First of all, good choice on combining a love of video games with an education. I'm doing the same, and it's always nice to see someone appreciate intelligence as both a noble endeavor and a useful rpg stat for mages....
EDIT: I am a 22 year old male
1. Do you consider yourself a member of the gamer subculture?
Yes.
2. How many hours of videogames do you play a week?
Generally, at least 15. It's hard to come up with a decent average, because when I'm drawn into a game, I play it both more frequently and for a longer extent of time than a game that I would consider mediocre. And since I enjoy many types of games, it's not uncommon to have weeks where I play 45 or more hours.
3. Do you tend to play videogames by yourself or with friends?
I do participate in some online games, but for the most part, I play alone. However, it should be noted that many of the features that I find appealing about video games in general (ie: An engaging plot, character development, and an immersive environment) work best in single-player games. It's important to make this distinction, because from my experience, both the gaming industry itself and the general public that doesn't consider itself "gamers" tend to label single-player gamers as the stereotypical antisocial basement dweller.
4. How many of your friends play videogames?
All of them, in some form or fashion.
5. Do you play online? How many hours online do you play?
First of all, the question is slightly vague for one reason only: Ad Hoc Networks. I own a portable gaming console that allows me to directly connect to a different system via WIFI. Strictly speaking, since the devices are not transmitting data to an access point, this is not an "online" mode of play, but it is non-local, which is what I interpret the question to be getting at. For me, most non-local play comes from the times that I do want to play a multiplayer game. On average, I'd say I spend close to 5 hours a week.
6. How many hours a week do you spending watching videos/reading about videogames?
~4 hours
7. What kinds of videogames do you play?
I have a special place in the cavity where my heart used to be for Turn-Based Strategy games (ie: Final Fantasy VII, Fire Emblem: Awakening). I also enjoy the puzzle, action/adventure, and stealth games as well. To a lesser extent, shooters make this list, but in recent past, fewer and fewer shooters manage to hold my attention.
8. When did you start playing videogames and why?
When I was 8 years old, I was living in Germany, when my Father was reassigned to a location in the United States. As a reward for my diligence in my studies, they bought me a Nintendo Gameboy, along with the titles "Mega Man: Dr. Wiley's Revenge" and "The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening", in hopes that games would also keep me entertained on the international flight. Needless to say, video games have managed to hold my attention significantly longer.
9. How do your parents feel about videogames?
Until I was 13, I was not allowed to own a video gaming console other than the Gameboy, and when they finally did grant me permission to own one, I had to save up money for close to 5 months to be able to afford a Sony PlayStation. My parents were under the impression that video games would rot my brain for most of my childhood. Since then, they have changed their mind, due to the fact that I am working toward a degree with the ultimate goal of owning my own game development company.
10. If you have free time and aren't playing videogames what else do you do?
I am an avid computer programmer, and I do intend on using my programming knowledge to create video games. Currently though, my main project is a computer program capable of passing "The Turing Test". Projects like this, as well as general research in computer science topics in general, tend to take up most of my non-gaming free time.
11. How emotionally involved do you while playing videogames?(online play, amazing story, etc.)
Yeah, I cried when Aerith died. I get emotionally involved when playing a particularly engaging game. On the reverse side of this, I also can get exasperated or even angry with a game. Best example I can think of is Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, where the sluggish controls, atrocious network code and absolutely worthless plot made me angry at myself for purchasing the game.
12. What grades do you get in school/college? (If Applicable)
I'm above average in my grades.
13. Do you have a job? How many hours a week do you work?
I am currently employed part time, in conjunction with my school studies. I work an average of 30 hours a week.
14. Has playing videogames ever negatively affected school/work performance?
No. While it's true that I've played many video games instead of completing assignments in a timely manner, but the point is not that video games kept me from school; boredom with the curriculum kept me away from my studies, and instead, video games were the most fun and convenient way to enrich myself.
15. Have you ever skipped work/school to play videogames? How often?
I have, but not very often. Maybe once or twice a year, The last time I skipped school to play a videogame was the release day of Skyrim.
16. Why do you play videogames?
Because of the almost uncanny ability to pull a gamer into a fantastic world, far beyond their own, if only for a little while. To quote a colleague of mine, "Video games are a wonderful reminder that this world is not a prison".
17. Do you think violent videogames affects aggression and violence in its players?
Yes, but not necessarily in a negative way. To put this into perspective: I've had days that I consider horrible, and I come home feeling enraged at the world. A few button presses and mouse clicks later, and my masked, nearly-naked avatar is running around in Saint's Row: The Third beating pedestrians to death with a giant purple sex toy. And nothing says, "Stick it to the man" like performing a move called the "Testicle Assault" on any unsuspecting DIGITAL rendition of a police officer of a FICTIONAL town. Afterwards, I feel calmer, and in no way do I feel the need to recreate the neurotic actions of my video game persona in real life. It is all a matter of self-control. And if someone is not capable of determining what is appropriate in the real world as opposed to a digital world, I would say that person is not capable of acting as a positive member of society, much less appreciating the game how it was meant to be appreciated.
18. When do videogames go from being a passionate hobby to an unhealthy obsession?
When they interfere with your growth intellectually, socially, or even (arguably) spiritually.
19. Do you ever see yourself not playing videogames?
No. But I'm also thinking about the bigger picture: I see what video games are, and what they can become, and I hope to reconcile the two into something greater. The media is ripe for some innovation and expansion, and I think the next generation of developers are realizing it.
20. What other gaming merchandise do you own? (t-shirts, figurines, posters, etc.)
I own several posters, shirts, and a strategy guide or two.
EDIT: I am a 22 year old male
1. Do you consider yourself a member of the gamer subculture?
Yes.
2. How many hours of videogames do you play a week?
Generally, at least 15. It's hard to come up with a decent average, because when I'm drawn into a game, I play it both more frequently and for a longer extent of time than a game that I would consider mediocre. And since I enjoy many types of games, it's not uncommon to have weeks where I play 45 or more hours.
3. Do you tend to play videogames by yourself or with friends?
I do participate in some online games, but for the most part, I play alone. However, it should be noted that many of the features that I find appealing about video games in general (ie: An engaging plot, character development, and an immersive environment) work best in single-player games. It's important to make this distinction, because from my experience, both the gaming industry itself and the general public that doesn't consider itself "gamers" tend to label single-player gamers as the stereotypical antisocial basement dweller.
4. How many of your friends play videogames?
All of them, in some form or fashion.
5. Do you play online? How many hours online do you play?
First of all, the question is slightly vague for one reason only: Ad Hoc Networks. I own a portable gaming console that allows me to directly connect to a different system via WIFI. Strictly speaking, since the devices are not transmitting data to an access point, this is not an "online" mode of play, but it is non-local, which is what I interpret the question to be getting at. For me, most non-local play comes from the times that I do want to play a multiplayer game. On average, I'd say I spend close to 5 hours a week.
6. How many hours a week do you spending watching videos/reading about videogames?
~4 hours
7. What kinds of videogames do you play?
I have a special place in the cavity where my heart used to be for Turn-Based Strategy games (ie: Final Fantasy VII, Fire Emblem: Awakening). I also enjoy the puzzle, action/adventure, and stealth games as well. To a lesser extent, shooters make this list, but in recent past, fewer and fewer shooters manage to hold my attention.
8. When did you start playing videogames and why?
When I was 8 years old, I was living in Germany, when my Father was reassigned to a location in the United States. As a reward for my diligence in my studies, they bought me a Nintendo Gameboy, along with the titles "Mega Man: Dr. Wiley's Revenge" and "The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening", in hopes that games would also keep me entertained on the international flight. Needless to say, video games have managed to hold my attention significantly longer.
9. How do your parents feel about videogames?
Until I was 13, I was not allowed to own a video gaming console other than the Gameboy, and when they finally did grant me permission to own one, I had to save up money for close to 5 months to be able to afford a Sony PlayStation. My parents were under the impression that video games would rot my brain for most of my childhood. Since then, they have changed their mind, due to the fact that I am working toward a degree with the ultimate goal of owning my own game development company.
10. If you have free time and aren't playing videogames what else do you do?
I am an avid computer programmer, and I do intend on using my programming knowledge to create video games. Currently though, my main project is a computer program capable of passing "The Turing Test". Projects like this, as well as general research in computer science topics in general, tend to take up most of my non-gaming free time.
11. How emotionally involved do you while playing videogames?(online play, amazing story, etc.)
Yeah, I cried when Aerith died. I get emotionally involved when playing a particularly engaging game. On the reverse side of this, I also can get exasperated or even angry with a game. Best example I can think of is Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, where the sluggish controls, atrocious network code and absolutely worthless plot made me angry at myself for purchasing the game.
12. What grades do you get in school/college? (If Applicable)
I'm above average in my grades.
13. Do you have a job? How many hours a week do you work?
I am currently employed part time, in conjunction with my school studies. I work an average of 30 hours a week.
14. Has playing videogames ever negatively affected school/work performance?
No. While it's true that I've played many video games instead of completing assignments in a timely manner, but the point is not that video games kept me from school; boredom with the curriculum kept me away from my studies, and instead, video games were the most fun and convenient way to enrich myself.
15. Have you ever skipped work/school to play videogames? How often?
I have, but not very often. Maybe once or twice a year, The last time I skipped school to play a videogame was the release day of Skyrim.
16. Why do you play videogames?
Because of the almost uncanny ability to pull a gamer into a fantastic world, far beyond their own, if only for a little while. To quote a colleague of mine, "Video games are a wonderful reminder that this world is not a prison".
17. Do you think violent videogames affects aggression and violence in its players?
Yes, but not necessarily in a negative way. To put this into perspective: I've had days that I consider horrible, and I come home feeling enraged at the world. A few button presses and mouse clicks later, and my masked, nearly-naked avatar is running around in Saint's Row: The Third beating pedestrians to death with a giant purple sex toy. And nothing says, "Stick it to the man" like performing a move called the "Testicle Assault" on any unsuspecting DIGITAL rendition of a police officer of a FICTIONAL town. Afterwards, I feel calmer, and in no way do I feel the need to recreate the neurotic actions of my video game persona in real life. It is all a matter of self-control. And if someone is not capable of determining what is appropriate in the real world as opposed to a digital world, I would say that person is not capable of acting as a positive member of society, much less appreciating the game how it was meant to be appreciated.
18. When do videogames go from being a passionate hobby to an unhealthy obsession?
When they interfere with your growth intellectually, socially, or even (arguably) spiritually.
19. Do you ever see yourself not playing videogames?
No. But I'm also thinking about the bigger picture: I see what video games are, and what they can become, and I hope to reconcile the two into something greater. The media is ripe for some innovation and expansion, and I think the next generation of developers are realizing it.
20. What other gaming merchandise do you own? (t-shirts, figurines, posters, etc.)
I own several posters, shirts, and a strategy guide or two.
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