Bobby Boulders
Member
You should. Not trying to be a dick at all but reading can be amazing. There's few things like getting pulled into a really good book.
Happy to give you some suggestions for books if you want.
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Are you ashamed to be a "gamer"?
- Thread starter oni-link
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You should. Not trying to be a dick at all but reading can be amazing. There's few things like getting pulled into a really good book.
Happy to give you some suggestions for books if you want.
No.
You can find unpleasant and hostile attitudes in just about any hobby. People being crude is by no means something unique to games audiences, it's just amplified by proper anonymity in interactions often being a thing over the internet, and the internet meaning you come into contact with a greater concentration of them.
You can find unpleasant and hostile attitudes in just about any hobby. People being crude is by no means something unique to games audiences, it's just amplified by proper anonymity in interactions often being a thing over the internet, and the internet meaning you come into contact with a greater concentration of them.
PaulBizkit
Member
tkscz
Member
A fix as in lessen the toxic image of gamers or lessen the amount of toxic gamers? One of those is a lot harder than the other.
CloudStrife_ca
Member
I don't really let the negativity of gaming online effect me, gaming is my own thing where I play to relax. I might argue I have more fun playing with people I know, having them over to play side by side, but playing online with friends adds more to my experience as well.
crimzonflame
Member
So did anyone post that vid yet? You know which one Im talking about.
Anyways I dont tell anyone Im a gamer unless they bring up the topic first.
Anyways I dont tell anyone Im a gamer unless they bring up the topic first.
I am a proponent of change from the "inside out", so I would say that a conversation to lessen the amount of toxic gamers first would go a long way to reducing the toxic image of gamers in general.
To be honest, I don't really care about the general perception of gaming by the general public (though I'll acknowledge that perception does matters, and I am really happy that gaming as a medium of entertainment has been more widely accepted over the years) but I think that there is something special to someone find a special meaning in games, and then being able to find a community of fellow enthusiasts that enjoy the same hobby, and share it with them in a positive way.
Several other posts have made the excellent point that the term gamer (or gaming communities) is a social construct to a certain extent, and can be subverted by people with agendas for their own goals, but I think trying to find ways to improve gaming communities is a worthy conversation to have.
Moviegoer, sportsfan, gameplayer, sure I am all those. So call me a gamer if you want.
At work late last july when Pokemon Go was released we had several men in their thirties to fifties catching Pokemon around the office on mobile phones. I was one of them.
I stay away from discussions on neogaf that move into the more ideological side of being a gamer, since I play games as an escape from dull reality into fantasy worlds where I am "boy/man goes on adventure, saves world/universe, gets medal/cake".
At work late last july when Pokemon Go was released we had several men in their thirties to fifties catching Pokemon around the office on mobile phones. I was one of them.
I stay away from discussions on neogaf that move into the more ideological side of being a gamer, since I play games as an escape from dull reality into fantasy worlds where I am "boy/man goes on adventure, saves world/universe, gets medal/cake".
NowhereFaded
Member
I'd like some suggestions please. Currently reading "the happyness trap". It's great in the means of self realization.
Wuthering_Heights
Banned
Not at all.
Why would I be?
Why would I be?
Clockwork5
Member
No. There are things I am ashamed of but playing video games is not one of them.
bizzarewars
Banned
No, but I also don't self-identify as a gamer, so there's that.
Northeastmonk
Gold Member
I'm appalled when they say the shooters at Sandy Hook or Columbine were gamers and that that's why they committed their crimes.
Is that why gamers, especially adult gamers feel ashamed? Because one kid murdered people and he had a video game system at home?
I've gamed for 25+ years and I honestly don't see a lot of what OP is talking about unless I click on Steam forums, read article comments, go on social media websites such as Twitter, or I really dig into where GamerGate articles are accesable.
A lot of what OP talks about is dismissible to the general public who goes to GameStop and buys a video game.
None of the major issues in gaming have been a problem for me because I don't use a mic and my outlet is usually GAF or a news site.
No one really cares. The only arguments I've seen in my life are from the violence debate. The kid at Sandy Hook had Metal Gear Solid and Half-Life mentioned as games he played.
It doesn't make sense to me. Is the NSA looking at the MGS or HL OT's for potential murderers? Is WoW still being played by the NSA?
I agree that there's a lot of idiots and some don't even play games. They're mainly making comments about video games because they can.
The free flow of chatter amongst people given the right to post words online (whenever and wherever) is what causes it all. Same when actually playing a game.
I've seen CoD videos where they curse and talk about rape, but Activision should stop that. Block them from playing period. Block the people causing the issues.
Is that why gamers, especially adult gamers feel ashamed? Because one kid murdered people and he had a video game system at home?
I've gamed for 25+ years and I honestly don't see a lot of what OP is talking about unless I click on Steam forums, read article comments, go on social media websites such as Twitter, or I really dig into where GamerGate articles are accesable.
A lot of what OP talks about is dismissible to the general public who goes to GameStop and buys a video game.
None of the major issues in gaming have been a problem for me because I don't use a mic and my outlet is usually GAF or a news site.
No one really cares. The only arguments I've seen in my life are from the violence debate. The kid at Sandy Hook had Metal Gear Solid and Half-Life mentioned as games he played.
It doesn't make sense to me. Is the NSA looking at the MGS or HL OT's for potential murderers? Is WoW still being played by the NSA?
I agree that there's a lot of idiots and some don't even play games. They're mainly making comments about video games because they can.
The free flow of chatter amongst people given the right to post words online (whenever and wherever) is what causes it all. Same when actually playing a game.
I've seen CoD videos where they curse and talk about rape, but Activision should stop that. Block them from playing period. Block the people causing the issues.
jonscrambler
Member
no I'm a gamer because I play video games, I also don't get in these politics threads that should really all move to OT
Gotdatmoney
Member
There is a certain stigma associated with playing games. It also does attract certain types of people that I personally don't identify with nor want to be identified with. So while I am not embarassed about playing games it's an interest that isn't getting talked about until I feel out the crowd.
Bobby Boulders
Member
What genres do you normally like? I'm much more of a fiction than non-fiction reader myself but I'd be happy to throw out some stuff i've read recently that i've liked a lot.
NowhereFaded
Member
I read anything of quality. I'm a fan of good writing .
GhostTrick
Banned
No. And I dont feel pride in it either. It's just a media, a hobby. I also dont think all the thing listed are exclusive to gaming. Sexism isnt something that you find among gamers but is rather widespread among hobbies that are perceived as "male hobbies" and also is widespread among society, unfortunately.
As for toxicity in gaming communities... Then again, I'd say it's the same among the internet. Check Youtube, Facebook or any news website with comments. The internet just allow idiots to feel like they're allowed to be idiots.
As for toxicity in gaming communities... Then again, I'd say it's the same among the internet. Check Youtube, Facebook or any news website with comments. The internet just allow idiots to feel like they're allowed to be idiots.
Bobby Boulders
Member
ok cool. Here's a few.
The Expanse Series - SciFi, kinda Game of Thrones in space. There's a TV show out now too that's pretty good but the books are very fun and well written. Great world building and unique characters.
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay - A great book about two cousins in 1940's NYC who create a comic book superhero. This is one of my favorites and I don't have much else to say about it. it's amazing.
Hold The Dark - Crime fiction set in the remote Alaskan wilderness. A mother in a small village has her son killed by wolves and enlists the help of a wolf expert/hunter to kill the wolf. This one is pretty dark and tense but relatively short and very well written.
LA Confidential - One of my favorite "film noir but a book" novels. It's long, and expensive, but really really good. Again, it's been adapted into a great movie but the book has much more to it.
These are kinda all over the place but hopefully theres something in there that you like.
BrainZEROX
Member
Totally am. I have accepted it and I'm fine with it. I always avoid talking about video games in public. And never, ever, spill any information that I could be knowledgeable in that area or wear anything related to gaming. I still play and read a lot about video games, I like that and considering how old I am now, I'll keep going on but I'll keep it to myself. I don't want to be associated to the toxicity of the gaming community.
I've always liked playing games but have always distanced myself from the culture especially in the 90s. Neogaf is as far as I go into it and even then this place makes me cringe sometimes. I don't watch let's play, have no care about YouTubers or any media personalities nor do I follow or read about drama in the industry.
IrishNinja
Member
some of y'all really out here applauding & patting yourselves on the back for taking pride in a widely popular hobby, what a time
yeah, was hoping my post listing other hobbies/communities conveyed that - the toxicity absolutely isn't limited to gaming, we just let corners like gg fester & it got more visible here.
idve wavered we fare better on average than say, anime fans but seeing the clear gg > alt right transition really makes me question that
yeah, was hoping my post listing other hobbies/communities conveyed that - the toxicity absolutely isn't limited to gaming, we just let corners like gg fester & it got more visible here.
idve wavered we fare better on average than say, anime fans but seeing the clear gg > alt right transition really makes me question that
zerokoolpsx
Member
Nope, not ashamed at all.
DeathbyCheerios
Member
I enjoy what I do so I see no reason to be ashamed of it. I don't care if people think its weird, doesn't affect my passion for it.
Conor_Fool
Banned
Can you explain? That sounds really cool, good for you!
Ive always thought the title of "gamer" was dumb. I do much much more than play games.
Regarding shame tho, I dont tell people I play games tbh. I used to be open about it but then people judged me based off of the vocal shitheads we're all aware of. Since then I just keep it to myself
Regarding shame tho, I dont tell people I play games tbh. I used to be open about it but then people judged me based off of the vocal shitheads we're all aware of. Since then I just keep it to myself
Sure, you need to know the crowd. Like, you can't be a manchild around certain people and go full-nerd and only talk about gaming. I'm not gonna wear my gamer patch as a badge of pride if I know I'm gonna be judged. You need to be well rounded and be able to hold a conversation about other things as well. I think the term "gamer" is stupid, like, if I watched netflix all the time for fun, would I be a "netflixer"? (I get the argument for the term, it's a whole culture and identity, yadda yadda). Like, I am a software engineer first and foremost, that's what I tell people. In my freetime, I go running, I play video games, watch cheesy sitcoms with my wife, and I read a ton. I try to pick up a new skill every few months, like learning intermediate-level chess, or practicing figure drawing, or practice cooking more. I think it's incredibly dull to be defined by a single term of "gamer", and I wouldn't want someone to call me that, even though I spend a TON of time playing games.
With my close friends its a different story. We play games a few nights a week online, we talk about games, etc. But around my wife's friends? Hell no I'm not gonna boast about me being a "gamer". And that's fine. Different groups of people, I can hang out with both equally as well.
Just thought I'd share a slightly different take!
With my close friends its a different story. We play games a few nights a week online, we talk about games, etc. But around my wife's friends? Hell no I'm not gonna boast about me being a "gamer". And that's fine. Different groups of people, I can hang out with both equally as well.
Just thought I'd share a slightly different take!
Kaji AF16
Member
Of course not, it has been my main hobby for almost 30 years. To me, videogames are on the same level than books and music, for example. I read a lot, I listen to music constantly.
As a sociologist, though, I am very interested in the persistence of several gaming-related stigmas and in the self-perception of gamers when compared to people who engage in other activities (music, sports, other hobbies, etc.).
As a sociologist, though, I am very interested in the persistence of several gaming-related stigmas and in the self-perception of gamers when compared to people who engage in other activities (music, sports, other hobbies, etc.).
Natasha_c13
Member
Not at all. I really don't care about what other people think about my hobby. Life is too short to let others' opinions affect what you enjoy in life.
I'm not ashamed playing and liking video games/video game culture, but I am ashamed of "gamer" culture, with stuff like Ready Player One, the console wars, and the terrible self-reference Oroboros known as gamer-merch/clothing.
EDIT: Also the sexism, the racism, the homophobia, the willful ignorance at times, etc.
EDIT: Also the sexism, the racism, the homophobia, the willful ignorance at times, etc.
Why do people keep saying this? No where does it say you can only be categorized in one way. Being a gamer does not mean you only play games.
Surface of Me
I'm not an NPC. And neither are we.
I dunno where yall go where there is a stigma around playing video games. Can't say Ive ever run across that as an adult.
I do wear my interest for the medium on my sleeve. It's no different than my friends who are heavily into the music scene or film.
I do wear my interest for the medium on my sleeve. It's no different than my friends who are heavily into the music scene or film.
Doctor Bat
Member
Why does everyone on this thread seem to think OP asked "Are you ashamed to play games?" not "Are you ashamed to be called a 'gamer'?"? In any case I find the moniker kind of annoying.
It reminds me of those bad T-shirts like "I'm married to a gamer" or whatever, makes me cringe. Especially when they come on stage at E3 and say things like "It's a great time to be a gamer" and I'm just like "I just play games, I don't want that Doritos and Dew connotation."
It reminds me of those bad T-shirts like "I'm married to a gamer" or whatever, makes me cringe. Especially when they come on stage at E3 and say things like "It's a great time to be a gamer" and I'm just like "I just play games, I don't want that Doritos and Dew connotation."
King Tubby
Member
Not ashamed to be a gamer, most people I know don't give it a negative connotation, although I don't really wear any gamer clothing or talk about it all the time. I'm only ever ashamed when I see other gamers being asshats.
Surface of Me
I'm not an NPC. And neither are we.
Does your sleeve look like this?
No, it's possible to be enthusiastic about something without being cringe.
I don't think we're thinking what you seem to think we're thinking. For instance: I'm not thinking a gamer has anything inherently to do with doritos and dew, neither of which are games, it has to do with playing games.
You can enjoy games as a medium without labeling yourself as a gamer, it's what I do.
manfestival
Member
I am more ashamed of the fact that I play table top games rather than video games. Anyways, I tell people but only when it gets brought up lol. Not a point of pride to be verbose but I don't hide my gamer self