Don't Use the Word "Gamer"
- Thread starter Yahtzee Croshaw
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I personally use the term 'gamer' to describe one who enjoys playing games and does so on a regular basis, and I feel that does a fairly good job of describing us.
As for the arguement of how we don't label other people by their preferred media, movie lovers? emos/goths/moshers/etc.? These are all people who's identity is centered around the media they enjoy and consume (the main thing that makes gamers unique in this form of naming is that we engage more actively in games that most others do in their media, it is more appropriate that we are named after it since it is something we are doing ourselves).
The people who draw the negetive conotations to the word 'gamer' are not only the ones who wear it like a badge of pride, but also those who see it as an insult or a form of segrigation (in otherwords, Mr. Croshaw himself), I am reminded of the issues surrounding use of the 'N word' (it started off as a racial slur, then people tried to turn it into a term of endearment only for this to fail and for it to remain as a racial slur because it is still treated as an 'exclusive word').
In other words, if you want the negetive imagery surrounding the word 'gamer' to disappear then we have to just accept it as a blank label, stop thinking that it's something to be proud (or ashamed) of and just treat it for what it is, a conveinient way of referring to someone who plays games, if we start emboldening it or censoring people who use it then the image problem we have is only going to get worse.
As for the arguement of how we don't label other people by their preferred media, movie lovers? emos/goths/moshers/etc.? These are all people who's identity is centered around the media they enjoy and consume (the main thing that makes gamers unique in this form of naming is that we engage more actively in games that most others do in their media, it is more appropriate that we are named after it since it is something we are doing ourselves).
The people who draw the negetive conotations to the word 'gamer' are not only the ones who wear it like a badge of pride, but also those who see it as an insult or a form of segrigation (in otherwords, Mr. Croshaw himself), I am reminded of the issues surrounding use of the 'N word' (it started off as a racial slur, then people tried to turn it into a term of endearment only for this to fail and for it to remain as a racial slur because it is still treated as an 'exclusive word').
In other words, if you want the negetive imagery surrounding the word 'gamer' to disappear then we have to just accept it as a blank label, stop thinking that it's something to be proud (or ashamed) of and just treat it for what it is, a conveinient way of referring to someone who plays games, if we start emboldening it or censoring people who use it then the image problem we have is only going to get worse.
The impression I got was that he has a problem (one that I share) with people who have created an identity for themselves centered around a hobby. It's as bad as calling yourself a cinemateur...cineman...cinemarshal?TWEWER said:
Frankly, I'm not good enough at communication to put my own unease with that tendency into a clear and concise argument against it, but I think that's the gist of it.
I guess the closest I can come up with if you can't a. earn money with your knowledge and or skill at it, or aren't creating, building, and/or maintaining something with it, it's probably not a good idea to build your identity around it. Gaming is entertaining, but, well, it's unimportant.
Oh, right yeah, there was a context to the whole article that I just breezed over.
I play games, but I'm not a gamer.
It's pretty easy to understand without hammering your keyboard into an angry mixture of dust, sweat and bile...
I watch Star Trek but I'm not a Trekky, I ride a motorbike but I'm not a biker, I'm unemployed but I'm not a douche.
It's all too easy to pigeon-hole yourself or others when you attempt to boil down their personality in to one word. I'm not saying 'don't call yourself a gamer.' Feel free, but unless you add '...and I'm a...' at the end people will think that's all you do and are therefore overweight, hairy necked and carry about you a feint odour of milk.
I play games, but I'm not a gamer.
It's pretty easy to understand without hammering your keyboard into an angry mixture of dust, sweat and bile...
I watch Star Trek but I'm not a Trekky, I ride a motorbike but I'm not a biker, I'm unemployed but I'm not a douche.
It's all too easy to pigeon-hole yourself or others when you attempt to boil down their personality in to one word. I'm not saying 'don't call yourself a gamer.' Feel free, but unless you add '...and I'm a...' at the end people will think that's all you do and are therefore overweight, hairy necked and carry about you a feint odour of milk.
Hmm. Interesting points. I will just mention that I have referred to myself as bibliophile before.
That may just mean that I'm a wanker though.
That may just mean that I'm a wanker though.
Well i somewhat agree.
The word has become a stereotypical label usually used in a negative context, yet who is to blame that it is used as such?
Is it the one who is being labeled or is it the one putting that label on another person?
In my idealistic view it should be the ones putting the labels on others that should change, not the ones being labeled.
And i certainly agree that people who label themselves as such are most to blame.
People who refuse to be a part of the standard flock and decide to create their own special flock are only making it worse for everyone.
Its abit like (and please don't hate me for saying so) gay people who cry rape and murder for being stigmatized and plea to be treated as normal humans (which they are in the first place), yet decide they need to hold a gay parade in the most extravagant possible way.
If you don't want to be labeled then you shouldn't shout from the rooftops for everyone to hear that you don't want to be labeled.
You'll only awaken more haters and likers to fuel the fire both ways, making the gap between both sides larger and the chance on conflic greater.
The word has become a stereotypical label usually used in a negative context, yet who is to blame that it is used as such?
Is it the one who is being labeled or is it the one putting that label on another person?
In my idealistic view it should be the ones putting the labels on others that should change, not the ones being labeled.
And i certainly agree that people who label themselves as such are most to blame.
People who refuse to be a part of the standard flock and decide to create their own special flock are only making it worse for everyone.
Its abit like (and please don't hate me for saying so) gay people who cry rape and murder for being stigmatized and plea to be treated as normal humans (which they are in the first place), yet decide they need to hold a gay parade in the most extravagant possible way.
If you don't want to be labeled then you shouldn't shout from the rooftops for everyone to hear that you don't want to be labeled.
You'll only awaken more haters and likers to fuel the fire both ways, making the gap between both sides larger and the chance on conflic greater.
Is this (relatively) clever Satire or are you serious? Sometimes difficult to pick up on.Sir John the Net Knight said:
If it's serious: 1: You don't have to watch or read anything by the author.
2: Someone's opinion about a character in a game is their own business.
I prefer to see gamers the way Jane McGonigal [http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1163482373/gameful-a-secret-hq-for-worldchanging-game-develop] sees them.
The true dicks are "people on the internet that happens to be gamers".
The true dicks are "people on the internet that happens to be gamers".
While the term moviegoer is definitely marketing asshole shit, the term Film Buff is something that's a part of culture as much as Gamer is. The only difference is that Film Buff implies someone who is dedicated and knows about something people care about, people don't just latch onto the idea just to "be accepted" by a "group". It represents something, almost like a medal of accomplishment. "Gamer" has yet to reach that point popular in culture that "Film Buff" has, and probably won't for a good decade or four.
Of coarse if you're a charming and fun individual you can do your part to make your normal friends comfortable with the term and almost respect it. Steal it from the fat neckbeards of the world, eventually it will be the proud moniker it should be. What we should be thinking about instead is something to call the idiots referenced in this article. "Losers" has a nice ring to it.
Of coarse if you're a charming and fun individual you can do your part to make your normal friends comfortable with the term and almost respect it. Steal it from the fat neckbeards of the world, eventually it will be the proud moniker it should be. What we should be thinking about instead is something to call the idiots referenced in this article. "Losers" has a nice ring to it.
Neat, now's my turn.
Won't complain about FF7. Never played it, can't ***** about how shitty Aerith was. So I won't criticize Sir John.
But I won't pretentiously say, "After reading this article, I won't use the word gamer anymore" saying either.
When I think about this, it reminds me of my racial issues of being "Asian" or how cool it is to have foreigner skin living in a different country, albeit that going off the road a bit. Still, I see this issue with a lot of Anime fandom with the notion that they "watch anime but like to listen to linkin park, watch arthouse films, and hang out with popular "NORMAL" peeps," which is just as pretentious as saying "I'm an Otaku who does nothing but sit in the dark and watch Anime."
The problem I have with "gamers," not talking about the word but the demographics, is that many of them don't realize the magnanimous potential that video games can offer as a medium. They can ***** and yell loud about how they can't beat a level in COD or MW and use complex finger dexterity or math skill in WOW or SC,while I yell about "hard" boss fights or complex issues in Odin Sphere or Cave Story. Most of these gamers just want short pop culture fun and thrills rather than breaking down the mechanics of what makes a game phenomenal.
So this is neither a appraisal or rebuttal to Yahtzee's article, but I can assure "most people who play video games" that he is worth your time.
PS: For realies, I also don't like the term "gamer," reminds me of my tosser friends I had. Like the "I play video games" mentality verus the "I'm a gamer."
Won't complain about FF7. Never played it, can't ***** about how shitty Aerith was. So I won't criticize Sir John.
But I won't pretentiously say, "After reading this article, I won't use the word gamer anymore" saying either.
When I think about this, it reminds me of my racial issues of being "Asian" or how cool it is to have foreigner skin living in a different country, albeit that going off the road a bit. Still, I see this issue with a lot of Anime fandom with the notion that they "watch anime but like to listen to linkin park, watch arthouse films, and hang out with popular "NORMAL" peeps," which is just as pretentious as saying "I'm an Otaku who does nothing but sit in the dark and watch Anime."
The problem I have with "gamers," not talking about the word but the demographics, is that many of them don't realize the magnanimous potential that video games can offer as a medium. They can ***** and yell loud about how they can't beat a level in COD or MW and use complex finger dexterity or math skill in WOW or SC,while I yell about "hard" boss fights or complex issues in Odin Sphere or Cave Story. Most of these gamers just want short pop culture fun and thrills rather than breaking down the mechanics of what makes a game phenomenal.
So this is neither a appraisal or rebuttal to Yahtzee's article, but I can assure "most people who play video games" that he is worth your time.
PS: For realies, I also don't like the term "gamer," reminds me of my tosser friends I had. Like the "I play video games" mentality verus the "I'm a gamer."
I feel this article was a bit pointless. Who cares what others think? You're afraid being a gamer carries a stereotype? EVERYTHING carries a stereotype.
Yes, I'm a gamer. It means I play videogames. It's a label, but not how I define myself. There are many other labels that apply to me too. None of them define me singularly.
If a person asks me what I am, I'm me. It's that simple.
Yes, I'm a gamer. It means I play videogames. It's a label, but not how I define myself. There are many other labels that apply to me too. None of them define me singularly.
If a person asks me what I am, I'm me. It's that simple.
Here's a thought: FF7 sucks. There, end the shit storm already.
As for the "flame mastah" Sir John the Net Knight:
Christ people this is fucking entertainment! As in things that we engage in to deviate from a doldrums-esque existence. Must we really argue about some stupid collection of pixels on a fucking cd?
Now then, as for the topic, this can go either way. "Gamer" has pretty much equaled the level of high school cliche, and yes it does warrant its stereotypes. All in all though, if you feel you like being labeled then by all means print pawn shop quality tee shirts that only read a witty slogan in black and white lettering on a plain black or white shirt. Hell put the slogan off center and slanted so it gives it an "artsy" look. Splatter ink onto it so it looks like you got into a fight with a malfunctioning printer and lost. Construct neon signs that would eventually become your second night light. (The first being the glow from your HD tv sets or computers, which you seem to never turn off.)
And if you don't, that's fine too. Go out and enjoy the pessimistic world in which we live. Go have sex with nameless hookers, go get drunk at frat parties. Go and work a meaningless job and come home to a few mediocre hours of an interactive game on the television. Rinse and repeat until you are six fucking feet under. All in all who cares what you label yourself.
This world is full of cookie cutter people all wanting to be better than everyone else. Why have an opinion? Because there's always some douche bag out there that will degrade you and tell you up front that you are wrong and they are right.
There, I hope you are happy now!
/rant
As for the "flame mastah" Sir John the Net Knight:
Christ people this is fucking entertainment! As in things that we engage in to deviate from a doldrums-esque existence. Must we really argue about some stupid collection of pixels on a fucking cd?
Now then, as for the topic, this can go either way. "Gamer" has pretty much equaled the level of high school cliche, and yes it does warrant its stereotypes. All in all though, if you feel you like being labeled then by all means print pawn shop quality tee shirts that only read a witty slogan in black and white lettering on a plain black or white shirt. Hell put the slogan off center and slanted so it gives it an "artsy" look. Splatter ink onto it so it looks like you got into a fight with a malfunctioning printer and lost. Construct neon signs that would eventually become your second night light. (The first being the glow from your HD tv sets or computers, which you seem to never turn off.)
And if you don't, that's fine too. Go out and enjoy the pessimistic world in which we live. Go have sex with nameless hookers, go get drunk at frat parties. Go and work a meaningless job and come home to a few mediocre hours of an interactive game on the television. Rinse and repeat until you are six fucking feet under. All in all who cares what you label yourself.
This world is full of cookie cutter people all wanting to be better than everyone else. Why have an opinion? Because there's always some douche bag out there that will degrade you and tell you up front that you are wrong and they are right.
There, I hope you are happy now!
/rant
I might be one of a million people to say this but while I agree with some of the negative connotations of gamer, I don't think we are to the point as a society were we can eliminate it. Until gamers are not in the minority, we need a term to refer to our still rather unusual hobby. Not even the power of Yahtzee's snarky wit and spiffy hat can make a term cease to exist before its time. Good luck trying though.
The reason it's a flaw as far as the other poster is concerned is that they don't make Aeris a character you feel you can associate with or like, with any kind of depth, but you spend the entire game hearing from the other characters how great she is.Sir John the Net Knight said:
Then she dies, and this is the number one most common videogame moment that people use to "prove" videogames are art, or can have an emotional impact.
Search for any "what videogames have made you cry?" thread anywhere and FFVII comes up in the opening post nine times out of ten.
As someone who hasn't played FFVII and has no intention of doing so, I'm frankly a bit tired of hearing about it.
Frankly I think Final Fantasy games and the characters within are all pretty worthless.
Hey, have fun, man. Glad to hear the bar is doing well, and that there's the potential for more venues. If it gets to the point of international expansion, or franchising, whatever the case may be, I would say that there should be some target cities that could do really well. Cities where multiple gaming companies like to reside, like the Durham NC circuit, or Austin Texas, where the bars might have a chance to chat up members of the companies for some interesting opportunities/giveaways/swag deals, things like that.
The only way the term gamer will disappear is when it is normal for you to start a conversation with someone by saying something like, "Oh did you play that new game that just came out?" The same way you would talk about a movie or sports. Don't get me wrong, this is happening already, but I would give it a few more years.
So what are we supposed to call ourselves? Normal people? Not that it wouldnt be great if everyone in the world loved video games but there are so many people who just don't give half a damn about them. And all you describe are the fat ass smelly people who lock themselves away in their mother's basement to play wow or something, perhaps you are forgetting about the absolute fags you can meet on xbox live who seem to have only recently discovered swearing and are determined to make proficient use of it. This stereotype hits home much harder for me because I'm not an MMORPG fan and even though I don't like being grouped with them, that's just what society does. It's not for us to decide what people call us, it's just the way it is.
I'm a gamer. I've had to deal with much stronger social stigmas in my life, so it's no big deal to me. But hey, I don't want to be normal.
More accurately, I don't want to conform for the sake of conformity.
I'm not an anime lover, I don't fetishise Japan. Nothing about me screams "gamer." "Artist," perhaps, but we're allowed eccentricity. I can socialise, deal with people on a professional level, and hold down a standard job. And if I get a weird look when I get called a gamer, get told I don't look like one of "those people," so be it.
I'm not "proud" to be a gamer, any more than I'm proud to be on the internet or a mobile phone user. But I'm not going to be ashamed of the activity, or scared enough to try and redefine the terms to escape the prejudices.
More accurately, I don't want to conform for the sake of conformity.
I'm not an anime lover, I don't fetishise Japan. Nothing about me screams "gamer." "Artist," perhaps, but we're allowed eccentricity. I can socialise, deal with people on a professional level, and hold down a standard job. And if I get a weird look when I get called a gamer, get told I don't look like one of "those people," so be it.
I'm not "proud" to be a gamer, any more than I'm proud to be on the internet or a mobile phone user. But I'm not going to be ashamed of the activity, or scared enough to try and redefine the terms to escape the prejudices.