It's always a challenge. Who deserves a better seat at the VGAs: Sefton Hill or Mark Hamill?
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Any chance this years VGAs will be a bit more professional? [Geoff asks for feedback]
- Thread starter sn00zer
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It's always a challenge. Who deserves a better seat at the VGAs: Sefton Hill or Mark Hamill?
In a perfect world all the nominees would be treated equally, and don't tell me that the organizers really had too chose to put one of those two in the nose bleeds. Why was there not a section reserved for the nominees (and invitations sent out) to see their category announced? Show a little respect, to everyone who was nominated.
I think the whole not telling the nominee when their award was being announced was the bigger issue anyway.
The problem is, in the process of talking to a wider audience, the fear is that you're not talking to us. I'm all for being inclusive - heck, it's the only way this industry can survive in the long term, and I recognise that - it's just this approach to inclusivity excludes us. The irony is palpable.
That said, the tempter about orchestral music has piqued my interest. I await results with curiosity. And if not, there's always Dara.
Did anyone else post this? I feel like it greatly exemplifies how most of us feel:
http://www.giantbomb.com/news/the-2011-spike-video-game-awards-on-teabagging-cupcakes-and-charlie-sheen/3853/?page=5&sort=first
Doesn't this sound like exactly what's going on in this thread? Why come and ask us what we want to see when it's not going to change the fact that we were never the target audience to begin with?
http://www.giantbomb.com/news/the-2011-spike-video-game-awards-on-teabagging-cupcakes-and-charlie-sheen/3853/?page=5&sort=first
Doesn't this sound like exactly what's going on in this thread? Why come and ask us what we want to see when it's not going to change the fact that we were never the target audience to begin with?
Ninja Scooter
Member
lol it's fucking deja vu. Right down to asking for input when it's too late to change anything this year, and the "watch it anyway we'll surprise you!" pleas.
HyperCubed4
Member
Says a lot, doesn't it? When more people enjoy watching a celebrity ramble on about Tiger Woods' promiscuity, people acting out a gesture done by the most childish of online gamers, and group of people whose job it is to judge these games neglect to pay attention to the majority of the awards so they can focus more on the awards they know people are watching for, it stops being an "awards show" and starts becoming "entertainment."
Then when people cry "WHY OH WHY AREN'T GAMES TAKEN SERIOUSLY?!" I can point them to the clusterfuck of absurdity that is the VGAs and show them how legitimate awards shows don't have any attention paid to them.
I don't know what exactly you meant by "nobody gives a shit about it," but I sincerely hope you're not trying to imply that more viewers = quality.
Some truth bombs in here. Also it is odd to hear all the cries that no one wants a boring show for lame serious people, when that is what is asked for every single year. Imagine if roles were reversed - if there were an Oscar like VG awards on tv, would you see any complaints that what the show really needed was some tea bagging?
HyperCubed4
Member
Exactly. Your awards show stops being an awards show when you start adding childish skits to it. Oh, sticking your balls in someone's face. Hilarious, especially when it happens in real life! In front of a crowd, even! Those are the kind of gamers we take seriously!
Geoff, you're not a stupid man. But surely you must realize that if outsiders don't take your awards show seriously, they won't take your game journalism job seriously either.
Ninja Scooter
Member
All genres have those kinds of awards shows. Music has the MTV awards, which are a clusterfuck of bad sketches and bits and people watch it more for shock value than the actual awards. Movies have the MTV movie awards and stuff like the People's Choice Awards which are all fluff as well. The reason movies and music can also have more "presentable" shows like the Emmys, Oscars and Grammys is because those types of entertainment have stars. There are no stars in video games. Your average viewer probably turns in to the Oscars to see who George Clooney's date is, or what Salma Hayak is wearing as much as they tune in for awards. The truth is that video games are NOT on the same level in this sense and probably never will be, because unlike movies and music, video games don't lend themselves very well to create stars that people want to watch on television. To this point, the VGA awards (though I do admit, the quality could be improved, but even then we are talking about raising it to MTV standards) is probably the best we are ever going to get, while there will be smaller scale stuff like the GDC awards that will be much lower key.
HyperCubed4
Member
Oh, I'm not saying that other mediums don't have bad awards shows. But it says a lot when a crappy awards show is considered the most "watchable" in the industry. Yeah, I just called the VGAs "crappy."
My point is that the VGAs aren't quality. If the MTV movie awards have fluff, the VGAs might as well be MADE of fluff. So much so that Gabriel Iglesias would be jealous.
There's barely anything of substance. That's my problem. When an awards show with such little substance becomes the standard for all game awards shows, it's really saddening. GDC is
Load of crap, is what it is.
Laughing Banana
Weeping Pickle
Wait... they have a Most Anticipated Game Award?
Wait what?
What?
Wait what?
What?
Ignore trying to appease GAF. Just put out a show that wouldn't embarrass the majority of your internet audience.
Please take note, I am referring to shit like this:
the oscars of video games
No. Just....no.
cartman414
Member
One of them happening would be one thing. Both happening is just problematic.
A big problem with the VGAs is that I think way too many people have to take their bows back stage. Games are made by a lot of different people. We don't get to see awards for amazing audio design, animation, marketing, character models and programming/scripting. The designers, producers and studio presidents take their bows in front of everyone but everyone works hard and is a star in my books not just them.
To do a proper VGA would take a very damn long time but I guess it comes down to just what I want out of an event that celebrates what was created.
My idea of an awards ceremony for me would be like the top 10 games of the year and the entire team sitting down in the centre of a circular room just shooting the shit doing a post mortem recounting the fun times of development and figuring things out. What were the worst bugs, the best bugs, the cool things they had to cut. The greatest moments when they just knew they loved their game or hated it. Make the event more about the games and the people that made them. Don't just pander the event like it's meant for an audience with the attention span of a child who drank coca cola for the first time. Make people see what went into the game and realize the dedication these people have to make a game and this especially lets families and friends see just how much we love it.
Hell I would love to hear people from other game companies just sitting down and recounting what they love about the top games as well.
To do a proper VGA would take a very damn long time but I guess it comes down to just what I want out of an event that celebrates what was created.
My idea of an awards ceremony for me would be like the top 10 games of the year and the entire team sitting down in the centre of a circular room just shooting the shit doing a post mortem recounting the fun times of development and figuring things out. What were the worst bugs, the best bugs, the cool things they had to cut. The greatest moments when they just knew they loved their game or hated it. Make the event more about the games and the people that made them. Don't just pander the event like it's meant for an audience with the attention span of a child who drank coca cola for the first time. Make people see what went into the game and realize the dedication these people have to make a game and this especially lets families and friends see just how much we love it.
Hell I would love to hear people from other game companies just sitting down and recounting what they love about the top games as well.
Voted on by the public which would accurately reflect the award. Or do you think no publicly influenced awards should exist? (For comparison, BAFTA has a publicly voted award as well.)
-Pyromaniac-
Member
How funny would it be if one year they played it completely straight. Everyone wearing nice suits. Nice calm host making jokes and calling people up to present awards. Overall elegant and quiet.
It would be unintentionally funny because of how out of character it would be to do it like that. Try it next year!
It would be unintentionally funny because of how out of character it would be to do it like that. Try it next year!
Laughing Banana
Weeping Pickle
I don't know, it sounds like something that is more akin to advertisements than actual award. Especially considering the overall climate about video game "journalists" these days; that kind of name doesn't exactly inspire confidence.
.......but eh, this show is apparently more big on showing trailers for upcoming games than the actual award themselves so I don't know.
DidntKnowJack
Member
No, because I don't care what they call it, this is not an award show.
Dion Blaster
Member
I think this encapsulates the entire show perfectly. Here's an award for spending the most money on marketing for your sequel.
Castor Krieg
Banned
So "a few weeks" = 5 days now? Dude, I don't see why you even bother. You don't really give a shit (I find your constant display of understanding and pretending our feedback matters rather amusing), Spike doesn't give a shit, the stuff will air and it will be the same crap as every year. As you mentioned, DICE and BAFTA are not TV show awards. And I agree, but where I come from I would like to think you could educate your viewers and still make the show interesting. It seems you and Spike understand that as simply pandering to the lowest common denominator in the audience. That's ok.
Besides, it will air at 3am here in Germany. Just give me good trailers so I can YT them in the morning.
Yeesh you wake up and step on a lego getting out of bed?
Castor Krieg
Banned
How is anything I wrote not true? I simply find Geoff dishonest, that's all. As other people mentioned, he did the same last year and look what we got. I am simply annoyed by his attitude "I'm listening to you guys, please give me your feedback" where it is obvious he doesn't. He can be a man and just come up front and say what we all know: "Spike VGAs are not for you, GAF. Cheap thrashy show and low-brow entertainment sells way better. I'm sorry, try to stomach it and enjoy the trailers!".
He cannot really do that. Why? Because all the suckers from GAF will tune in as they do every year for a CHANCE it might be different. Ratings go up, Spike makes money, which is what Geoff is paid for. But I don't work for Spike and I'm going to call him out on that.
Laughing Banana
Weeping Pickle
Maybe Geoff does genuinely want to hear our opinion and he truly appreciates them; it's just that maybe even if he tries to follow them the real boss of the show won't let him?
How much power does he have over this event anyways?
How much power does he have over this event anyways?
If he's interested in our opinion but he's powerless to do anything about it he's wasting our time.
I don't think the VGAs will ever be or even have to be a high brow award ceremony, so I'm willing to believe he's being honest in his interest on maybe raising the bar a little bit, and making a mainstream show that is actually fun to watch. Last year was embarrassing so it shouldn't be that hard.
But that's the best case scenario, anyone expecting something akin to the GDC awards from the VGAs should just carry on and keep playing them games.
There are lots of people involved in the VGAs and I share your feedback with everyone. I'm really excited about this year's show and certainly look forward to the comments, the good and the bad. I really think what we're doing with a live orchestra will be quite special.
the oscars of video games
Wait, what?
Someone actually greenlighted this?
What I mean is someone actually thought this would be a good idea and other people agreed with him?
You've gone and done it now. I'm officially upset that I will be at school giving a presentation during the live show.
I don't have any way of recording it (no cable tv), any estimate on how quickly the archive will be available?
Cool thanks. Looking forward to getting home and watching it so I can provide feedback.
If I wasn't busy and had infinite monies as well as prior knowledge of a live orchestra I may have actually accepted Spike's red carpet invitation. Oh well, maybe when I acquire some dosh and free time.
No video game fans enjoy the Tenacious D or Linkin Park confirmed!
What is with this "I am a video gamer! I am above pop culture, music and any telecast that doesnt take itself deathly serious, and so is every other video gamer!" attitude going on here in this thread.
Public-influenced awards always hold little significance to the industry overall, but I think that one is the most sketchy. The chance of winning that award is directly proportional to the amount of marketing efforts but the publisher, not an achievements of the game itself. And what message does that give to consumers and/or developers?
That one game is more popular than the other. Better question: What kind of msg does this whole show give to developers? Which developers takes it even seriously? Isn't it just free PR for bigger games and franchises?
Trailer here we come.
No real video game fan does!
I kid, I kid. Put down your pitchforks.
I just appreciate being treated like an adult. That doesn't require being deathly serious, it just requires being handled with a little respect, because some of the content of VGAs past has just been insulting.
That's like saying you're planning on not flushing after using the toilet.
this sounds good, if I can watch it live in Germany it would be even better, but this is great.
TriangleOfCorruption
Member
It would need to be fundamentally revamped in order to be 'good', so I think I'd rather it get worse. Linkin Park is a good direction, but how about Limp Bizkit and Korn (they could play their Haze song but change the lyrics to be about Fuse or something)? Are the Frag Dolls still a thing? Maybe you could trot them out to do a skit.
you sound like your too fukin old to be watching this then.
there IS an age limit on the mtv award shows and the like. your obviously past it.
Cyber Caesar
Member
We need more pre-award coverage of the studios nominated. I also like the idea of a dress code. We need less cursing and more insight into the amount of effort it takes to produce some of these games. It would also be great if you could always get key industry people to show up and voice their opinions.
RPGCrazied
Member
I wish it was more serious. It feels too much like an MTV music video. And some of the skits just aren't funny.
Ken Masters
Banned
Hard to watch but the conference we deserve
It's always weird when people are on stage during the VGAs. On the one hand you have the celebrities who are rarely gamers themselves and just talk a load of crap, and then you have the developers who mostly look like a deer in the headlights and don't really know how to hold a speech.
Not sure if there's a way to make them not awkward in one way or the other.
And of course are hardcore gamers probably the most critical audience you can get.
Not sure if there's a way to make them not awkward in one way or the other.
And of course are hardcore gamers probably the most critical audience you can get.
toastyToast
Member
The baby thing was an... odd choice
Sam Jackson could read his shopping list and I'd still find it entertaining so I can't hate
I'm amazed you didn't post 'old man yells at cloud' to go with it
The problem is the fact that the mass market - including non-gamers - are aware that there's more to the music industry than the oh-so-achingly-trendy MTV Music Awards. That's what makes it fine.
In a sense I think what bothers me isn't *really* the fault of the VGAs themselves. If they want to make an awards show that's down with ver yoof, that's kind of okay. The problem is, though, it's become a figurehead for all of gaming, and what they're presenting doesn't deserve to be that.
Geoff: I think ultimately my stance is that it's far better to bore some of your audience than to insult the intelligence a different portion of them; don't be afraid to raise the level of discourse on the subject. But then, I guess I'm biased... and I don't actually have to think in terms of producing a product that makes profit.
To put it slightly pejoratively (Don't take this too much at face value, but it sort of underlines the sentiment): It feels like there's good money in insulting our intelligence.
video games are past it as well though.