Don't Use the Word "Gamer"

[Wayward Sean]

To every single person who is saying that gaming is not accepted like reading and movie-watching, I extend this token of knowledge to your egocentricity. There are 6.7 billion people on earth, about 1.5 billion of which live in a first world country. The numbers of current systems owners is about 73.9 million for Wii, 41.7 million for X-Box, 38.1 million for PS3, 133.1 million for DS, and 59.5 million for the PSP. That is 346.3 million systems sold. Most systems are purchased in first world countries. Some people may own multiple systems, but some people may own none and rely on older systems (Gamecube, N64, PS2, etc.) so we won't take either into account. That means about 23% of people in first world countries own a gaming system. Now take into account that married people and children live in the same households, so the percentage of households with a system can be assumed to be much higher. That means that well over 1 out of every 5 people in first world countries owns a system. And well over 1 out of every 4 households has a system. YOU ARE NOT SPECIAL. VIDEOGAMES ARE ACCEPTED IN SOCIETY.

And to those who say that "gamers" should be a label for people who play more games than casual gamers, I would assume you mean you play shooters like Halo 3 and Modern Warfare 2, which are two of the highest selling games in recent history. Once again, you say you are an elitist, yet you play the most common games around.

Just food for thought.

 

[aschoenroth]

I just wanted to point out at the end of the rant, Yahtzee was described as a gamer, and writes for PC gamer magazine

 

[Atmos Duality]

I'm a gamer.

Ooooh snap!

But I'm also...
...A college student.
...A technical engineer (or "Computer *****" if we must go the snide route)
...An educational volunteer.
...An overly opinionated asshole (so, I guess that makes me a philosopher too, OH SNAP x2!).
...An older brother.
...A handyman.
...A budding bad movie critic.

And so on.
Am I proud of this? No, not really, but it's because I don't need to be proud of it.
I'm the sum of my actions and reactions to life. I make my own choices, and set my own goals, and that's more than enough for me. Sure, I don't think anyone wants to be shoehorned into a stereotype, but it's not like you can stop people from doing that.
People are assholes, period.

 

[Lyri]

You know I really wasn't so much intending to troll as to simply express my exacerbation with Yahtzee's idiotic opinions. But, I can't say that label hasn't been attached to be in the past when it wasn't my intention to do so.

You're so sick of the Zp fans, you continually post responses to them?
I dislike Zp but I find myself reading his articles, it's a shame because this one was actually quite good.
There is no discussion on it now because one person has taken it upon themselves to respond like a douchebag to a minor comment on the whole.

Perhaps you should step away from the computer and go outside, take a walk do something else if "Aeris is a flaky bint" grinds your gears so much.
Not every one agrees with you about her being interesting, hell I certainly don't. Neither will I justify it to you because of the way you flipped off the handle like a spastic pelican.

This was pretty much the stereotypical rant of the fanboy, Good job.

OT: I hate the word, "Gamer" and I always have. I don't see people that play video games as such because it sounds more like a job description than a hobby.
People who play football aren't "Footballers", even if they play it every night with their friends in the park.
It's a hobby and something they enjoy, had they done it on a professional level then yes they would be footballers.

We've given ourselves a title which has only been associated with introverts and social pariahs, yet we feel comfortable with it.
Granted the modern era has reduced the flak from others somewhat, now game reach out to a wider variety of people and in some ways it's a good thing.
However even with that happening, those that identify themselves as gamers are still looked down upon because they don't disengage from that particular hobby, like the rest of the people.

I find "Girl gamers" to be a mixed bag, some of them can be ok and some of them can really play on their femininity and "make it work" for them.
Granted the guy will do anything just to hang out with a girl gamer and that's part of the problem. Not only do we place them on a pedestal, but eventually we kick it out from underneath them and they probably get a little furious because we don't treat them like we used too.

The girl gamer thing is mostly our fault, we don't treat them like equals off the bat and some of them come to expect things.
Some girls just want to play the game like anyone else, that's cool yet the others that don't and want to exploit their natural features ruin it for those that do.
That's why "Girl Gamers" get way more attention than others, even if they don't want it.

 

[veloper]

His worst article yet.

There ARE movie buffs and they are more into movies than people who merely watch movies.
A book worm is someone who is more into reading than the average person who reads the occasional book.
A race driver is not someone who brings his cabriolet to the race track on a weekend.

Gamer: plays more than the odd casual title on a rainy day.
Must be identified as such, because gamer won't play casual games.

Stereotypes are unfair, but they exist for a reason. Have you ever been to Gen Con? About two-thirds of the people there are perfectly normal, likable people who happen to play games. And the other third are morbidly obese, with poor hygiene, stained T-shirts, and no social skills. Seriously, I'm not exaggerating. About a third.

Now, I don't think gaming makes you into a social dropout. But it requires little social interaction, no physical activity, no sunshine, and usually has little educational or artistic value. So it definitely attracts social dropouts. The worst members of any group tend to define the stereotype. The reason gaming is stigmatized, and not reading, movies, or racing, is the fault of a specific group of people and the media's portrayal of them.

Yes, our hobby doesn't exclude many people. I've always thought of this as a good thing.
It's not their fault. Fat, ugly, poor people are welcome as gamers.

It's not their physical appearance that gets to me. It's the giant floating neon sign that says, "I have no dignity. I care about other people only until it gets me what I want. When I die, my life will have had no impact on the world."

If they didn't have games, they would still be like that. Don't let it get to you.

I call myself a gamer. I do not announce it to the world, but I do stay in touch with the gaming scene. At the very least, like-minded gamers should be visible to the gaming industry.

 

[Indignation837]

Quite interesting... you're probably right, if games are going to be more mainstream, the people who play them need to make an effort to be more mainstream as well. I'll make a point of not using that term in the future. Anyway, have a great vacation Yahtzee! If you haven't earned it, I dunno who has!

 

[Yeslek Ssomllur]

Does anyone else realize how pathetic it is to defend a fictional character? I cant believe I even bothered resonding...

You mean like God?

And before you accuse me of the following. No, I do not own a body pillow or any other perverted anime crap.

Yes you do.

Complaining about the label gamer, while bringing up legitimate points, reminds me just a little too much of GLBTTQAI Pride meetings at college. People want so desperately to avoid categorization alongside people they don't like, I know fifty different made up terms for being what is by definition "bisexual." I know people (intelligent, clever people) who date both sexes and call themselves something silly to stay out of the ranks of hysterical, slutty 15-year-olds who sleep with everyone to prove how much they fit in with all the other bisexuals. Being called something doesn't EVER turn you into the worst example of what you're being called. If you're worried about other people misunderstanding, perhaps you're too worried about what other people think!

I think one of the main problems here is thinking you have to choose ONE label to fall under. I write frequently, therefore I am a "writer." Simple as that. It doesn't mean I am poor and alcoholic.
I play video games, therefore I am a gamer.
I play guitar, therefore I am a guitar player.
I have sex with dead bodies, therefore I am a necrophiliac.

 

[Viking Incognito]

GOD DAMN IT!!!! (composes self) Excuse me, My reason for that outburst is that I was looking forward to him releasing a ZP on my birthday (tomorrow) but he is going on vacation.

 

[The_ModeRazor]

Makes sense. Too bad I wouldn't exactly call Yahtzee 'normal'. Judging from his articles and videos of course, I guess he's just some guy doing stuff for fun. And money.
Question mark?

 

[IckleMissMayhem]

But when you call Aerith Gainsborough a "flaky bint", you have stepped over the proverbial line.

Because really, she's an idiotic halfwit who fully got what she deserved... bint.

OT: Me, I reserve the term 'gamer' for someone who's a lot better at most games than I am. Gaming is something I do to relax, or when I can't do other stuff, like playing instruments, singing, sailing, canoeing/kayaking, or climbing. Yet I label myself as a sailor, and as a paddler. (not a canoeist/kayaker or a musician.) Go figure. I don't see the need to shove the fact I'm female down people's throats, when I'm gaming, or doing any of my other activities, and I don't expect any special treatment or comments (either negative or positive) because of my gender and my chosen interests.

 

[KEM10]

YOU ARE NOT SPECIAL. VIDEOGAMES ARE ACCEPTED IN SOCIETY.

You sir, are my new hero. I shall now make a macaroni replica of your avatar and put it next to my linguine Abraham Lincoln.

Seriously though, what turns people off from the "gamer" is an elitist point of view. I am a huge music buff, but if I was in work talking about how everyone's tastes are wrong if they are different I would also be ostracized. I have seen quite a few shows of anti-casual games in this thread, and that mind set is also what gives gamers a bad name. One of my most enjoyable playing experiences was Elite Beat Agents on the DS. It was fun, challenging, and had a well rounded soundtrack of ear worms that made you want to play more. But, it was a "casual" game. Am I less of a person (who plays games) because I enjoyed it?

 

[Racecar1994]

Look if you it'll make you all happy, and make my life less full of insults, I'll give you my opinion.

Spoiler: I opine within'. FFVII spoilers inside.

I like Aerith because she's a the polar opposite of everyone else in that game. Altruistic because she wants to be, not for ulterior motives. A bright and bluntly honest person in a dingy world full of people who constantly blur the truth for their own selfish reasons. Whether to themselves or others. She's extremely central to the plot, even after the point where she's murdered. And she defies being classified into one of the three stereotypes of female gaming characters. A. Bad-ass action girl. (Lara Croft, Bayonetta, Rubi) B. Damsel in Distress (Peach, Yorda, Rosa) or C. Nerdy Sidekick. (Alyx Vance, Lucca, Roll Casket) I'm aware that she has a Peach moment, but it's done with good intention and she still shows strength during that moment and in the following portions of that act. And I just like her personality, she's a strong person without having to be needlessly macho. Which isn't something that makes sense a lot of the time with gaming females.

Satisfied?

You know I went ahead and gave my opinion when you all asked me too. You could at least acknowledge that I have done so.

Mr. Knight (calling you that for convenience), when I read your first post here, I couldn't stop myself from thinking 'well, here comes the flame war! let's see how this ends for you' and after being an impartial judge on this rather pointless argument, I am more inclined to take your side, regardless of my personal tastes differing from yours.

Here's the thing, however; It is undoubtedly clear that you've read the article, yet posted a comment that is basically like 'taking the bait'. This is fine on a general note, but this is a thread where the inhabitants are Yahtzee fans (myself included) so I fail to see what you tried to accomplish besides proving to yourself that yahtzee fans hate you and Aeris is 'brilliant'. The people who respond to you will probably not be JRPG fans, and will rise up to your challenge and grieve you.

But to the people who have been arguing with her, I would like to just ask one thing: do you care? At the end of the day, this is not going to affect your lives beyond this thread, and Yahtzee is not going to care what one person with differing views has to say: he's made his point clear, and he's off on vacation now. A flame war like this continues because people feel like they have a personal stake in it. I'd just like to say that in the long run, there isn't. Just let this go.

On the topic of the thread; yes, I can understand why the title 'gamer' could be considered derogatory, but the reason people link it to a negative image (besides the media milking it constantly for cheap jokes) could possibly be because it's an acquired 'taste'. My sister once said that she didn't like the idea of games because there is no real consequence for death (Yes, I did tell her that the alternative would be rubbish), but if you're a person who can get over that (to a point, mind) then that won't bother you. A person might not like books because they can't immerse themselves in them. A person might not like movies because they leave very little to the imagination. We could probably give examples that, at least for us, would defend our interests, but at the end of the day; It's just what works for people.

Yeah, I'd say your opnion on Aeris is solid, Mr. Knight, but of course not bulletproof.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

I always thought "gamer" was a silly title anyway. "Elite Fantasy Realist" or something would be far better.

 

[musim]

This is really an odd post. I always look to Extra Punctuation for something closer to what is actually Yahtzee's real opinions on things but this really just feels like a half baked thought. Granted coming up with multiple thought provoking paragraphs or shock-jock rants on the gaming world each week must be difficult after a time.

Honestly the very notion of trying to change someone else's definition of something is ludicrous to me. Especially on an industry that probably 1/8 of the world's population participates in. Kind of like how the words nerd and dork mean you must be smart or follow videogames and comics instead of loser and penis respectively.

And really getting gamers to stop using the work "gamer" to describe themselves is like trying to get black people to stop using the n-word. Society loves self flagellation and I really don't see that changing ever.

Identifying yourself as one thing never negates the possibility of other things. And really unless you're in the process of curing cancer I doubt identifying yourself as anything is worth bragging about. Personally I am a gamer, a musician, and an engineer minus the degree among many other things. And let me tell you, absolutely none of these things are beneficial to anyone and I really don't care. The term "gamer" is fine by me although if you're looking for bragging rights you'd better have something better than that.

 

[DTWolfwood]

"I am Gamer HEAR ME WHINE!" yeh need to get that on a T-Shirt XD

and WTF you mean there will be no ZP next week!!! D:<

Plus its always funny when you watch a stereotype at work.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Have you ever been to Gen Con? About two-thirds of the people there are perfectly normal, likable people who happen to play games. And the other third are morbidly obese, with poor hygiene, stained T-shirts, and no social skills. Seriously, I'm not exaggerating. About a third.

This better be Gen Con US, because Gen Con UK doesn't have a third of people like that. In fact, I can only think of one or two.

 

[pretentiousname01]

Look if you it'll make you all happy, and make my life less full of insults, I'll give you my opinion.

I like Aerith because she's a the polar opposite of everyone else in that game. Altruistic because she wants to be, not for ulterior motives. A bright and bluntly honest person in a dingy world full of people who constantly blur the truth for their own selfish reasons. Whether to themselves or others. She's extremely central to the plot, even after the point where she's murdered. And she defies being classified into one of the three stereotypes of female gaming characters. A. Bad-ass action girl. (Lara Croft, Bayonetta, Rubi) B. Damsel in Distress (Peach, Yorda, Rosa) or C. Nerdy Sidekick. (Alyx Vance, Lucca, Roll Casket) I'm aware that she has a Peach moment, but it's done with good intention and she still shows strength during that moment and in the following portions of that act. And I just like her personality, she's a strong person without having to be needlessly macho. Which isn't something that makes sense a lot of the time with gaming females.

Satisfied?

fixed it for you. I'm fairly certain that there is a statute of limitations on spoilers.

In fact, I may also claim that your use of spoiler tags as a fanboyism.

We all know fanboyism invalidates arguments.

 

[mechanixis]

I want that T-shirt.

 

[DarkRyter]

I never called myself a gamer. I call myself Batman. That's a different issue, though.

 

[Dr_Pie]

When I played FF7, she was called Ted