(Yes this is still a story. Yes you can guess what the story is about. Just uh. I dunno I don't get to be selfish all that often so I'm having a moment. Back to your regularly scheduled stories tomorrow when I get home from work.)
Simon's POV
@Landonsn:"#MakeMinecraftGreatAgain."
Simon:"The fuck is this? HEY VIKK!"
Vikk:"I'VE ALREADY SEEN IT JUST LET HIM HAVE HIS MOMENT!"
Nah fuck this. That's ridiculous. What the hell made him want to start that. I got up from my desk and walked down to Vikk's room. Josh and JJ were already sitting on his bed chatting away. While James was standing up and leaning against Vikk's wall. His hand massaging his head.
Vikk:"Your the last one to see it."
Simon:"Yeah what's it all about?"
Vikk:"Did you watch the video or just get confused?"
Simon:"He tweeted me. Probably thinking I would ask you about it."
Vikk:"He's a smart kid. Ok. Basically what it is for the non block heads to understand. Is that Minecraft isn't what it use to be anymore.Which is normal and understandable. Over time many things happen to something whether it's music or gaming that changes it for either the better or for the worst."
James:"I've already given my two cents."
Simon:"I don't want to know."
Vikk:"Actually Simon. He's against what Landon said."
Simon:"What?"
Josh:"Nah fuck off you didn't tell us that."
James:"I kept it quiet for a reason."
JJ:"You don't make Minecraft videos though."
James:"I do enjoy the game though."
Vikk:"I got him to come over and watch the video with me. He sent me a message about it so I had to check it out. I started watching it but stopped myself and brought him over. I was going to text Lizzy and Ashley but they beat me to it."
Simon:"So what is it about?"
Vikk:"Honestly. I agree with it. Essentially what he spoke of was the fact that the Minecraft community has become stupidly toxic. Which even we can agree is true. Having seen some of the comments for your videos. But it's also gotten out of hand in the youtube and pop culture side as well. It has become a hub for many different types of people which is great. But a lot of content has come to be from it changing. The ideals he used included Role play videos and channels.Animations and there is even a subtle stab at the fact there is Minecraft porn. Which let's be honest we all knew it was there."
James:"It's been there for years. Rule 34 guys. If it exists there is porn of it somewhere."
Josh:"We are familiar with the rules of the internet James."
James:"Fuck off Josh."
Simon:"You are. Really fucking riled up about this."
James:"I think he's an idiot but I'll let Vikk continue."
Vikk:"Thanks. Landon goes on to mention how the community has changed from being more fun based and it becoming a complete shit show and stemming so far from what it started out and originally being about.Into shit like videos where people role play as babies for half an hour."
I heard JJ laugh from the bed.
JJ:"Really?"
Vikk:"Yeah. Anyway you kind of get the general idea with that side of the conversation. But the first part was him saying how the game was created and aimed at younger viewers and how younger people play the game and watch videos. So It's basically become unwatchable for the target audience. But then he states that there is one problem for it and that the problem is Mojang itself."
I was already a bit lost I won't lie. I had no real care for the game and the community so I thought I would just leave it alone. But I know how Vik has his channel and he is deep into it. So I like to let him have his rants about the game. He knows I don't care but likes to let out his feelings for it.
Simon:"So why is James so hostile about it?"
Vikk:"Because I want to call Preston and the boys and find out what they think. But at the same time. I want James to be with me because he can distance himself from both sides and work as a mediator for when the argument becomes inevitably harder to control."
James:"I have my opinion but I'm keeping my mouth shut. I don't have a large enough following to be able to go up against him and that kind of annoys me. It just go to show that a Pack Mind can thrive. No pun intended Vikk."
Vikk:"Acknowledged and appreciated I thought it was clever."
I heard his skype go off with a message.
Josh:"Hang on I bet it will be Lachlan."
JJ:"Mitch and Jerome."
Simon:"Landon."
James:"Landon."
I watched as Vikk opened the program to find a message from Landon.Using that stupid Hashtag again. What does he honestly hope to achieve?
James:"Please."
Vikk:"No."
James:"I beg."
Vikk:"James."
James:"I have to."
Vikk:"I swear to god you go anywhere near my computer I will castrate you."
James:"... Would be worth it."
I watched as James walked away from Vikk and headed down stairs. A moment later he came back up with a bottle of water. Placing it on the desk in front of Vikk. Vikk grabbed it and took a swig.
Simon:"That's creepy."
James:"He's been in here editing and uploading for hours. I thought he might need a drink."
Vikk:"Right. I'm going to message him back. Talk to him about it."
Josh:"As much as I want to see James rip into him. I want nothing to do with this."
JJ:"Vikk you know we like to humour you when it comes to Minecraft but at the end of the day. I really don't care."
Vikk:"It's ok. I was prepared for that."
Josh and JJ both walked out of the room. Leaving me standing behind Vikk while James migrated to his bed.
James:"I'm going to slap him."
Vikk:"No you won't. Both Preston and Lachlan would knock you out."
James:"Still worth it."
Simon:"What the hell is your problem with it."
I watched James sit up and look at me. He kept his mouth shut but you could see it in his glare he was fucking furious.
James:"I'm not saying anything."
Simon:"Obviously you fucking want to."
Vikk:"He's already thought it all through. He's already gone through it all in his head and has made his own decision. Nothing that can be said or mentioned could sway his opinion."
Simon:"Ok great. Tell him then."
Vikk:"He can't."
Simon:"What do you mean he can't?"
James:"He means. I'm one person. Going up against a pack mind. If I ever tweeted or messaged him about anything. I would be going up against the leader of the mind. Plus Preston is more then definitely on his side. That would then incur the wrath of Lachlan because I can guarantee you that boy would support his boyfriend. Then on top of that. All of Their little fanboys and fan girls would go for my fucking throat. I could just be really evil and write a book. Have it published and use his name as a villain that get's killed at the end.Do you think that's subtle enough?"
Vikk:"It's petty we spoke about this. Just stay in here with me and let me handle it."
Simon:"Oh I get it now."
If James said anything. Then Vikk would be in the same position Lachlan is in. Everyone will think Vikk is automatically on James's side.Seeing as the two of them have been going out for a month now. Which is fair. Though I'm half curious to hear why James is so against him.I watched as James lay back down on the bed. I looked over to see Vikk with a finger to his lips as he called the entire pack. I noticed all of them but Lachlan picked up. Probably asleep. They went to talk but Vikk kept his finger to his lip. Typing at the boys to stay quiet. I watched him type to me in chat but delete it afterwards. Asking me to get James to start talking.
Simon:"Alright well then why are you so angry about it then?"
I watched as Jerome and Preston looked confused. But Preston knew what was going on.
James:"It just. It's like he thinks he is entitled to make an opinion about it which he is don't get me wrong. We all are entitled to what we want to think and what we want to say. But it's how that opinion is received by others and how it's sent across. The way he did it was correct for his status as a person on Youtube. Make a video about it and explain his side. But at the same time. He did it. And the way he delivered it was so fucking wrong."
I could see Preston starting to get fired up already.
James: "Think about it. He's a creator. He has been playing the game for years. Uploading for a while and has been pretty involved with not only the videos and playing the game. But server wise as well. That's awesome he is more then likely to have an opinion on whether he thinks it's good or not. But at the same time he is thinking about it from a little boys perspective. He is thinking of it as if he is absolutely right. And that is what pisses me off the most. He doesn't even think about it from the other side. He barely even mentions It.And when he does talk about why it's "Mojang's fault." He uses it as they need to make their money back so fuck everyone else. He doesn't think of it from their perspective or put himself in their shoes. But he also treats it from the side of he's a creator. Who makes youtube videos. I agree with what he says about how it has since become a game that is not for intended audiences. Which is true. But he rips on the role players. The people that make videos about it. Basically saying it's a load of shit. But that's not all.This also extends to the modded community, The animations community,The community that he fucking created on his server."
I could see a few heads starting to fall. Preston was still angry.
Simon:"So what you are saying. Is that you think he is being a hypocrite?"
James:"Yes. Absolutely. But it's not the fact that he thinks his thought is absolute. That I'll let slide. It's the fact that he doesn't even try to see it from the other side. He doesn't think of the long term solution. He is like every other stupid fucking teenager who wants an immediate. Here and now answer to a topic that will take a long time to sort out."
I noticed Vikk's computer going nuts. The text box for the pack was going nuts. Mitch, Jerome and Rob were actually siding with James.Though Lachlan was just typing away. He obviously sided with Landon and Preston.
James:"Preston, Rob, Jerome Mitch and Lachlan can't fucking agree with him. Because they have all been guilty of doing what he says is wrong basically. Having put up videos where they have done role play in some ways. Where they have made it to the point where some videos are not meant for little kids. And that extends to anyone else as well.At the end of the day. They all make videos and use it as a market to sustain their lives. It is their main source of income. So it's completely ridiculous that he would want to make Minecraft great again when at the end of the day. He is doing more harm then good.Turning the toxicity away from players in the game. And turning that hatred and toxic side of the community onto the creators and developers themselves. At the end of the day. It's a business. And businesses need to make money in order to do what they have to do.And I don't think I need to tell you how hard it would be to make 2.5 billion fucking dollars. But I also agree with him in some ways."
I noticed Preston's anger drop from his face completely. Mitch, Rob and Jerome were stunned as well. Vikk got curious and turned himself around.
Vikk:"You just ranted on about how you thought he was close minded. How do you agree with him?"
James:"Because my mind is fucking incapable of only seeing one side. On the other hand it's fucking weird. Minecraft porn and complete role plays. Scripted animations. Song parodies. Etc. It's not what it use to be which was a family friendly. Creative tool and outlet for people to have fun. And I get that. But it's also a business. He's basically just redirecting the horrible little trolls that make the servers hard to play on. Or the community hard to be around. And directing that at the developers and creators. At the end of the day.That's going to make it worse on them trying to keep up with what we want as a player. And then if they try to fix something people will jump up and down about how it's caused more issues or whatever the fuck is wrong with it. Honestly. At the end of the day. I hope they just completely cut off Minecraft as a whole. Can't complain about something If there is nothing there to complain about."
I looked back at James as he tilted his head and saw us both looking at him. Though I saw the tears in his eyes when he saw Preston behind Vikk. Jerome, Rob and Mitch waved but Preston was in shock. I wonder if he had thought about it like that?
James:"Guys. I'm sorry. At the end of the day. He's just signed your termination from Youtube. So I hope you guys find a way to get your other channels big. Because this will kill the community."
He went to get up and walk out of the room but Vikk pulled him down into his chair. James instead fell to his knees in front of him. His head in Vikk's lap as I started to hear him start to cry.
Vikk:"Do you want me to turn up the volume so you can hear them talk?"
James shook his head before looking up at Vikk then the screen. Seeing the four boys staring at him probably caused him to close up and shut himself out. You don't get to have an opinion when you have no one behind you. And that's wrong. Because you can guarantee that someone somewhere will find something about a topic to make it seem kind of stupid. Hearing him rant about the other side. How it's a business.And a business needs to make money. He hit the nail on the head. But he also jumped his own ship and sided with Landon as well. Saying it's not what it use to be which was a family friendly community for everyone to feel welcome. I still had no care in the world. But at the same time. This poor guy would get torn apart if Vikk threw him to the wolves.
James:"I'm sorry. He fucking made me so angry. It was one sided and I fucking hated it."
Vikk:"It's fine baby. You know I'm always going to love you no matter what. Even if I don't agree with you in each aspect."
James:"I know you wouldn't. It's different for you. I'm sorry."
Vikk:"James. It's fine. I still love you. I'm just glad you finally let it out. And I think you got Preston thinking as well."
James:"I'm going to go home. I'll see you later ok?"
Vikk:"I've finished my videos. I'll come with you. Just give me five minutes ok? Go lay down on my bed I need to finish up."
I watched as James nodded his head and walked back over to Vikk's bed.Laying down and facing the wall away from us. I looked back to seethe chat lighting up again. Though it was slightly more positive.With the boys not so much agreeing or disagreeing on what was mentioned. But more looking at it from both sides.
Simon:"Why am I still here?"
James:"Because you love me."
Vikk:"No that's my job. And your probably still here because you manage to be able to put up with my shit more so then anyone else does when it comes to this stuff."
Simon:"Alright your welcome I guess? I'm going to go back to my room. I need to edit some more."
I patted him on the shoulder before heading out. Closing his door behind him. I started heading back to my room and lay down on my bed.I couldn't get it out of my mind. What it all meant and how it all worked out but I ended up coming to the same conclusion that James did. At the end of the day. I hope Minecraft just get's shut down. It seems like it will either die out really quickly. Or it will get taken too far out of hand. I worry about Vikk so I don't know how I feel about this.
(Yes I did that. No I'm not sorry. Yes I am down the middle for and against what he said because I stream Minecraft, I do videos with my friends on it. And honestly I just see it as I described It above. I tried my best to kind of show both sides in a way. Still agreeing with what Landon said. But also putting forth the argument on the other side.As a player. I hope it doesn't get shut down. But I can see this as a prime example of a pack mind following one persons idea just because they have the following to back them.
But I'm curious as to whether any of you guys have watched the video.Which I will put in the media. And if anyone else plays Minecraft or whether you don't play it. I am on both sides and can see both sides of the argument. If you agree with Landon let me know. If you are on the fence and are just waiting for shit to hit the fan so we can grab popcorn and laugh. Let me know and that goes for anyone against what he says. He makes solid arguments but he doesn't think about the other side. I know. This was completely fucking selfish of me. And I'm more then happy to lose people who like my stories because of it.In fact I welcome it because it shows what you think and I think that's great. So let me know what you think. I'm curious to see what you all think because your all of different ages, From all over the world.
I as a 19 year old Male creator thinks it's a load of crap but also valid as fuck.)