Am amazed that nobody posted that comic in this thread.
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Do you identify as a "gamer"?
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Am amazed that nobody posted that comic in this thread.
This
sixteen-bit
Member
gamer by blood, not relation
TetraGenesis
Member
First post.
Games are a big part of my life but I'm so much more than that. And of all the hobbies to be labeled by, gaming would be the worst.
If I had to label myself I'd say "enthusiast".
Correct.
Am I a movie-er? A book reader-er? A runner-er? A weightlifter-er? A dining out-er? Nah man it's just a hobby I indulge in like everything else.
Sheriff_Battlesnake
Banned
I'd say so. In the sense that I have gaming intuition when I first lift my controller, I have interest in the niche and the broader titles, I root for the industry and it's growth monetarily and artistically, and I spend most of my free time as an unmarried 20-something either playing games or watching games coverage.
I'm not waving it as some elitist flag. Just using it like the term "movie-goer" or "wine enthusiast" or whatever. It's like the word "casual" gamer becoming an insult. It's a useful phrase but people are putting crappy connotations on it, but sometimes it's the clearest way to define something.
(People are taking the word "label" wrong. It's not my identity but it concisely describes something i'm passionate about)
I'm not waving it as some elitist flag. Just using it like the term "movie-goer" or "wine enthusiast" or whatever. It's like the word "casual" gamer becoming an insult. It's a useful phrase but people are putting crappy connotations on it, but sometimes it's the clearest way to define something.
(People are taking the word "label" wrong. It's not my identity but it concisely describes something i'm passionate about)
You can identify as something and see yourself as belonging to that group without announcing it to the world
No, why do you ask?
Saint of Killers
Member
We're like cut from the same cloth only I identify with the term
It's cool with me if you don't, though.Regarding media latching on to it; fuck 'em. Only yesterday we had a story over here attempting to connect a hacker to gaming. And thankfully, in the UK, we never had any of the Gamer Fuel or Gamer Glasses (WTF are Gamer Glasses? xD) nonsense. Not when I was in my formative years, anyway.
I don't really play games all that often tbh so I guess more like casual gamer though that (at least around here) makes you think of specific genres of games. I do like to keep up with games though to see what's out there. Because of that, I can talk with almost anyone about most games. It just gets to the point where someone asks me about a specific part of the game and I say "oh I haven't actually played the game, I just read the Wikipedia article and watched a few videos"
I am working on making games tho but that's an entirely different beast
I am working on making games tho but that's an entirely different beast
Sure, I'm a gamer. I play a variety of different games, keep up with gaming news, and am always on the lookout for new games to play.
I honestly don't really understand the violently negative reaction so many people are having to the term. If you think of yourself as a gamer, you're a gamer. If you don't, you don't. But there's no need to be so condescending to those of us who do.
(Also, I post in "Gaming" on GAF)
I honestly don't really understand the violently negative reaction so many people are having to the term. If you think of yourself as a gamer, you're a gamer. If you don't, you don't. But there's no need to be so condescending to those of us who do.
TetraGenesis
Member
But most of those are professions in their typical context, not hobbies. Idk. Maybe you're right.
But those are things you give the world. Gaming is consumption. You don't call people who love and watch football Watchers. You say they're fans of football.
A bunch of people have already nailed it, but I definitely don't like the label. It has a lot of silly baggage and a person can't be defined by a hobby, no matter what that hobby may be.
I also can't hear the term without thinking of "Sleep is for babies. Gamers play all night!" And it makes me dislike it even more.
I also can't hear the term without thinking of "Sleep is for babies. Gamers play all night!" And it makes me dislike it even more.
JayhawkerStL
Banned
This.
Icyflamez96
Member
This.
What's wrong with being a gamer and a "grown ass man"?
How do you exclude yourself from being a gamer solely because of that reason?
So you can't be a fisherman, book work, film buff, or something else that's purely associated with being really into a hobby, because you're a "grown ass man"? Not wanting to identify as one for other reasons is fine, but I don't see why some are acting like those two things should be mutually exclusive.
Indrid Cold1
Member
Yes I do, because I am a person whose hobby is playing video games. There are people in the thread who are like "Christ no! I'm not a gamer!", yet not only play video games as a hobby, they have thousands upon thousands of posts on a gaming forum. This is laughable. Who are you trying to kid? I can't understand that at all.
Saint of Killers
Member
Cinephile? Bibliophile? Athlete? Weightlifter? Gourmand?
CadetMahoney
Member
weren't people "chastised" in past threads for saying people who button-mashed an iOS shovelware once upon a time aren't gamers?
I'd absolutely use the same label for myself if I had to.
I cringe everytime someone uses the term "gamer". I just don't like it, I associate it with a certain type of unkempt and fanatical person and it's always been and still is associated with tons of stigma. The term "gamer" will never be clean, which is why I abandoned it. If someone asks me if I'm a gamer I firmly decline, even if they're directly facing my shelves of games, consoles and amiibos.
Gravy Boat
Member
Because it's the same sort of question. If someone asked you if you were a gambler, you wouldn't respond with 'No, I gamble but I'm not a gambler'. That doesn't mean you identify as being a gambler, it's just a descriptive that was appropriate at that given moment in time.
I would say I'm a gambler, but I don't see myself as belonging to any sort of gambling group nor would I define myself soley as a gambler. But if someone asked me if I was a gambler I would say yes. I think some of you guys are overthinking this whole thing.
Bjoern the Smexy
Member
I've been playing video games for 25 years, you're damn right I call myself a gamer.
Don't know why I shouldn't. I don't associate anything negative with it.
Don't know why I shouldn't. I don't associate anything negative with it.
We're like cut from the same cloth only I identify with the term
Regarding media latching on to it; fuck 'em. Only yesterday we had a story over here attempting to connect a hacker to gaming. And thankfully, in the UK, we never had any of the Gamer Fuel or Gamer Glasses (WTF are Gamer Glasses? xD) nonsense. Not when I was in my formative years, anyway.
I distinctly remember buying doritos and some soft drink that had bundled double XP for CoD, so we've definitely had that branding here. I've also seen Gunnars for sale in GAME.
And to answer OP, yeah I'm a gamer.
SolidSnakex
Member
What about a petrolhead or gearhead? Those are terms regularly used by people who are really into cars. It doesn't describe anything other than the fact that they're someone that's really into cars. Just like "gamer" doesn't say anything other than someone is really into gaming. It doesn't mean that they don't have other hobbies or interests.
Brawly Likes to Brawl
Member
Not all painters do it professionally. Also, Language is fluid concept. If enough people believe that "gamer" is a moniker for people who play videoganes, then it is.
Spacecowboy77
Member
Sure. Video games are my hobby, I'm a gamer.
Don't see a problem with the definition (and "video games enthusiast" is quite a mouthful)
The fact that some people judge you according to some vague term does not interest me. I'll probably not care much of them anyway
Don't see a problem with the definition (and "video games enthusiast" is quite a mouthful)
The fact that some people judge you according to some vague term does not interest me. I'll probably not care much of them anyway
DanWensing
Banned
I think I am a gamer. But there are people that take it much more seriuos than me, so how would we call them?
If I went into a room, saw someone I didn't know playing a video game and said, "Oh, you're a gamer.", and they turned around and went, "No. I'm a professional gaming enthusiast.", I would probably associate negative aspects immediately to that.
It's a simple term. If someone is attaching other elements to it, then that is your call to make some sort of adjustment to the narrative.
DidntKnowJack
Member
I'm no more a gamer than I am a music listener or movie watcher.
So...no I do not. Plus it makes me sound like a teenage boy or something.
So...no I do not. Plus it makes me sound like a teenage boy or something.
Pretty much this.
Sheriff_Battlesnake
Banned
Also gaming has more direct input than football. You play games, but you watch sports. I think that's a factor too.
Gnome Scat
Member
Nah, just a guy with a hobby he loves.
megarockexe
Member
I try not to use it because it would suggest I like playing games.
DigitalRicket
Member
Same. I'v played games since I was 4, nearly over 25 years ago. I've gone to multiple midnight releases and am constantly either on GAF or other gaming sites... And yet, when I see people who indentify as "gamers" I'm like... yeah, I'm not that.
...
Not specifically here, but you know as well as I do those things are pretty damn prevalent.
I never saw a problem with it. You take the good with the bad, but I also never saw myself being limited to just one label; it's just the one that often comes to mind first.
I am also a bibliophile, a grease monkey, a movie buff, a saxophonist, a fencer, etc. It also depends who I'm talking to, whether as an individual or a group. It's nice to be specific without saying "I like to use the finesse of my hands and fingers" where there isn't subtle sexual innuendo (because that's in my nature already, I'd rather just build up to it when meeting new people).
If people bring up GG, of course I immediately disassociate myself from it, but it shouldn't be necessary. Muslims are the subject of vitriol when they have already denounced the actions of ISIS/ISIL. The WBC is as far removed from Christianity as can be. Myself, having a German background, I don't have to constantly make people aware I'm not sympathetic to the Nazis. It's the extremists in each group that ruin the good name of the overall group.
I'll still call myself a gamer even if I'm the only one who does just to prove the term isn't toxic and that there are good people within.
I am also a bibliophile, a grease monkey, a movie buff, a saxophonist, a fencer, etc. It also depends who I'm talking to, whether as an individual or a group. It's nice to be specific without saying "I like to use the finesse of my hands and fingers" where there isn't subtle sexual innuendo (because that's in my nature already, I'd rather just build up to it when meeting new people).
If people bring up GG, of course I immediately disassociate myself from it, but it shouldn't be necessary. Muslims are the subject of vitriol when they have already denounced the actions of ISIS/ISIL. The WBC is as far removed from Christianity as can be. Myself, having a German background, I don't have to constantly make people aware I'm not sympathetic to the Nazis. It's the extremists in each group that ruin the good name of the overall group.
I'll still call myself a gamer even if I'm the only one who does just to prove the term isn't toxic and that there are good people within.
PlayALLtheGames
Banned
Oh yeah. From the flames of Cataclysm to the icy moontains of Tamriel, when I'm in game...I'm at home.
outunderthestars
Banned
No. I like to play games. I find the majority of "gamer culture" to be incredibly embarrassing.
No. I don't know. I mean, when I go to the arcade or store I don't see people going, "Ey. You women, blacks and gays...whadda ya doing heerrreee!?"
EDIT: Unless you are just talking about voice chat, etc. I really don't attribute that to anyone but ignorant immature individuals.
The Lamonster
Member
I play video games, so yes of fucking course I refer to myself as a "gamer."
A handful of douche bags don't get to take that word away from us.
A handful of douche bags don't get to take that word away from us.
mcz117chief
Member
I like the word "gamer" because it is snappy and isn't foreign to my tongue, much like driver, skater, player, etc. as opposed to football watcher, that just sounds ridiculous.
BumblebeeCody
Member
Hell no. I cringe at it. It's more of an insult than anything.
Wulfric
Member
Sure, I consider myself a gamer. The unopened Amiibo on my bookshelf are proof enough of that. At times I might be busy with college or work, but the first thing I do after getting comfortable at home is launch WoW and brew a coffee. On lunch break, it's Hearthstone on my phone.
Really, if someone calls me a gamer, could I really say otherwise?
Really, if someone calls me a gamer, could I really say otherwise?
Yes, I'm a gamer. There's a plenty clear distinction between how much and how I game compared to people who don't or play little games. Even with me being an adult who struggles to finds consistent gaming sessions. Gamergate and feminist connotations of the term aren't going to change that.
Gravy Boat
Member
Why though? I mean, you obviously care enough about games to post on the biggest gaming forum on the planet. Obviously if you walk around with a t-shirt that says 'Gamer and proud' or something then yeah, that's pretty cringey. But if it came up in conversation that you played games and someone asked 'Oh, so you're a gamer?', what would your response be? Because really 'Are you a gamer' just means 'Do you play games'. It's the same question.
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