Millennial Writing

Summary

The video script critiques a prevalent 'Millennial writing' style in modern games, characterized by verbose dialogue, pop culture references, and condescending tone. It argues that this style, often seen on platforms like Twitter, lacks depth and fails to resonate with a broader audience. The script also touches on the political undertones in games, suggesting that developers are pressured to make superficial statements rather than offering meaningful commentary.

Takeaways

• 📝 The script criticizes a trend in writing, often found in modern games, that the author refers to as 'Millennial writing', characterized by a specific tone, vocabulary, and style influenced by social media platforms like Twitter.
• 🎮 'Millennial writing' is exemplified in games such as 'Borderlands 3' and 'Tales from the Borderlands', where the narrative and character development are seen as lacking depth and often relying on pop culture references and clichéd humor.
• 🔍 The author suggests that this style of writing is overly verbose, using excessive dialogue and humor that feels forced or out of touch, rather than genuinely engaging or funny.
• 👎 Criticism is levied against the lack of character development and meaningful storytelling, with games often presenting characters in a way that feels entitled or expecting the audience to care without earning it.
• 📉 The script points out a decline in quality from previous games, suggesting that newer entries in series like 'Borderlands' and 'Saints Row' have not lived up to their predecessors due to this writing style.
• 🗣️ The use of certain phrases and vocabulary, such as 'shitty', 'weird', and 'my dude', is highlighted as a hallmark of 'Millennial writing', often coming across as condescending or infantilizing.
• 💬 The script argues that the writing in these games reflects a narrow perspective, seemingly catering to the experiences and viewpoints of a specific demographic—inner-city, tech-savvy, young adults from coastal cities in the USA.
• 🤔 The author questions the political and social commentary present in games, suggesting that it often feels obligatory and shallow rather than offering meaningful critique or insight.
• 🔄 The script implies that the prevalence of 'Millennial writing' may be due to developers and writers relying too heavily on social media trends, which may not accurately represent broader societal views.
• 🚫 The author advises against the politicization of games for the sake of appearing relevant, advocating for storytelling that respects player intelligence and allows for personal interpretation.
• 👋 The final advice given is for creators to disconnect from social media and focus on real-world experiences to avoid producing condescending or out-of-touch content.

Q & A

What is the term 'Millennial writing' referring to in the script?

The term 'Millennial writing' in the script refers to a certain style of writing that is characterized by a specific tone, vocabulary, and affectation often seen in social media platforms like Twitter, which the author associates with a certain generation's writing style.

What are some examples of games mentioned in the script that exhibit 'Millennial writing'?

Examples of games mentioned in the script that exhibit 'Millennial writing' include 'Saints Row reboot', 'Tales from the Borderlands', 'Borderlands 3', and 'Wolfenstein: Youngblood'.

How does the script describe the use of pop culture references in 'Millennial writing'?

The script describes the use of pop culture references in 'Millennial writing' as excessive and often forced, serving as a form of humor that feels outdated and out of touch with the intended audience.

What criticism does the script level against the character development in games with 'Millennial writing'?

The script criticizes the character development in games with 'Millennial writing' as being shallow, with characters not being built up and lacking rewarding arcs, leading to moments in the game that do not carry any weight or impact.

How does the script relate the writing style in games to the broader social media context?

The script relates the writing style in games to the broader social media context by suggesting that game developers and writers are drawing inspiration from platforms like Twitter, which may not represent broader society but rather a vocal minority.

What is the script's view on the political commentary in games with 'Millennial writing'?

The script's view on the political commentary in games with 'Millennial writing' is that it often feels forced and lacks depth, with games making political references because they feel obliged to, rather than having anything meaningful to say.

What advice does the script give to producers regarding the influence of social media on their work?

The script advises producers to unplug and shut off social media, suggesting that they should look elsewhere to understand broader society and avoid being influenced by the vocal minority on social media platforms.

How does the script characterize the dialogue in games with 'Millennial writing'?

The script characterizes the dialogue in games with 'Millennial writing' as verbose, condescending, and filled with playground insults and swearing, often undermining dramatic moments and relying on clichéd phrases.

What is the script's opinion on the portrayal of violence in games with 'Millennial writing'?

The script's opinion on the portrayal of violence in games with 'Millennial writing' is that it is often treated frivolously, with main characters seeming to delight in violence without any significant narrative or ethical implications.

What are some of the common phrases and vocabulary used in 'Millennial writing' as mentioned in the script?

Some common phrases and vocabulary used in 'Millennial writing' as mentioned in the script include 'shitty', 'weird', 'gross', 'icky', 'yucky', 'yikes', 'my dude', 'my guy', 'y'all', and 'decent human being'.

How does the script describe the humor in games with 'Millennial writing'?

The script describes the humor in games with 'Millennial writing' as being based on loudness and annoyance, with jokes often feeling forced, condescending, and lacking the respect for the player's intelligence.