Yes, They're Gamers, Too Pages PREV 1 2 3 4 5 6 NEXT | |
this... practically sums it up Screw the farmville players | |
I think the problem here is that the article Arendt was responding to was stupid in the first place. The writing was atrocious, and the author seemed to possess all the maturity and culture of a 13-year old fanboy. | |
A gamer walks up to the counter in a video game store. A man walks up to the counter in a video game store. -fin It is very a bad business practice to treat everyone who walks into a video game store as if they were the same. Too much technical information will confuse non-gamers into buying nothing, and you will baby talk gamers(even the ones that were recently babies) into annoyance. Call them whatever you want but there is a difference. | |
I'm with Scott Ramsoomair and his anthropomorphic felines on this one. The problem with "gaming is for everyone" is not with the people who have been drawn into what is, let's face it, a pretty awesome hobby we all took up ourselves to the point where we congregate here to talk about it. The problem is that formerly niche genres are deader than dead (there hasn't been a great trade sim since 2004 and the best city builders are all from 1999-2003, just to harp on my own pet genres) and companies are now all about "universal appeal" to chase sales. Time was you could just identify an audience of hardcore gamers, make games, and sell games to those hardcore gamers. The industry was small, the market seemingly locked in, and without the promise of big bucks no whammies STOP, there was more passion in it...at least in the games I got into playing in the first place! So bring back the hexes and NATO counters. Bring back the Excel spreadsheets with prettier graphics. For the love of the gods, bring back the RCI meter and ordinances and traffic-flow mechanics! It's not casual games I have a problem with. It's industry obsessions with those people! | |
This relates to how words change meaning over time. If gamer is to remain in our lexicon, it has to mean something beyond "plays games" or "plays certain kinds of games." As someone else stated, it's not unreasonable to define a gamer as someone who acknowledges gaming as an artform rather than mere entertainment. I don't think there's any real debate as to who the hardcore gamers are, although the author of the article which inspired this post is insane if he thinks your run-of-the-mill gamer can make it to the end of Mega Man without getting hit. (This is coming from someone who doesn't get why people think the series is so hard.) While there's more to be said, I'm certain it's been covered already so I'll leave this as-is for now. | |
I tried putting my thoughts into english for a good while, but you really said it best.
And another shoutout to you, as I agree with gaming having to be a significant part of one's life, to be considered a gamer. I think what "Gamer" today means, is a person who's interested about the gaming industry. People who know who or what Ubisoft, EA, Activision, Blizzard, Bioware or Bungie are. Anyone can play games, but it isn't really a definitive quality of their persona, if they just play Peggle at work. Just like a "Movie Buff" isn't a person who likes to watch a blockbuster flick once a year. A movie buff would be someone who's aware of different directors, their styles of directing, keeps a keen eye to actors' performances, can comment on screenplay and dialog, and so on and so forth. Being a "Gamer" doesn't make you a better person. It's just a label that implies that Person X is into Y. My sister plays Facebook games with righteous fury, but she couldn't tell you what any of the companies I mentioned earlier, are about. She and I share nothing in common when it comes to games, so she and I can't be both be labeled the same way. So people like me have taken on the title of "Gamer", while people like my sister are just "Something Elser". | |
Indie games aren't afraid to dive into niche markets and I wouldn't be surprised if that's where many hardcore gamers will find refuge in the years to come. You have to consider that gaming is a growing medium which has just entered puberty. It's in that awkward stage between a niche hobby and a popular artform. Eventually it'll have the courage to ask Suzy Trainsim to go see Avatar with it but for now it's trying to play things cool and keep its D&D hobby on the down-low. | |
Ugh. Everyone jumping on the "oh lets not be elitist snobs and everyone's a gamer!" BULL. FUCKING. SHIT. Not everyone is a gamer. People that occasionally deign to pick up a controller and play some insipid hypercasual piece of garbage are NOT gamers. And don't give me the argument that all games started out casual, because it holds no water. Yes, it used to be anyone and everyone could put a coin in a slot and eat a few pac-pellets, die, and then go wander off. But not everyone did. GAMERS stayed at those cabinets, feeding too many quarters into the machines and always trying to best themselves. Hell, even brogamers (a group many of you know I despise) are closer to the definition than some bubble-headed whore playing "mafia wars" on myspace or facebook or whatever the latest trend is. Now, all this is not to say there are no REAL gamers that play casual things. Even I don't always want to play a 40+ hour epic or something with more depth than Shotgun Mario. To summarize, no, being addicted to Farmville does not make you a gamer. This bullshit needs to stop Oh yeah, one good example: I met a girl who called herself a gamer. She has played super mario kart Wii. That is it. She does not play it regularly, or even own a system. In fact, she has never even HEARD of any games besides Mario Kart or Super Smash Brothers. No Final Fantasy, no Legend of Zelda, hell not even heard of Halo, and I'm not sure how that's POSSIBLE. And yet she calls herself a gamer "because guys like gamer girls" *eye twitch* | |
"Susan Arendt sucks at Mega Man" Appearantly, you arent a true gamer then. *I've never played Mega Man.* | |
If someone rages against the popularization of their hobby because they like the status that comes with it being a reclusive hobby - as Scott appeared to be doing in his strip - then they themselves are perpetuating stereotypes. The stereotype in question being that gamers are social outcasts who were tormented for their hobby. I'm not belittling gaming as a hobby, or the gaming community, so please don't put words in my mouth. I'm belittling Scott, and people like him, for, as I said, being elitist jerks who can't stand the thought of people calling themselves gamers who've never played Mega Man. That community, I will gladly mock. Of course, if, by your personal definition, those two communities are the same community under the moniker "the gaming community", then yes, I am belittling the gaming community as you understand it. I don't know what that would make me, since by that definition I'm clearly not a gamer. Indeed, I don't expect someone to grab a camera and claim to be an expert photographer. Neither have I seen anybody call themselves a gamer after playing one round of Bejewelled. Or, indeed, any game. Frying sausages is the extent of my culinary expertise; notice that I don't, in fact, call myself a cook, unless prefixed by the word "bad". I really haven't seen anybody who doesn't play games with any regularity, and yet claims the title of "gamer". So I don't know who you're attacking here. The only people who call themselves gamers, in my experience, have actually put time and money into it. I'm not challenging any assertion regarding gaming as a hobby. But to say "you're not a gamer because the games you play don't suit my definition of game" - which is what I am challenging here - is patently ridiculous. Moreso when the speaker's definition of "game" is, essentially, "games I like". Saying that a person who plays their Wii regularly, despite that Wii being their first console, is not a gamer because they've never played a Zelda game is just elitism. -------- Final thought, not directly related to this discussion: | |
I was going to say the same thing in another postbut it came out so angrily I had to refrain! Turns out we 3 are a good trio on this matter. I dont' think the people who say, "A gamer is anyone who plays a game" have any clue at all about the matter. That guy might be the guy labeling himself hardcore, which is an atrociously worthless label. | |
Well it all depends on if you consider the term "gamer" to be closer to "moviegoer" or "film buff". I would probably say it's the former since we have the term "hardcore" for video game buffs. | |
Yes, but I view "gamer" as closer to film buff, hardcore is fanaticism. You can guess which I am | |
I myself have come under the criticism of not being a real gamer. At university there was someone 3 years younger than me who stated unequivocally that "no real gamer would ever play sports games". I like my sports games. I replied that he shouldn't say such things as I had been gaming since before he was alive. Personally I just think that you should enjoy whatever form of entertainment you enjoy. It's not harming anyone so what does a label really matter. The people who think it matters are the people who are not comfortable with who they are and need to cling to their "gamer" identity like a toddler to a blankie. | |
I´m not gonna get all "person that read into the article and understood: I am a gamer, I've earned it by MY standars: 2- I know the kind of games I like, and I have play that kind consistently over the years. 3- I enjoy talking to other people that likes the same games I do... about the game, and I would be willing to play a game by recommendation. 4- I can name at least one company that makes/publishes games and one game from that company. And by "earn" I mean enjoyed myself with my hobby... not actual work. | |
Now i've got my own elitism problems, but i wouldn't go out of my way to criticize others just because they don't play the same games I do. Regarding the author of that article, I have to wonder if he imagines himself as the Ninja Warrior of gaming XD. | |
I made a thread sort of like of this the day before this article came out. That's pretty funny if you as me. | |
If you ask me, there's a difference between the word gamer, and a person who plays video games. A Gamer is someone who spends quite some time gaming, trying out lots of games, and has a large interest in them. A person who plays video games, is someone who just simply plays video games. More of an occasional game here or there. It's like with all other hobbies. If you built a model plane, you built a model plane. If you have collected many model planes, and have a wide variety, then your a model plane connoisseur. I will be the first to admit I'm shit at most games. I can't beat mega man. I can't play COD4 Modern warfare two on veteran, but I love games. It's my favorite hobby, and it's a major part of who I am. Just because you're not good at games, doesn't mean you're not a gamer. Just means you're not good at games. | |
I certainly know that I have my own problems but I certainly am not a video game snob. After all, video games are a business even if it means making popcorn nothings to serve to the masses for 60 USD a pop. (Not an insult) But for the hell of it. If any publishers want my money, they'll have to make decent quality games that doesn't feature 3rd party that's related to a popular media. But people will eat it up anyway especially children who has no idea but making their parents spend money that's basically glorified advertising. | |
I never call myself a gamer. I'm a nerd, sure, but gaming is just a hobby. It doesn't define me as a human. | |
Thank you! Your post is part of my message when we talk about the many definitions of "gamer". A person can be many things but it is just dishonest when one says they are a gamer and only played a video game once in their life. | |
Other than one night of Modern Warfare 2 and Saw and a weekend of NHL 10, the only games I have played in the last 7 months have been Facebook apps like Restaurant City and Wii games like the new Mario Bros. Does that mean I am no longer a gamer? Have I lost my title as well as my pride? | |
I enjoy teasing my Farmville-addicted mother by calling her a gamer. After all those years of her asking me "when are you going to grow up and stop playing video games", it feels good to get a little validation from her own game addiction. | |
The articles on this site are strange. There's no consistency, they're just all over the place. Weird topics too. | |
If you ask me, Farmville is not a game. If the only thing you play are Facebook games, you're not a gamer. You're a tool. Err, anyway. Now that I've finished asking to be put on probation... >_> I think a gamer is anyone who plays games (plural) often and enjoys it. I am not sure where the line should be drawn, but I can tell you that if you play a game for one or two hours a week, you aren't a gamer... unless you really like gaming and you really don't have the time to play them 'cos you are really really busy. | |
A gamer is someone who plays games at a frequent interval. Table top, board games, video games, casual video games, it doesn't matter. Different strokes for different folks. For instance, one of my friends fucking loves risk, settlers of catan, and games like that. We play probably every month and she practices every week with her boyfriend. She's a gamer, so what if it's a board game, she loves games | |
Break down that wall!!!! If the day ever comes when all games released a Farmville clones then we can get all up in arms. Until that day all this ridiculousness is doing is keeping us separated. It gives gamers a bad name. It re-enforces the stereotype. Don't you realize this is what they want? This is how they are keeping us down. Don't you feel the bootheel of oppression on your neck? The more energy we waste fighting against each other (and this war is really gamerz vs. gamerz since the gamers don't care) the less we are fighting against THEM. The publishers who push half finished games out the door. The jokers who blame any evil act on violent games. The greedy who push DLC that is half assed at best but make you feel you need it for the full experience. Leeches stealing from the people who work hard to produce these experiences for us mere mortals. Dammit being a gamerz is not about puffing out your chest and calling yourself superior to the gamers. Because you aren't. Black, white, male, female short, tall, gamer or gamerz we are people first. Equal rights for all gamers no matter what they enjoy playing!!! Oh I just figured this whole thing out. Gamerz like putting down gamers because they are easy targets. Going after the big dogs means they might not win. And there is no reloading to try again. Jesus this like throwing a game on super easy with a faq in your lap. And you call yourselves gamerz. Disgusting. | |
I think in this last decade(s) there has been a struggle for direction (no, I'm not about to start a cult), making people craving more and more to be part of something, even if it is as shallow as being considered a gamer by his/her fellow gamers. I find it a bit silly, actually, but, on a broader sense, I see the difference between a gamer and a "casual", as I've read in the forums. What usually happens in non-mainstream mediums (like gaming used to be) is that people like to show off... it's a sense of accomplishment. To know the most about whatever you chose to be your group, earns you status points, and your sense of self is enlightened. The problem with it is that people start becoming smug about it. Herein starts the flaming and the hatred, which only fuels their self-esteem even more. Calling someone a noob, is also calling yourself a pro. And this is stupid, period. That doesn't mean there aren't any differences between gamers and non-gamers. For example, I love to cook. I've always enjoyed it, I read books about it, I try new recipes, I do it for entertainment as well as to show off to my friends, and all in all I'm starting to consider myself a very amateur-ish cook. Now, I don't intend to make a living out of it, hence it being a hobby of mine, but I wouldn't consider someone who boils an egg and makes a sandwich with it a cook. I understand there are professional cooks; there are (such as me) amateur ones, and people who just cook for subsistence. In the amateur department there are some who know less than me (not many, but I'm always eager to help), and a lot that know more than me (and I love when they give me a hand). It's the same with gaming. I can understand for a gamer (being hardcore or just someone whose hobby is mainly playing videogames), considering someone who plays FARMVILLE a fellow gamer, may be silly. Just like having someone who can't tell the difference between celery and coriander consider himself a Mediterranean cook is. That doesn't mean those who can finish the original Mario in less than 10 minutes and those who play HALO most weekends with his/her friends aren't gamers just the same. What I don't understand is the need to bash or demean the person. Okay, someone just plays FARMVILLE for fun. Who cares? (S)he isn't a gamer, but so what? Just a final note (I know this is going for long enough), I don't think there's a cookie at the end of the line. No one "tries" to be a gamer... poseur-ism is something that doesn't exist (don't let them fool ya). If you enjoy it that much, you play more, and know more games, and read about it because it's what you enjoy. If you only want to spend a bit FARMVILLE-ing, you don't go to forums, you don't know any publishers, and you won't pre-order FARM-LAND 2, the sequel to the original game that inspired FARMVILLE, and which is actually much more intricate and fun (yeah I made that one up... but I hope my message has come across by now). | |
Played Mega Man = nope So clearly I'm not a What a douche. EDIT: I read his article. and honestly, Susan, you should be defending hardcore gamers too. He does video-gamephobes justice with his narrow-mindedness. I'm sure there's a better word then "video-gamephobes" but until one of you people coin something, I'll stick with that. | |
Farmville is overrated. it will just be one of those fads that comes and goes. Just wait and see if the rumours of a Civilization game for Facebook being designed by Sid Meier are true. Then FB will have a proper game. | |
I've always found the Mega Man games to be too easy, myself. It's all memory and reflexes with very little thinking skill required. That doesn't mean that I see myself as being a truer gamer than anyone else. I'm not so great at sports games or simulations, anyway. When it comes to gamers, my attitude is 'The more, the merrier'. More gamers mean more game types, once the game companies learn what appeals to the newer gamers more and more people to discuss this hobby with. I'd rather not have gaming be as exclusive as Stamp-Collecting. | |
When I live in a world where I can get turned down for a Student bank account and three different career development loans because "games design isn't a proper subject", I'd have to respectfully disagree and say no, the fight isn't over until all the old bastards in power are dead. OT - If you play video games more than once a week, you're a gamer. I don't care if it's Farmville or World of Warcraft. | |
not everyone who owns a motorbike is a biker. not everyone who plays a game is a gamer. The reason we make the distinction between gamers and casual gamers, is the decline of gaming. We buy the good games; they buy the easy casual games and there's more of them than us, so we see won't see any good games, unless we're vocal enough to be recognized by the industry as a smaller, but sizeable market who won't buy casual shit. | |
I agree. A gamer simply plays games. Hardcore, Casual, and anything else. The only problem is when they try to make a game more accessible, they can also screw it up. Dumbing something down can detract from the quality, and making things simpler can give people less options. In the end, I just want to see games made for people that call themselves hardcore, like me, and games made for casual players. It's when they try to combine the two when quality suffers, on both ends. although sometimes they get it right. | |
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I usually tell people that I am a "gamer" because gaming is my main hobby, but I usually don't think of it as labeling myself 'elite' above those who play casual games. Heck I'll play games like Peggle or Bejeweled if I feel like it! But I usually invest more time into games or game related things then your average Joe.