Who cares if we use the term "gamer" or not? In the end, it doesn't matter at all. As long as we enjoy playing games, then who cares about whatever label society gives us. In the end, it's just a label.
Question of the Day, August 26, 2010
- Thread starter The Escapist Staff
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I like the term gamer. And we all are gamers, while at the same time we are all breathers. Its something we do. Nobody uses the term "Breathers" or "Sleepers" because that is something every living thing must do. There is such a large number of people who watch TV that there is no label for it. But "Gamers" are not in the majority so there is a label for us, much like there was a label for Emos in the last few years. There may be a hole freaking lot of us (Gamers, not Emos) but not enough that we can throw away the label yet.
I would like for the stereotypical image of gamers to change though, and I think it is... I notice most gamers look more like stereotypical rock-music-lovers or metal heads than the stereotypical nerd image.
I would like for the stereotypical image of gamers to change though, and I think it is... I notice most gamers look more like stereotypical rock-music-lovers or metal heads than the stereotypical nerd image.
I don't mind using Gamer, but can we please stop using the term Girl Gamer? Yes, that includes girls who refer to themselves as girl gamers! Gamer is unisex, thankyouverymuch.
Obviously.
What else am I going to call myself? "One who plays games, at the exclusion of calling myself a gamer due to misrepresentation via stereotypes"?
It's not my goal in life to yield to those would stereotype me. People who enjoy sports, are sports fans, or fanatics, they.. by and large, are always stereotyped. What else are they going to call themselves, and better yet.. do they care? Really, who cares.
I'm a gamer, always will be.
What else am I going to call myself? "One who plays games, at the exclusion of calling myself a gamer due to misrepresentation via stereotypes"?
It's not my goal in life to yield to those would stereotype me. People who enjoy sports, are sports fans, or fanatics, they.. by and large, are always stereotyped. What else are they going to call themselves, and better yet.. do they care? Really, who cares.
I'm a gamer, always will be.
Yahtzee made excellent points but I still use the term from time to time However, I don't like to use labels when they can be avoided.
I'd actually argue against the notion of tribalism, but I have zero problem with the term "gamer" being applied to me or anyone else who actually, you know, "games".
I agree that identifying as a gamer and using the group term can be seen as negative to the industry as a whole - it promotes the idea that only certain people play games and that they are separate from other people which seems like a backwards attitude.
However, look at it from a marketing point of view: You usually have a certain group in mind when you are trying to sell a product (game). This is why the terms "core" and "casual" gamers are thrown around so much. While suggesting that only certain types of people play games might be negative, it's convenient to have terms to describe demographics with different purchasing habits. So "hardcore gamer" might be seen as an elitist term, but in all probability there is a group of so called "hardcore gamers" who will buy certain things and "casual" gamers who buy differently.
However, look at it from a marketing point of view: You usually have a certain group in mind when you are trying to sell a product (game). This is why the terms "core" and "casual" gamers are thrown around so much. While suggesting that only certain types of people play games might be negative, it's convenient to have terms to describe demographics with different purchasing habits. So "hardcore gamer" might be seen as an elitist term, but in all probability there is a group of so called "hardcore gamers" who will buy certain things and "casual" gamers who buy differently.
People who play golf call themselves golfers when discussing their hobby. Same with tennis players, card collectors or any other hobbyist. Yahtzee's article takes, in my view, the wrong outlook.
Using my earlier example for instance. Golfer used to have a certain sterotype or image attache to it. And it's societies place to look beyond the sterotype and realize that adjectives like Gamer are only one part of any person.
No dedicated hobbyist should have to avoid a label. Especially one like "Gamer" which so completely covers what video game fans are. I don't really care if society or Yahtzee or anyone else sees a sterotype when they hear the word. It's just one part of who I am and I'm as proud of it as I am any other label that you could use to identify me, be it "Father", "Artist", "Salesman", "Divorcee" etc.
Using my earlier example for instance. Golfer used to have a certain sterotype or image attache to it. And it's societies place to look beyond the sterotype and realize that adjectives like Gamer are only one part of any person.
No dedicated hobbyist should have to avoid a label. Especially one like "Gamer" which so completely covers what video game fans are. I don't really care if society or Yahtzee or anyone else sees a sterotype when they hear the word. It's just one part of who I am and I'm as proud of it as I am any other label that you could use to identify me, be it "Father", "Artist", "Salesman", "Divorcee" etc.
The use of the term "gamer" as in "I am a gamer" runs the risk of infering that this is all you are. If the only thing you do is play videogames, and nothing else defines your life, or nothing defines your life more than playing videogames does--you gotta admit, that is pretty sad.
If you say something like, "I am a PC gamer," that doesn't have the same inference. What that says is whatever part of your life is devoted to gaming, be it 10% or 75%, generally that time is spent on the PC. In that case I think the term "gamer" is okay.
When people ask what I do in my free time, I gladly tell them that I "play videogames," among other things, but I never say I am a gamer.
If you say something like, "I am a PC gamer," that doesn't have the same inference. What that says is whatever part of your life is devoted to gaming, be it 10% or 75%, generally that time is spent on the PC. In that case I think the term "gamer" is okay.
When people ask what I do in my free time, I gladly tell them that I "play videogames," among other things, but I never say I am a gamer.
I agreed with Yatzee on his points, and I don't see a good reason not to. The negative views that the world has on gamers; whether this be a crazy, unstable kid or a shut-in, is pretty much set. Combined with the notion that most people automatically go from gamer to other various 'labels' that define said stereotypes (nerds, geeks, etc) I don't really see a good reason to shout to the world "YES, I AM A GAMER!".
On top of this, movies, TV, books - they came to the world and was embraced by the people. Games came out, they started to seep out before gamers themselves shut themselves in. Elitism, if you will. Gamers automatically shut out the 'new gamers' or the 'casuals'. You only have to be in one multiplayer game to feel that experience. It's too late to claim back the term 'gamer' to mean/symbolise something worthwhile. So yes, stop using the damn term. I sure as hell won't go up to my new boss or my new friend and say, "Hi, I'm a gamer" because of the negative connotations that might have towards the potential boss or friend.
On top of this, movies, TV, books - they came to the world and was embraced by the people. Games came out, they started to seep out before gamers themselves shut themselves in. Elitism, if you will. Gamers automatically shut out the 'new gamers' or the 'casuals'. You only have to be in one multiplayer game to feel that experience. It's too late to claim back the term 'gamer' to mean/symbolise something worthwhile. So yes, stop using the damn term. I sure as hell won't go up to my new boss or my new friend and say, "Hi, I'm a gamer" because of the negative connotations that might have towards the potential boss or friend.
Are we not part of a group? We all have similar interests, yes? We all can empathise with one another on certain points, most particularly those related to video games?
Who cares about negative connotations? It's not like removing a term would remove those stereotypes- they're more or less stuck. "Those who play nerdy video games usually behave in X manner"- that doesn't need a title and, more importantly, will persist without one.
Besides, I like calling myself a gamer. No, I don't do it for that arrogant, elitist power trip- I just like belonging somewhere.
Who cares about negative connotations? It's not like removing a term would remove those stereotypes- they're more or less stuck. "Those who play nerdy video games usually behave in X manner"- that doesn't need a title and, more importantly, will persist without one.
Besides, I like calling myself a gamer. No, I don't do it for that arrogant, elitist power trip- I just like belonging somewhere.
I don't see it as a big issue, if some one who enjoyed my company all the sudden decided that I'm not worthy of their time after finding out that I'm a gamer, then they have some petty issues to deal with, making them the problem, not me.
I think we should worry less about people giving us the stink eye over a hobby and worry more about making the hobby itself more welcome amongst society. It's pretty easy to do if you think about it.
If said person thinks stereotypically of gamers and likes books? explain to them that games give you the ability to interact with the storyline, and talk to them about those text-based games once they start saying that the graphical aspect of gaming ruins the imagination that books are supposed to enhance.
If they like movies, then explain to them that it's kind of like movies in a way, except you're able to act out as the main character(s) in the plot line to advance the storyline of the movie. This could be done with books as well.
I'm sure if "Movie goers" and "Book readers" had a quick and simple word that defines what they like to do, they would use it as well. Which is why I kind of disagree with Yatzee that we shouldn't use the term "Gamer" when other hobbies don't have such a word to define themselves, when really I just don't think they have found a word that fits properly. "Movier?" nah... Surely can't call them Watchers because that just sounds creepy!
My sister had a boyfriend who used to call Gamers "Drooling idiotic zombies," because my niece and nephew apparently get this half awake stare when they play games. Taking offense by this, I asked him what one of his hobbies was. He said he liked to watch Nascar... I never laughed so hard in my life.
I'm sorry for all the Nascar fans out there, but if you're going to put down gamers for their hobby when you enjoy sitting on the couch watching cars make left turns all day, I can't help but mock you... Then again there ARE racing games out there as well...
That's why I don't understand why there's a stereotype behind gaming. Take any hobby out there and I'm sure there's a game of it some where. Then again, there's that whole stigma of "Why pretend to do such n such thing when you can do it for real?" Well.. What if you enjoy skateboarding, but it's raining cats and dogs outside? Invite a few friends over and play some Tony Hawk!
Not to mention that games that mimic real world hobbies like skating or even rock band can spark some ones interest in learning how to do such hobby. In fact, gaming branches out in all sorts of forms of hobbies and styles that if some one were to look at me weird for being a gamer, I wouldn't be able to help but give that strange look right back at them.
There's a game out there for everyone and anyone who alienates themselves from it by talking down on gaming is the real problem. For that I don't think we need to drop the term just because there are others out there that look down upon it. Not to mention that with EVERY sort of hobby, there's going to be some one out there who's going to say that their hobby is the number 1 thing to do and everything else is petty in comparison.
It all comes from people doing what they do best by focusing on the bad aspects of everything. Even when the facts are right under our noses we will ignore them for the sake of making fun of whatever it is we're making fun of. It's what we as people do to make ourselves feel more secure about who we are and what we do, and the quicker we learn this about our human nature the quicker we can can accept that we aren't going to be able to please everyone...
So just do what you do best and have fun doing it! If some one is going to throw you into a certain stereotype for what you do, then by all means let them, because chances are, they're into something that may even be more ridiculous than what you're into.
Heck, there are even bad stereotypes for people who live completely healthy lives or are very active in sports or muscle training. That right there should show you enough about who we are as people...
EDIT:
I never understood the part about using the term "Gamer" to unite myself into a specific group. I'm not sure if Yahtzee said it first or if it was some one else before him, but to me, that's just ridiculous.
The term Gamer does not unite me with everyone else. For games in general are in such a variety that no two Gamers are going to be the same. The whole agenda with console wars and genre wars alone shows that we're everything BUT unified. "My console is superior to yours, FPS games are the end-all/be-all of video games. blah blah blah!"
The term Gamer, defines what we do as a hobby. It's not some super secret club that has a specific password that if answered incorrectly you don't get to be in.
GamING conventions, if you strip away the video games of it, it's just another public gathering of people who share similar interests where we can get a personal experience from it all around people who share the same mindset. It's the same with bars, night clubs, concerts, sports games, and theaters. Take away what makes those places specific and you have a place where people go who share a certain interest who can enjoy themselves around people who think like-wise.
And with all of them, there are stereotypes that can come to mind that will make others think poorly of it all, like the sloshy drunk, the overdosed night club dancer, the smelly headbanger, the jock with the beerbelly and body paint, and the annoying 15 year old girls who don't know how to turn off their cell phones.
I guess what I'm trying to say is... Who cares if there's a stereotype against gaming? You're bound to find stereotypes in just about EVERYTHING you do, so why should I not call myself a gamer just because some one else is ignorant?
I think we should worry less about people giving us the stink eye over a hobby and worry more about making the hobby itself more welcome amongst society. It's pretty easy to do if you think about it.
If said person thinks stereotypically of gamers and likes books? explain to them that games give you the ability to interact with the storyline, and talk to them about those text-based games once they start saying that the graphical aspect of gaming ruins the imagination that books are supposed to enhance.
If they like movies, then explain to them that it's kind of like movies in a way, except you're able to act out as the main character(s) in the plot line to advance the storyline of the movie. This could be done with books as well.
I'm sure if "Movie goers" and "Book readers" had a quick and simple word that defines what they like to do, they would use it as well. Which is why I kind of disagree with Yatzee that we shouldn't use the term "Gamer" when other hobbies don't have such a word to define themselves, when really I just don't think they have found a word that fits properly. "Movier?" nah... Surely can't call them Watchers because that just sounds creepy!
My sister had a boyfriend who used to call Gamers "Drooling idiotic zombies," because my niece and nephew apparently get this half awake stare when they play games. Taking offense by this, I asked him what one of his hobbies was. He said he liked to watch Nascar... I never laughed so hard in my life.
I'm sorry for all the Nascar fans out there, but if you're going to put down gamers for their hobby when you enjoy sitting on the couch watching cars make left turns all day, I can't help but mock you... Then again there ARE racing games out there as well...
That's why I don't understand why there's a stereotype behind gaming. Take any hobby out there and I'm sure there's a game of it some where. Then again, there's that whole stigma of "Why pretend to do such n such thing when you can do it for real?" Well.. What if you enjoy skateboarding, but it's raining cats and dogs outside? Invite a few friends over and play some Tony Hawk!
Not to mention that games that mimic real world hobbies like skating or even rock band can spark some ones interest in learning how to do such hobby. In fact, gaming branches out in all sorts of forms of hobbies and styles that if some one were to look at me weird for being a gamer, I wouldn't be able to help but give that strange look right back at them.
There's a game out there for everyone and anyone who alienates themselves from it by talking down on gaming is the real problem. For that I don't think we need to drop the term just because there are others out there that look down upon it. Not to mention that with EVERY sort of hobby, there's going to be some one out there who's going to say that their hobby is the number 1 thing to do and everything else is petty in comparison.
It all comes from people doing what they do best by focusing on the bad aspects of everything. Even when the facts are right under our noses we will ignore them for the sake of making fun of whatever it is we're making fun of. It's what we as people do to make ourselves feel more secure about who we are and what we do, and the quicker we learn this about our human nature the quicker we can can accept that we aren't going to be able to please everyone...
So just do what you do best and have fun doing it! If some one is going to throw you into a certain stereotype for what you do, then by all means let them, because chances are, they're into something that may even be more ridiculous than what you're into.
Heck, there are even bad stereotypes for people who live completely healthy lives or are very active in sports or muscle training. That right there should show you enough about who we are as people...
EDIT:
I never understood the part about using the term "Gamer" to unite myself into a specific group. I'm not sure if Yahtzee said it first or if it was some one else before him, but to me, that's just ridiculous.
The term Gamer does not unite me with everyone else. For games in general are in such a variety that no two Gamers are going to be the same. The whole agenda with console wars and genre wars alone shows that we're everything BUT unified. "My console is superior to yours, FPS games are the end-all/be-all of video games. blah blah blah!"
The term Gamer, defines what we do as a hobby. It's not some super secret club that has a specific password that if answered incorrectly you don't get to be in.
GamING conventions, if you strip away the video games of it, it's just another public gathering of people who share similar interests where we can get a personal experience from it all around people who share the same mindset. It's the same with bars, night clubs, concerts, sports games, and theaters. Take away what makes those places specific and you have a place where people go who share a certain interest who can enjoy themselves around people who think like-wise.
And with all of them, there are stereotypes that can come to mind that will make others think poorly of it all, like the sloshy drunk, the overdosed night club dancer, the smelly headbanger, the jock with the beerbelly and body paint, and the annoying 15 year old girls who don't know how to turn off their cell phones.
I guess what I'm trying to say is... Who cares if there's a stereotype against gaming? You're bound to find stereotypes in just about EVERYTHING you do, so why should I not call myself a gamer just because some one else is ignorant?
People think the description of "gamer" is a mutually exclusive trait to other activities/traits. To me it isn't. I'm as much a gamer, as I am a female, a programmer and an oddball (last category can be up for debate). I may say "I'm a gamer", meaning I spend a fair amount of my free time playing games, and I derive more out of it than your average person.
Besides, the stereotype can sometimes help. It helps chase off people I don't want to talk to. Generally, I prefer to to talk to the folks who understand gaming doesn't mean I'm living in a basement, or can't leave the house (even if I'm not currently in it. Go figure).
I saw a comment on how gaming shouldn't have a term for having it as a main activity, citing that books and movies don't have the terms, however I don't think this point is valid, as there are equivalent terms as far as I'm concerned. For an avid movie watcher, there's the terms "movie buff" and "movie nerd" that I've heard used, and for books there's "bookworm".
Yes, they're common past-times, but there's words for people who have it as one of their main sources of entertainment, or when the interest is more involved than your average person.
Besides, the stereotype can sometimes help. It helps chase off people I don't want to talk to. Generally, I prefer to to talk to the folks who understand gaming doesn't mean I'm living in a basement, or can't leave the house (even if I'm not currently in it. Go figure).
I saw a comment on how gaming shouldn't have a term for having it as a main activity, citing that books and movies don't have the terms, however I don't think this point is valid, as there are equivalent terms as far as I'm concerned. For an avid movie watcher, there's the terms "movie buff" and "movie nerd" that I've heard used, and for books there's "bookworm".
Yes, they're common past-times, but there's words for people who have it as one of their main sources of entertainment, or when the interest is more involved than your average person.
No because now pretty much everyone can fall into the catagory such as farmville users so it really doesn't make sense.