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Why Are Gamers Ashamed of Their Hobby?

"At the risk of going off the deep end of hyperbole, afford me just the one statement upfront: Why are gamers ashamed of their own hobby?

Now that the hyperbole is out of the way, let me more narrowly define and explain that statement. Among the gaming community there is a growing segment of people that fervently want video games to be viewed as an "artistic" medium, on the same level of literature, film and music. In video game message boards across the Internet, debates rage about this topic, and the argument is always made that "if 'we' (gamers) want games to be taken seriously, 'we' must do …" That ellipses could mean anything; that game reviews should be a "critique" instead of a "product review", that journalists should be more hard hitting with their reporting, that games should tackle complex social and moral problems, or that more games should try and evoke a wider range of emotions through its storytelling."
dannyhinote_13 - contributor
Published: 642 days ago | Article | Gaming
 
 

Showing: 1 - 46 of 46 Comments
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VigorousApathy - 642 days 2 hours ago
1 -
Because when I play a game about going hiking instead of actually going hiking I feel embarrassed.
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Jack Meahoffer - 642 days 2 hours ago
1.1 - You played a game about hiking?
That's the embarassing part... Not that you're playing video games.

Gamers shouldn't be ashamed of their favorite form of media. It's interactive media. Same as books, television, movies and porn. It's entertainment... Nothing to be ashamed about.

When someone says I'm childish for playing games I just bash their head in and say GTA made me do it like everyone else.
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kosha - 641 days 23 hours ago
1.2 -
i think lots of people who dont play games have a very stereotypical view of gamers all being geeks with no lifes and thats why people dont go around boasting that they play games because they know what everyone will think
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Genesis5 - 641 days 23 hours ago
1.3 -
I 'm 43 years old I like to play video games so what. I don't give a flying ---- about what other people have to say about it. What's their hobby knitting,gardening,stamp collecting? Not for me.

I still like other pastimes,cycling and tennis are two of my favorites. But when I'm at home and I want to sit down and relax. I play a good video game with a good story.

If other adults don't like it. Well it's their loss.
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Glad to be a gamer - 641 days 23 hours ago
1.4 - Think my name tag say it all. People should be comfortable with who they are and what they like.
I like most everyday people can't travel to an underworld utopia,or distant galaxies,let alone fight in a war ,drive a race car or play football for arsenal football team.

Games allow you to do anything and experience everything some of which isn't even physically possible in every day life. I read a book and play games to escape to these more exciting places.

For me this is a good thing as personally life although good and have other interests would be a lot more boring without. With the industry growing each year it looks like there are more then a few people that would agree.
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JsonHenry - 641 days 23 hours ago
1.5 -
Because you are pussies that need to learn to accept yourself and forget what others around you say.

Who else in here is with me on being proud to be a gamer?! I could be sitting in a sports bar wasting my money on booze, playing golf, or going to clubs (okay, I miss that part since I got married)... but seriously, who really cares enough about someone else's opinion that they are ashamed of what they like to do in their free time?

Not me. F-ck off if you don't like it!
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xsteinbachx - 642 days 2 hours ago
2 -
When was the last time you saw a man actually get with a girl by saying " Ya I beat all my games on Hard... Thats how i do things..... Hard... "
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dannyhinote_13 - 642 days 1 hour ago
2.1 -
When's the last time you saw a pick-up line used in relation to any form of media?
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fenderputty - 642 days ago
2.2 - Even better
when was the last time you used a pick up line that worked at all. Usually a simple, "Hey ... how you doing tonight" will suffice and be more effective.

BTW ... I'm not ashamed. It's something I do. Stand tall and be proud that you're a gamer. People spend too much time caring about what others think of them. Honestly, if someone doesn't like you because of your hobby, then that's more of a reflection of them then you.
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Tabasco - 642 days ago
2.3 - fenderputty
I couldn't agree more with you on both those points.
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zypher - 642 days 1 hour ago
3 - Why Are Gamers Ashamed of Their Hobby?
GAMERS are probably ashamed of gaming because of FANBOYS.
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-EvoAnubis- - 642 days 1 hour ago
4 -
I'm not ashamed of **** I do. Gaming included.
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-EvoAnubis- - 642 days ago
4.1 -
My disagreeing minion strikes again, I see. How nice.
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Ghoul - 642 days ago
4.2 -
let me be your agree minion master
*bow*
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bigman7387 - 641 days 23 hours ago
4.3 -
Obviously someone thinks you should spell it Anubis as opposed to Anub1s.
Obviously.
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2 cents - 642 days ago
5 -
My gf knows about my hobby from day 1 and she understands me. She gets a bitt upset when i choose to play over spending time with her but i told her is my way or the highway. And it`s been like that for over 5 years now. But she`s pregnant, expecting a baby boy so i`m sure i`ll have to cut down on my gaming time when he arrives if i like or not. Atleast untill i can play games with him.
The point is that i`m not ashamed of my hobby and never will be.
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jackdoe - 642 days ago
6 -
I'm not ashamed at all. Gaming has reached the point where it is accepted everywhere so there is no reason to be embarassed.
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Ghoul - 642 days ago
6.1 -
sadly that is far from the truth.
Some countries are on the right track but in general gaming isnt that accepted still
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Teh-Venom - 642 days ago
7 -
maybe most gamers are ashamed of saying video games as hobby because most of the people would tell them that is "childish".i've had my share of people telling me that!
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Ghoul - 642 days ago
7.1 -
hehe tell them to play condemned or silent hill

let's see how childish they think gaming is after that :)
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littletad - 642 days ago
8 - Some male gamers are ashamed because
Of stigma's from parents, "Your wasting your time." And the stereotypical thinking of girls who think their boyfriends or males "haven't grown out of it".
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mistertwoturbo - 641 days 23 hours ago
8.1 -
Very true. Most of the time, it's not the "gamer" who's the problem. It's the other person.

My girlfriend is actually one of the rare few that understands that I need to game to keep my sanity. I have other hobbies as well as gaming, and she understands that I'm better off doing something with my time, than do nothing.

I always also have time for her so it's not so bad. The key to a happy life is balance, and finding the right medium and never too much of one thing.
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Alymon - 642 days ago
9 - Not ashamed
I'm not ashamed nor is it anything to be ashamed of. My wife knew about my hobby from day one, and I am generally good about balancing everything.
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Blas - 642 days ago
10 - Weird!
I'm not ashamed at all.
I like videogames, what's wrong with that?
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Maddens Raiders - 642 days ago
11 - The way I deal with it? -
By not giving a shyt what other people think.

//fixed//
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Shadow Man - 642 days ago
12 - Im not Ashamed but...
I think people from work would make fun of me if they find out I play Guitar Hero. They already know I play Halo T_T.

PS:Adults think video games are for kids.
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Amanosenpai - 641 days 23 hours ago
12.1 -
Last generation adults... the ones who could not play any hardcore console. Got it?
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Maddens Raiders - 641 days 23 hours ago
12.2 - LOL -
I'm an "adult" and definitely do not think games are for kids. Maybe people in their late forties or 50's plus, think that way, but not the 30 somethings of today and younger.
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BachelorBrit - 642 days ago
13 -
I am not ashamed thanks I will continue playing videogames until I die probably.
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Bill Gates - 642 days ago
14 -
WHAT!!! That's not true.

The way I got my girls was by saying, "So, what's your PSN name?"

and she was all like "OMG, like it's babygirl123"

and I was like "right on. you wanna get our game on sometime, or what?"

and she was like "like totally!"

and now we're having baby gamers..ahahhaa
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Maddens Raiders - 641 days 23 hours ago
14.1 - Right on Bill -
chicks dig it when I'm in the club and throw a little game slang their way. Like, "How 'bout a little FPS in your RPG girl, and you and I can make an action adventure hybrid..." LOL
..."Oh, what's that you say? You've got a cute friend too? Well then I guess we'll just have more of a MMOTPS then....and I'll be the third person..." LOLOL!!!
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The Wood - 641 days 23 hours ago
14.2 - bubbles
both of ya
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Glad to be a gamer - 641 days 21 hours ago
14.3 - Man thats some funny s*** madden and bill
gotta give you some bubbles for that.
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cpuchess - 642 days ago
15 -
I am 41 years old and still play video games and I am not embarassed. I talk about the latest games with my co-workers who are 20 years younger than me. It's better than just sitting there watching TV, at least with video games I can interact with a story.
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Teh-Venom - 641 days 23 hours ago
15.1 -
you my friend is what i look up to, when i die i want "In gaming heaven" written on my tombstone.
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Ghoul - 642 days ago
16 -
Proud gamer since since over 20 years (aktive gaming)

and i will never be ashamed of my hobby NEVAAAA!
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kornbeaner - 641 days 23 hours ago
17 -
I don't think the actual "Hardcore' gamer is ashamed, I believe those that are more ashamed are the Causal gamer who want to be "Hardcore"

People start to make fun of those who's lifestyle change over a hobby they don't understand.

Ex:

Jon is not really a "Hardcore" gamer, but he'll never pass on a GTA game. So Once every 2-3 years he'll spend about a week completing GTA and be done with it.

One day Jon gets bored, he decides on a whim to rent (Insert game here) He loves it. Now he begins to wonder what the hell he's been missing "What the HELL, have I been missing". So now that Jon has gone past solely playing GTA, he spends more and more time on the Joysticks. This does not go unnoticed by his Friends, Family and others. Now they are all talking about Jon in a dis-favorable manner.
Now Jon seems to think its bad to be gamer, since everybody he knows spits at the idea of it bringing anything positive into his life.

Now Jon has 3 choice:

A) Stop gaming and go back to his GTA routine
B) Stop gaming all together
or
C)Raise that finger and enjoy in all the bliss that is this world we call "GAMING"

Come on Jon make us proud.
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nirun - 641 days 23 hours ago
18 -
I'm 20 years old, and love video games. it grants me a type of escapism that cannot be reproduced by literature, film, or music. video games have kept me out of trouble during my teenage years when my buddies would just get bored and cause all sorts of trouble. video games have saved me countless amounts of money that I would otherwise spend on drugs, alcohol, or fast food. in all fairness I must say that video games ARE socially detrimental. Fun with your friends and good times cannot be reproduced by any image on your TV screen. At the end of the day it's all about moderation- don't stay home all day and ignore your friends/family for what in fact is just a game.
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Skerj - 641 days 23 hours ago
19 -
I'm a lover, fighter, and a gamer, and I have no reservations about any. I game in moderation though, even though they're a part of my life and career. Striking that balance is key, because you don't want to be those "WoW" parents who like let their kid die in the middle of some raid. Other than that, screw what anyone else says and enjoy your freaking games. 9 times out of 10 the ones trying to make you feel bad about being a gamer have something worse going on in their lives anyway.
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The Wood - 641 days 23 hours ago
20 - proud to be a gamer
not so proud to get in silly disputes on the web about gaming
21 Anything but Cute | 641 days 22 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show
22 Fux4Bux | 641 days 21 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show
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Torch - 641 days 21 hours ago
23 - Ashamed?...Says Who?!?
It's funny how gamers are branded a certain negative stereotype, and are usually frowned upon, yet the masses see nothing wrong with eagerly sitting through hours upon hours of reality shows - most of which entail the lives and circumstances of absolute strangers - as well as other forms of trash TV, tabloids, and other completely pointless and unproductive past-times...simply because "everyone" is doing.

Personally, I'd rather spend my leisure time interactively, and exercising my cerebral cortex and hand/eye coordination via the glorious medium that is a video game.

I just turned thirty four, and see no reason or incentive to give up video games any time soon, and bear no shame in claiming so.

I was born a gamer, and I shall die a gamer!
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Covenant - 641 days 17 hours ago
23.1 -
Amen, my good man! As I have said before, I intend to play games until they pry the controller from my cold, dead hands.

Nice to see I'm not the only thirtysomething on this site.
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davez82 - 641 days 21 hours ago
24 -
Boy: Oh Boy! Cant wait for mgs4

Gf: Why do you like games more than me, pay more attention to me! Oh look the wii! how cute!
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Covenant - 641 days 17 hours ago
25 -
I'm not. Why should I be?
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