Editor's Note: Why I Still Call Myself a Gamer

[2xDouble]

Labels like "gamer" feel good, like a rallying cry, a way to feel special and instantly accepted... but really they're just exclusionary; a big makeshift clubhouse with "members only" scribbled on the door. For example, If you are a "gamer", then there must be something that is not a "gamer" to differentiate yourself. Those who don't identify with you or disagree with you in some way then get left out or left behind because they aren't what you are; they aren't you. And why should they be? Nobody should be you but you.

So I implore you, friends, enemies, lurkers, random passers-by, cast off these useless groupings and labels and simply be. I don't stand for gamers. I don't stand for Zoe or GamerGate or Gannondorf or Standing or any one else... I stand alone.

I stand for me, myself, my thoughts and beliefs (...and occasionally the square root of -1, but that's hardly relevant). When you talk to me, you are addressing me and me alone. When I speak, I speak for myself, to you. I stand alone.

And to those who would stand with me: You're welcome to join me, but do not stand with me. Stand beside me as yourself. I stand for me, you stand for you, and together we stand; we stand alone.

#Istandalone

 

[deshorty]

I feel like saying this again is a bit redundant, but *clapclapclap*. Good show Tito old boy!

 

[RedDeadFred]

Good article, makes me glad I joined this forum.

Given the amount of insanity that has been going on, I wonder if you were given the "official" welcome. Allow me to extend it to you if you have not yet received it.

Welcome to the Escapist. Enjoy your time here and stay out of the basement.

OT: That was an excellent article Greg. Before, to me, you were just the guy who ran this place. After this, and what you said in the gigantic thread of horrors, I have much greater respect for you. Well done!

 

[Kameburger]

I don't want this to sound as awkward as it will, but I needed to hear this from you (Greg Tito) specifically. I love the Escapist for some reason even sometimes despite disagree with a lot of the criticism and the tendency to get carried away with a single issue, I have still come back here consistently as my home base for Gaming news and entertainment news in general.

Lately in the wake of all of this, I've been reflecting a lot on what it means to be a gamer, and what being a gamer means to me. Does being a gamer and caring about games implicate me in many of the terrible things that get carried out by others? Does having a disagreement with someone like Anita Sarkeesian make me a sexist? Can I question the journalistic ethical standards of game journalism without being lumped in with those that attack and threaten others? Those are important questions for me. Not just as a gamer but as someone who dedicates his life and work to making sure this hobby can be enjoyed by others. It helps to know that the escapist didn't just throw out the baby with the bath water and denounce gamers as a whole population.

I think in my heart I knew the answers to these questions, but I need to know that we can be capable of discussion and capable of disagreeing and that the escapist is an environment where health debate is encouraged.

So for taking the time to clarify this and to have this discussion despite all the bullshit that has happened as a result of this, I extend my thanks to you.

Thank you to the staff at the Escapist for trying to rise above the pettiness we've seen and maintain a higher standard. .

I sincerely appreciate it.

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

Thank you for this piece sir. I cannot agree more with your reasons for refusing to shove aside the title of gamer.

I am a gamer and I know we can be better, that we will be better.

Thank Jim for Greg!

 

[Scorpid]

Thats exactly what I tell people on league of legends when they start raging at people (Not even me). I keep saying "Be nice" and usually they'll say "Fuck you/suck it" then I spend the entire game asking them apologize and be nice. Sometimes they actually do but every other time they block me because they can't stand someone telling them to be nice.
I know (because i've fallen for it before) that if you respond to anger with anger they'll talk to you forever because you are feeding the rage/trolling they came to do but telling them to be nice and apologize over and over again melts them and all their bullshit defenses. It tells them that its not okay to act the way they are by you acting how they should.

 

[Dreiko_v1legacy]

Labels like "gamer" feel good, like a rallying cry, a way to feel special and instantly accepted... but really they're just exclusionary; a big makeshift clubhouse with "members only" scribbled on the door. For example, If you are a "gamer", then there must be something that is not a "gamer" to differentiate yourself. Those who don't identify with you or disagree with you in some way then get left out or left behind because they aren't what you are; they aren't you. And why should they be? Nobody should be you but you.

So I implore you, friends, enemies, lurkers, random passers-by, cast off these useless groupings and labels and simply be. I don't stand for gamers. I don't stand for Zoe or GamerGate or Gannondorf or Standing or any one else... I stand alone.

I stand for me, myself, my thoughts and beliefs (...and occasionally the square root of -1, but that's hardly relevant). When you talk to me, you are addressing me and me alone. When I speak, I speak for myself, to you. I stand alone.

And to those who would stand with me: You're welcome to join me, but do not stand with me. Stand beside me as yourself. I stand for me, you stand for you, and together we stand; we stand alone.

#Istandalone

Everyone is something that someone isn't. Everyone is into something that most of us aren't. I'd be sad to hear someone doesn't have anything he's invested in on an "enthusiast level" like we are with games. It's not a bad thing to have people be "super into stuff". It's not a move aimed at excluding people, it's a move aimed at bringing together people who share interests. If some people are left out, they can become gamers themselves and join up if they so wish. That'd be awesome, in fact. There's no "do not enter" sign. There's just a door and some people inherently don't want to enter. Nobody who has the devotion to games equal to that of a gamer would be excluded and people who don't care about games much don't care about it anyhow.

 

[bfranciscop]

Bravo. After so much bile and idiocy being thrown around by gamers and journalists alike, it's good to find a beacon of reason and sanity in the Escapist.

 

[Villain Protagonist]

That was an excellent editorial Mr Tito, fair and well written. I doff my hat to you sir! Also kudos to you, Mr Macris and any one else who helped to put togother the ethical guidelines. They are clear, concise and above all allow for the kind of transparency that is at the heart of the gamergate issue. These are the kinds of rules that allow for trust in the site. Thank you for taking our concerns seriously and for maintaining a great site that I for one really enjoy visiting.

 

[tyriless]

And yet there is a lively discussion thread on how "feminists" need to "step off" the hobby of gaming.

Freedom of speech is something the US government is Constitutionly bound to afford the media and individuals. It is not a thing that media or individuals are bound to afford each other.

There is no reason that the Escapist need to provide safe harbor for the misogynistic, homophobic or transphobic mumurings (undercover of ethics scandals, whataboutism regarding regarding percieved "racism" against whites or men being sexually assaulted sometimes) disussions that spill out of 4chan or neogaf or /r/gaming. The fact that Escapist comments policy allows such comments as long as they are couched in "civilised" language is a disgrace.

Moderate. Please. Towards positivity and inclusivity.

I don't need to see another thread on how Anita Saarkessian is "ruining the games industry". She's not. She doesn't have the power to even if she wanted to. Which she doesn't. Unless you think pointing out potentially problematic gaming cliches and asking for slightly more inclusivity is "ruining the games industry". And if you think that, you are an asshole and should be shown the door.

This. So much this. I can believe that some of folks that make these comments are just inexperienced and have misguided opinions. I had my fair share of them in my day. I often hope that given a decent conversation, or more experience, they'll come around. However, then there is some folks with some deep seeded beliefs that come from very terrible places. Places of resentment, paranoia, and pain, and they want to howl here in the forums so others can join in and they don't feel so alone. These gamers can't be talked to. These forums are not a place for them to be engaged, and really, they shouldn't be outside of a face to face with a human being who they will have to at lest hear, if not listen to. Why a debate can be considered productive between anyone that thinks Fake Geek Girls are an actual issue, Anita Sarkeesian faked those death threats, or women are somehow the inferior half of the species because of genetics, culture, or history is beyond me. In fact, the last two should be grounds for suspension.

 

[Dreiko_v1legacy]

And yet there is a lively discussion thread on how "feminists" need to "step off" the hobby of gaming.

Freedom of speech is something the US government is Constitutionly bound to afford the media and individuals. It is not a thing that media or individuals are bound to afford each other.

There is no reason that the Escapist need to provide safe harbor for the misogynistic, homophobic or transphobic mumurings (undercover of ethics scandals, whataboutism regarding regarding percieved "racism" against whites or men being sexually assaulted sometimes) disussions that spill out of 4chan or neogaf or /r/gaming. The fact that Escapist comments policy allows such comments as long as they are couched in "civilised" language is a disgrace.

Moderate. Please. Towards positivity and inclusivity.

I don't need to see another thread on how Anita Saarkessian is "ruining the games industry". She's not. She doesn't have the power to even if she wanted to. Which she doesn't. Unless you think pointing out potentially problematic gaming cliches and asking for slightly more inclusivity is "ruining the games industry". And if you think that, you are an asshole and should be shown the door.

This. So much this. I can believe that some of folks that make these comments are just inexperienced and have misguided opinions. I had my fair share of them in my day. I often hope that given a decent conversation, or more experience, they'll come around. However, then there is some folks with some deep seeded beliefs that come from very terrible places. Places of resentment, paranoia, and pain, and they want to howl here in the forums so others can join in and they don't feel so alone. These gamers can't be talked to. These forums are not a place for them to be engaged, and really, they shouldn't be outside of a face to face with a human being who they will have to at lest hear, if not listen to. Why a debate can be considered productive between anyone that thinks Fake Geek Girls are an actual issue, Anita Sarkeesian faked those death threats, or women as somehow the inferior half of the species because of genetics, culture, or history is beyond me. In fact, the last two should be grounds for suspension.

Nobody engages in these issues though. We're all just trying to not get grouped as those very very very few crazies who do indeed hold those views that you describe. We're reacting to the vitriol aimed at all of us for what 0.1% (at most) of us think.

Just cause someone makes a thread and there's posts in it it doesn't mean that the posts agree with it. Just cause someone makes a post and people respond to it it doesn't mean everyone agrees with it. Just cause someone who has a legitimate grievance also is a sexist asshole it does not preclude non-sexist nice people from agreeing with the grievance and wishing for it to be gone. Horrible people can be right about things too. Most horrible people are right about most things and just have a couple of really messed up ideologies in there as well. A convicted killer telling you not to kill isn't giving you bad advice that you shouldn't listen to just cause he's a bad person.

Stop being close-minded and seeing everyone as somehow endorsing these abhorrent views when we're not doing that. Stop applying those beliefs to anyone who dares to disagree with you. It is precisely because of people doing that that I myself and many others even got involved in this mess in the first place.

 

[b.w.irenicus]

Great article. Adressing what gamergate should be about (integrity) and at the same time calling out bullies for their dick-behavior.

 

[zerabp]

I disagree with you on one thing. Anita Sarkeesian, there is no place for her in gaming as she does not critique it, she lies and misrepresents it. By the way the statement I just made is provable as her methods and arguments have been critiqued and found wanting by multiple feminists and non-feminists in and outside of gaming. While she should not be harassed or threatened she should be ignored.

 

[Methodia Chicken]

Wonderful article. It's so good to see this type of positivity coming out of the issue. The transparency promised by the ethics policy is also very encouraging.

 

[shadowmagus]

While I am certain we will continue to disagree on a great number of issues Mr. Tito, I am interested in seeing how your ethics policy works going forward. I don't agree in the harassment and the threats, that undermines the movement, but if there is an active and real interest in being transparent and open, then I am interested in seeing where this goes. Make no mistake Mr. Tito, others will be watching.

 

[Billy the Squid]

We'll see, if you put your money where your mouth is and do things correctly, I don't see a problem in the future.

If you continue blindly supporting and promoting the cause of the SJWs, because you think it needs "signal boosting" this will bubble back up again and then we'll know you lied, don't push us and we won't push back. I'll be watching with interest Tito.

 

[Dreiko_v1legacy]

One can enjoy games and be an enthusiast and still reject "gamer" culture. It was a community and culture I long admired, but now no longer understands or connects with.
The culture that has fostered a seemingly deep sense of exclusion that is still evident at conventions for anyone falling outside the intended audience, that is evident in the many comments on less moderate fora than this one and can still be sensed in the reactionary response on sites like the Escapist.

The culture that failed to stop and in many ways supported driving talented and interesting female writers and developers from the industry and that refuses to take criticism seriously. There is a deep undercurrent of privileged thinking running through the marrow of gaming culture, it seems, and this "crisis" have opened my eyes to it.

To say that there are only a few bad eggs in the community is the belie the huge number of disparaging, insulting, bigoted and threatening comments all over the net, not made by some lunatic fringe (unless there really is some kind of conspiracy) but people calling themselves gamers. When you give someone anonymity, they more easily show their true colors, and I am afraid the true color of many who call themselves gamers are unpleasant indeed. But worse is the "boys will be boys" attitude of the general gaming commentariat, that abuse and threats are somehow part of the price you pay for daring to voice your opinion. That attitude is repellant to me, and Mr. Tito's very weak admonishment here is by no means enough. The new ethical guidelines more or less caves to the demands of the "Gamergate crowd", reading mostly as an appeasement article.

I have been reading the Escapist for more than 6 years. That has always been a source of good feelings and pride, I have recommended the site to my friends. It has never before left me feeling uncomfortable, nor to regret those actions.

Until this last week.

There's no conspiracy, these people are simply the very vocal very minor minority which don't comprise more than 0.1% of what "gamers" consist of. All the rest of us are normal people. What's so hard to understand about that?

Even 0.1% is a big quantity of people, if they all post what they think cause they're pathetic sad sops they can easily produce what you're describing.


The crime is that you bunch all 99.9% of us with them. That you throw away something you love or someplace where you can belong just cause a few bad apples are super bad. Sadly, there's assholes in EVERYTHING. This isn't unique to gaming. We're not uniquely lenient to assholes. I'd say we're more progressive than sports or the military or other areas where women and LGBT people have much harsher realities. Please do not liken all of us good folk to the idiots who'd actually harass someone on a game. We're not all xbox live 12-year-olds. We don't all play shooters. We're just normal people who love to be super into game stuff and talk about game stuff without being described as women-hating basement-dweller virgins.

 

[Glen Compton]

Just as playing games is extremely cross segment, discrimination and harassment is as well.
Spiraling off topic for a moment, i remember when news came out about a cheerleader who had photos of licensed big games hunts in Africa. A lot of people who know very little about hunting and conservation were attacking her and sending her threats of rape, violence, and death, the girl was 18 and honestly was not doing anything illegal or immoral.
This subject has nothing to do with video games at all, but illustrates that the issue that are usually discussed in the gamer community as issues with gamer culture are further reaching then that. It is but a single anecdotal case, but there are many more that exist outside of gaming culture.
We need to stop being so self absorbed in think that the issues in game culture, are issues for game culture alone. We will never solve issue with prejudice and harassment by pretending like this is the only place it happens. It needs to be attacked on a larger platform then websites about games. As long as those issues are prevalent in the rest of the world, it will be near impossible to prevent it from seeping in here.
All the same, keep fighting the good fight, but yeah lets not pretend that game culture is special in that regard...