How Fanboys Benefit The Average Consumer
Over the past twenty years or so, there has been one word that has signaled the presence of vast intelligence as well as utter stupidity. If you’re a part of the gaming industry in any way, shape or form, then you probably already know that that word is, of course, “fanboy.”
The term fanboy has, for the most part, been used to describe a person who is so utterly biased towards one console, game, or company, notoriously known to do almost anything, including refuting obvious facts to demonstrate their allegiance. Whether you realize it or not, these devoted super fans actually serve a greater purpose. All that passion has it’s merits and value.
Fanboys have been vilified as annoying and insanely overzealous regarding whatever it is they’re trying to defend. On the other hand, when it comes to the everyday consumer, fanboys can be an asset and a commodity. I have worked in gaming retail, and witnessed nearly every species of fanboy. Many exhibit a wealth of knowledge just waiting to be tapped. For a moment, let’s consider the intellectual fanboys, those who know what they’re talking about, soup to nuts. What follows is an honest, yet lighthearted look into a few of the positive things the fanboy offers the everyday gamer and consumer.
Fanboys often know everything there is to know regarding their particular console, and they are a fountain of knowledge.
When the average consumer walks into a store looking to purchase a game or game console, one unfortunate event takes place that many have probably experienced. That’s the moment you run into an employee in a video game retail store that knows absolutely NOTHING about games or game consoles.
With any luck you may run into the fanboy — the one person who knows more than they probably should about their favorite game console. On average, a console fanboy tends to know more than company sales reps do and spew this free information whenever there’s an ear to listen. If you come across a console fanboy, look to utilize the opportunity and ask questions. You may enter the conversation a novice, but leave as an expert, along with the satisfaction of knowing what exactly you’re getting for all those hard-earned dollars.
Fanboys can act as the “Consumer Reports” of gaming.
Console fanboys are infamously known for dealing a hefty blow to the competition by pointing out their flaws and shortcomings. Consoles nowadays can experience a wide range of issues, from overheating problems to disc drive failures and more are all the nature of the beast.
The fanboy not only knows what issues might plague his own console, but is meticulous about every little thing that COULD go wrong with the competition. Speaking with opposing fanboys will, in turn, help the average consumer determine which console fits him or her best and what to expect. It’s good to get feedback from all sides so you’ll know just which console is most likely to last the longest.
When some new piece of hardware or new feature is released, you can bet the fanboy will be first in line to take the brunt of the storm, good or bad, before you have to. So just sit tight and wait for the feedback — it’ll be there.
Fanboys often stir up excitement and can get others interested in games they would never have considered playing.
This is where a fanboy really shines, as this eliminates the console bias and helps us to get down to the good stuff — the games. One game comes to mind as the perfect example of the fanboy who positively enlightens others regarding the newest releases that many may not be privy to. That is the unique hit called Heavy Rain. When the average consumer walks into a video game shop, unless they’re up to date with the latest news in the industry, they have no idea what Heavy Rain is or what the game offers.
Fanboys have been around since 1919!
The fanboy knows exactly what this title is and helps usher consumers into an new genre, one that they may not have seen themselves experiencing, had it not been for the fanboy’s excitement. Of course, there are those who resonate the opposite effect and get people hyped for a game that is utterly terrible, but those instances are relatively minor when compared to success stories. I for one, would have never owned Syphon Filter had it not been for the fanfare of fanboys.
In Closing
A fellow employee at the gaming retailer where I previously worked, had long been a 360 fan. Naturally we would debate whenever a customer asked that dividing question – “Which system is better?” A year later when the price dropped this past September, he purchased a PS3 … and absolutely loves it.
One could easily rebut this with an opposing fanboy article, but give the fanboys a little credit where credit is due. They help rally the gaming community, generate excitement and create controversy. They help rally the gaming community, create controversy, and overall make this industry much more entertaining. As a side note, they do help the rest of us look just that much more sane!
Here’s to you, fanboys!
13 Responses to “How Fanboys Benefit The Average Consumer”
great article. congratulations!
hello ….
now i feel bad, not being a fanboy LOL! …well not totally @ least, well i hope!
anyway, seen from that angle you are right, so as from now on instead of shooting them, i shall employ some to animate some cool gaming debate.
it’s a rising dangerous species important for the gaming ecosystem! LOL!
cheers!
I get the joys of dealing with several fanboy’s on a somewhat daily basis. Most of them are entertaining and at the very least represent their target audiences in a somewhat acceptable manner that makes me perfectly willing to completely reverse camps when they say something intelligent and are not recognized for it.
But man do I still hate that one percent who is just amazingly dumb. I have one now who continually bashes computer players and then complains that his PS3 game is broke and needs fixing before the rest of us, many of whom also play on the PS3, can get extra content on what we regard to be our working games.
Am I still allowed to shoot that one percent? Please?
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hahaha, great article. I’ve never heard anyone talk positively about fanboys before, and have always had to deny the accusation vehemently when it comes my way (since I have owned numerous other consoles that I have enjoyed, and like playing games at my friends houses that I’ll never own, because I won’t buy an xbox or Wii).
“a person who is so utterly biased towards one console, game, or company, notoriously known to do almost anything, including refuting obvious facts to demonstrate their allegiance.” This is what irritates me about being associated with them though. I find these types of people when talking about almost anything, be it video games, political issues, environmental issues, science, etc… it drives me insane when people won’t acknowledge the obvious facts just because it doesn’t support their opinion. I’m a nerd dammit! Get it right!
Very entertaining article, good job!
I just try to ignore fanboys – though it is amusing to see them build something up to be the greatest thing in the history of the universe, and then hear them making every excuse in the universe after it actually comes out. It kind of reminds me of myself. When I was 10.
XBOX360 is shit
no good game anymore
stupid XBL fees
Loud fans
RROD
whino kids online
gay batterie
E47 Error
Microsoft is milking 360fansboy, which a good thing
pheww i done it, Now im a sony fanboy
Oh man this article, had one particular user, written all over it to comment on. I’m surprised he didn’t. Oh well. If he does show his face, I will right back on this article
funny stuff there. I get that they are tons of information but they also come with a thorn on their beatiful stem. They are annoying as hell most of the time, no one should be that into anything, especially not a video game console, unless you make those consoles.
I play to have fun and socialize with friends online, not to gain the ultimate knowledge of the superior system based on opinion.
Anyone ever been out-fanboy’d? Boy is that embarrassing… You think you’re giving someone useful information and some joe pops up and spews out 10X more specific information just to make you look bad… Ugh i cringe at the thought.
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Just because fanboys are full of information doesn’t mean you can trust all of that information. Unless they’re discussing the technology behind a console (something that can be verified) there is often a large amount of opinion mixed in. Sure a fanboy can get someone excited about a console or exclusive because of there own fan-hood, but you have to be careful because your tastes may differ and you might be let down.
So let a fanboy introduce you to a new console/game, but you better still do your own research. Then tell them to shut up.
P.S. 360 sucks.
Are you referring to me Xeal? Because I can see why you would think that I do have my moments when Microsoft does something and I just want to vent my anger. Meh I know it’s just consoles but it just pisses me off when I can’t use my own console.
I hate using my brother’s 360, not because it’s a 360 but because it’s not mine and well I’m more comfortable using my own stuff. That’s not to say I hate all 360 games, Halo Reach looks cool ^_^
I hate the fanboys who continue the argument long after you’ve given up and seem to think you leaving is a sign of victory.