Platform Tribalism

PC Master Race (PCMR) originated as Yahtzee Croshaw satire (2008) mocking PC gaming elitism, became sincere movement celebrating PC gaming superiority while perpetuating console wars toxicity.

r/pcmasterrace (created 2011, mainstream 2013): 5M+ members celebrating PC gaming’s advantages

Arguments:

• Superior graphics/framerate
• Modding support
• Cheaper games (Steam sales)
• Backward compatibility
• Customization/upgrades

Toxicity: Mocking console players as “peasants”; gatekeeping; elitism

Irony collapse: Started as joke, became earnest superiority complex

Accessibility ignored: PCs expensive ($1K+ for good gaming rig); consoles accessible ($300-500)

Platform wars: PCMR vs. console fanboys endless flame wars

Positive: Community helps newcomers build PCs, troubleshoot, find deals

PCMR embodies gaming tribalism’s duality - passionate community support + toxic elitism.

Sources:
https://www.reddit.com/r/pcmasterrace/
https://www.polygon.com/