"If you don't like it, don't play it," they told us

Summary

The video script discusses the dismissive phrase 'if you don't like it, don't play it,' highlighting its negative impact on video game communities. The speaker argues that such an attitude discourages constructive criticism, which is vital for game improvement. They emphasize that feedback is necessary for a game's growth, and apathy, not hate, is the worst reaction as it signifies disinterest in improvement. The script also touches on the importance of player base for a game's success, suggesting that a dwindling player count can lead to a game's decline.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video argues against the dismissive phrase 'if you don't like it, don't play it', suggesting it's harmful to game communities.
• 🎮 The creator points out that if players stop playing a game due to dissatisfaction, the game's community and potential for improvement diminish.
• 🤔 The video highlights the importance of feedback from players to game developers, as it can lead to improvements rather than the game's demise.
• 📉 The script discusses how games can enter a 'death spiral' if players leave and new ones aren't attracted, leading to the game's decline.
• 👎 It criticizes the creation of 'echo chambers' where only positive feedback is allowed, which can hinder a game's growth and improvement.
• 💬 The video emphasizes that constructive criticism is different from hate and that players should voice their concerns to help games evolve.
• 🚫 The phrase 'if you don't like it, don't play it' is portrayed as a sign of apathy, which is more detrimental to a game's success than hate.
• 💰 The script humorously suggests that the creator might be making more money discussing the game 'Concord' than the game itself.
• 😅 The video touches on the irony of people telling others not to play a game, only to see the game fail and their investments in it become worthless.
• 👍 The creator encourages viewers to share their thoughts in the comments, appreciating both agreement and disagreement.

Q & A

What is the main argument against the phrase 'if you don't like it, don't play it'?

The main argument is that this phrase is dismissive of constructive criticism and can lead to the decline of a game if players stop playing due to unaddressed issues.

Why does the speaker consider the phrase 'if you don't like it, don't play it' to be harmful?

The speaker believes it's harmful because it discourages feedback that could improve the game, and can lead to a death spiral where players leave, causing the game to lose popularity.

What does the speaker suggest is a better approach to criticism than the 'if you don't like it, don't play it' mentality?

The speaker suggests that constructive criticism is better as it can help improve the game, rather than pushing people away and causing the game to fail.

What is the term used for a group of fans that create a separate community to discuss a game's positive aspects despite its negative reception?

The term used is 'copes' and they create a 'low sodium version' or a separate safe space for discussing only good things about the game.

How does the speaker relate the decline in player numbers to the health of a game?

The speaker relates the decline in player numbers to the health of a game by stating that a game is less likely to be worth investing time in if it's losing players rapidly.

What example does the speaker give to illustrate the point that a game's player base is crucial for its survival?

The speaker gives the example of 'New World', noting that if a game's player base is dwindling, it's a sign that the game is dying and not worth investing time in.

What does the speaker mean when he says 'Concord proved my point'?

The speaker means that the failure of the game 'Concord' exemplified his point about the negative impact of the 'if you don't like it, don't play it' attitude on a game's success.

Why does the speaker say that apathy is worse than hate when it comes to feedback on a game?

The speaker says that apathy is worse than hate because hate indicates that people want the game to improve, whereas apathy means they don't care if it gets better or not.

What does the speaker think about people who become emotionally invested in a game and see criticism as a personal attack?

The speaker thinks that such people are incapable of understanding that criticism can be beneficial for the game's improvement and that their dismissive attitude can harm the game.

What does the speaker say about the importance of player feedback in game development?

The speaker emphasizes that player feedback is crucial for game improvement and that dismissing it with 'if you don't like it, don't play it' can lead to the game's downfall.

What is the speaker's opinion on the phrase 'if you don't like it, don't play it' in the context of game improvement?

The speaker's opinion is that the phrase is harmful and short-sighted, as it discourages valuable feedback that could lead to game improvement and ultimately contributes to the game's failure.