I also watch TV, get excited about movies and certain TV show. Gamer implies your whole identy is tied around a hobby. The point being none of my activities define me any more than a video games do.
I can quit video games at anytime and the only difference in my life is the time I gained not playing games. I am still me though.
I consider myself a "gamer" in that I play lots and LOTS of video games in almost every genre, but it's clear that the word has a very negative stigma nowadays, so I hesitate to ever refer to myself as such.
Yeah, seeing this repeated and I really don't get it. People are thinking about this waaaay too hard, and putting more importance on it than I understand. It's just a descriptor.
I also watch TV, get excited about movies and certain TV show. Gamer implies your whole identy is tied around a hobby. The point being none of my activities define me any more than a video games do.
I can quit video games at anytime and the only difference in my life is the time I gained not playing games. I am still me though.
I am football fan, though I don't think my identity is defined by it. Nor is the fact that people call me a footballer, it isn't my career choice. Gamer means you play games. So when someone asks are you a gamer, it means do you play games often or just play games. It's not defining you, it defines a certain aspect of who you are. You can be a gamer and still be a film buff and book worm.
I also watch TV, get excited about movies and certain TV show. Gamer implies your whole identy is tied around a hobby. The point being none of my activities define me any more than a video games do.
Since when? It just means that you enjoy playing games a lot.. If you read a lot of books, you'd be a bookworm. If you were really into cars, you'd be a gearhead/petrolhead. It wouldn't define you as a person. It's a simple descriptor of things that you enjoy to a great degree. Nothing more.
Hit the nail on the head. If being in the "gaming community" means being aligned with the GooberGrape idiots on /v/ or r/gaming, then count me the fuck out.
You're a human. Those "GooberGrape idiots on /v/ or r/gaming" are humans too. So per your logic, you don't want to be called a human, right?
So many people in this thread are really hyper sensitive about being put into a same group or identifying oneselve with that particular group.
What's the big deal?
If you say that one of, if not THE favorite pasttime of yours is playing video games, why wouldn't you want to be called a gamer?
What would you want to be called instead?
I don't see Trekkies being possed about being called a Trekkie, they even gave themselves that name ffs.
There is a lot of crazy overreacting going down in this thread.
Yup. I play videogames. Its been my main hobby since I was 5 years old. It has been the only constant in my life. If someone's was to ask me if I was a gamer, I would say yes. Fuck whatever preconceived notions people have about it. There is nothing more to the term other than you are someone who enjoys videogames. I don't pay attention to the negative stigmas associated with it because of some immature kids that give it a bad rep. Those individuals exist across all forms of entertainment.
I'm not really sure what a "Gamer" is anymore, it was a term of disdain for the longest time, then became "cool" then became "geek-chic" and then something else more negative. So many people play video games of some sort that I guess even my elderly mother would class herself as a gamer; granted mostly puzzle/hidden object games, but she also adores flower and Mario Kart.
I guess I class myself as someone who works in the games industry, and sometimes enjoys playing them when I get the time.
I do love an 8/16-bit style t-shirt though, so I will wear my geekiness with pride, my 404 dead link one has had a few mentions on the train to work which always tickles me.
Much as I enjoy games, I find myself playing them less the longer I've worked in the industry and trying to get into other hobbies again, like writing music after years away from it.
I think gamer has too great of a stigma now to really identify with it. Even without the stigma however, I've been made to realize that it's all kind of childish. How many mediums even have an adjective that's a single-word modification of said medium? Film buff, reader, comic book fan, TV watcher (I don't know what the general term for this is lol), sports fan, none of these concepts or media really have anything equivalent to gamer to my knowledge. If we take away the stigma, I'm still more comfortable saying "I enjoy games."
I think gamer has too great of a stigma now to really identify with it. Even without the stigma however, I've been made to realize that it's all kind of childish. How many mediums even have an adjective that's a single-word modification of said medium? Film buff, reader, comic book fan, TV watcher (I don't know what the general term for this is lol), sports fan, none of these concepts or media really have anything equivalent to gamer to my knowledge. If we take away the stigma, I'm still more comfortable saying "I enjoy games."
To me, gamer is more like athlete. One plays sports, one plays videogames. Film, books, comics, watching TV. None of them are interactive on the same level. There is no skill involved in any of those other things beyond a level of comprehension.
Edit: Like, its something you actively participate in and not just watch from the sidelines. You wouldn't call someone who only watches other people play videogames a gamer. They would be a "game fan"... something awkward like "sports fan" or "movie buff". Those equivalents would be "athlete" or "actor".
Sure. I identify as many things, and since gaming is a big hobby of mine of course it applies to me - it's a simple noun form of verb. Dumb as fuck that people are so concerned about it grouping you in with "gamer" stereotypes, I thought we stopped doing that stuff forever ago?
It's much simpler to describe yourself with descriptive nouns than by using verbal phrases individually, as they can't be linked together as freely due to different methods of interaction (play guitar, go fishing (or simply just fish), read books).
To me, gamer is more like athlete. One plays sports, one plays videogames. Film, books, comics, watching TV. None of them are interactive on the same level. There is no skill involved in any of those other things beyond a level of comprehension.
I don't anymore, and it started a while before the GamerGate shitfest began last year. This is going to sound snobby as fuck but bear with me.
I love video games. I LOVE THEM. Almost all of my entertainment spending money goes towards them. I've spent fifteen years collecting them, and the past 3-5 years collecting literature on them. I play them every day. I preorder tons of games and go to midnight launches a few times a year. Hell, one of my kids has a name that originated from a video game (which is not why we chose the name, but still). I have, do and always will make them a big part of my life. I'm a video games enthusiast.
Still, I don't consider myself a "gamer" because I just can't fucking deal with how shitty some of the people who use that term are and the societal baggage dumped on me that comes with calling myself one. In my experience, anyone who calls themselves/me a "gamer" is either an enthusiast with limited social skills who wants to dicksword over video game knowledge/experience/skill/etc, or someone who wants to assign that persona to me. There are only so many BO infested launch lines and awkward conversations trying to get me to argue over who has the biggest e-peen that I can take before I tap out and stop surrounding myself with people like that, and I definitely don't want anyone else to feel that way about me.
Like, everyone either plays or has played video games in some form. As a medium it's not this niche thing that people can't relate to. It just seems that people with proper social skills/etiquette can talk about games as a normal part of small talk and don't identify as "gamers", while people who don't have those skills cling to it as some sort of icebreaker. I've had far more fulfilling conversations about games with nonenthusiast coworkers during contextually-appropriate smalltalk than I ever have had with a "gamer", barring my wife and lifelong friend. Having a quick chat during a smoke break about Battlefront or how the N64 was fun or mobile games or whatever shared experiences we have is cool. Having someone hyperventilate about Skyrim using meme slang for a half hour or a grown-ass man freaking out about amiibos in the middle of public is definitely not.
Basically the term is just a magnet for people who I just don't have the patience to deal with any more. If you're a well adjusted, socially skilled person who wants to talk about video games with me, great! If not then I'm out. Games are a personal hobby for me, not my identity and definitely not a social crutch to get people to like me.
To me, gamer is more like athlete. One plays sports, one plays videogames. Film, books, comics, watching TV. None of them are interactive on the same level. There is no skill involved in any of those other things beyond a level of comprehension.
Edit: Like, its something you actively participate in and not just watch from the sidelines. You wouldn't call someone who only watches other people play videogames a gamer. They would be a "game fan"... something awkward like "sports fan" or "movie buff". Those equivalents would be "athlete" or "actor".
I would say that 'gamer' is a little closer on the spectrum to 'athlete' than 'film buff', but at the same time I wouldn't call someone playing catch an athlete, or even someone who plays tennis for fun. Now that you mention it, gamer seems apt for someone who games professionally - YouTubers, speedrunners, competitive gamers, etc. rather than simply "a person who plays games and enjoys them"
Challenging sure. You're still not an active participant in films or books. Its not the level of difficulty involved that separates it from other mediums. Its a level of interaction.
I would say that 'gamer' is a little closer on the spectrum to 'athlete' than 'film buff', but at the same time I wouldn't call someone playing catch an athlete, or even someone who plays tennis for fun. Now that you mention it, gamer seems apt for someone who games professionally - YouTubers, speedrunners, competitive gamers, etc. rather than simply "a person who plays games and enjoys them"
That's why we say professional athlete and not just athlete. Same with games. You can be a professional gamer or just a gamer. Playing catch doesn't make you an athlete but its still an athletic activity. I wouldn't call someone who plays a game for a few minutes once in a while a gamer either.
Is there such an insistence on using words to describe yourself in other entertainment forms? Like films, do "cinephiles" get bothered when someone would rather refer to themself as a movie fan instead?
Is there such an insistence on using words to describe yourself in other entertainment forms? Like films, do "cinephiles" get bothered when someone would rather refer to themself as a movie fan instead?
yes, sure. if someone asks me if I play games I'll say yes I do. Being a 'gamer' isnt my entire identity though, it's a small part of what makes me the cheeseball I am.
Is there such an insistence on using words to describe yourself in other entertainment forms? Like films, do "cinephiles" get bothered when someone would rather refer to themself as a movie fan instead?
I think that the terms movie-buff, cinephile, audiophile would generally be used of for people seriously into their films/music. Much like someone really into their cars would be a gearhead. Those terms don't seem to have any negative connotations from what I can gather, whereas the term "Gamer" can. From the negative stereotypical stigma of the spotty virgin nerd in the mothers basement, to the 'GG' misogynist stereotype who trolls and makes death/rape threats online if their favourite gun is nerfed in COD.
Maybe the reason why movie-buff, cinephile and audiophile don't have as many negative stereotypes from what I can gather is that you would (or I would at least) picture people that deeply into films or music as somewhat intelligent and educated with good taste. But even though I've been playing video games for over 30 years and have many friends and family who play them even I sometimes picture the negative stereotypes I mentioned above when picturing a "Gamer".
Gamer is an extremely specific categorization. Nerd can be a wide variety of things, ranging from geeky stuff to STEM stuff to books to films to whatever.
I used to, but I am starting distance myself from the term and not use it. Mainly due to negative connotation it brings. Same thing with anime, I don't bring it up of my own accord in face to face conversation.
Gamer is an extremely specific categorization. Nerd can be a wide variety of things, ranging from geeky stuff to STEM stuff to books to films to whatever.
On the one hand, you're right: you should be the person you want to be and let the chips fall where they may. No one but you is in charge of your life.
On the other hand: knee-jerk reacting "FUCK YOU" to someone bagging on something as inconsequential as what you do as a hobby is going to shrink your social circle and cost you opportunities in the long run.
No one truly gives a shit if you play games or not. It's all about how you react.
Yeah, like I don't walk around proclaiming myself as a gamer. I just consider myself to be one based on my level of interest and participation which is beyond that of "ordinary" people.
I don't write on my resume that I am a gamer. I wouldn't get a tattoo that says "gamer" on the small of my back. Its just a descriptive term to me, not an identity.
So like, its part of who I am as much as any other thing I love but it doesn't define me because how can it?
Saying you're a gamer is as vague as saying you listen to music or play sports. Great? I don't care about 80% of stuff released in this medium so instead I just tell people I'm into 2D platformers or strategy games instead, just like telling them what music I'm into and what sports I play.
Nearly everyone in my family either plays Tetris on PC, Patience, Smartphone apps or what have you, but since I was the kid that was glued to the TV screen playing his console games years ago I'm forever the 'gaming know it all' (I don't even follow the happenings with Microsoft and Sony anymore but cousins still ask me about it).
On the other hand: knee-jerk reacting "FUCK YOU" to someone bagging on something as inconsequential as what you do as a hobby is going to shrink your social circle and cost you opportunities in the long run.
Saying you're a gamer is as vague as saying you listen to music or play sports. Great? I don't care about 80% of stuff released in this medium so instead I just tell people I'm into 2D platformers or strategy games instead, just like telling them what music I'm into and what sports I play.
Nearly everyone in my family either plays Tetris on PC, Patience, Smartphone apps or what have you, but since I was the kid that was glued to the TV screen playing his console games years ago I'm forever the 'gaming know it all' (I don't even follow the happenings with Microsoft and Sony anymore but cousins still ask me about it).
A gamer is a hobbyist of gaming, simple. I mean if you wanna say you're so much more into it than normal you can add "big" and that's all cool?
Like if you wanna keep calling yourself a "videogame nerd" I'm not gonna stop you, it's just an incredibly worthless distinction and it's just beyond bizarre that you'd be so against a different word that's essentially the exact same thing. Do you seriously think that if you tell people you're a "videogame nerd" that they'll think of you differently than as a "gamer"? Because they really won't. They really, really won't.
I don't anymore, and it started a while before the GamerGate shitfest began last year. This is going to sound snobby as fuck but bear with me.
I love video games. I LOVE THEM. Almost all of my entertainment spending money goes towards them. I've spent fifteen years collecting them, and the past 3-5 years collecting literature on them. I play them every day. I preorder tons of games and go to midnight launches a few times a year. Hell, one of my kids has a name that originated from a video game (which is not why we chose the name, but still). I have, do and always will make them a big part of my life. I'm a video games enthusiast.
Still, I don't consider myself a "gamer" because I just can't fucking deal with how shitty some of the people who use that term are and the societal baggage dumped on me that comes with calling myself one. In my experience, anyone who calls themselves/me a "gamer" is either an enthusiast with limited social skills who wants to dicksword over video game knowledge/experience/skill/etc, or someone who wants to assign that persona to me. There are only so many BO infested launch lines and awkward conversations trying to get me to argue over who has the biggest e-peen that I can take before I tap out and stop surrounding myself with people like that, and I definitely don't want anyone else to feel that way about me.
Like, everyone either plays or has played video games in some form. As a medium it's not this niche thing that people can't relate to. It just seems that people with proper social skills/etiquette can talk about games as a normal part of small talk and don't identify as "gamers", while people who don't have those skills cling to it as some sort of icebreaker. I've had far more fulfilling conversations about games with nonenthusiast coworkers during contextually-appropriate smalltalk than I ever have had with a "gamer", barring my wife and lifelong friend. Having a quick chat during a smoke break about Battlefront or how the N64 was fun or mobile games or whatever shared experiences we have is cool. Having someone hyperventilate about Skyrim using meme slang for a half hour or a grown-ass man freaking out about amiibos in the middle of public is definitely not.
Basically the term is just a magnet for people who I just don't have the patience to deal with any more. If you're a well adjusted, socially skilled person who wants to talk about video games with me, great! If not then I'm out. Games are a personal hobby for me, not my identity and definitely not a social crutch to get people to like me.
I think you've just help me realise the main reason why I'm not a fan of the word, and put it much better than I could manage. Definitely feel almost exactly the same as you.
Like if you wanna keep calling yourself a "videogame nerd" I'm not gonna stop you, it's just an incredibly worthless distinction and it's just beyond bizarre that you'd be so against a different word that's essentially the exact same thing. Do you seriously think that if you tell people you're a "videogame nerd" that they'll think of you differently than as a "gamer"? Because they really won't. They really, really won't.
Lol, dude chill I was just being self-deprecating back there. Believe me when I say I don't go around proudly calling myself a videogame nerd in real life either
I find calling myself a gamer is just too vague. Also it sounds really out of place when used in my language. That's all there's to it.
My main language is Spanish, and calling myself or someone else a "gamer" is REALLY cringe-worthy, specially when people that do so, use the English word (which sounds even worst in a non-English speaking country, really out of context)
i play games but never call myself a gamer. just don't like it for some reason. same for other things. don't call myself a musician or artist cause i like playing my guitar or drawing.
maybe i just think i'm not good enough to give myself these titles.
I never thought I'd find someone else on my exact situation. You said exactly how I feel, in general, can't even call myself graphic designer at all even when I have a degree that supports it.
My point is that if you completely blow off the effect that your behavior has on other people, especially if it's negative, you're not going to endear yourself to many of them.
Again, in my experience, there are a lot of "gamers" who don't realize this and do embarrassing shit like throw tantrums in stores or refuse to bathe before going to multi-hour midnight launch events or try to force a conversation into gaming talk when the other person just isn't into it. It's awkward for everyone involved and, like it or not, paints "gamers" with a stigma of being socially inept.
There's one event from earlier this year that crystallized the issue for me. I decided to be a crazy bastard and wait outside of TRU to preorder a Greninja amiibo. There was one couple ahead of me who were picking it up for their son, a guy behind me with his caretaker that I had seen at other amiibo things who was nice, and a random lineup of people behind that. I shot the shit with the non-gaming couple and the guy+caretalker for literal hours, talking about pretty much anything. At about 730am this car whips up and you can hear the scream swearing through the doors. Two twentysomething guys with gaming shirts on and 3DS cases in tow storm towards the line, still swearing, and plop down a blanket on the concrete to play Pokemon cards. They kept up the obnoxious swearing/meme spouting for HOURS and it was so awkward for everyone else in line. Every time our smalltalk was interrupted by some outburst we'd just shake our heads, exchange a knowing look and go back to talking about work/family/whatever. They never talked with anyone else and only yelled at each other the whole time.
They were pissed when they didn't get tickets.
Here's the thing: everyone in that line heavily invested into gaming in some way. Everyone in that line took hours out of their day to buy a goddamn slip to have a CHANCE at buying a Pokemon toy months later. The difference is that the people who were pleasant to talk to and functioned well within a social structure didn't feel the need to advertise that they were a "gamer" and would only talk about games if it suited the context of the conversation. The obnoxious guys were completely oblivious to the social etiquette and cues of the rest of the line, right down to not even being able to stop entertaining themselves with media in a public space instead of talking to the people with shared interests around them.
This is just one of the more recent things I can think of. I would have about one or two experiences like that a month for YEARS until I just couldn't take it anymore. Going to a gaming event was always a social crapshoot and I frequently ended up on the cringe end.
I'm not saying everyone who plays video games is like that, not in any way. What I am saying is that the term "gamer" is inextricably linked to people like that and is frequently used as a surrogate identity for people who don't feel comfortable with themselves. It is what it is. I'd rather call myself a video game enthusiast or say "Yeah, video games are my thing" in a contextually appropriate way than to call myself a "gamer" and set myself up for all the baggage that comes with it.
