole mood down. Or someone asks a cheerful/fun question (like "Who's your favorite villager?" or "What are your plans for your island?") and someone replies with an "answer" that is actually an (often unrelated) complaint and, again, seems designed to bring the whole mood down. ...Why? Bringing down other people doesn't improve the game at all. Those are the kinds of situation where I feel like someone getting "defensive" is rather justified, because you're gonna want to bring the thread back to it's intended purpose. Just like if someone started posting positive stuff and/or complaints about complaints on the rant thread, the people there are probably gonna want to bring the thread back to it's original purpose.

My point in posting any of this here is that I'm just hoping people aren't lumping every person who doesn't complain about the game often, or tries to avoid complaints, into one big group of defensive people who take everything too personally. Because while I'm sure there are people who take things too personally on here, I've also seen a lot of people who just seem determined to hate on the game and make other people hate it, too.

 

[bcmii]

My point in posting any of this here is that I'm just hoping people aren't lumping every person who doesn't complain about the game often, or tries to avoid complaints, into one big group of defensive people who take everything too personally. Because while I'm sure there are people who take things too personally on here, I've also seen a lot of people who just seem determined to hate on the game and make other people hate it, too.

This thread is specifically directed towards those who go out of their way to respond to criticisms that are posted and put others down for having an opinion that is different than their own! Everyone is entitled to their own opinion--anywhere from love to hate for the game.

 

[VanitasFan26]

Thank you! Finally someone who understands what I have to deal with on this site. The problem is that whenever I give constructive criticism on the game no matter what I say and how hard I try my best to be honest and not negative I will still get misunderstood as if I'm some type of negative person or just someone spreading negativity. This was always my main issue when discussing what can be improved on the game and then I have certain people attacking me because they think I'm "hating" on the game when I'm not.

I am not here to start any arguments but I just want to clear this whole confusion thing up. I got attacked by some people who kept assuming that I only post "negative" things about the game when in reality I've spoken about good things about the game and not just negative. Sure there are times I was hard on the game but I am not one of those people who is like "I hate this game so much" I am not like that at all. Many people on this site don't seem to understand the difference between having an actual valid opinion and then having to be attacked by others who simply don't agree with you. Its a hurtful feeling.

Everytime I make a thread I always get hated on, then people take what I say out of context and try to make it seem like I'm the one who is being rude when really I am not. I am not here to spread negativity or trying to hate on others, but when I have to put up with users who attack me just because I have different opinion, it hurts me.

 

[Matt0106]

Constructive criticism is great, I think it's good for the game and the community. But there are some people on here that act as if New Horizons is the only game in existence. They complain about it multiple times a day, every day, in multiple threads on this website. It gets tiring to see 2 or 3 whole new threads created almost every day saying essentially the same things: "New Horizons is empty" "There's nothing to do" "How can New Horizons be improved? Part 4,656,327,194" "Are there enough updates?" "Do you enjoy the game?" etc. It's the same threads over and over again. We have a rant thread and now a petty complaint thread, which honestly are one in the same because people don't seem to know the difference between a rant and a petty complaint. But I digress - I wish people would just stick to the rant threads rather than creating a whole new thread to complain about something that's been complained about since the game was released.

I get that people have a right to complain. I get that New Horizons is not perfect, it's not where it could be. I just don't think we need a million threads dedicated to the same topic each day. Then again, I suppose there wouldn't be as much to talk about on the forums if there wasn't free reign to rant. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I agree with this. Everyone has a right to complain; for me it isn't about what they say, but rather how often they say it. Over the past year I have been seeing the same threads over and over about the same complaints. Complaints are totally fine, but do we really need a dozen threads for every issue? I find the message is more digestible when it is not being repeated with a new thread every two days.

But like you said, at the end of day, people are allowed to do as they so choose

 

[Serabee]

This thread is specifically directed towards those who go out of their way to respond to criticisms that are posted and put others down for having an opinion that is different than their own! Everyone is entitled to their own opinion--anywhere from love to hate for the game.

AH, okay. I guess maybe I just don't see those people because I tend to focus on more positive threads? But I agree that isn't okay- I want to celebrate what makes the game great, others want to focus purely on what they think needs improving. As long as people aren't going out of there way to upset/annoy/change other people's minds, everything should be cool.

Everytime I make a thread I always get hated on, then people take what I say out of context and try to make it seem like I'm the one who is being rude when really I am not. I am not here to spread negativity or trying to hate on others, but when I have to put up with users who attack me just because I have different opinion, it hurts me.

Yah, that's definitely not okay I also often get misunderstood so I feel you on that. Posting criticisms or asking questions isn't a bad thing and I definitely don't think anyone deserves to be bashed for it.


I honestly didn't know some people get so defensive of the game until now

 

[kemdi]

Defensive fans aren't unique to just NH. You can practically find them in any fandom...even sewing. The general feeling behind the defensiveness is 'I like thing X and if you think thing X isn't good enough, then you must think I'm not good enough.' or something to that effect. Anyways, just talking personal, I don't think I'm too critical of NH. I like the game well enough that I've already put over 1k hours into it, but I still think a lot is missing, its kinda light on content compared to other games in the series, and overall it can be better. I try not to be too critical since, as I understand it we still have like 2 years of updates left, so I'm still hoping for a large game changing 'Welcome Amiibo'-type of update that we got with New Leaf. Hoping we get a new amiibo card set with new villagers. That would honestly send me over the moon.

 

[King koopa]

YES! FINALLY SOMEONE UNDERSTANDS ME! Ok, I'll calm down, but this is what I have been saying and FINALLY someone understands that. This is tbt. People should have the right to say how they feel about something without getting taken down with 'no no, new horizons is perfect you're just not grateful'. That's rude, and I like new horizons, but I'm sure everyone, even people who love the game so much and prefer it over new leaf can all argue that it's lacking. Some say that there's already enough, and others don't. But it's ok, is what I'm saying. People should be able to have their own opinions without getting taken down with hate. 2 threads that I know of got locked because of people disrespecting opinions, and I'm very surprised the animal crossing rant thread wasn't locked too. (Probably because it's a rant thread)
Point is, yeah we get new horizons is cool imo but you don't need to get so offended and rude when we share our opinions on here ok

 

[KrazyKarp]

Constructive criticism is great, I think it's good for the game and the community. But there are some people on here that act as if New Horizons is the only game in existence. They complain about it multiple times a day, every day, in multiple threads on this website. It gets tiring to see 2 or 3 whole new threads created almost every day saying essentially the same things: "New Horizons is empty" "There's nothing to do" "How can New Horizons be improved? Part 4,656,327,194" "Are there enough updates?" "Do you enjoy the game?" etc. It's the same threads over and over again. We have a rant thread and now a petty complaint thread, which honestly are one in the same because people don't seem to know the difference between a rant and a petty complaint. But I digress - I wish people would just stick to the rant threads rather than creating a whole new thread to complain about something that's been complained about since the game was released.

I get that people have a right to complain. I get that New Horizons is not perfect, it's not where it could be. I just don't think we need a million threads dedicated to the same topic each day. Then again, I suppose there wouldn't be as much to talk about on the forums if there wasn't free reign to rant. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

This is exactly my opinion on the matter. Not being content with the game is fine, but I've lurked around a few threads and people keep drilling in the same complaints over and over again across multiple threads. It's tiring. If people really want to complain every day, that's totally fine, but I agree they need to just stick to the rant threads.

Overall, I've seen some posts that seem weirdly defensive of the game as if criticism is a personal attack, but I've also seen posts that seem weirdly offensive on attacking the game, as if something wrong with the game is a personal attack on them. Personally, I've seen this behavior more with people who are of the "UPDATES OR RIOT" mentality, which is what I feel like I've seen a lot not only here but in general across the Animal Crossing community.

It's fine to be discontent with some aspects of the game and is fine to even complain about it, but not as often as I've seen many people do. After all, fundamentally I assume people play Animal Crossing because they enjoy most of the game, not because they're upset with the majority of it.

 

[Nunnafinga]

I think what's been going on here is more a matter of board etiquette and not freedom of expression.Everyone here has the right to state their opinion within the rules of this message board.The fact that the mods have allowed these many posts containing criticism of New Horizons is a testament to that.But we must take into account that the majority of people who come to this message board are here to celebrate the game of Animal Crossing and they are bound to grow weary of the constant negativity hurled at their favorite video game.

A message board is like a communal table where everyone gathers to express themselves in some fashion and I think that people here need to be more cognizant of the feelings of others.Basically,think before you post.

 

[dizzy bone]

Hi there,

While I understand many players will not see eye to eye on their opinions of the game, I do not think a thread like this is appropriate nor does the original post have much to do with discussions about the game itself. Everyone is free to discuss what they like or do not like about the game, but please make sure to be respectful and mindful of each other's opinions. I'm going to close this now!