‘Variety’ Reveals Studios Are Now Relying on Superfans Due to “Toxic Fans;” We Have the First Reactions

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As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that I’ve seen it all – from die-hard fans who live and breathe their favorite franchises to those who sadly embody the term “toxic.

Regardless of one’s opinion about them, it’s indisputable that “toxic fans” have become an integral aspect of contemporary pop culture. While there may be instances where the term is misapplied, those individuals who feel superior and claim exclusive understanding of a particular franchise can accurately be referred to as such.

Although these individuals may claim to be dedicated followers of a particular franchise, they often lack the genuine enthusiasm that true fans possess. They might believe they understand the author’s intentions better than the author himself, and have a clear grasp of what can and cannot be executed, adhering to established lore or departing from it accordingly. Unfortunately, their notion of acceptable content is typically narrow-minded, often excluding women, non-Caucasian characters, and LGBTQ+ characters as lore-incompatible, which seems to be the norm among these self-proclaimed “fans,” who are often found to be bigoted in nature.

Instead of allowing “disgruntled fans” to launch coordinated negative review attacks and spread derogatory comments about certain series across digital platforms, major production studios are opting to focus primarily on their “devoted followers” when releasing new works, as opposed to engaging with a broader fanbase.

The verification of this fresh approach emerged on Twitter, with Variety mentioned as the originator. Here’s what we’ve gathered so far:

As a dedicated gamer, I understand how passionate fans can influence game development. In fact, studios are now turning to us, their superfans, for feedback on marketing materials during major franchise projects. It’s all about ensuring our love and expectations are reflected in the final product. Even in early stages when the project is still in production, we have the power to suggest adjustments that can shape the game’s direction.

— MCU Film News (@MCUFilmNews) October 3, 2024

It appears that the impact of “troublesome spectators” is set to disappear entirely, as their negative campaigns won’t hold sway anymore. Instead, production studios will focus on dedicated fans, ardent supporters of a series, who will have the opportunity to discuss and influence the materials prior to release. This change could significantly impact the final product before it hits the screens. On one hand, the voices of “troublesome spectators” won’t be heard anymore, along with their hate campaigns. However, on the other hand, many casual fans might feel excluded initially, but their opinions will still matter once a show has been premiered. This shift seems promising as it minimizes the influence of toxicity and amplifies the voices of passionate supporters.

Additionally, it’s clear that this approach effectively demonstrates their insignificance. However, as anticipated, opinions among those discussing this matter are split:

Not surprised tbh, these homophobic, sexist, racist individuals don’t deserve to be called “fans”

— IXSymbioticxTrevXI (@SymbioticxTrev) October 3, 2024

LOL… shill brand loyalists won’t give you productive feedback.

— DJ Terry (@DjT74154) October 3, 2024

It seems plausible to me that this could be an initial step in a fresh approach aimed at curbing online hatred, driven perhaps by politically inclined Alt-right figures and YouTube personalities who profit from promoting racism and misogyny.

— Brie Larson Fan #TheMarvels (@BLWorldW) October 3, 2024

SuperFans are not gonna tell the truth

— Nehemiah hall (@Namanaspeaks) October 3, 2024

Wasn’t it usual for them to have done this earlier on? It seems strange that it wasn’t a common practice from the outset.

— Alex (@aleco_9) October 4, 2024

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2024-10-04 15:43