CBS Commentator Urges Gamers To Go Play The Real World

“…here’s a fun fact: Did you know the real world is broadcasting in 3-D? All the time? I know, amazing!” Yep, this is going to be one of those.

Reader Darius pointed us towards a video that ran today on
CBS Sunday Morning, in which commentator and radio host Luke Burbankdiscusses the recent acquisition of game streaming site Twitch by Amazon. Admittedly not a gamer himself, Burbank finds watching other people play boring, and marvels that it’s a thing. It’s a valid opinion, presented in the most cringe-worthy way possible.

I can understand the lack of enthusiasm over gaming as a spectator sport — some people just don’t enjoy it, and that’s perfectly fine. It’s the assumption here that people who do enjoy watching competitive gaming are sitting around wasting their lives that bugs the hell out of me. The condescending explanation of the real world that follows is the bitter icing on the stale cake.

The hard thing about the real world is that there isn’t a controller for it. You can’t just move people around with your super strength, or jump over things if they’re in your way. The real world is a game you spend your entire life trying to master — and probably never will. It’s full of heartbreak and triumph and genuinely terrifying moments.

*stares at the screen, slack-jawed, game controller slipping out of his hands* I get it! I finally get it! Luke Burbank has opened my eyes to a whole new world — a real world!

Sorry. That was just how I picture the imaginary gamers floating about Burbank’s head are reacting to his piece. The gamers with absolutely no social life or comprehension of a world beyond their beloved digital images. The ones who don’t actually exist.

Luke Burbank on gamers and the game we should play [CBS Sunday Morning]

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