"Nostalgia" is a conversation killing buzzword

[zacharinolongpants]

Hey folks - I'm possibly about to come off as insufferable or pretentious, but I just can't help but get annoyed at the usage of the word "nostalgia" when discussing media. I think it's a half-baked, reductive, dismissive response that doesn't really say anything about the art that's getting discussed and analyzed at the given moment.

If you don't like something that somebody else likes, I'm curious why YOU don't like it - not why you assume somebody else does. If somebody says something is cool and you just say the word nostalgia, that doesn't absolve you from critical thinking and making interesting observations to prove your point lol. All you did was try to stop discourse about something you aren't equipped to discuss for one reason or another.

I'm not a nostalgia denier lol. I know often that things you like when you are younger have personal emotional associations. But that's not always the case and everybody liked different stuff in their youth and it can't be the case that EVERYTHING is just "bad" and people only actually like things because they were young.

Anyway, what do you guys think? I think it's a boring and mentally lazy way to make assessments about things and people will shame each other into just settling into that word because the subjective nature of art does make it hard to articulate why you like stuff sometimes.

 

[Questless Knight]

I honestly agree with you to a degree sure I would say something I like I often like because of Nostalgia.
But it´s not only that. I mean take heroes of might and magic II I love that more than Heroes 3 becuse im more nostalgic for 2 than 3 but I also love it because I think it´s a good fun game that still to this day keeps entertaining me it´s fun. But yeah I do have allot of nostalgic memories for it but it´s not end all be all.


But honestly yeah im sick of the word Nostalgia used for dumb reasons but then again im dead sick of people calling a certain type of FPS for Boomer shooters. We have a Genre already FPS we don´t need to add more genres to describe it. Just call it was it is a fucking first person shooter. Im a Millennial but the word boomer can go away with the people that use it.

 

[zacharinolongpants]

I honestly agree with you to a degree sure I would say something I like I often like because of Nostalgia.
But it´s not only that. I mean take heroes of might and magic II I love that more than Heroes 3 becuse im more nostalgic for 2 than 3 but I also love it because I think it´s a good fun game that still to this day keeps entertaining me it´s fun. But yeah I do have allot of nostalgic memories for it but it´s not end all be all.


But honestly yeah im sick of the word Nostalgia used for dumb reasons but then again im dead sick of people calling a certain type of FPS for Boomer shooters. We have a Genre already FPS we don´t need to add more genres to describe it. Just call it was it is a fucking first person shooter. Im a Millennial but the word boomer can go away with the people that use it.

Yeah I definitely think nostalgia can be a factor. Even in your adult years you can associate a game with a positive period in your life and think of it more highly.

That being said, you could probably give a very enjoyable description of everything that you like about the game's mechanics and presentation and that would be way cooler than saying "I liked it because I was a kid" lol.

 

[Waffles's iconWaffles]

I agree that nostalgia shouldn't be the whole conversation, but it's a good starting point.

For example... I REALLY like an objectively crappy game I got bundled with a magazine I had read as a weelad. I often talk about being nostalgic for it because my sister and I went at it relentlessly, often pulling other people along as we did.

I find that boarding the topic like that saves me a lot of grief later when it comes to explaining to people why I'd even give half a damn about a game so obscure, basic and obnoxious as to be an automatic dismissal in every other context.

 

[zacharinolongpants]

I agree that nostalgia shouldn't be the whole conversation, but it's a good starting point.

For example... I REALLY like an objectively crappy game I got bundled with a magazine I had read as a weelad. I often talk about being nostalgic for it because my sister and I went at it relentlessly, often pulling other people along as we did.

I find that boarding the topic like that saves me a lot of grief later when it comes to explaining to people why I'd even give half a damn about a game so obscure, basic and obnoxious as to be an automatic dismissal in every other context.

That's fair. Hey you did preface it saying that you even technically know it's bad. And it would be fun hearing you stick up for it or shit all over it instead of JUST saying nostalgia and moving on haha. It's also fun hearing the personal story one has with a game.

 

[Tortuga]

Yep "it just nostalgia bro" is one of the most obnoxious buzzwords
Usually used by insecure people, when someone says remake or modern slop was bad, they MUST defend their purchase
Or sometimes even trying to make you feel bad for liking old stuff

 

[Questless Knight]

Yeah I definitely think nostalgia can be a factor. Even in your adult years you can associate a game with a positive period in your life and think of it more highly.

That being said, you could probably give a very enjoyable description of everything that you like about the game's mechanics and presentation and that would be way cooler than saying "I liked it because I was a kid" lol.

So true but I suck at explaing or give description reason why I never write reviews on steam games I own I simply suck and never know what to say.


Instead I would say to people just try heroes of might and magic II and you well see for your self what I love about it.

But if I had to describe I would say the thing I love about it is the old classic art style of high fantasy that still to this day look good. The wonderful town music that also has some opera in it. The explorations of maps collecting monsters to build up big armies.

Man just thinking about the game makes me wanna play it even if I recently did so.

 

[zacharinolongpants]

Yep "it just nostalgia bro" is one of the most obnoxious buzzwords
Usually used by insecure people, when someone says remake or modern slop was bad, they MUST defend their purchase
Or sometimes even trying to make you feel bad for liking old stuff

And it's like awesome - you like this new thing more. Tell me something interesting about it. WHY do you like it? Or dislike it? It's fun and rewarding debating the merits or lack thereof and you can refine your thinking and opinions and maybe even learn something from somebody else doing it that way instead of simplifying the other person's perceptions to something like nostalgia, which is even more vague and unsatisfying then art or a full opinion itself. A lot of people do just cry nostalgia at each other because they either didn't play the game they're arguing about or they weren't paying attention. It's okay to dislike something. I want to hear the grievances! We don't have to get butthurt about differences lol. Let's just have fun actually discussing the game itself and not what you assume my psychological attachment is to it lol

 

[Vexicrypt]

To be honest I don't think I've ever heard the word "nostalgia" used this primitively. It seems like you're talking about people who just use the term in a wrong way so I have no point of reference here. However, I'm one of those people who thinks that saying "atmosphere" (to describe certain feeling that game gives you) instead of talking about what exactly forms that atmosphere is a bit lazy too. But in modern age people tend to look for shortcuts even in conversations so I guess its just a natural thing to do, even though its more suitable for small talk and not serious discussions.

 

[bjork]

Anyway, what do you guys think? I think it's a boring and mentally lazy way to make assessments about things and people will shame each other into just settling into that word because the subjective nature of art does make it hard to articulate why you like stuff sometimes.

I think this is partially true, but there's also the aspect of knowing that not everything merits some dissertation to try and convince someone as to the validity of your standpoint either way.

 

[zacharinolongpants]

I think this is partially true, but there's also the aspect of knowing that not everything merits some dissertation to try and convince someone as to the validity of your standpoint either way.

It's true. But when you're in a place where the whole point is discussing games you like or dislike, it's not very productive to the group lol. A lot of us in these spaces enjoy that discussion hence being on a forum or page about that haha.

Post automatically merged: Today at 4:31 PM

To be honest I don't think I've ever heard the word "nostalgia" used this primitively. It seems like you're talking about people who just use the term in a wrong way so I have no point of reference here. However, I'm one of those people who thinks that saying "atmosphere" (to describe certain feeling that game gives you) instead of talking about what exactly forms that atmosphere is a bit lazy too. But in modern age people tend to look for shortcuts even in conversations so I guess its just a natural thing to do, even though its more suitable for small talk and not serious discussions.

Primitive is indeed the word I would use lol. I don't see it here with the fine folks at RGT of course! Heh. I certainly do see people doing this like some kind of mic drop sometimes though and it's just boring to hear.

Also saying atmosphere without describing WHAT that atmosphere is is exactly the same kind of thing. I agree with you.

 

[bjork]

It's true. But when you're in a place where the whole point is discussing games you like or dislike, it's not very productive to the group lol. A lot of us in these spaces enjoy that discussion hence being on a forum or page about that haha.

True, but even if someone wants to be dismissive, you could just let them and let it go. I feel like a lot of threads discussing a game will generally be positive memories and people suggesting similar games or tips for that game, right? Even if xGamePersonx wrote at length about why they don't like said game, what purpose does it serve to someone who does, and even if they did, would it be taken on board as legit criticism? "Wow, they're right, and right enough to the point that I now dislike this game too." I don't imagine so. There's just that portion of the world that wants to be dismissive and contrarian, and that's their loss. It doesn't have to be yours too.

 

[freebie#47]

It's also a nds videogame....

 

[Sir Auriel of Lionel]

To be honest I don't think I've ever heard the word "nostalgia" used this primitively. It seems like you're talking about people who just use the term in a wrong way so I have no point of reference here.

Same here, maybe it's the start of a thread or a list containing the word "nostalgia" in the title but I've never seen it used as the whole point of discussion to dismiss any flaws or set backsin going to the older title. It almost sounds like they don't want a conversation and just want a podium to declare something and avoid any real discussion.

 

[bjork]

It's also a nds videogame....

A cracker group in the Commodore 64 scene, too

 

[zacharinolongpants]

True, but even if someone wants to be dismissive, you could just let them and let it go. I feel like a lot of threads discussing a game will generally be positive memories and people suggesting similar games or tips for that game, right? Even if xGamePersonx wrote at length about why they don't like said game, what purpose does it serve to someone who does, and even if they did, would it be taken on board as legit criticism? "Wow, they're right, and right enough to the point that I now dislike this game too." I don't imagine so. There's just that portion of the world that wants to be dismissive and contrarian, and that's their loss. It doesn't have to be yours too.

Yeah at the end of the day, I'm just farting in the wind lol. I don't mean to sound too scathing here. Just venting to my fellow weirdos here. I'm okay letting them do what they do and be dismissive and dull, but I still wanna talk a little shit hahaha.

Like you said here just now, there ARE tons of people engaged and having a good time. I guess this post is for them to air their grievances too lmao.

Post automatically merged: Today at 4:48 PM

It's also a nds videogame....

A SICK rpg, I might add!

 

[qw90700]

I'm not sure if the concept/emotion regarding "nostalgia" actually exist. Never felt it and people seem to believe whatever is old necessarily belong to the category of "nostalgia".

Instead of nostalgia I would support the idea of, whatever a person got to know as first examples during their childhood gets a distorted sense of "good", people start to mistakenly believe they figured out the world when they are around late teen and afterwards whatever information they cannot find in their memory has a delusional sense of "bad". So instead of the idea of "nostalgia" I think the sense of "whatever new is bad" concept actually exist and thus this concept causes its opposite to exist that society call nostalgia.

I'm very different than that. I have no emotional association to anything, I logically see pros and cons of anything. For example NES was ok until I got to know Sega Genesis, certain genre of games were ok until I found better games in the same genre so naturally how I can keep liking Top Gear 2 when I like Racing Lagoon better? I often ignore the past and look for what kind of good future there may be around the corner and I certainly don't have any good feelings towards the ancient life we lived back then, I'm glad I time travelled few decades into the future in my lifetime and experience all these good things lol.

Perhaps sense of nostalgia can be explained that a person refusing to grow up, they wanna get back to their ignorant life when they were a kid that they didn't have to bother with adult life as they do now. Perhaps can find many reasons a person may have that leads to the same point society calls nostalgia but I at least sure that it's not an universal feeling or idea everyone have. Instead of nostalgia I may think certain thing X literally logically better than X and Y like how back then we actually owned the video games we bought but now they just delete the game from your library, but this is not because it's a "past" thing but it's how things should be. Otherwise I'm glad I just download games instead of bothering to physical go buy them and whatnot lol.

 

[zacharinolongpants]

Same here, maybe it's the start of a thread or a list containing the word "nostalgia" in the title but I've never seen it used as the whole point of discussion to dismiss any flaws or set backsin going to the older title. It almost sounds like they don't want a conversation and just want a podium to declare something and avoid any real discussion.

Yeah I don't see that happening much here which is why I love this group so much. But some of the social media pages and groups are just awful lol

Post automatically merged: Today at 4:54 PM

Same here, maybe it's the start of a thread or a list containing the word "nostalgia" in the title but I've never seen it used as the whole point of discussion to dismiss any flaws or set backsin going to the older title. It almost sounds like they don't want a conversation and just want a podium to declare something and avoid any real discussion.

Yeah I don't see that happening much here which is why I love this group so much. But some of the social media pages and groups are just awful

I'm not sure if the concept/emotion regarding "nostalgia" actually exist. Never felt it and people seem to believe whatever is old necessarily belong to the category of "nostalgia".

Instead of nostalgia I would support the idea of, whatever a person got to know as first examples during their childhood gets a distorted sense of "good", people start to mistakenly believe they figured out the world when they are around late teen and afterwards whatever information they cannot find in their memory has a delusional sense of "bad". So instead of the idea of "nostalgia" I think the sense of "whatever new is bad" concept actually exist and thus this concept causes its opposite to exist that society call nostalgia.

View attachment 104155

I'm very different than that. I have no emotional association to anything, I logically see pros and cons of anything. For example NES was ok until I got to know Sega Genesis, certain genre of games were ok until I found better games in the same genre so naturally how I can keep liking Top Gear 2 when I like Racing Lagoon better? I often ignore the past and look for what kind of good future there may be around the corner and I certainly don't have any good feelings towards the ancient life we lived back then, I'm glad I time travelled few decades into the future in my lifetime and experience all these good things lol.

Perhaps sense of nostalgia can be explained that I person refusing to grow up, they wanna get back to their ignorant life when they were a kid that they didn't have to bother with adult life as they do now. Perhaps can find many reasons a person may have that leads to the same point society calls nostalgia but I at least sure that it's not an universal feeling or idea everyone have. Instead of nostalgia I may think certain thing X literally logically better than X and Y like how back then we actually owned the video games we bought but now they just delete the game from your library, but this is not because it's a "past" thing but it's how things should be. Otherwise I'm glad I just download games instead of bothering to physical go buy them and whatnot lol.

I will say Top Gear 2 did fucking rule lol. Loved playing the multi-player franchise mode with my brother lol. That's something that Racing Lagoon doesn't have so I suppose not all progress is linear. Racing Lagoon is way more awesome overall though, of course! Would I rather play the new Need for Speeds? Ehhh sometimes I guess lol.

Interesting takes here from you as always!

 

[qw90700]

Yeah I don't see that happening much here which is why I love this group so much. But some of the social media pages and groups are just awful lol

As another person pointed out, I do think the word "nostalgia" and "nostalgic" used instead of "atmosphere" and "vibe". I even see new generation kids who were born in 2015 using the word like "I have nostalgia for X thing" and that X thing is something their parents hardly had a first-hand experience. Naturally social media made English twisted into an English that seem like what super mutants in Fallout universe trying to speak but they fail miserably. "Deez nutz, u prob sus what a L take jubulu jubulu" generation will be your president in few decades lolol.

So when it comes to "atmosphere" and "vibe", I'm not sure it exist either. I may understand the way enjoying a bad game just because you are in the mood for it due to my biological understanding but this "vibe" and whatnot stuff seem like the way sensory input causes emotional response in some people that I cannot relate. However it seems the sense of vibe is more realistic than nostalgia, but by this logic nostalgia may be valid when act of remembering can cause an emotional response.

In the end there are lots of genetically different people that genetical differences makes everyone an unique person, therefore naturally the reality we percieve is so different despite we live in the same world and being exposed to same things so we try to use words objectively to find a common ground, which is part of why meaning of words changes depending on who uses it for why and how.

 

[zacharinolongpants]

As another person pointed out, I do think the word "nostalgia" and "nostalgic" used instead of "atmosphere" and "vibe". I even see new generation kids who were born in 2015 using the word like "I have nostalgia for X thing" and that X thing is something their parents hardly had a first-hand experience. Naturally social media made English twisted into an English that seem like what super mutants in Fallout universe trying to speak but they fail miserably. "Deez nutz, u prob sus what a L take jubulu jubulu" generation will be your president in few decades lolol.

So when it comes to "atmosphere" and "vibe", I'm not sure it exist either. I may understand the way enjoying a bad game just because you are in the mood for it due to my biological understanding but this "vibe" and whatnot stuff seem like the way sensory input causes emotional response in some people that I cannot relate. However it seems the sense of vibe is more realistic than nostalgia, but by this logic nostalgia may be valid when act of remembering can cause an emotional response.

In the end there are lots of genetically different people that genetical differences makes everyone an unique person, therefore naturally the reality we percieve is so different despite we live in the same world and being exposed to same things so we try to use words objectively to find a common ground, which is part of why meaning of words changes depending on who uses it for why and how.

I think "vibe" is, in its best usage, the emergent property of all the artistic and gameplay choices as one vertical slice of experience. Of course, that doesn't necessarily narrow down the identity of the "vibe" fully. It remains up to interpretation but I nonetheless enjoy when people thoughtfully unpack how it makes them feel. I'm okay with the murky waters of perception and opinion because the novelty of seeing other people's is fun and inspiring.

 

[Dr.Kisaragi]

I never use the word of Nostalgia because there nothing wrong you liked as kid and still today you like enjoy up until now there no problem with tha

I have to be Frank is hard to say Nostalgia for me because everyday My house my likes are still in the past I never move on because back then I don't the money to move forward so I still using my old stuff on anything (and it save money too)

 

[semyaza]

good thread, reminds me of my friends who try to play the newest (cus new must be best) slop only to get bored 15 mins in claiming pffft i guess im too old and these games are made for kids, they repeat this almost every evening

ofc they proceed to ignore my game recommends saying the above + muh nostalgia as if im a fucking clueless beginner at this

 

[zacharinolongpants]

good thread, reminds me of my friends who try to play the newest (cus new must be best) slop only to get bored 15 mins in claiming pffft i guess im too old and these games are made for kids, they repeat this almost every evening

ofc they proceed to ignore my game recommends saying the above + muh nostalgia as if im a fucking clueless beginner at this

Game design has changed a lot and there are a lot more avenues and philosophies since it's become such a humongous enterprise. When great games come out now, they're the coolest shit ever. However there is so much padding and filler out there.

On the flip side, there are mountains of absolute garbage in all eras of gaming with the great ones rising to the top over time eventually lol.

 

[mistymermaid]

A great deal of games are 'redundant' as it were. If a person didn't experience the game in a particular time and place... it'll be difficult to explain why they should seek THAT game in particular and spend their time on it.

Mainly applies to annual sports games whose differences between iterations are poorly understood, even less appreciated.

 

[zacharinolongpants]

A great deal of games are 'redundant' as it were. If a person didn't experience the game in a particular time and place... it'll be difficult to explain why they should seek THAT game in particular and spend their time on it.

Mainly applies to annual sports games whose differences between iterations are poorly understood, even less appreciated.

Yeah great point. This is a thing for sure. There are timing related contexts that tie into the experience of a game. Or movie or book or anything for that matter.

It would be hard for me to sell 2K13 over 2K15 but I think one could more readily make a case for games that rely on aesthetics or unique mechanics more in their overall package.