johnnydrama
Banned
Just go to any review thread for Naughty Dog and Nintendo games.
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So it's 2017. Why does gaming still have an "uncool" stereotype?
- Thread starter Aomber
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PjotrStroganov
Member
George Oscar Bluth II
Banned
Take a look at any video game forum, news website or YouTube channel, there's a lot of really embarrassing stuff in there, like rampant childish fanboyism. Hell, look at here. I barely visit this side of the forum because it's some toxic shit a lot of the time. You know the shut-in nerd stereotype? For a large segment of gamers, it's not inaccurate. The people making memes, shitting out their views on Reddit and jacking it off to whatever female character from Street Fighter are the same people who harassing women and minorities for even daring to diversify video games. The face of the industry is very much those losers.
Also, lots of video games themselves aren't exactly helping when you still got shit like women in skimpy clothing being nothing more than objects.
Also, lots of video games themselves aren't exactly helping when you still got shit like women in skimpy clothing being nothing more than objects.
tryptobphan
Member
I can't believe I just wasted time reading 9 pages worth of replies to this thread. But this was the most accurate comment I've seen as an actual reply to the topic. Otherwise, Elfstar's comment about no one knowing about Gamergate is on point. Even in the US, like 99% of people have never heard of Gamergate even if it made international news. Did it really? Well, i guess I missed that memo. There were way bigger news more important to pay attention to in the world these last couple years. If people have heard of Gamergate, most of even these people don't really care. If these people
have heard of Gamergate and care a lot, then they're likely gamers and are on this forum.
SirNinja
Member
Bingo.
This industry's problems go way, way beyond "uncool".
This topic of why video games are still stigmatized comes up often, and I always see responses like this and I just have to say, Really? Like you're really going to downplay addiction as just somebody's personal hobby and then compare it to video games? There are a lot of this better than being addicted to drugs/gambling that don't involve video games.
If you have to compare your hobby to a malady at an attempt to make you look good, it doesn't paint the brightest picture.
This is like the video games made me a hand eye coordinated wunderkind logic master. A lot of things can improve those skills, and I'm not sure there has ever been a comparison study on how video games hold up with traditional hand eye coordination and logic training.
Yeah, I'm not sure comparing video games to drug addiction (which isn't even a hobby) is the most flattering thing in the world.
spiderferi
Member
Gaming is not a serious Art Form yet, maybe someday they will be but nowadays they are not.
It's just like Heavy Metal, young boys/Men love it, but even they won't like it after they grew older because of the cheesiness.
It's just like Heavy Metal, young boys/Men love it, but even they won't like it after they grew older because of the cheesiness.
Polygonal_Sprite
Member
Or 250+ million families and casuals (Wii + DS) who were for the most part very nice.
No one outside of the bubble has a clue what gamergate is or that certain online focused games have such a toxic community filled with racists and bigots.
For the most part non gamers simply think our hobby is nerdy because for the most part it kind of is.
Mysterious Stranger
Member
It's because the same people who find it uncool think mowing the lawn is fun.
Memorabilia
Member
It doesn't. You're hanging out with the wrong kind of people if you're still worried about people having negative views of gaming. It's way more mainstream, accepted, just another form of entertainment/way to spend leisure time or even somewhat "cool" in the eyes of most people under the age of 50 these days. Hell, going back to college, I was a "jock" and videogames were widely accepted among the "cool kids" simply because of Madden (and NBA 2K to a lesser extent). Granted, that's a specific subset of the population that may not extend fully to all genres of gaming...but that acceptance has only widened in the past 15 or so years.
A lot of this has to do with how you carry yourself and the level of confidence you project to others about how you choose to spend your free time.
Edit: To be fair, as others have mentioned, I'm sure that the tiny but loud minority of alt-right scum associated with gaming hasn't helped from an industry PR standpoint. But the average person has not one clue about that shit. The average person can't remember what they had for breakfast yesterday. I think the "damage" that "nazi" assholes have done is extremely limited and really is mostly self-contained within the gaming culture/community's self-selecting echo chamber (or "gaming bubble" as others have called it).
A lot of this has to do with how you carry yourself and the level of confidence you project to others about how you choose to spend your free time.
Edit: To be fair, as others have mentioned, I'm sure that the tiny but loud minority of alt-right scum associated with gaming hasn't helped from an industry PR standpoint. But the average person has not one clue about that shit. The average person can't remember what they had for breakfast yesterday. I think the "damage" that "nazi" assholes have done is extremely limited and really is mostly self-contained within the gaming culture/community's self-selecting echo chamber (or "gaming bubble" as others have called it).
Crossing Eden
Hello, my name is Yves Guillemot, Vivendi S.A.'s Employee of the Month!
A brief reminder that this is revisionist history, GG shit was so big that it ended up on the news:
It wasn't just an internet occurrence.
I would even add that this bubble seems somewhat limited to english speakers. At least in France, very few people seems to know about it and, in general, don't really give a fuck. The general opinion is mostly that more girls in games (as players or main characters) the merrier. I'm sure there is some that would qualify as gamergaters but they are not very vocal about it. (there is still a good bunch of assholes and idiots, but they tend find other excuses)
As for the subject. I'd say that it's because video games are still viewed as just "games" and thus, someone who present himself (or herself) as mostly playing video-games outside of work, will very often be seen as immature and/or boring when you don't have the same hobby.
Unless everyone and it's mom starts to play video-games outside of phones all around the world, i doubt this will change.
AntraxSuicide
Banned
Yeah, my mom called me last year to warn me about swatting and told me she'd feel more comfortable if I didn't play any online games. This shit makes the Today Show and all that. It's not just tucked away on Kotaku.
Gaming is pretty cool here in the UK, each insomnia gaming event has been getting bigger and bigger each year, especially the last few years. Comic cons I've been going to have also increased thier gaming stands.
I see more negativity about gaming on gaming sites/forums/twitter then I ever have in the real world
There is gaming clubs in university's like the Manchester one that seem to be pretty popular.
I'm guessing alot of other european countries are the same.
What about Japan?
I see more negativity about gaming on gaming sites/forums/twitter then I ever have in the real world
There is gaming clubs in university's like the Manchester one that seem to be pretty popular.
I'm guessing alot of other european countries are the same.
What about Japan?
Memorabilia
Member
I should add this as well: My dad had a cancer related stroke about 2 months ago. Long story short, after a random thought and initial research into the potential of video-game therapy to help with his physical/cognitive recovery, I presented my findings to his treatment team at the hospital on his discharge day. I half expected some of them to roll their eyes or be dismissive, but instead several of them were extremely supportive and excited that I had done this initial legwork. The lead doctor chimed in he plays Wii and planned on getting his kids the Switch. The lead Occupational Therapist seemed to be the most up to speed (which makes sense), indicating loud support for the idea as videogame therapy has grown by leaps in just the past 5 yrs and most data indicates it gets much better results with stroke victims than standard PT/OT techniques, especially during the critical first 90 days following the stroke.
So... While this might be somewhat orthogonal to the OP, it suggests that videogames are without a doubt becoming more accepted, mainstream, etc.... Keep in mind that this is in a rural community as well, where you would expect the treatment teams to not be up on the latest treatments to quite the same degree as, say, at a large research or teaching hospital. And, yet, my experience was that just about every person on his 10 member treatment team welcomed the idea with open arms, even chiming in little comments about how playing shooters helps hand-eye coordination, etc....
So... While this might be somewhat orthogonal to the OP, it suggests that videogames are without a doubt becoming more accepted, mainstream, etc.... Keep in mind that this is in a rural community as well, where you would expect the treatment teams to not be up on the latest treatments to quite the same degree as, say, at a large research or teaching hospital. And, yet, my experience was that just about every person on his 10 member treatment team welcomed the idea with open arms, even chiming in little comments about how playing shooters helps hand-eye coordination, etc....
PjotrStroganov
Member
Yeah it was an event broadcasters jumped on for a short while. People not in the know will have a driveby opinion but forget about it because it's a subject that doen't interest them. Few outside of the community really cared about it.A brief reminder that this is revisionist history, GG shit was so big that it ended up on the news:
It wasn't just an internet occurrence.
It was in major national newspapers here in Europe and while no one will remember the word 'Gamergate', they will have the impression that a bunch of sad male nerds are terrorizing women in it. The thing has also created a trauma in some non-English communities and developer groups, so I'm not sure that you think this is just some "internet thing".
Enjoy the French Gamergate community: http://www.jeuxvideo.com/forums/0-51-0-1-0-1-0-blabla-18-25-ans.htm
When the Zoe Quinn happened, media lashed on gamers for the threats that the developer got, but in all honestly, media perception of gamers didnt changed with that event, isnt like we were in a positive light until gamergaters shamed our hobby.
People here dont want to accept that being a nerdy gamer isnt cool unless you are like those folks of the Big Bang Theory who are nerds in a trendy way.
Like, I have a woman friend who plays games like the witcher 3 or old point & click games from sierra, yet, she will not be labeled as a gamer since her interest of the medium doesnt go beyond playing
Meanwhile, people like us who spend a good time discussing videogames in the internet in an extremely cringy and fanboyish way or go extra hard on a specific game while sacrificing our social life are what people look on down as lame and boring, and this includes mysogynists and homophobic idiots who would fall in the gamergate crowd that believe that we are a bung of virgin nerd losers, so in that sense, gamergate hasnt affected the perception that media has of us that much
People here dont want to accept that being a nerdy gamer isnt cool unless you are like those folks of the Big Bang Theory who are nerds in a trendy way.
Like, I have a woman friend who plays games like the witcher 3 or old point & click games from sierra, yet, she will not be labeled as a gamer since her interest of the medium doesnt go beyond playing
Meanwhile, people like us who spend a good time discussing videogames in the internet in an extremely cringy and fanboyish way or go extra hard on a specific game while sacrificing our social life are what people look on down as lame and boring, and this includes mysogynists and homophobic idiots who would fall in the gamergate crowd that believe that we are a bung of virgin nerd losers, so in that sense, gamergate hasnt affected the perception that media has of us that much
Kamina
Golden Boy
Bingo
I am never looked as uncool for stating i play games. Many people i know do.
However if you act nerdy and talk only about games, especially as a teen, it might come over as immature.
Gaming can one day be like movie-buffs, a legit hobby that people dont look down upon.
The thing is, games are usually really immature. Everything is all about guns guns guns, or super cartoony palettes.
It's a childish hobby, where there are tons of kids and then tons of people who cant let go of their childhood
Obviously there are exceptions, but let's not play pretend. I love gaming, but I had to come to terms with the fact that I have a very immature hobby, and it's why I keep it secret.
As someone in my late twenties, i'd be devastated if some sort of intellectual or someone I respected that was unfamiliar with gaming found out that I enjoy video games. The stigma of gaming and the perception of it being something for idiots or children can damage your reputation or how a person perceives you.
Even by mentioning the reality of this, I'm sure I'll get some salty responses about how these people arent worth it if they judge me for gaming, but even though I wish that were the case, it isn't.
If I'm sitting in an office for a job interview at a well-respected firm and they asked me about hobbies, I'm not going to tell them that I've been playing Destiny 2 like crazy.
The only time I'm willing to tell someone I like games is if they tell me first or if they get to know me well enough to see that I'm not like these misogynist/racist neckbeards
The thing is, games are usually really immature. Everything is all about guns guns guns, or super cartoony palettes.
It's a childish hobby, where there are tons of kids and then tons of people who cant let go of their childhood
Obviously there are exceptions, but let's not play pretend. I love gaming, but I had to come to terms with the fact that I have a very immature hobby, and it's why I keep it secret.
As someone in my late twenties, i'd be devastated if some sort of intellectual or someone I respected that was unfamiliar with gaming found out that I enjoy video games. The stigma of gaming and the perception of it being something for idiots or children can damage your reputation or how a person perceives you.
Even by mentioning the reality of this, I'm sure I'll get some salty responses about how these people arent worth it if they judge me for gaming, but even though I wish that were the case, it isn't.
If I'm sitting in an office for a job interview at a well-respected firm and they asked me about hobbies, I'm not going to tell them that I've been playing Destiny 2 like crazy.
The only time I'm willing to tell someone I like games is if they tell me first or if they get to know me well enough to see that I'm not like these misogynist/racist neckbeards
TooLeetToBeYou!
Banned
I'm sorry, but I've only joined the forum a while ago, and you often claim to live in various parts of the world and have an extensive knowledge of some climate to suit some dumb anecdote in one topic or another.
Are Europe and Denmark just little neighborhoods in some obscure Midwestern US town or...?
Crossing Eden
Hello, my name is Yves Guillemot, Vivendi S.A.'s Employee of the Month!
Dude if this is the last thing about gamers that's on the news then it'll obviously shape the perception of this community.
You joined the forum this month but know enough about Lime to track their posts?
It's just you guys. Here in SEA gaming as a hobby isn't looked down upon. Except maybe for the parents, they get mad when their kids are doing something "useless" like video games lol.
edit:
RIP that guy lmao
edit:
RIP that guy lmao
Actually, you're a shitty sad sack ex-user who got permed for being a piece of garbage.
20cent
Banned
It has nothing to do with "misogyny" or "toxicity" from the drama no one cares about, because they don't hear about it.
The generation of our parents don't read Kotaku or Ars Technica. They are just still alive and picture us the same way they did 20 years ago, introverted acneic smelly guys playing idiotic games too close from the TV instead of hiking or doing something productive like... playing soccer.
The generation of our parents don't read Kotaku or Ars Technica. They are just still alive and picture us the same way they did 20 years ago, introverted acneic smelly guys playing idiotic games too close from the TV instead of hiking or doing something productive like... playing soccer.
Northeastmonk
Gold Member
I have made some bad decisions in my life. Some were made during my teenage years and even a few years ago. I wouldn't say video games were the reason. In fact, looking back, had I kept a steady job as a teen and focused on saving enough money for more and more games instead of asking my dad for everything. I would have not gotten into so much trouble.
When I was smoking pot, not going to class, and etc. I wasn't playing as many games as I did when I was sober.
Yet, if anyone would have heard what my parents and other people were saying about me, they would have thought it was the video games.
Even my brotherinlaw thinks about my enjoyment of games and he criticizes them harshly. Granted I don't take what he says seriously. I realize video games have a reputation, even when they aren't the culprit or the problem.
I failed nursing school around 2 years ago. I failed clinical because I'm book smart versus clinical smart. I purchased a PS4 on launch and I texted pictures to my classmates because I thought some of them might enjoy the launch with me. Of course I played when I had the time, I knew that I needed to study. It wasn't like the video games made me fail. In fact, the teachers at the college said that I should find another career path.
When I came back home from failing I was approached by family members and they knew I could pick myself up again, but they also decided to criticize the fact that I was still a gamer.
I got a pretty good job when I returned and I remember one day I had to take my mom to work and she gave me this lecture and she said that I had "done the whole video game thing and now it's time to move on".
I had no idea what to think. Suddenly I was getting advice about "moving on"? Well anyway, I got married last year and I'm doing better in my career. The stories about games continued because when we moved in together I brought all my games with me.
A few things I still remember...
My wife's ex husband would play video games while she slept alone. She felt alone, even though she enjoys video games. She's even beat a few games since we've been together, but IMO she still thinks that it's a bad thing to play a lot. She says she can go months without playing anything and be fine about it. I personally don't want to wait that long. I want to play when I can.
I've also met a couple whose wife had an ex and he played a lot, which led to their divorce. She even had boxes of video games and guides in her garage. At one point in time she was a big gamer, but idk what happened?
The bad stories seem to happen from time to time.
I believe it's good when there's balance to everything. I still love to play games when they release, reading the in depth stories, and what goes along with being a gamer. But I also see the bad. Where the fun stops because life works the way it does. When people start to criticize you for gaming and they want to tell you that you shouldn't enjoy games because of X or Y reasons.
I stopped caring about what people thought about me. That's what helped me the most. My wife supports my hobby. I don't make a huge deal about criticisms unless I'm being put down about it.
I feel like the hobby is better for some than it is others. Some people have more criticisms than other people. Some people get to go to Japan to the TGS and others get to be in a VIP seat somewhere at E3. Some people go home and they can't wait to turn on their console while others cringe when they hear a gamer term out in public. It can get very conflictive and confusing at times if you let it.
When I was smoking pot, not going to class, and etc. I wasn't playing as many games as I did when I was sober.
Yet, if anyone would have heard what my parents and other people were saying about me, they would have thought it was the video games.
Even my brotherinlaw thinks about my enjoyment of games and he criticizes them harshly. Granted I don't take what he says seriously. I realize video games have a reputation, even when they aren't the culprit or the problem.
I failed nursing school around 2 years ago. I failed clinical because I'm book smart versus clinical smart. I purchased a PS4 on launch and I texted pictures to my classmates because I thought some of them might enjoy the launch with me. Of course I played when I had the time, I knew that I needed to study. It wasn't like the video games made me fail. In fact, the teachers at the college said that I should find another career path.
When I came back home from failing I was approached by family members and they knew I could pick myself up again, but they also decided to criticize the fact that I was still a gamer.
I got a pretty good job when I returned and I remember one day I had to take my mom to work and she gave me this lecture and she said that I had "done the whole video game thing and now it's time to move on".
I had no idea what to think. Suddenly I was getting advice about "moving on"? Well anyway, I got married last year and I'm doing better in my career. The stories about games continued because when we moved in together I brought all my games with me.
A few things I still remember...
My wife's ex husband would play video games while she slept alone. She felt alone, even though she enjoys video games. She's even beat a few games since we've been together, but IMO she still thinks that it's a bad thing to play a lot. She says she can go months without playing anything and be fine about it. I personally don't want to wait that long. I want to play when I can.
I've also met a couple whose wife had an ex and he played a lot, which led to their divorce. She even had boxes of video games and guides in her garage. At one point in time she was a big gamer, but idk what happened?
The bad stories seem to happen from time to time.
I believe it's good when there's balance to everything. I still love to play games when they release, reading the in depth stories, and what goes along with being a gamer. But I also see the bad. Where the fun stops because life works the way it does. When people start to criticize you for gaming and they want to tell you that you shouldn't enjoy games because of X or Y reasons.
I stopped caring about what people thought about me. That's what helped me the most. My wife supports my hobby. I don't make a huge deal about criticisms unless I'm being put down about it.
I feel like the hobby is better for some than it is others. Some people have more criticisms than other people. Some people get to go to Japan to the TGS and others get to be in a VIP seat somewhere at E3. Some people go home and they can't wait to turn on their console while others cringe when they hear a gamer term out in public. It can get very conflictive and confusing at times if you let it.
Days like these...
Have a Blessed Day
It's not uncool. I just think some gamers have a persecution complex. Gaming has been mainstream since the PS2. Your hobby isn't special or unique, you're not oppressed, your not being persecuted.
DAREALGUMMY
Member
Your buddy should have shown her The Last Of Us to illustrate how far gaming has come.