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[The12thGripper]

As long as you take care of yourself, you're good in my book. I wouldn't let it get to you, don't worry about what others think if you're happy with how things are.

EDIT: To answer the question, no I'm not ashamed.

 

[Bulbasaur]

I like video games but I am not a gamer just like I like some tracks of the bad Insane Clown Posse but I am not a Juggalo.

Dude you're totally a gamer and a juggalo, its cool so am I.

 

[White_sox]

It rarely comes up, but I generally don't care. I don't volunteer the information though.

 

[Coda]

This is a perfect example of a gaming shirt you should absolutely not wear ever:

 

[ike_]

I really don't care what people think of a doctor wearing videogame shirts on his day off.

On your day off? Doc pls.

 

[FireBeaver]

I met one of my best friends playing my Vita in public.

 

[Uncle0wnage]

I'm all for being nerdy, but wearing awful, tacky t-shirts is not my style.

 

[sturgboski]

I met one of my best friends playing my Vita in public.

That's statistically impossible according to SCEA since that device doesnt exist.

Not really, but I dont tend to pull out the Vita on the train ride home if in the presence of coworkers.

 

[OverturePT]

No. I don't go around saying that I'm a "gamer" but if the topic comes up I don't hide that playing video games is one of my hobbies. Never got a judging "look" from anyone either but people in Portugal are to fucking lazy to care about anything, tbf.

 

[kagamin]

I met a good friend playing E.X. Troopers on the bus, and she even goes to the same university as me.

 

[Painguy]

I don't identify as a gamer since I buy and play too few of them per year to consider myself so. However, I do identify myself as a nerd. I've been nerd shamed a lot of times. I'd say there are only about 5-10 people I know that I can really be myself around. I don't care too much to the point where I'll actively alter my personality, but I do hold back a bit depending on the situation. Maybe I'm looking too much into it lol.

 

[Booker.DeWitt]

On your day off? Doc pls.

Nice!!

 

[GamerJM]

No.

Spoiler

Because I rarely ever go out in public

 

[Booker.DeWitt]

MD GAF unite!

I don't engage with people or spontaneously offer about my hobby, but I'll engage with people who want to engage about it. At work - I honestly find talking about it causes more issues than not due to preconceived perceptions about it, so I generally avoid it.



What an awful post - let people enjoy what they want to enjoy the way they want to enjoy it.

Please let us know what developer you're with so I can never buy your games.

Cool, are you done with residency and fellowship? What specialty are you if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Zambayoshi]

I'm not worried about playing Project Diva F on the bus with Miku and Rin dressed in their bikini swimsuits.

For my own safety, I'd draw the line at playing a certain monster girl game with rubbing mechanics in public (especially since it has not even been rated in my country, which has peculiar ideas about depictions of minors in video games).

In terms of attire, I often wear one of my Borderlands t-shirts out and about, occasionally getting a congratulatory comment from someone who recognises the game.

 

[Hunkasaurus Rex]

I don't feel compelled to buy gaming attire but in no way will I not talk about it in public or on Facebook. Gaming doesn't define entirely who I am but I do like discussing it with likeminded, sane individuals. I'm not going to bring it up in a conversation though unless it comes up naturally. The only time I'm really ashamed of being a gamer is when I'm in line at like a GameStop and there's some super nerd who insists on talking to you and knows every single facet of the franchise you're buying. The type of people who take their fandom too far and come off as obnoxious. Those types of people annoy me/make me ashamed regardless of the hobby though.

 

[Yabberwocky]

There sadly aren't many like this, but I quite enjoy the ones that work as a nice, ambiguous shirt regardless, but might have a symbol or a logo that only another fan of the series would recognise. I think Treehouse Brand Stores might have now turned to ThinkGeek, but they run the Bethesda/Bioware/Borderlands/Tomb Raider stores, and there are some genuinely stylish shirts/hoodies for both genders. If you're going to go with the out and proud gamer shirt, Fangamer's are just beautiful. I don't have any myself, but I have a desperate need for all of their Earthbound shirts.

I do like a good gaming ringtone, too. Hearing the Fallout 3 level-up tone as a text message in public is always a nice surprise. I nearly fell onto the train platform in shock, but again, nice surprise.

 

[Coda]

There sadly aren't many like this, but I quite enjoy the ones that work as a nice, ambiguous shirt regardless, but might have a symbol or a logo that only another fan of the series would recognise. I think Treehouse Brand Stores might have now turned to ThinkGeek, but they run the Bethesda/Bioware/Borderlands/Tomb Raider stores, and there are some genuinely stylish shirts/hoodies for both genders. If you're going to go with the out and proud gamer shirt, Fangamer's are just beautiful. I don't have any myself, but I have a desperate need for all of their Earthbound shirts.

I do like a good gaming ringtone, too. Hearing the Fallout 3 level-up tone as a text message in public is always a nice surprise. I nearly fell onto the train platform in shock, but again, nice surprise.

I'm a big fan of changing up my text tone to various video game SFX. It just works so well.

 

[GifGafIsTheBestGaf]

 

[Booker.DeWitt]

Lol, so much win

 

[joe2187]

I play my vita proudly wherever I go.

The vita was a godsend during the long long queuing times at court. Platinumed Dragons Crown while I was in court. beat a couple of songs in Project Diva while in line to file papers.

I would have gone insane without it.

Geometry Wars 3 is a good time killer while Im waiting somewhere.

 

[DevilSnake]

The games industry is recognized as the biggest entertainment medium in many countries around the world now. I don't see any reason why you should be ashamed that you're a fan in public, if people disapprove and give you funny looks that's their problem, not yours OP.

Personally I wear a grey jacket in the style of Desmond's from Assassins Creed or a Stark hoodie quite often as they both look really good, I also have a brushed steel bat symbol on my wallet & MGS codec for a ringtone, not once have I ever been given any hassle for it. I even dressed as Minecraft Steve for a fancy dress party in town once and people loved it.

That said I would never wear any of those over the top shirts along the lines of "LOOK AT ME, I PLAY GAMES, I HAVE MANY LIVES", they look terrible.

 

[wtshaolin]

Nope, because I'm a cool gamer with a good job, great girlfriend and tons of friends, and have a lot of interests outside gaming.

 

[Defcon_2Fast4u]

I have been a little embarrassed in the past, when it came to letting people that I love to play video games.
In high school I had no issues. In College I felt a little out of place.

But honestly as a 22 year old, I have no problems anymore letting people know, or even showing off that I am a gamer.

 

[SugarDave]

I'm not ashamed of it at all and I do have a handful of videogame related T-shirts or posters. However, I don't have them because I want to identify myself as a "gamer" and I certainly don't let the hobby define me. It's usually just because I really like the design e.g just bought a Diamond Dogs T-shirt because I think the logo looks cool as shit.

 

[TheFatMan]

I find a lot of people my age (32) think it's weird I play video games as a REAL hobby. But I don't really let it bother me. The people who are my friends and know me for who I am understand that I can be a responsible self-sustaining adult and play video games at the same time.

Haters gonna hate, they say.

 

[John Rabbit]

i find it odd (and by odd, i mean defensive) that so many people are saying "no way, because I have a job, a girlfriend/wife/boyfriend/husband, and other interests" as though playing videogames as your main hobby somehow precludes these other things by default. it's like an inverted sentiment that only sustains the "loser basement geek" image they're trying to deflect.

just like what you like and be confident in yourself.

 

[Fasty]

I take my Vita or 3DS on the train or to the doctors, but I try to be discreet about it. I am fully aware that I am a 36 year old man playing what is primarily considered to be a kid's toy.

However, I have to say I love it when I'm sitting near kids, and I can see their eyes light up as they try and secretly see what I'm playing without their parents noticing. They get it.

 

[StrongBlackVine]

Most of the people I know in real life couldn't care less about gaming so I never have a reason to talk about them offline. This is my outlet.

 

[Sober]

I don't feel compelled to buy gaming attire but in no way will I not talk about it in public or on Facebook. Gaming doesn't define entirely who I am but I do like discussing it with likeminded, sane individuals. I'm not going to bring it up in a conversation though unless it comes up naturally. The only time I'm really ashamed of being a gamer is when I'm in line at like a GameStop and there's some super nerd who insists on talking to you and knows every single facet of the franchise you're buying. The type of people who take their fandom too far and come off as obnoxious. Those types of people annoy me/make me ashamed regardless of the hobby though.

At that point you're mostly just reciting details in games more than anything. I don't want to say video games are inherently anti-intellectual but it's very rare to have a game actually be intellectually stimulating as a book or movie or tv show. It still has a way to go. It's not like you'd ever get someone chatting to you in a line at Gamestop about the themes of Spec Ops: The Line or anything.

I'm a big fan of changing up my text tone to various video game SFX. It just works so well.

If I had a nickel everytime I heard someone's text message go off full blast and it was the MGS codec call sound, I'd probably have like 20 dollars now. Shit is tacky.

 

[MaverickHunterAsh]

Nope. Couldn't care less what strangers think of me, especially the kind of small-minded people that would judge me for playing a game or wearing game-related clothing in public.

I usually whip out my 3DS in public places when I'm standing in a long line, like at the bank or post office. I also play my 3DS quite often in coffee shops when I'm taking a break from work (I work from home, so my "office" is pretty much whichever coffee shop I go to that day). I'll occasionally get strange looks, which I'll respond to by just ignoring them (on a good day) or by giving the offender an especially dirty look (on a bad day). Either approach works equally well, though. Of course, I always use headphones as a courtesy to those around me - that's just polite.

If you (the collective "you," not specifically you, OP) are actually worried about strangers judging you and would go out of your way to hide your hobbies in public out of some sort of perceived shame, you've got some major self-confidence issues to tackle.

 

[Plywood]

To be honest... There's not a single person in the world who I would willingly tell that I often browse and post on this website.

Like I have friends who like to play games. But even them I wouldn't say 'hey bro you gotta go see this thread on Neogaf'

And if they saw me browsing I would say something like 'yea there was *some news story* and while looking for more info online, I ended up here.'

Not proud to admit it, but there you go.

And then they see you're logged in.🍳

 

[shandy706]

Couldn't care less about what people think of me.

Wear what you want and play what you want. I enjoy wearing gaming attire. Both obvious and subtle.

 

[John Kowalski]

Not that i play games, but def would never say how invested i actually am in them. Nevermind animu or yuri mangos. And beyond.

I generally don't like people knowing stuff about me unless they're super close.

 

[Coda]

If I had a nickel everytime I heard someone's text message go off full blast and it was the MGS codec call sound, I'd probably have like 20 dollars now. Shit is tacky.

I've never heard that in the wild ever but I guess I don't get out much in this boring ass city. I'm more of a Killer 7 ambient SFX kind of guy.

I currently use this one:

https://www.mediafire.com/?xs0gvek05mf3398

 

[Meier]

Nah, I'm old enough to not worry about stuff like this. But I do get embarrassed for the stereotypical "gamers" that get shown on TV.

 

[Wensih]

Nerd culture has this ubiquity to where uniqueness and individuality become memes and references that everyone understands even without knowing the source material.

I enjoy video games and I have items on my person that represent that like my ring tone, but I think it's more subtle than a Mario coin jingle or a Metal Gear codec call (It's a track from Hotline Miami).

 

[Jobbs]

If you do something, if you like something, own it. Who the fuck cares what someone else thinks. Don't let other people dictate how you spend your time because of what you "should" or "shouldn't" be doing. I find that kind of sad.

I find a lot of the "shoulds" in this country pretty dreadful, anyway.

 

[Wensih]

I've never heard that in the wild ever but I guess I don't get out much in this boring ass city. I'm more of a Killer 7 ambient SFX kind of guy.

I currently use this one:

https://www.mediafire.com/?xs0gvek05mf3398

That's pretty awesome and what I was talking about in my last post.

 

[keffri]

Personally, I do not play my 3DS in public. I'm not ashamed of my hobbies, but they're something I like to enjoy on my own and not necessary share with the public.

 

[Booker.DeWitt]

I forgot to add this

 

[Daingurse]

Nope I'm pretty open about my nerdom. I really like anime, cartoons, manga, comics, games, and other nerd shit. Anyone who knows me, knows this. I got figures in my office cubicle, posters, and my work avatar at the moment is blue haired SSGSSJ Goku lol. No shame here. I'm not alone either, other people's shit at work puts my fandom to shame.

 

[Zukuu]

No.

 

[NipplesAndToes23]

Hell nah.

 

[Sober]

Nerd culture has this ubiquity to where uniqueness and individuality become memes and references that everyone understands even without knowing the source material.

I enjoy video games and I have items on my person that represent that like my ring tone, but I think it's more subtle than a Mario coin jingle or a Metal Gear codec call (It's a track from Hotline Miami).

What is this ubiquity that everyone understands? Genuine question. Everyone as in everyone can recognize the Coca Cola symbol or everyone as in "real gamers"? Because generally that stuff is actually just not inclusive at all and only serves as an insulating tool.

 

[Nickle]

I'm not ashamed of playing video games, although there are a few places where I wouldn't be comfortable using a handheld (restaurants, libraries, etc.).

However, I would never be caught dead watching anime in public, not even the non-creepy stuff.

 

[wachie]

I work in a big corporate office and we have weekly meetings where we can pick a topic of our choice to present for 10 mins, when my turn came I picked gaming and went all out. No shame, I'm actually proud and my director actually saw me in a new light.

 

[Wensih]

What is this ubiquity that everyone understands? Genuine question. Everyone as in everyone can recognize the Coca Cola symbol or everyone as in "real gamers"? Because generally that stuff is actually just not inclusive at all and only serves as an insulating tool.

I mean everyone in the same way as everyone can recognize Coca Cola, or as a more relevant example something like the tri-force, Darth Vader, or The Dude quotes without ever playing Zelda, or seeing Star Wars or The Big Lebowski.

 

[doctorcdcs]

Cool, are you done with residency and fellowship? What specialty are you if you don't mind me asking?

Hey I got an MD too, but I ended up not practicing. Does that still count?



............Oh god, it doesn't /ohgodwhy


Back on topic though, as a guy in his 30's, I personally don't have a problem with wearing a Gamer-related T-shirt or using a handheld now and then. If someone has a problem with it, fuck em. I'm this old, and I'll enjoy my hobby anyway I please.

 

[Hazaku]

Nope. I bought Wipeout, Monster Hunter and Hello Kitty sweaters last week.

Please beat me with a baseball bat if you ever see me liking or sharing posts on social media along the lines of 'I'm not a gamer because I have no life, but because I have many!' though.