Failing the boyfriend test (Xbox 360 annoyance #011)
by Jennie Lees 
{ Jan 25th 2006 at 6:30PM }
James' tale of a 360 that manages to inveigle its way into a loving relationship is heartwarming, but here's the other side of the story--something you may be more familiar with.
Ever since the Xbox 360 arrived in our household it's resolutely failed to win over the attentions of the resident non-gamers. Despite successful outings socially, it's been relegated to a back room while the best TV in the house shows Neighbours and EastEnders rather than PGR3 or Perfect Dark Zero.
The problem? Despite next-generation processing power and graphics, a swish user interface and multimedia integration, none of the 360's functionality is actually much use to the people I live with. Its DVD playback is jerky, especially compared to our dedicated player; the ability to stream music from my PC is pointless when we already have MTV and other British music video channels. While the games look great, there's no real difference from previous generations to their untutored eyes.
I've tried countless tricks with my boyfriend, from asking him to beat my scores on Live Arcade titles to encouraging him to help me play King Kong. I hoped to surprise him into a moment of acceptance, but nothing's worked so far. The main objection is not to the idea of gaming itself--he's used to me spending countless hours in front of a PC or console, and occasionally shares my habit--but to the 360's seemingly undeserved intrusion into my wallet and time.
For the amount of money I've lavished on the 360, my boyfriend and housemates were expecting something really special. They didn't get it. Instead, they complain that "the Xbox 360's just three hundred and sixty times as pointless" and ask me if I can turn it down from the next room--there's some vital plot happening on TV.
Games that have passed the boyfriend test include Mario Kart DS, SingStar and the Monkey Island series, so perhaps some real innovation on the Xbox 360 platform will cause him to rethink his opinion. But for now it seems the 360 will only have an occasional starring role in our house--so I'd better get really cosy in the spare room.
Other Xbox 360 delights: 001, 002, 003, 004, 005, 006
Xbox 360 annoyances: 001, 002, 003, 004, 005, 006, 007, 008, 009, 010
[Updated to clarify MTV issue.]
Other Xbox 360 delights: 001, 002, 003, 004, 005, 006
Xbox 360 annoyances: 001, 002, 003, 004, 005, 006, 007, 008, 009, 010
[Updated to clarify MTV issue.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
cool8man @ Feb 6th 2006 7:06PM
You need to move and find a new boyfriend. Something is wrong with those people. A girl who can't get her boyfriend into gaming, I must admit this is an original quandary. Fortunately the solution is simple, find any one of the millions of normal boys who are already addicted.
Patricio @ Jan 25th 2006 6:33PM
"the ability to stream music from my PC is pointless when we already have MTV."
That is when I stopped reading your post.
Justin @ Jan 25th 2006 6:37PM
Heh, agree with #1...
Shane @ Jan 25th 2006 6:38PM
Sadly your friends are right.. if you compare the difference between Playstation to Playstation 2.. you KNEW where your $ was going.. with the XBox 360.. it's not as obvious..
Kamalot @ Jan 25th 2006 6:48PM
Well, obviously if they watch TV over enjoying games, their intelligence has to be brought into question.
And MTV gives you something to look at, music does not. Abstract visuals don't hold much sway with people who are enamored with Real World (or whatever MTV plays these days) I suppose.
jennie @ Jan 25th 2006 6:51PM
#1 -- that's a direct quote from one of my housemates. What's the advantage in inflicting my music selection on them with visualisations, when they can watch ten or more music channels with videos? Mind you, they do have very little musical taste. ;)
Andrew @ Jan 25th 2006 6:52PM
ahahaha i totally read MTV as MythTV
oops
jabbertrack @ Jan 25th 2006 6:56PM
I'm no 360 fan... don't even have one... but your boyfriend and roomates sound like loads of fun.
/sarcasm
dump the loser and be my second wife
Dignan17 @ Jan 25th 2006 6:58PM
Is MTV at least slightly different in the UK? In the US it's a generally accepted fact that MTV doesn't play music.
Jason P @ Jan 25th 2006 6:59PM
Holy hell!! Your MTV plays music?!? What's that like?
kevin @ Jan 25th 2006 7:08PM
...gotta agree with patricio... lol... the hell are you doing watching mtv on purpose? and what kind of alternate-universe-cable feed do you have that allows you to actually listen to music from mtv? mtv hasn't played music videos since god knows when...
...yr boyfriend just sounds like he's not too easily amazed by pretty eye candy... ten bucks says there's a revolution next to your good tv in a year's time while the 360's still stuck in the back room...
Curry @ Jan 25th 2006 7:31PM
I used to have 2 music channels on Dutch telly (MTV and The Music Factory). I actually bought digital TV today because it would give me 5 extra channels in the Music category... and they actually play music!
I was delighted.
jennie @ Jan 25th 2006 7:35PM
#8,9: Ah, that would be a cultural thing then. Here, MTV does indeed play music. :)
lazygamer @ Jan 25th 2006 7:35PM
Having just checked my Sky box to see what was on MTV UK nowadays, we lucky people get 3 hours a day of MUSIC! In fact, looking at the 5 MTV channels (MTV1,2,Dance,Base,Hits) - we get a grand total of 48 hours of music a day - less than half of MTV's output on five channels is actually music videos.
Joy of joys.
*goes back to play marble blast ultra with ipod in full swing*
Pixelantes Anonymous @ Jan 25th 2006 7:36PM
Hahhaha, very funny Jason P. My wife is addicted to MTV reality shows. I can't stand them, and it seems like that's all MTV is showing these days. Occasionally at like 3am you can still find actual music on MTV though.
Snake2k9 @ Jan 25th 2006 7:38PM
LoLoLoLoLoL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#10
portnoy @ Jan 25th 2006 8:33PM
I am a big gamer and when my buddy got his xbox360, I went over to check it out and I felt exactly like Jennies roommates. As in, "ok, now what?". The 360 is a good console and the launch lineup is pretty solid (at least for western tastes), but its just not a large enough improvement over origal xbox to get a reaction from anyone but xbox hardcores. Maybe its because the original xbox was ahead of its time? Maybe they just cut the generation too short to get to market first? Maybe they rushed it? Maybe the previous generational leaps have been much bigger so our expectations were too high? Maybe MS overhyped it in an effort to drive interest? I think its a combination of all of the above.
Does this mean it won't sell well or be successful? Not at all. I think it will do well and maybe if sony or nintendo screws up it will do REALLY well. It seems off to a solid start (if they can get the manufacturing issues squared away) and I look forward to watching this gen develop.
mofomojo @ Jan 25th 2006 8:42PM
"the ability to stream music from my PC is pointless when we already have MTV."
Ha-hah-hah-hah-hah-hah-hah-hah-hah!
This is one of those things that I disagree with since well, MTV is full of crappy rap artists and is only for people whose tastes in music change every month to the newest trend.
I'm usually not one to rag on other peoples' taste in music, but I cannot stress how much MTV is not a taste in music, but rather a taste in the producers' of the shows music, which is based on whichever record company pays them the most or based on money in some fashion or way.
Anyways, usually it's the boys who're trying to get the girls to play the games. You must be dating some sort of jock or something since every guy that I know and hang out with plays video games on a mildly dangerous level.
When me and my friends get together we're either watching T.V or playing video games or something. And trust me, D.O.A. makes an excellent party game with the little tournaments and such.
So no, I don't really see where you're coming from here.
John F @ Jan 25th 2006 8:59PM
Xavier, you're an idiot. Read up on the comments (#5, to be specific) before you decide to be a douchebag.
Me @ Jan 25th 2006 9:05PM
Not to be rude, but who really cares if they enjoy your passion or not? You said you were a PC gamer, which is relatively solo. Not like it's a new twist. I'd have to agree with your BF though, currently the 360 is a waste of money. Live Arcade is great and all, but it isn't worth $400+live fees+arcade fees.
I do agree with the above post of Kamalot's though(*shudder*), TV is a drag and I generally look down on people that watch anything more than like two shows a week.
warren @ Jan 25th 2006 11:08PM
Wait! I thought MTV didn't play Music Videos anymore.
SlipstreamBRO @ Jan 25th 2006 11:42PM
I'm bored with most of my store bought games that I have right now, for the 360. I for one am patiently awaiting the upcoming releases to throw some new meat into the mix. I don't need 10-25 titles in the first three months of the release to tell me if the next 5-6 yrs are going to suck or not. Patience is a virtue, Jennie. Tell your lil boy, err boyfriend to sit down, shut up, and learn him something.
Oh, and I do envy you for your version of MTV...Ours is so commercial oriented instead of music oriented
gamer1 @ Jan 25th 2006 11:51PM
The problem is not in the Xbox 360. The Xbox 360 is a great machine. Not only is it currently the only way to get a taste of next generation gaming, it will push the game industry to create better online games.
I think the problem is that your boyfriend does not appreciate gaming as much as you do. Its kind of like how some people need to spend $400.00 USD on a purse. You look at it and expect it to do something special, but it doesnt. How does it compare to other purses? It doesnt really. At least not to you
Its okay that the kinds of games that he likes are Mario Kart DS, Singstar, and the Monkey Island series. Its okay that hed rather watch Neighbours and Eastenders (what are those shows?) instead of play PGR3 or Perfect Dark Zero. You dont need to blame that on him or the Xbox 360. He just has different tastes. Not everyone is the same.
The problem is that game console development companies cater to the majority of people who will be interested in buying their product. Even if a company were to create a console that would cater primarily to the interests of your boyfriend, most people would not buy it considering the type of games that the majority of people like. Im sure that there eventually will be games on the Xbox 360 that your boyfriend will like. In the meantime, try getting him to play some Hexic HD or Geometry Wars. My girlfriend does not find PGR3 or Perfect Dark Zero interesting either, but she plays Hexic HD and Geometry Wars just as much as I do. Its worth a try at least!
sotik @ Jan 26th 2006 1:43AM
You are a woman, who spent money on a 360 to play games on? You are every gamers dream yet you're boyfriend blows you off when you want to spend time with him? Not to get to much in personal life but ither whip him into shape or find some one who will appreciate you for who you are. I would love to have a 360 let alone a girl to spend alot of time playing games with on it :(
mirobin @ Jan 26th 2006 2:40AM
So let me get this straight. Your boyfriend:
* likes karaoke
* uses MTV as is his go-to source for good music
* digs pirates
* watches daytime australian soap operas
* enjoys fooling around with male italian plumbers
* isn't interested in cool cars
* doesn't like blowing things up
* turns the girlfriend down when she wants to spend "quality" time with him
I hate to be the one to tell you, but your boyfriend is gay.
harman @ Jan 26th 2006 4:08AM
"Its okay that hed rather watch Neighbours and Eastenders (what are those shows?) "
neighbours is an australian import soap for the uk. crock of shit
eastenders is the bbcs biggest program, yet again a crock of shit watched by mums and grans all over the country (also, jennies boyfriend. doesnt play games, watches soaps all day
harman @ Jan 26th 2006 4:13AM
where the hells the rest of my previous comment gone?
basicaly jennie, like mirobin says, your boyfriend is gay! dump him, find a normal guy, who'll tell you to turn that crap (eastenders) off the tv, and fire up that white box of wonders.
im in scotland, we must live close ;-)
gt- RJD2two
Kadamon @ Jan 26th 2006 5:53AM
I'm assuming everyone that's making fun of the MTV comment forgot about the channel labeled as MTV2...where they actually do nothing but play music for almost 95% of the day.
Unlike MTV where you might get music 5% of the day. *shrugs*
I'd rather watch grass grow or paint dry either way, but the point does stand and that's probably the channel she meant.
jennie @ Jan 26th 2006 7:06AM
Glad to see such great relationship advice ;)
I never actually said he doesn't spend time with me. I love having a non-gamer boyfriend--it's great for many different reasons. He just doesn't understand why I bought an Xbox 360 rather than spending a fraction of the price on a couple of games for my Xbox, PS2, PSP, DS, PC, Dreamcast, N64 or other consoles. A crucial part of the Xbox 360's success in the mainstream is to win over people like James' girlfriend and my housemates -- and yet from this perspective it's failed dismally so far.
IanC @ Jan 26th 2006 7:13AM
My god, how bitchy some of the comments on here are.
Im embarrassed to be considered a Joystiq reader now, seriously
IanC @ Jan 26th 2006 7:15AM
Oh yeah, where did you get that pic of a broken 360 from?
If the preson didnt like it s/he could of givien it to me!
defunq @ Jan 26th 2006 9:06AM
Wow, gamer girlfriends are so hard to find, and this jock has one and doesn't even appreciate it.
What the funk.
David C @ Jan 26th 2006 9:58AM
These lists are just getting stupid now. Also, don't know what kind of DVDs you are watching but none ov mine have had the slightest problem playing on the 360.
algo @ Jan 26th 2006 10:19AM
This stupid xbox 360 stuff isn't done? We get the point, you guys can't get enough of the xbox 360.. it's not the best system in the world. I hope you guys do the same for PS3 and Revolution.
harman @ Jan 26th 2006 12:28PM
"This stupid xbox 360 stuff isn't done? We get the point, you guys can't get enough of the xbox 360.. it's not the best system in the world. I hope you guys do the same for PS3 and Revolution."
maybe they will... NEXT YEAR.
i think the nintendo will get a lot of attention, but the ps3 is just going to be a year late 360 with a stupid looking controller, same games (except GT and MGS (yawn)) and blu-ray (
stranger @ Jan 26th 2006 6:41PM
Here's a bit of advice for the haters out there:
1.) Hook your 360 up to an HDTV- the bigger the better.
2.) Play games on it.
3.) Hook your original xbox, ps2, or cube up to the same TV.
4.) Play games on it.
5.) Think about what you said about the 360 not being much of a technological leap over the last generation on systems.
6.) Feel stupid for opening you uninformed mouth.
7.) Repeat as needed.
While it's true a 360 game played at standard def doesn't seem like much of a leap over the current gen, the PS3's gonna look about the same. Time to buy new TV's people.
As far as the rest of the article goes, seriously considering the opinions of people who choose to watch MTV (or their associates), no matter what country you're in, is always a bad idea.
Firegryphon @ Jan 26th 2006 10:26PM
Well its too bad that your boyfriend and other friends just don't understand and participate in your fun with the system. I have fun with mine and it is only allowed to live on my 64" HDTV while on the nice surround sound system that was rebuilt for it (as I had a power surge that killed my previous ES reciever).
I opened mine and played it on Thanksgiving day with some friends, but since then noone has really made noises about wanting to play it anymore. Some people will probably consider it a travesty, but I only play mine for between 2 and 5 hours a week. I enjoy it a lot, but I don't live and breath to play games.
But just as your boyfriend doesn't get you and your 360, I don't get people who have to have sound in the background. I'm one of those people that prefers silence if what I'm doing isn't specifically part of the sound. Though I do listen to music when I'm driving, either on the console or IRL.