Poll: Game Tattoos

[KittywifaMohawk]

I love tattoos. I've always wanted one, but I can't get one till I'm 18 because my moms a *****.
But gaming tattoos, I'm not really sure on. I mean they can be good ideas, but some of them are just terrible(like the Zelda one you posted, you were right about everything in that).
But the Triforce one, I can see myself getting that one. I, personally, love the Zelda franchise.

So it all depends on how well the tattoo is done and what it's about.

 

[salbarragan]

I've got a Captain America Shield on my arm. Personally, I feel that it represents not America or the Captain America Character but the American Dream. So for me, the image transcends the original medium to a higher concept. Besides, tattoos are about individual beautification. I tell people to just get what they know will love. If getting a comic book or video character makes you happy, how is that different than getting something in Sanskrit or a butterfly?

 

[War Penguin]

Yay! Okami! But as great as the Okami tattoo was, I still think it isn't a good idea to make those game based. It's just a game people. I understand it's becoming an increasingly popular medium, but it's not a good reason to paint yourself in it.

What would you classify as a good inspiration//reason for a tattoo?

The majority of tattoos I encounter on the Northern Beaches in Sydney consist of dudes with tribal pattern on their biceps, chicks with 'tramp-stamps' on their lower back and maybe a couple of sleeves here and there. Also might catch a guy with his wifes//daughters name on his arm? These are hardly what I'd call 'inspired tattoos', it's more like they walked into a tattoo parlour and ordered something off the take-away menu.

I realise that Sydney's North Shore's probably not the best demographic to choose from as I have seen some really cool tatts out there in the world but I'd like to know what your reason is for disapproving of game-inspired body-art.
I feel that games have had just a profound effect on my life as a majority of other media (music, movies etc.).

While I do agree that the guys with those tattoos have no "inspiration" for drawing such things on their body, I believe a tattoo should be a sign that you contribute your body to art. Or the people with names of their "loved ones" to show their love for those people. Or to show that that was a person he/she tried to get in bed with. I do realize that people are inspired by games but a piece of brain always thinks "Is that really necessary?" when I see a game tattoo. To me, you're giving into media, not art.

 

[danosaurus]

I've got a Captain America Shield on my arm. Personally, I feel that it represents not America or the Captain America Character but the American Dream. So for me, the image transcends the original medium to a higher concept. Besides, tattoos are about individual beautification. I tell people to just get what they know will love. If getting a comic book or video character makes you happy, how is that different than getting something in Sanskrit or a butterfly?

This.

Basically how I feel about it too

p.s I know about 3 chicks with a butterfly in almost the exact same position on their hip... not very individual when compared to game tatts imho.

 

[Blow_Pop]

I'm doing the triforce one eventually

 

[la-le-lu-li-lo]

Some good ideas there, Can't go wrong with Ammy
Who says you need a quote to go along with the sword? Pictures paint a thousand words!

Song lyrics can be excellent if done tastefully. I think a majority of the winning factor lies in your font choice so be ULTRA picky, yeah?

i don't know, i like word tattoos, so the quote is a must-have!!

and yes, i'm always crazy picky about fonts. luckily i found an artist who's down with different fonts. a lot of them will insist on writing it how they want.

 

[Blow_Pop]

Also a bit of a "guide" (and or funny take) for those thinking of tattoo as how the general public sees them:

now the question....the buying me a drink will totally work zone, if i have a tat there but not just there over the rest of my back as well different tats, does that still classify that as that zone?

 

[m_jim]

I very strenously recommend that you at least read Atlas Shrugged first.

I actually picked up a copy a few days ago, and am planning to start reading it (hopefully) within the next few days.

I'll second that notion. Ayn Rand's philosophy is self-centered to the extreme. She advocated doing whatever you felt was good for you, no matter the cost to other people. That's pretty much the exact opposite of Bioshock's message.

 

[Hazy]

I very strenously recommend that you at least read Atlas Shrugged first.

I actually picked up a copy a few days ago, and am planning to start reading it (hopefully) within the next few days.

I'll second that notion. Ayn Rand's philosophy is self-centered to the extreme. She advocated doing whatever you felt was good for you, no matter the cost to other people. That's pretty much the exact opposite of Bioshock's message.

A great point.
But thats why Atlas Shrugged was loosely based off of BioShock.
While the meaning contrasts that of it's videogame counterpart, it shares relatively the same meaning regardless.

 

[Fightgarr]

Sorry for yet again having a quote relating to this diagram. I realize its supposed to be funny but its also a little ignorant considering the amount of people with full sleeves have completely regular jobs. Take for example my writer's craft teacher in high school who is an ex-acid addict and has full sleeves but happens to be the best teacher I've ever had. While I think the diagram has some good (and mildly humorous) points to make, the forearm one is just plain fucking wrong.
I do indeed run to the defense of my own forearm.

 

[mattttherman3]

Spoiler: NSFW

http://www.docreno.com/media/files5/pictures/stupid_dr_phill_tattoo.jpg

It is nsfw, unless your boss has a sense of humor

 

[m_jim]

Ayn Rand's philosophy is self-centered to the extreme. She advocated doing whatever you felt was good for you, no matter the cost to other people. That's pretty much the exact opposite of Bioshock's message.

A great point.
But thats why Atlas Shrugged was loosely based off of BioShock.
While the meaning contrasts that of it's videogame counterpart, it shares relatively the same meaning regardless.

Wait, what? Bioshock's message, as I understood it, was 1) Objectivists (Rand followers) are assholes and 2) think for yourself. If anything, Bioshock advocated sacrifice, not selfishness. The Splicers (the bad guys) were the ones who consumed the bodies of the dead and tried to kill the Little Sisters to make themselves more powerful. Since they were vilified, I would say that Bioshock is anything but Randian.

EDIT: Reading it again, I wonder how we got this far off-topic. Sorry, guys! Maybe we should finish this conversation via PM if you really want to duke it out over philosophy in Bioshock

 

[Spawny0908]

Here's what i think I would get a game tattoo if I love the game enough no matter what anyone says. But before I got it ( or any tattoo) I'd make sure it'd be something I can live with for the rest of my life and not make me look like an idiot. Take my sister for example her first tattoo was her name on her left arm which she now hates because it looks like she can't remember her own fucking name. I would like a Spawn tattoo because I like the character (obviously my ID) but I'd never get one because it would feel dumb to me. So I say if you love the game and know you can live with it then go for it! : ) P.S. to counteract the point some made about tattoos being unprofessional looking and that you'll never get a job if you had a noticeable one I'd have to say it depends on the job. Because my favorite professor at college Harvey has tattoo all on his forearms and is a fucking awesome professor! Don't believe me? Here's his rate my professor page: http://www.ratemyprofessors.com/ShowRatings.jsp?tid=1060507

 

[Satoz]

I think a properly placed and meaningful game tattoo is great, if not better than the standard skulls, butterflies and tribal signs that mean nothing to most people. In fact the trouble is some people will have peace and love written on their arms or backs or w/e and break that idea, hypocrisy is what can get you with those tattoos.

But those tattoos that represent a lifestyle you follow, an ideal that you strive to obtain then its good, if it represents something that had meaning to you, then its good. Im not saying a skull doesnt look cool, its just it wont always look cool, in fact sometimes its going to be embarrassing, and people will judge.

The issue is that people are super judgmental, one of my friends hates tattoos, always commenting on how these people are ruining their images, as if he is embarrassed for them. I always disliked that thought, a tattoo can be nice and I dont think it makes anyone less of a person until they prove otherwise.

Now i dont suggest plastering mario all over your stomach so you can make him talk with your bellybutton, that I find pretty lame. The bioshock idea I think is pretty sweet, though that might be better as a wristband of sorts, though its a good tattoo.

 

[Hazy]

Ayn Rand's philosophy is self-centered to the extreme. She advocated doing whatever you felt was good for you, no matter the cost to other people. That's pretty much the exact opposite of Bioshock's message.

A great point.
But thats why Atlas Shrugged was loosely based off of BioShock.
While the meaning contrasts that of it's videogame counterpart, it shares relatively the same meaning regardless.

Wait, what? Bioshock's message, as I understood it, was 1) Objectivists (Rand followers) are assholes and 2) think for yourself. If anything, Bioshock advocated sacrifice, not selfishness. The Splicers (the bad guys) were the ones who consumed the bodies of the dead and tried to kill the Little Sisters to make themselves more powerful. Since they were vilified, I would say that Bioshock is anything but Randian.

What I meant by it contrasted from the literature was that Ayn stresses the notion that you should Do what you want, despite the costs it may bring.
While Ryan had the same idea, yet worse exectuion. Ryan wanted everyone to live full lives how they wanted, free from government and censorship. But going against the Great Chain is impossible (Which is what he made them believe) as they all must do their part. Sacrifice for somebody's greater gain was NOT an option.

 

[danosaurus]

I think you should XD I have a tattoo of the Seal of Samael from Silent Hill cause I'm a nerd. But what's wrong with that? That Ookami one looks awesome, plus that one of the triforce. <3

For a while there I was acutally considering a Pyramid Head tattoo but decided it was too contemporary and probably fleeting. Boo is the safer option ^_^

So it all depends on how well the tattoo is done and what it's about.

Exactly, I think as long as the image holds a sense of style and speaks to you then there should be no reason to be afraid of committing to it.

I myself am thinking of getting either a combine or a rebels (HL2) tat when I am older.
seems cliche but who cares, my choice.

That's the spirit!

Yay! Okami! But as great as the Okami tattoo was, I still think it isn't a good idea to make those game based. It's just a game people. I understand it's becoming an increasingly popular medium, but it's not a good reason to paint yourself in it.

snip

While I do agree that the guys with those tattoos have no "inspiration" for drawing such things on their body, I believe a tattoo should be a sign that you contribute your body to art. Or the people with names of their "loved ones" to show their love for those people. Or to show that that was a person he/she tried to get in bed with. I do realize that people are inspired by games but a piece of brain always thinks "Is that really necessary?" when I see a game tattoo. To me, you're giving into media, not art.

Hmmm I could get involved in a heated debate with you to defend games as a form of art but I'm pretty sure there's numerous forum topics on that already.
In a conventional sense, games are a form of art - inking yourself with an image or a scene from a game is dedicating a part of your body to something that compels to you on a physical, mental or emotional level. I believe it's just as credible as having any other form of art tattoed onto your skin.

/rant

 

[Spawny0908]

If their awesomeness transcends gaming (like Kratos' swords, or guns) then hell yes! But otherwise it kinda makes you look like a nerd. It reminds me of the guy in Wild Hogs who tattooed the Apple symbol on his arm.

then my bio prof must be a HUGE nerd because he said that he'd get a Gregor Mendel tattoo! LOL!

 

[PixieFox]

I already have a non-gaming related fox on my left shoulder blade that I got when I turned 18. Now I would like to get another, but I'm still deciding on what/where to get my next one.

I'd love to do something as a tribute to being raised a geek/nerd/insert-dorky-adjective-here through Star Wars and other parts of the sci-fi/fantasy culture in which I was brought up. The Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic game particularly inspired me when I was younger to really delve into that world, and so I am considering getting my favorite character from the game, HK-47 (an assassin droid!) either on my back or along my side.
Here are some pictures of him:
http://www.swg1.net/encyclo/images/hk-47.jpg
http://www.moscroatia.com/slike_za_enciklopediju/700_HK-47.jpg
http://www.coveworld.net/kotor-d20/images/hk47.jpg

As long as you can live with it and love it like the day you got it, what everyone else thinks doesn't matter.

 

[danosaurus]

I do indeed run to the defense of my own forearm.

I see what you did thar.

 

[danosaurus]

what everyone else thinks doesn't matter.

More minds like yours are needed in the world.