Poll: When did you start to call yourself a gamer?

[Abomination]

I has nothing to do with power but everything to do with perception.

Others opinions matter and if their definition of a gamer is different to what gamer means to you then it's best to not use a label with so many negative connotations with others.

I wouldn't introduce myself as a gamer to a potential employer so I wouldn't introduce myself as a gamer to anyone else. I also don't like pigeonholing myself into a group that consists of individuals I do not agree with.

Anyone who makes the assumption that someone is sexist when they haven't any proof is an ignorant asshole, don't think for a second that others outside the hobby cannot be critised as well. Seriously, would you make that assumption about gamers?

Also, why would you say to your employer you play games at all? It's none of their business. And if you must list hobbies for some reason, then do you really want to work for a wanker that can dish out assumptions just like that? What makes you think they won't assume you're the worst for just playing games?

And what do you mean by the last sentence exactly? Who are you disagreeing with? Any hobby you pursue you are always going to disagree with many on something.

Money is money. And while I personally don't care what others do in their spare time I know some people do care.

I'm not even considering the GamersGate thing with sexism and associated with gamers. I'm talking about the other possible negative connotations the term "gamer" can imply.

I will not identify myself as part of a group unless I agree with what that group stands for. There is no consensus among gamers and thus I will not identify as one.

My hobby is not my identity. It might be enough for you, but there's far more to me than that aspect of my life. I have no "pride" in my hobby, I like what I like because I like it. Pride has nothing to do with it so I have no need to identify with a group because we might share the same hobby.

 

[Abomination]

Double post. Sorry.

 

[Ieyke]

I have tons of games and play lots of games, but I'm not a gamer...or a geek.
All of my geeky hobbies are ways to keep me distracted from all the things that would drive me insane if I wasn't preoccupied, or they're a means to an end. Do I feel like messing around with Greek mythology? Time to mess around in God of War, or Age Of Mythology, or something. The gaming itself is just incidental.
I have geeky hobbies because I hate or can't afford all the other options.

It's kinda also why I'm the "omni geek" I don't get obsessed with any one thing the way Trekkies, Star Wars geeks, or comic collectors do.
Instead, I just dive into one thing after another until I've got a solid master of that thing and then just basically move on to the next thing.
I've kinda become a pop/geekculture supermonster via process of elimination.
I actually kinda do that with science and history too, to a less comprehensive degree... I'm kind of an information addict.

 

[Caiphus]

If someone asked me "Are you a gamer?", my answer would probably be "I play video games, I guess". But no, outside of that, I don't think of myself as a gamer, nor do I present myself as one.

And that's for a bunch of reasons. I don't consider my hobbies to be part of my identity, or whatever you might call it. The term doesn't exactly represent a smorgasbord of positive stereotypes. Also the war over the term has marginally squicked me out. So there.

 

[asdfen]

you cannot give labels like that to yourself. thats what people around you are for

 

[CellShaded]

I've always played games as a hobby, but I only really started calling myself that when the label started being applied, so like..High School. Before then, it didn't seem to matter. But everyone works with labels for people after a certain age, even if they deny it. I just want to play games.

 

[Nazulu]

I has nothing to do with power but everything to do with perception.

Others opinions matter and if their definition of a gamer is different to what gamer means to you then it's best to not use a label with so many negative connotations with others.

I wouldn't introduce myself as a gamer to a potential employer so I wouldn't introduce myself as a gamer to anyone else. I also don't like pigeonholing myself into a group that consists of individuals I do not agree with.

Anyone who makes the assumption that someone is sexist when they haven't any proof is an ignorant asshole, don't think for a second that others outside the hobby cannot be critised as well. Seriously, would you make that assumption about gamers?

Also, why would you say to your employer you play games at all? It's none of their business. And if you must list hobbies for some reason, then do you really want to work for a wanker that can dish out assumptions just like that? What makes you think they won't assume you're the worst for just playing games?

And what do you mean by the last sentence exactly? Who are you disagreeing with? Any hobby you pursue you are always going to disagree with many on something.

Money is money. And while I personally don't care what others do in their spare time I know some people do care.

I'm not even considering the GamersGate thing with sexism and associated with gamers. I'm talking about the other possible negative connotations the term "gamer" can imply.

I will not identify myself as part of a group unless I agree with what that group stands for. There is no consensus among gamers and thus I will not identify as one.

My hobby is not my identity. It might be enough for you, but there's far more to me than that aspect of my life. I have no "pride" in my hobby, I like what I like because I like it. Pride has nothing to do with it so I have no need to identify with a group because we might share the same hobby.

Oh, you know some people who do care. Better fear about what others think, 'ey? Why do their stupid ignorant opinions matter? Tell me, please

Also, what other possible negative connotations? And why on earth do they matter? The sexism one is easily the worst I've heard, and anyone with a brain knows not to make ridiculous assumptions like it.

I never said you had to call yourself a gamer, so yeah. Don't know why you brought it up. However, you're the one who said it's best not to label yourself something with so many negative connotations to it. I'm challenging this, and you haven't answered yet.

 

[Abomination]

Oh, you know some people who do care. Better fear about what others think, 'ey? Why do their stupid ignorant opinions matter? Tell me, please

I'm not certain if you're being sarcastic or not. I will assume you are not, I guess, and explain the obvious. Because, as an example I provided, a potential employer will care. I'm actually in the process of looking for a new job and do not want to hamper my search. I'm not about to make a political/social stand on such a tiny issue when my livelihood is at stake.

Also, what other possible negative connotations? And why on earth do they matter? The sexism one is easily the worst I've heard, and anyone with a brain knows not to make ridiculous assumptions like it.

Many still believe it to be a childish hobby, one where the individual wastes their money on things that don't matter, someone with bad hygiene who lives in a hovel. Since what someone does in their spare time matters not a lick I don't see the point of using an identifier for a person based on what they do in their spare time. Some DO believe what someone does in their spare time matters a lot. By not identifying as a "gamer" I can tick the box that upholds my own personal standards and I also get to tick a box that shelters me from any potential social backlash. It's a win/win.

I never said you had to call yourself a gamer, so yeah. Don't know why you brought it up. However, you're the one who said it's best not to label yourself something with so many negative connotations to it.

It's the question on the poll. I am not sure, again, if you are being sarcastic or not. This is pretty obvious.

I'm challenging this, and you haven't answered yet.

You can challenge what you want. I prefer to act in accordance to the reality I am situated. I will not identify myself by the hobby I enjoy.

 

[Drops a Sweet Katana]

Did I? This is news to me.

 

[Nazulu]

Oh, you know some people who do care. Better fear about what others think, 'ey? Why do their stupid ignorant opinions matter? Tell me, please

I'm not certain if you're being sarcastic or not. I will assume you are not, I guess, and explain the obvious. Because, as an example I provided, a potential employer will care. I'm actually in the process of looking for a new job and do not want to hamper my search. I'm not about to make a political/social stand on such a tiny issue when my livelihood is at stake.

Also, what other possible negative connotations? And why on earth do they matter? The sexism one is easily the worst I've heard, and anyone with a brain knows not to make ridiculous assumptions like it.

Many still believe it to be a childish hobby, one where the individual wastes their money on things that don't matter, someone with bad hygiene who lives in a hovel. Since what someone does in their spare time matters not a lick I don't see the point of using an identifier for a person based on what they do in their spare time. Some DO believe what someone does in their spare time matters a lot. By not identifying as a "gamer" I can tick the box that upholds my own personal standards and I also get to tick a box that shelters me from any potential social backlash. It's a win/win.

I never said you had to call yourself a gamer, so yeah. Don't know why you brought it up. However, you're the one who said it's best not to label yourself something with so many negative connotations to it.

It's the question on the poll. I am not sure, again, if you are being sarcastic or not. This is pretty obvious.

I'm challenging this, and you haven't answered yet.

You can challenge what you want. I prefer to act in accordance to the reality I am situated. I will not identify myself by the hobby I enjoy.

I'm not certain if you actually read what I write. I never said you had to tell your employer anything. In fact, I said previously it was none of their business, which also makes your second paragraph point pointless. I thought you were just giving me a really weak example of someone who matters, but it turns out it's not an example.

So you fear you may not be employed by some asshole, and? Is that it? That's not much of an example of others opinions matter, especially when you are not forced to share it with the employer.

Also, I didn't make the poll or this thread, so what I ask you is only what I ask you. Don't know how you can confuse that.

 

[CpT_x_Killsteal]

I started calling myself a gamer when I grew up enough to not care about the narrow world views of people around me. Prior to then I always refrained from doing so because I didn't want to be a "nerd", "loser", "geek", etc.

I dislike labels, but this is one that I just cannot come up with a logical reason to deny. I play a fuckton of games, I look up guides, play games with other friends, visit a gaming website daily (this one right here), and fantasise about games.
And if there's one thing everyone can agree about gamers, it's that they play lots of games.

 

[Techno Squidgy]

Not really sure when I started calling myself a gamer. It's a convenient shorthand for "my primary form of entertainment is video games", but it's little more than that for me, it's not my identity.

 

[Abomination]

I'm not certain if you actually read what I write. I never said you had to tell your employer anything. In fact, I said previously it was none of their business, which also makes your second paragraph point pointless. I thought you were just giving me a really weak example of someone who matters, but it turns out it's not an example.

So you fear you may not be employed by some asshole, and? Is that it? That's not much of an example of others opinions matter, especially when you are not forced to share it with the employer.

Also, I didn't make the poll or this thread, so what I ask you is only what I ask you. Don't know how you can confuse that.

People's opinions matter. They always do. One can play video games without being a gamer. I'm not going to call myself a "gamer" because there's more to me than gamer culture.

If employment is not something you concern yourself with that's your prerogative, but for me it's very important and if someone asks what I'm in to I would include video games as one of my likes but I wouldn't use the term "gamer" to identify myself. Typically an employer, especially at my salary level, does care about what type of person someone is and "gamer" is not a favorable trait in the present corporate environment.

Not everyone reacts positively to someone who identifies themselves as a "gamer", I do not consider myself a "gamer" and those are the two primary reasons I do not call myself a "gamer".

 

[Pseudonym]

My option isn't exactly on the list. I started calling myself a gamer when I learned the word. I've been gaming since well before I spoke english. It's my main hobby. So when I first heard the word it seemed immediately evident that it applied to me. Not that the word itself means that much to me. It just seems accurate.

 

[Nazulu]

I'm not certain if you actually read what I write. I never said you had to tell your employer anything. In fact, I said previously it was none of their business, which also makes your second paragraph point pointless. I thought you were just giving me a really weak example of someone who matters, but it turns out it's not an example.

So you fear you may not be employed by some asshole, and? Is that it? That's not much of an example of others opinions matter, especially when you are not forced to share it with the employer.

Also, I didn't make the poll or this thread, so what I ask you is only what I ask you. Don't know how you can confuse that.

People's opinions matter. They always do. One can play video games without being a gamer. I'm not going to call myself a "gamer" because there's more to me than gamer culture.

If employment is not something you concern yourself with that's your prerogative, but for me it's very important and if someone asks what I'm in to I would include video games as one of my likes but I wouldn't use the term "gamer" to identify myself. Typically an employer, especially at my salary level, does care about what type of person someone is and "gamer" is not a favorable trait in the present corporate environment.

Not everyone reacts positively to someone who identifies themselves as a "gamer", I do not consider myself a "gamer" and those are the two primary reasons I do not call myself a "gamer".

For the last time, I never said you had to call yourself anything, I never said you had to tell your employer anything, and you have not given me any reason to believe that others ignorant opinions matter. I don't give a shit who doesn't react positively to the term 'gamer', and even if they reacted poorly, I would then know that person is a moron and therefore I would not bother with them.

 

[Abomination]

For the last time, I never said you had to call yourself anything, I never said you had to tell your employer anything, and you have not given me any reason to believe that others ignorant opinions matter. I don't give a shit who doesn't react positively to the term 'gamer', and even if they reacted poorly, I would then know that person is a moron and therefore I would not bother with them.

Okay, then that's how you can conduct yourself.

You were asking me about me. I have told you.

I don't call myself a gamer. Those are my reasons because they effect me and not you.

You are free to make whatever decision you wish with your life... and I will do the same?

 

[Nazulu]

For the last time, I never said you had to call yourself anything, I never said you had to tell your employer anything, and you have not given me any reason to believe that others ignorant opinions matter. I don't give a shit who doesn't react positively to the term 'gamer', and even if they reacted poorly, I would then know that person is a moron and therefore I would not bother with them.

Okay, then that's how you can conduct yourself.

You were asking me about me. I have told you.

I don't call myself a gamer. Those are my reasons because they effect me and not you.

You are free to make whatever decision you wish with your life... and I will do the same?

I was challenging you on how you said it's best to not label yourself something with so many negative connotations to it, and you didn't convince me why gamer was so bad or why others opinions matter, only that you didn't want to bring it up when it comes to big business. I thought I was pretty straight forward on that.

We know people who make those assumptions are ignorant and they can be easily ignored and shut down, but I've had enough of this. I'll take your advice and proudly call myself a gamer.

Actually, I prefer game junkie

 

[Abomination]

I was challenging you on how you said it's best to not label yourself something with so many negative connotations to it, and you didn't convince me why gamer was so bad or why others opinions matter, only that you didn't want to bring it up when it comes to big business. I thought I was pretty straight forward on that.

Okay, what's important to you and what is important to me are two different things. You might not think the opinion of others matter but I do.

We know people who make those assumptions are ignorant and they can be easily ignored and shut down, but I've had enough of this. I'll take your advice and proudly call myself a gamer.

Actually, I prefer game junkie

If that's your prerogative, have at. But 'ware the negative connotations and don't come complaining when people think less of you for labeling yourself so.

 

[Nazulu]

I was challenging you on how you said it's best to not label yourself something with so many negative connotations to it, and you didn't convince me why gamer was so bad or why others opinions matter, only that you didn't want to bring it up when it comes to big business. I thought I was pretty straight forward on that.

Okay, what's important to you and what is important to me are two different things. You might not think the opinion of others matter but I do.

We know people who make those assumptions are ignorant and they can be easily ignored and shut down, but I've had enough of this. I'll take your advice and proudly call myself a gamer.

Actually, I prefer game junkie

If that's your prerogative, have at. But 'ware the negative connotations and don't come complaining when people think less of you for labeling yourself so.

You may have noticed that I've already labelled people who make such assumptions as ignorant morons, so don't worry, I'm already one step ahead.

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

I don't. Not for lack of actual gaming, rest assured. I just don't relate to the term or the community from a consumer standpoint.
I don't pre-order, I don't download, I don't own digital, I don't buy peripherals, I don't play online and I'm always one or two generations behind.

I've met people that play only table tops(CCGs, boardgames, model wargames) and have called themselves 'Gamers'. To me it doesn't matter what you play or how often. So game on buddy.

I'm usually in the crowd of people who say with irritation "Do you play games? Well, you're a gamer". I just don't like to call myself one. It's never come up and I don't feel I identify with the culture I personally associate it with.