Social intolerance for gaming as a hobby

[Signette]

Did you guys ever felt some kind of a social pressing when it comes to your gaming interests?

 

It really makes little sense since we live in pretty much technological world of 21 century, where almost every human being (if it's not 3rd world country plagued with social poverty and civil wars or indigenous people) has some computer-like device being it: perfectly built expensive rig, laptop or phone with internet access. But at the same time as adult person you probably have a job, going places, meet some people and being gamer puts some barrier and taboos to your hobby. It's not like you have only gaming hobby and interest in life, but this one in particular pushes you kinda away from society. I'll try to explain:

 

You are sitting along with your collegues and someone says that he watched some movie lately, or checked new album of some popular (or not so much) artist. It brings lively conversation, people respond to this, and all this feels right and social acceptable, but If you say in the same public that you lately finished some game (even very popular one) all you'll meet is wierd glances, like you're saying that you are some kind of vile pervert and enjoying prohibitive stuff. It's not like person doesn't watch movies or never listening music, he may have pretty exquisite taste and deep knowledge of both while being gamer at heart.

 

It's almost impossible to meet person enjoying gaming in open society, even if they do, almost everyone trying to keep it to themselves, but it's just part of our lives nowadays, isn't it? Gaming is everywhere, it's in the phones, social networks, F2P stuff that available for everyone, ppl killing time this way while wait for something and so on.

 

But most terrific is that 90% of people I met who had any connection with gaming didn't go further than some Angry Birds or F2P MMO. Also there is majority who enjoy games like Dota 2, Counter-Strike, World of WarCraft and some more of those pop's, and that's sad IMO, not because these game are bad, they aren't (probably), but because those are basically all they play... It's like watching Rambo or American Pie over and over again countless times. There are days, when you just wanna relax, grab popcorn and have a good laugh, but all the time same stuff? Really? People do enjoy some good, deep movies which makes you think and analyse, some good music for a change but not games so much. It still stays as some kind of confined hobby for geeks as though it's available for pretty much anyone and arguably good way to spend evening, blow some steam off after hard day, don't you agree?

 

Playing some games requires skill, you need to learn something new, it may be a small but still a challenge. Surely there are games where you basically switch on your spinal cord and drown in pure reflex joy like an animal, but there are many other games where you have to use brain to strategize, think ahead, solve some puzzles and even those where you can relieve pretty strong emotions of your character. Isn't it better than roll in front of TV and watch some mindless shows which many-many ppl doing all the time? And the funniest thing, if you start talking about these shows it will be normal topics to discuss in society, but games, oh no... I swear, there is much more social acceptance to degraded alcoholics or drug addicts than gamers. Games don't ruin lives, seriously... at least not like latter do and mostly for people with heavy psychological ailments.

 

There are millions of people registered in Steam, Origin, Uplay, even here on Nexus. I can easily find some dudes in these communities who enjoy hardcore RPGs or RTS/TBS, Racing sims, etc. Where are all these people in real life? Are you hiding, guys?...

 

TL;DR version:

What it takes to make video gaming a legit hobby and be seen by society as normal person, so you don't have to hide it like it's some kind of a highly prohibited nerd activity when you look like and behave like completely normal, everyday person?

Edited January 8, 2016 by Signette

[Ethreon]

You hiding your gaming passion? Why? If someone dislikes you or insults due to your gaming passion (assuming it didn't go overboard of course), then that person has no place on your life.

[HeyYou]

I think when the 'average' person hears the word "gamer", they think of someone that doesn't shower for months at a time, lives in their moms basement, and sits in front of a computer screen 24/7, eating junk food, if they eat at all......

[Signette]

I think when the 'average' person hears the word "gamer", they think of someone that doesn't shower for months at a time, lives in their moms basement, and sits in front of a computer screen 24/7, eating junk food, if they eat at all......

Yeah, you nail'd it right here. That's actually the problem I'm referuing to in my giant wall of text. Any solutions?...

[Lisnpuppy]

If someone chooses to base their opinion of you on the fact you are a gamer then what can you do? Many of the "gamers" I know are intelligent, well-spoken, well-read people that have a plethora of interest and skills.

 

All you can do is show that though you are a gamer, it is something that helps you make yourself more, not less.

[AJunkMailBin]

I consider it akin to cartoons; most people in society think of cartoons as either entertainment for young children - in much the same way as most people in society think of games as entertainment for adolescent boys.

 

In the same way that we expect that young children should only be allowed to use a certain portion of their time being entertained by cartoons, we also expect that adolescents should only be allowed to use a certain portion of their time being entertained by games. This is particularly true when society perceives there to be negative consequences of these forms of entertainment (sedentary lifestyle; lack of exercise; 'dangerous' content; reduced social interaction etc); regardless of whether or not these perceived consequences are true - the perception alone is enough that many people believe their use should be limited (or even stomped out completely) - because cartoons or electronic games are 'a waste of time' (unlike the entertainment that the other person enjoys).

 

For electronic games there is another factor (paragraph is anecdotal only): many of the people who hold these perceptions are older, as a result they are more familiar with older forms of entertainment (board games, books, television or even radio - note that of these only books are really something that is largely individual in its consumption). They are more likely to believe games are purely for entertainment (actually, many games have significant education components or convey complex themes much like quality novels). They are more likely therefore to have reduced awareness about some factors (yes; you can interact with others socially without leaving your room). They are also more likely to believe the worst about the form of entertainment (no; actually there is no evidence to suggest a causal link between video games and violence).

 

All you can really do about this is identifying as a gamer and yet acting in such a way as to demonstrate that you are (acting in a way that aligns with traditional conceptions of) a fully functioning member of (what is traditionally considered) society.

 

I.e. Challenge stereotypes through your actions.

Edited January 9, 2016 by AJunkMailBin

[Moksha8088]

Great topic. Stomp out gaming stigma!

[Signette]

@AJunkMailBin

Seriously, great post.

 

So there are actually two major stereotypes (probably more, but those which resurfaced yet) that making gamer some sort of social exile:

1. Pretty much what HeyYou said: dirty, stupid animal leaving in a basement.

2. What AJunkMailBin said: hobby for kids.

 

Now first one is pretty widespread stereotype, but it's mostly fairtale type of person. Those are extreme types of behaviour which maybe only 2 or 5% of gamers actually can follow. And It's really hard, at least being adult person and living like this... money and food don't grow on trees in basements, right? But why it's so widespread, like every other gamer is just like that...

 

Second one is also true, but problem is there aren't really older people like this, it's 20-30 YO popultion, which faced the era of tech progress in terms of computers. Why is it still so popular opinion, that person who plays games is immature by default?...

 

You, guys, saying that these stereotypes should be fough with actions, and some obvious observations that gamer can be intelligent and well-spoken person (like it's so rare or alien... c'mon). Big problem is that when said group of people doesn't know about your gaming hobby, their relation towards you is at neutral-good, but if they find out about your hobby it quickly shifts to chaotic-evil. Ok, that sounds too nerdy... To be serious, it's not like people start telling you in your face how dumb, kid or basement dweller you are, but you somehow feel shift in their attitude towards you, it's really hard to miss, and most importantly gaming topics are taboo to discuss. It's much more oreferable to just keep it to yourself and everyone will perceive you as normal, average person. Telling how you got drunk on weekend and belched so hard that you neighbor jumped out of his shoes is fine, but telling how you enjoyed some Dreamfall Chapters or Pillars of Eternity story is no-no, red geek label is already in your face as soon as you start talking.

Sad...

=/

[HeyYou]

I know a fair few gamers, and oddly enough, not one of them falls into either category. Of course, I am in my mid-50's, as are most of my friends, so, jobs, family, etc, are also in there. Gaming is just a hobby, and they do it for enjoyment. I actually CAN talk about games with them, and while some of them don't play the same style of games as I do, they don't call me a 'basement dweller' for it. :)

 

I DO know folks that do indeed live in their Mom's basement.... but, they do that because their job, (truck driver) doesn't really lend itself to paying for a house/apartment, that you might see one or two days a MONTH. And of course, it's a hell of a lot cheaper too. (more money to spend on their gaming rig, plus, the neat/cool/nifty gaming laptop, so, on their downtime while out on the road, they can play too....)

[oTEMPE5To]

The stigma around gaming is weird for sure. When I was living with my parents not that long ago, my dad would give me grief, every day , about wasting my life playing those stupid games after work, would go on about how I'm not a team player( wait what? I'd usually be leading a raid group on destiny or something like that) , then he would go and watch a few hours worth of tv. Whats the difference? I'm watching a screen too, I am just controlling everything on it and actually have to think about what I'm doing.

Edited January 9, 2016 by oTEMPE5To