Controller Destruction

[Vandabo]

So I just pulverized a wired 360 controller. I'm going to be finding pieces of it around my apartment for weeks.

I've had a pretty annoying day up to this point, and while attempting to enjoy myself by playing the Wolverine game, I got super ticked off by a particular fight and finally after replaying it six times or so I just snapped.

This is the first console controller I've killed, but I've lost several mice this way. Wireless ones are great for throwing across the room, while cheap wired ones are prone to being crushed like a beer can.

So who else here has succumbed to their rage during a frustrating game?

[pomeroy]

I haven't.

Because it's a game.

[GigaFuzz]

I once got a little too annoyed with The Force Unleashed (bonus points for guessing which section!) and threw the first thing that came to hand across my room, which turned out to be an empty plastic bottle. A short while later I could feel the anger building up again, so I crossed the room, retrieved the bottle, and set it back where it was. Sure enough, I got pissed off again and the bottle (rather than something more valuable) went for another flight.

[johnperkins21]

One day I got so pissed off at Ice Hockey on the NES that I took it outside and beat the game to a pulp with a hammer. Once that was done I went back into the house and jumped up and down on the console until I fell into a tired, weeping heap on the floor. Luckily I was only around 50 pounds at the time and that thing was made of some sort of titanium.

I haven't actually broken a controller since the PS1 though. Once I started paying for my own stuff, and the consoles and controllers were made more cheaply and easily broken, I kind of cured myself of that habit. Man I miss the durability of the NES.

[Vandabo]

I once got a little too annoyed with The Force Unleashed (bonus points for guessing which section!) and threw the first thing that came to hand across my room, which turned out to be an empty plastic bottle. A short while later I could feel the anger building up again, so I crossed the room, retrieved the bottle, and set it back where it was. Sure enough, I got pissed off again and the bottle (rather than something more valuable) went for another flight.

I'm guessing the star destroyer tug of war?

It's definitely a good call to keep something expendable nearby to sacrifice, but I had been having such a good time with Wolverine that I wasn't expecting to get so pissed.

I just need to hang a heavy bag in my room or something.

[Mot Wakorb]

The only controller that died by my hand (foot) was an NES Advantage back in the day. Something went wrong for me on Megaman 2 and I kicked it. End of that beastie.

[Wackman3000]

Never smashed a controller or anything, I usually tend to shout at the tv then slam my fist into the couch. Far cheaper option if you ask me.

[KamaItachi]

I usually keep a pillow near me when I'm playing. Seth from Streetfighter 4 has caused me to put some pretty heavy beatings on that thing.

[Adam Blue]

I've had a pretty annoying day up to this point, and while attempting to enjoy myself by playing the Wolverine game, I got super ticked off by a particular fight and finally after replaying it six times or so I just snapped.

Which part? One with a bunch of those blue things zipping around pissed me off...magma dudes there too.

Although this doesn't really happen to me though. Not sure why, because sometimes I think, "Shit, this really, really fucking pisses me off so much. Die."

[Wolvie]

Let's see:

My first broken controller was caused by one too many glitch deaths while playing Tomb Raider 3. I threw the controller into my entertainment center so hard it popped open at the seems and broke a piece of particle board off the corner of the cabinet.

My second broken controller came while playing Super Mario Sunshine. I got ticked while playing one of the "classic" levels and threw my controller into the floor next to me. I didn't think I threw it that hard, but after dying a few times, I realized I had killed the A button.

After that I broke a PS2 controller while playing an NHL game... can't remember how it happened, but I remember the seem where the duel shock motor was popped open from whatever I did to it.

The last controller I technically broke was a wireless Xbox 360 controller. I was getting owned in a game of Halo 3 multiplayer, so I decided the best way to deal with this was to throw it as hard as I could. This popped the seem open much like my PS2 controller. I popped it back together and finished the round. Then I went about super gluing the thing back together.

I haven't broken one since, and hope that I got my temper under enough control so it doesn't happen again... shits expensive.

[BigJonno]

I don't think I've ever thrown a controller in anger. I don't like having to replace stuff that I've broken through being a bloody idiot.

[Vandabo]

Which part? One with a bunch of those blue things zipping around pissed me off...magma dudes there too.

Although this doesn't really happen to me though. Not sure why, because sometimes I think, "Shit, this really, really fucking pisses me off so much. Die."

The part in New Orleans where you have to fight 6 of those four armed bitches at the same time... one stabs you, then another stabs you, then another... you can't even break the chain.

[CES]

As anyone who has ever seen me on Live can attest to, I don't break anything when I get pissed at a game, I just swear a lot.

The only thing I've broke when angry is a CD when I was 7. When I tried to clean it up, I got a really bad cut from it. Karma fucking sucks.

[Purple Santa]

I haven't.

Because it's a game.

Yeah, but you get to beat up on MagGnome when you get angry. We all can't do that;)

I am really surprised I haven't broken a controller over the years screaming at my tv while playing some of the games I have. I don't throw a controller because i'm afraid i'll break something else more important. I almost snapped my PS3 controller in half when playing God of War II recently. Those things have some bendability in them :p

@Wolvie: with TR games, I think it was almost a ritual for anyone playing a TR game to break a controller. Glitches or not...the old TR games were made for breaking controllers.

[Gorvi]

I destroyed an SNES controller as a kid back when my brother and I used to play Street Fighter II constantly. I beat the game with everyone on the highest difficulty, but some of those were tough. I believe it was one fight with Dhalsim vs Sagat that did the controller in.

[Superman's Dead]

My first instinct was to try and snap the controller in half whenever I got pissed, and that was NOT happening when I was ten. The impulse stopped around 17 or so, and now I just stare at the TV like it has to be fucking kidding me and turn it off when a game pulls some cheap shit.

[Narradisall]

I threw a keyboard so hard once I knocked over my flatscreen monitor and killed a few million pixels in the top left corner. Never did work well after that.

[Chris_D]

I think it was the end boss of Arc the Lad: Twilight of the Spirits that caused me to smash a PS2 controller into 3 separate pieces.

[KidCactus]

I tried killing my controller way back when I was playing MGS2, during the final boss fight.

I held the controller by the cable and swung it through the air and hit the table in front of the tv. The controller didn't break though, but it made a nice looking hole in the table.

[jpublic]

I have to go with pomeroy:

I haven't. Because it's a game.

Seriously, I've never gotten so invested in a game that frustration over my inability to do something makes me lash out against anything in a rage. Maybe I've got enough control over myself that when I start to get *that* pissed off I can turn it off.

My brother, however, almost put his hand through a TV screen once.

[bone_matrix]

Back in college four of us were playing halo just doing a free for all with 4 players. I was having a shitty day to begin with, and I was getting ganged up on. I don't remember how long we were playing, but I go so pissed I slammed my controller S into the floor, which was wood if I remember. My character never stopped spinning on the screen after that one.

That was the first and last time I did something like that. I hate having to buy things because I broke them.

[Chris_D]

For those saying it's "just a game" does anything inspire you to violence? Maybe you're just placid types..

[Mike Kelehan]

When a game frustrates me, I save it, play another game, and come back to it another day. I don't think I've ever gotten REALLY frustrated at a game, but I certainly know plenty of people who have.

[Psykoboy2]

"I shot a controller once"

[jpublic]

For those saying it's "just a game" does anything inspire you to violence? Maybe you're just placid types..

I have been inspired to violence before, but it takes things a little more weighty than a *game* to do that too me.

People, if a game pisses you off that much STOP PLAYING IT. You should have enough damned control over yourself to drop it before it comes to costing you money.

"I shot a controller once"

"Just to see it die"?

[Scull]

"I shot a controller in Reno"
"Just to watch it die"?

Fix'd and fix'd

[Chris_D]

I have been inspired to violence before, but it takes things a little more weighty than a *game* to do that too me.


Well you'll have to spill otherwise I can't judge :p.

Like, some people will hit a guy in a bar for giving them a funny look. I personally think smashing a controller is less lame than that for example.

[jpublic]

I don't know, I haven't been in a situation where I've felt the need to hit someone or something since I was 16, and was stupid high school shit.

Silly me, I'm a grown up, and I try *not* to devolve into violence. Off the top of my head, hitting a kid would probably cause me to lose my temper with the assaulter.

[Chris_D]

Well you sound like an easy going type. Anyway, wacking your controller is a pretty harmless way to let off some steam and certainly rates well below hitting someone on the lameness scale (unless you're actually protecting someone).

[Aggort]

I don't get angry with a game until I hit points where the game is frustrating because the developers fucked up. Then I get mad at them and think "Who the fuck tested this and thought it was a good idea?!" Fuel did that to me recently when I was about to win a race and all of a sudden my car just fell off a cliff for no reason, when my car reset it did the same thing. It was a physics error off of a VERY small tree branch, same size I'd run over the whole race. It would just send my flying no matter what speed I was going. If I had bought the game and not rented it, I probably would have snapped the disc in half, no one deserves to play a game like that.

I've definitely slammed my controller in tense situations in multiplayer games, especially when they are close. That's merely the competitor in me. No one wants to lose.

[Narradisall]

Violence is a part of human nature, anyone saying otherwise is in denial.

Personally I'd rather let off steam on a piece of plastic if I'm pissed rather than mowning someone down in my car or beating people to death as some people do these days.

I know you should probably have healthy outlets like running or martial arts or something.

[fitbabits]

I haven't ever got to the point while playing a game that I wanted to exert some kind of physical destruction on either animate or inanimate objects.

If I get to the point where I'm not enjoying the game any more (for whatever reason), I'll turn it off first and either try something else or go for a walk. No biggie.

In fact, the last game I was close to losing it with was Turok on Xbox 360. I've not played it since then.

[darkbase]

To those of you saying "it's just a game" and such, you're obviously not getting the full emotional experience from your vidjamahgames.

Batman: Rise of Shin Tzu on the Xbox actually had me punching my TV, luckily I didn't have an LCD yet. I've banged controllers up but thank god I haven't actually broken them while doing so. I did ruin the R2 trigger on my DualShock 3 by pulling it too hard to swing the wrench when I would get spooked by splicers in Bioshock.

[Arphahat]

As a teenager, I remember being particularly frustrated during the SNES era, and I ended up breaking one of the controllers through a series of "spiking it" and squeezing it. For me, as soon as I realized I had broken it, I felt like a complete moron. It is a habit I think I've outgrown.

Now, when I get to the point where I'd be frustrated before, I realize that I'll likely be able to come back at another time and whip through the trouble area with no problem. Lately, for instance, I've been playing a lot of Super Mario Galaxy. While a lot of the game is pretty easy and typical Mario fun, some of the levels, particularly the purple coin timed levels, can be pretty tricky. I've played the same level six or seven times, then go on to another level. The next day, I am almost always amazed at how trivial the level has become.

But, I've broken other stuff. Notably, I've spiked a tennis racket or two against the ground, utterly destroying them. I always feel so dumb, and I haven't done it for years.

[darkbase]

Now, when I get to the point where I'd be frustrated before, I realize that I'll likely be able to come back at another time and whip through the trouble area with no problem. Lately, for instance, I've been playing a lot of Super Mario Galaxy. While a lot of the game is pretty easy and typical Mario fun, some of the levels, particularly the purple coin timed levels, can be pretty tricky. I've played the same level six or seven times, then go on to another level. The next day, I am almost always amazed at how trivial the level has become.


I seem to have this problem with the Metal Gear series. I will get stuck on a boss fight or constantly raise an alarm in an area, and if I take a break and come back, I breeze through it. Hell, the Colonel in MGS1 even advises you to do so.

[Psykoboy2]

There has been many a dammit slam (http://www.ingamechat.net/?p=136) done by the members of IGC. And yeah, one of us shot a controller once (http://www.ingamechat.net/?p=116).

[Crowe]

I used to flip out at them, I would punch the floor, twist the controller, kick stuff, yell at the game. Then I would move on to calmly talking to the game or controller if it was non responsive.

"No I'm pretty sure I was tapping jump the whole time, so why didn't you jump?" Meanwhile the controller is creaking from the twisting as I try to control the ever growing rage.

Now I just shake my head at the bullshit video games can throw out and I move on. As for multi player games I'm not too bad at controlling the rage unless its CS:Source and its fucking bullshit piece of shit hit detection. You get the most BS headshots and other times your shooting directly at the head of an enemy who's AFK and you don't hit squat, all because the hit boxes are not in line wit the models.

[Wolvie]

These days I usually just turn the game off if I really get pissed. The last game I really got mad at was Halo 3, haven't played it much since.

[cawblen]

the only time i can think of that i actually came close to wanting to break my controller was the boss battle between Jubei and Munenori in Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams...i underutilized her up to that point so she was really weak plus i was running low of healing items...good god...Munenori felt impossible to beat...damn weak ass Jubei...i swear i played that battle over 20 times...oh the horror.

...i couldn't believe the game forced me to go one on one in a boss battle with a side character that was pretty much optional to use as a sidekick.

[Narradisall]

In fact, the last game I was close to losing it with was Turok on Xbox 360. I've not played it since then.

Damn, that must be one impressive long walk.

Your supposed to solve things in your sleep, maybe that explains why people come back and solve trouble sections easier the next day. :cool:

[Orca]

I went through quite a few SNES controllers because they were so damn flimsy. If I get frustrated, I tend to flex the controller and they didn't handle it at all. Give them a little twist and BAM, they split open. PS1 controllers were a little more durable, but not much - and the handles gave you more leverage on the twist. I didn't break any Dreamcast controllers though, and the original Xbox big ones were just as durable. I haven't noticed the 360 ones flexing overly much, and I avoid doing it on the PS3 ones - they're too expensive now to be replacing for something stupid.

[johnperkins21]

For those of you saying it's just a game, I have to believe you missed the 8-bit era during the height of frustrating game design. Designers seemed to intentionally frustrate us gamers back then. And as most of us here who played during that era were probably under say 15 or so at the time, we weren't exactly "grown up" enough to hold back our anger.

Now that I'm an adult, and games (on the whole) are less frustrating, I don't break controllers. I just turn the system off and do something else, or play a different game. But when I was 11 playing Mega Man 2 or something on the NES, I'd get pretty upset and throw my controller.

And as has been said, if you think it's "just a game," then the designers aren't doing enough to get you emotionally involved.

[Wolvie]

For those of you saying it's just a game, I have to believe you missed the 8-bit era during the height of frustrating game design.

Yeah I grew up on games during that era, and I remember my mother telling me if I didn't calm down when I played games I was gonna have a heart attack. Games back then were just brutal. I can see why most younger gamers today don't break many controllers, because most games today are easy.
There are some hardcore exceptions to the rule, but games are easier in this era. For every Ninja Gaiden, there is 20 Wii sports like games to apease the casual crowd... now if you'll excuse me I have to go play some Wii sports and take my heart medicine.

[jpublic]

For those of you saying it's just a game, I have to believe you missed the 8-bit era during the height of frustrating game design. Designers seemed to intentionally frustrate us gamers back then. And as most of us here who played during that era were probably under say 15 or so at the time, we weren't exactly "grown up" enough to hold back our anger.


Sorry, don't buy it. I started gaming in the Atari 2600 days. Even on the NES games of their day, I never broke my stuff. Mostly because, y'know, I wasn't an idiot as a child. Even to my immature pre-teen mind, breaking *my* stuff because I was mad was stupid. I'd go break *other people's* stuff.

[Chris_D]

Sorry, and breaking other people's stuff is more mature how?

[jpublic]

I wouldn't say it's more mature, but it's a damn sight smarter than breaking *my* stuff. I mean, it's *my* *stuff*.

Edit: I can't believe I'm trying to rationalize behavior from like 25 years ago.

[Chris_D]

I wouldn't say it's more mature, but it's a damn sight smarter than breaking *my* stuff. I mean, it's *my* *stuff*.

Umm... right... let's not be friends OK?

[Chris_D]

Btw, pic or it didn't happen.

http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq78/Mr_GT_Chris/ps2controller.jpg (http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq78/Mr_GT_Chris/ps2controller-1.jpg)

I was pretty amused to see the result of slamming my controller into the carpet (had done it a few times already that night but guess this was one time too many).

[Chris_D]

Edit: I can't believe I'm trying to rationalize behavior from like 25 years ago.

Hmm, I still fail to see either the moral or logical authority of breaking someone else's stuff over your own. You'll probably get some pretty pissed off friends or family that way.

[JRR1285]

There has been many a dammit slam (http://www.ingamechat.net/?p=136) done by the members of IGC. And yeah, one of us shot a controller once (http://www.ingamechat.net/?p=116).

My favorite part was when they were talking to the guy that ate a memory card.

"Did you put anything on it, ketchup or something?"

"Just pure rage"

[BigJonno]

I love how not smashing controllers means that you you either didn't play 8-bit games or you're just not getting into them properly.

It couldn't just be that you can keep your violent impulses controlled when faced with the terrifying might of a videogame, or that you're just smart enough to throw it down on the sofa instead of the floor.

[Adam Blue]

The part in New Orleans where you have to fight 6 of those four armed bitches at the same time... one stabs you, then another stabs you, then another... you can't even break the chain.

Man...that was a pain in the ass! I totally remember that.

[Spockrocket]

I've never broken a controller, but sometimes if a game is pissing me off after I've already had a bad day, I'll punch a pillow or something. I very rarely get to that point though. For the most part I'm pretty mellow.

[jpublic]

Hmm, I still fail to see either the moral or logical authority of breaking someone else's stuff over your own. You'll probably get some pretty pissed off friends or family that way.

Dude, like 25 years ago. I was a kid. I'm also rationalizing my thinking process from that far ago. I know I rarely broke my stuff - be it in a tantrum or not. I took care of my property. My brother's was fair game - again, in a tantum or not. Of course, he returned the favor a lot.

All I can say is that if you do break a controller, especially now that you've matured, you have issues and need to learn to not take a game so damn personally. It's a GAME.

[Chris_D]

Sorry dude, but you're being an ass. I would say that I hope your brother pounded you but since you say he broke your stuff too, well I guess neither of you were capable of respecting other people's property.

I've broken 1 controller in 31 years, big deal. I felt quite satisfied after, making a 3 year old PS2 controller not a big price to pay. Amount of other people's stuff I've broken? Nada. Nothing at all. It's my stuff, I can do what I like with it. I even gave the one I broke to a friend who said he wanted to try and fix it. I said if he did, he was welcome to keep it.

Anyway, if you were at my place and broke something of mine on purpose, well you'd be out the door so fast with my boot up your ass, your head would spin.

[Doogie2K]

Sorry dude, but you're being an ass. I would say that I hope your brother pounded you but since you say he broke your stuff too, well I guess neither of you were capable of respecting other people's property.

I've broken 1 controller in 31 years, big deal. I felt quite satisfied after, making a 3 year old PS2 controller not a big price to pay. Amount of other people's stuff I've broken? Nada. Nothing at all. It's my stuff, I can do what I like with it. I even gave the one I broke to a friend who said he wanted to try and fix it. I said if he did, he was welcome to keep it.

Anyway, if you were at my place and broke something of mine on purpose, well you'd be out the door so fast with my boot up your ass, your head would spin.

You're acting awfully high and mighty over something someone did as a kid 25 years ago. Shit, I assumed it was a joke until people started calling him out over it.

I'm just guessing here, but I'm thinking he doesn't destroy other people's shit anymore.

[Chris_D]

You're acting awfully high and mighty over something someone did as a kid 25 years ago. Shit, I assumed it was a joke until people started calling him out over it.

I'm just guessing here, but I'm thinking he doesn't destroy other people's shit anymore.

He was the one who claimed that destroying other people's stuff was somehow better than destroying your own and that he looked down on those who did. I am just strongly refuting that. Also, you can bet I would have put my boot up his 10 yr old ass just as fast. Finally, I never destroyed other people's property when I was a kid. Sure I hid people's stuff as a joke but I'd always returned it or let them know where it was. I used to call my 2 older sisters the foulest things and then run around like a crazy kid while they'd try and hit me. But I never destroyed their possessions (I did eat all my sister's home made cookies one time). Funnily enough, they never destroyed mine either.

[Chris_D]

I'm just guessing here, but I'm thinking he doesn't destroy other people's shit anymore.

Btw, I sure as hell hope so. I can't imagine he would have many friends otherwise.

[jpublic]

He was the one who claimed that destroying other people's stuff was somehow better than destroying your own and that he looked down on those who did.

No, I'm claiming that likely would have been my value judgement as a child, looking back on it 25 or so years after the fact.

What I am stating as fact, is that as a child I had enough control over myself to not destroy my stuff. I am also stating that, as a fact, my brother and I had a nasty tendency to break each other's stuff - not usually out of malice, just because we were little idiots.

Editted to remove personal attack. Seriously, I'm sorry I brought it up, man. This is clearly very important to you, and I don't want to fight on a bleeding internet forum, it's not worth the grief.

[johnperkins21]

I love how not smashing controllers means that you you either didn't play 8-bit games or you're just not getting into them properly.

It couldn't just be that you can keep your violent impulses controlled when faced with the terrifying might of a videogame, or that you're just smart enough to throw it down on the sofa instead of the floor.

I don't remember anyone saying that. My point was that games in the 8-bit era were more frustratingly difficult than games are now, and that kids generally have less self control than adults. But my actual rebuff was to those who claimed that they don't break their controllers because "it's just a game." That's definitely not how I felt at 10 years old in 1985 when I got my first NES for Christmas.

I just can't imagine anyone at that time saying "it's just a game." It certainly didn't feel that way to me. It was such a huge jump in technology from my Atari 2600, that it transformed the experience into something more.

[darkbase]

Everyone is arguing in this thread over breaking things and it just MAKES ME SO DAMN ANGRY I'M GOING TO SLAM THIS KEYBOARD, FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

[Widgetcraft]

I haven't seriously thrown a controller since I was very young, and playing the NES. I once sent a cart flying to the wall so hard than it bounced off, ricocheting into another wall at an angle, and then flew into a dresser. However, I did break my PS2 controller's rumble function. I can't remember what game it was (I think maybe GTA: SA, during one of those "drive the car here, don't bump into anything" missions), but I ended up standing, and simply dropping the controller to the floor. It wasn't even a tile or hardwood floor, regular carpet, and the rumble function simply never worked right again. I can leave it on, and it will rumble, but it is incredibly loud.

These days, when I get really pissed, I mostly scream obscenities and eventually banish the game to the shelf.

[Chris_D]

No, I'm claiming that likely would have been my value judgement as a child, looking back on it 25 or so years after the fact.


That was hardly the way it seemed but I appreciate you clarifying it. Still, the way you (and others) initially said "wah wah it's just a game" seemed to express a pretty low opinion of those who occasionally let their emotions get away with them. Hey, games are pretty much the pinnacle of digital interactive entertainment, so some of us are going to get into them, to say the least.


What I am stating as fact, is that as a child I had enough control over myself to not destroy my stuff. I am also stating that, as a fact, my brother and I had a nasty tendency to break each other's stuff - not usually out of malice, just because we were little idiots.


I apologise for being too aggressive in judging your childhood, every family is different, and I don't want to base my respect of someone on some childhood games.


Editted to remove personal attack. Seriously, I'm sorry I brought it up, man. This is clearly very important to you, and I don't want to fight on a bleeding internet forum, it's not worth the grief.

I felt like I was getting called out as a douche bag for losing my temper over a video game. The particular argument of whether to smash or not smash your controller is not particularly important to me, I just wanted to defend myself.

[Chris_D]

Everyone is arguing in this thread over breaking things and it just MAKES ME SO DAMN ANGRY I'M GOING TO SLAM THIS KEYBOARD, FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

Arggghhh!!! *smash* oh right, doing that with a laptop is not a good idea.

[BigJonno]

I don't remember anyone saying that. My point was that games in the 8-bit era were more frustratingly difficult than games are now, and that kids generally have less self control than adults. But my actual rebuff was to those who claimed that they don't break their controllers because "it's just a game." That's definitely not how I felt at 10 years old in 1985 when I got my first NES for Christmas.

I just can't imagine anyone at that time saying "it's just a game." It certainly didn't feel that way to me. It was such a huge jump in technology from my Atari 2600, that it transformed the experience into something more.

Just to prove to myself that I'm not imagining things:

For those of you saying it's just a game, I have to believe you missed the 8-bit era during the height of frustrating game design.

To those of you saying "it's just a game" and such, you're obviously not getting the full emotional experience from your vidjamahgames.

:D

[Narradisall]

This thread made me remember Battletoads.....

..when I came to, there was blood all over me and I'd lost 5 hours. Least my controllers were all fine though!

[johnperkins21]

I love how not smashing controllers means that you you either didn't play 8-bit games or you're just not getting into them properly.

Now the quotes you pulled to prove your point:

For those of you saying it's just a game, I have to believe you missed the 8-bit era during the height of frustrating game design.

To those of you saying "it's just a game" and such, you're obviously not getting the full emotional experience from your vidjamahgames.

Neither of these quotes said anything about breaking a controller. They may have hinted at it, but it was more calling out the people who are saying "it's just a game." If you are saying that, then yes, I'd say you're not fully invested emotionally in the experience.

[Lint of Death]

It think "No way, it's just a game" is a perfectly reasonable response to the crossroads of damaging your own things versus not doing so in response to playing it. Don't they cost enough already?

[Narradisall]

It think "No way, it's just a game" is a perfectly reasonable response to the crossroads of damaging your own things versus not doing so in response to playing it. Don't they cost enough already?

I think it was more the way some people phrased it.

Not so much "Nah, it's just a game" more "No, ITS A GAME" in a learn to control your emotions in a logical Vulcan way.

[Shrinn]

I don't break things but I yell. A lot. Ask Abyssion. He deals with it on AIM. The streams of obscenities I yell would make a nun cry.

[Chris_D]

It think "No way, it's just a game" is a perfectly reasonable response to the crossroads of damaging your own things versus not doing so in response to playing it. Don't they cost enough already?

People blow their top over having to wait in line. Fist fights start in clubs over a glance. Others might demand to see the manager and ask for a free meal over a minuscule bug on their salad that probably landed there en-route from the kitchen (at least a friend of mine did). Soccer fans throw glass bottles at the opposition team's bus because their team lost.

I'm not saying that smashing your own controller is a super smart thing to do. But getting angry at a video game is pretty low on the totem pole of stupid things that people get angry at.

[roboninja]

I just lost a mouse last week. When I get killed by luck in something like TF2, I sometimes get mad (not always). I tend to lift up the mouse and slam it straight down onto the desk. For some reason, it never occurred to me I might break it, until I finally did. I will be amending this behaviour; my new MX518 cost too much to be slamming around :)

[Klunka]

Road Rash

Anyone else who played that game back in the 16-bit days doesn't need me to say anything more than that.

[CES]

I just lost a mouse last week. When I get killed by luck in something like TF2, I sometimes get mad (not always). I tend to lift up the mouse and slam it straight down onto the desk. For some reason, it never occurred to me I might break it, until I finally did. I will be amending this behaviour; my new MX518 cost too much to be slamming around :)

I estimate that TF2 accounts for well over half of my gaming related curse-fests. Getting sniped from behind a wall as my Uber gauge is at 96% is just wrong.

Most of the rest comes from Guitar Hero and it's twisted notion to put hammer-ons or tapping points in at the worst times.

[KSmitty]

Never broke a controller. Although I will get very aggravated when bullshit occurs in games (oh really, 3 critical hits in a row? A 2 second charge move that you pulled off while walking toward me?). One time I accidentally broke a game in frustration I remember it VERY clearly, the game was Star Wars Master of the Tera Kasi for the PS1. Terrible fighting game that only got by on the license. So I take the game out and flick it toward its case (on the carpet) in disgust. The disc frickin bounces on a cushion of air off the carpet, flies 8 feet across the room, hits my weight bench and then cracks in half. I just sat there for a second, boggled by the probability of what just happened. Ever since then I don't do anything with a game if I am even mildly irritated.

Road Rash

Anyone else who played that game back in the 16-bit days doesn't need me to say anything more than that.
Wow that game was super cheap. But there was a pattern, it would normally be one racer that would always catch up/beat you right before the end. After losing several times I would single that racer out and put him out of the race from the start.

[roboninja]

I estimate that TF2 accounts for well over half of my gaming related curse-fests. Getting sniped from behind a wall as my Uber gauge is at 96% is just wrong.

Most of the rest comes from Guitar Hero and it's twisted notion to put hammer-ons or tapping points in at the worst times.

heh, I tend to get most pissed at the random crit rockets/pipe bombs that fly through the doorway, just happening to hit me as I turn the corner. To ones where the guy did not even know I was there, but got lucky enough to insta-gib me. One of those cost me my mouse :)

[CES]

heh, I tend to get most pissed at the random crit rockets/pipe bombs that fly through the doorway, just happening to hit me as I turn the corner. To ones where the guy did not even know I was there, but got lucky enough to insta-gib me. One of those cost me my mouse :)

The worst by far is running around a corner only to get a Huntsman arrow to the face from someone who couldn't have known you were there and fired for the hell of it. Snipers are complete bastards.

[National Kato]

I've never been the type of guy who translates anger/frustration into physical force, except for yelling. You know those guys who get mad and punch walls? Or how about this guy I once played basketball with who punched the asphalt court when he missed a shot, cracking open the skin on his knuckles? I just don't get that kind of reaction.

But I'll yell a blue streak in a second. So, none of my videogame gear has ever come under fire due to my frustrations. Why the hell would I break my own shit? I paid for that!

I'll rage quit or verbally abuse my stuff on occasion, but that's just to teach the stupid game a lesson. :D

[crazyD]

I haven't.

Because it's a game.

Seriously. Breaking expensive controllers because a game made you angry is pretty fucking stupid. If a game makes you that pissed, why the hell are you playing it, anyway?

[Doogie2K]

The only time I've done anything with a controller was when I bounced my Xbox Controller-S off my bed after losing the same cheap-ass Soul Calibur II match (one of those stupid "air combo only" or "ring out only" or "wall combo only" matches) 50-odd times in a row. If I didn't have the bed to bounce it off of right there in front of me...I dunno, I might have squeezed it a little, but probably I would've turned the game off instead of bouncing the controller off the floor or a wall or something.

So no, I've never broken any piece of gaming equipment out of frustration. I've rage-quit, but never broken shit.

[Chris_D]

Seriously. Breaking expensive controllers because a game made you angry is pretty fucking stupid. If a game makes you that pissed, why the hell are you playing it, anyway?

Because 95% of the time you're enjoying yourself? Or maybe, part of the anger that you just dissipated came from your stressful job and you feel better for it?

Anyway, I prefer "kind of stupid". Secondly, it's one of the more harmless ways to take out your anger and doesn't hurt others (unless you're breaking someone else's stuff, which I can't agree with).

[Spockrocket]

That mention of Soul Calibur 2 brings back memories. I had the GC version, and Link was such a cheap-ass opponent... I shouted things at that game that should never be said ever again :D

[Vigil80]

Man, folks get testy about this topic quick. Like somebody may as well have said that he got mad, found a random person on the street, and beat them with the controller.

I haven't broken any of my things in anger, either. I wouldn't say it's because I'm all zen and whatever. Rather, I'm very picky about all my electronic toys. I feel bad if I just drop my controller by accident.

Very few single player games get me that angry, but multi can very quickly. If I'm just gettig waxxed, it will send me through the ceiling quick. Which makes it worse, because if I'm frustrated, I'm playing worse, and getting owned more. It isn't losing a fair and square face-off, but when somebody is doing tricky shit and getting away with it, or people on my team are acting like idiots.

Ridiculously good snipers, and bunny hoppers. They really make me swear at my television. Even if I gun the hopper down, I'll still be pissed just that he had the gall to try it. :p

[Whunpo]

I snapped my first cell phone in half when my friends were bugging the shit outta me. I was trying to help my dad find a way to pick us up from the country fair, but to no avail. Then they all started poking me, and wouldn't stop. I snapped the only thing in my hand clean in two pieces. I felt much better.

[Chris_D]

I snapped the only thing in my hand clean in two pieces. I felt much better.

I like stories with happy endings :).

[CES]

If parts of a control system count, add one for me. Just broke a drumstick while playing GH:WT. Not so much rage induced as it was Van Halen to blame.

[National Kato]

Fucking Alex Van Halen. ;)

[quidmonkey]

That mention of Soul Calibur 2 brings back memories. I had the GC version, and Link was such a cheap-ass opponent... I shouted things at that game that should never be said ever again :D

This. And NGB. Fuck you Alma.

I've been known to cause peeps to throw controllers in Smash Bros.

[Purple Santa]

I like stories with happy endings :).

That's only because he didn't mention it was an iPhone he snapped in two ;)

[Xerxes]

I've slammed servered on the ground when I was a kid. I did almost break my 360 controller by twisting it. I heard cracking and then I clicked back into myself. Controller still works fine so no major damage I guess. I so hate Def Jam Icon and Kudo.

There was one game that I can't remember but I snapped the cd in half. Had to pick up plastic shard in shit.

[TheEpicOfTyler]

I didn't realize people actually broke their controllers. When I got pissed I would just shake it violently.

If parts of a control system count, add one for me. Just broke a drumstick while playing GH:WT. Not so much rage induced as it was Van Halen to blame.

That doesn't count. That's normal wear and tear.

[Purple Santa]

I thought about tossing my PS3 controller playing inFamous today. Then I thought about this thread and how it's frowned upon. So I practiced some anger management techniques instead. Does screaming out my window count as something better? :)

[RandoM51]

Rage has yet to kill one of my controllers. Thinking back, the number #1 cause of controller death for me has most likely been:

Summer Games 1&2 and Winter Games.

Last year I dropped a 360 controller about 3 feet or so, where it hit the floor on a shoulder button at just the right angle to break that shoulder button. Fudge!

[johnperkins21]

I thought about tossing my PS3 controller playing inFamous today. Then I thought about this thread and how it's frowned upon. So I practiced some anger management techniques instead. Does screaming out my window count as something better? :)

I find punching pillows to be a fair substitute for controller throwing, but it's actually been quite a few years since I've done anything more than forcefully power off the console.

[squirrelTactics]

You guys would turn this into a debate about the morality of controller smashing.

[Xerxes]

I've never been the type of guy who translates anger/frustration into physical force, except for yelling. You know those guys who get mad and punch walls? Or how about this guy I once played basketball with who punched the asphalt court when he missed a shot, cracking open the skin on his knuckles? I just don't get that kind of reaction.

Well in truth I like to thing inanimate items have souls and feel pain. So when I slam a controller, it cry's and it will do what the fuck I say do.

It's like how I want to shoot my toaster. Plug it back in and dare it to burn my pop tarts again. I dare you! Piece of shit. Don't give me that look. We ain't been cool for a few dozen loaves of bread. Uhhh.... :o

[CES]

I thought about tossing my PS3 controller playing inFamous today. Then I thought about this thread and how it's frowned upon. So I practiced some anger management techniques instead. Does screaming out my window count as something better? :)

If it does, I'm in perfect control of my anger.

I blame Saints Row 2 for my anger lately. 92% complete and I just can't beat the level 6 Heli Assault mission to finish all the challenges.

[Vandabo]

Well in truth I like to thing inanimate items have souls and feel pain. So when I slam a controller, it cry's and it will do what the fuck I say do.

It's like how I want to shoot my toaster. Plug it back in and dare it to burn my pop tarts again. I dare you! Piece of shit. Don't give me that look. We ain't been cool for a few dozen loaves of bread. Uhhh.... :o

Skip to 4:30

60gdBWaoigE

[Doogie2K]

Listened to the Giant Bombcast on my way into work today, and apparently Brad Shoemaker pitched a controller and took a chunk out of it while playing Prototype for review. So now all the controller-smashers have industry-veteran support. ;)

[Purple Santa]

Listened to the Giant Bombcast on my way into work today, and apparently Brad Shoemaker pitched a controller and took a chunk out of it while playing Prototype for review. So now all the controller-smashers have industry-veteran support. ;)

That's ok. Now when all my pent up anger at my games doesn't go anywhere and I just climb some water tower...i'll blame this forum ;)

[Stoke]

I find punching pillows to be a fair substitute for controller throwing, but it's actually been quite a few years since I've done anything more than forcefully power off the console.

You reminded me of something, the touch buttons on the PS3 are fucking horrible. They work fine but I can't properly show my frustration when I have to sit there and hold my finger on a cool piece of plastic to turn it off. There's just no satisfaction. How I long for the SNES when I could truly show I meant business when turning it off.

[Vigil80]

My touch button doesn't seem to turn the console off. It'll turn it on, but then I have to use the controller to turn it back off.

I thought it was a feature.

[Purple Santa]

You reminded me of something, the touch buttons on the PS3 are fucking horrible. They work fine but I can't properly show my frustration when I have to sit there and hold my finger on a cool piece of plastic to turn it off. There's just no satisfaction. How I long for the SNES when I could truly show I meant business when turning it off.
Playing inFamous yesterday I think it made me realize the shoulder buttons on PS3 controller suck. But I agree...trying to turn the machine off and being asked a bunch of options...not the same as just flicking an off button.
My touch button doesn't seem to turn the console off. It'll turn it on, but then I have to use the controller to turn it back off.

I thought it was a feature.

Mine doesn't either. I always use the controller. I found that strange to when I bought my PS3. I just thought Sony wants you turning it on...not turning it off...ever ;)

[BigJonno]

I'd always used the controller to turn it off until the other day and got a bit worried. I thought it wasn't working right.

Sony seem to have a thing about making consoles a pain to operate. Took me ages to figure out how to turn off a PS2 the first time as well.

[crazyD]

My touch button doesn't seem to turn the console off. It'll turn it on, but then I have to use the controller to turn it back off.

I thought it was a feature.

You are holding it for a few seconds, right? Mine turns the system off.

[roboninja]

You are holding it for a few seconds, right? Mine turns the system off.

Yeah, hold it for 3 seconds (I think), and the system turns off. I do usually use the controller/PS Button menu, but this works too.