Your identity as a gamer

[PhunkyPhazon]

Well, gaming is what I do most and what I do best. Whatever I end up doing for a career, odds are it will be video game related whether it be designing, reviewing, or selling. As such, I don't even try to mask the fact that I'm a "hardcore" gamer. But I don't flaunt it, either. Like I'm not going to introduce myself as a gamer to everyone I meet, though they're guaranteed to find out.

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

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Pretty plain to see what my identity as a gamer is. There's of course more to it but I've always been huge into Pokemon and that's the hat I chose to wear.

Outside of environments as accepting as the Escapist, I wear the hat of a Sci-Fi/FPS gamer[footnote]Which I am to a large extent[/footnote] but RPG games, with Pokemon in particular, hold sway over my gaming identity.

I don't think of it in terms of hardcore or casual; I think of it in terms of flavor and degree.

 

[FalloutJack]

Hello! Is this at a Gamestop by any chance? I do believe they're all run differently, really. As soon as I get asked about help and I say browsing, they usually stop. Different people, different levels of pitch, I guess.

My regard to identity is that "Gamer = He who plays games, no more or less.". It was never meant to be this big world-shuddering thing. People take it all way to seriously. It's all suppose to be about having fun. And if you're not, then something's wrong.

 

[Cowabungaa]

Dang, talk about an awesome first post on these forums. Welcome to the Escapist my good man, you'll fit in nicely here.

As for your question, I don't really advertise my enthusiasm for games. Don't attempt to hide it either when someone would start talking about it to me either though. Yes I'm fascinated by the medium and it's possibilities, and it's one of my prefered ways to unwind, but I never felt the need to shout out I like games.

It's still important to me though, and I'd happily 'confess' I love games to anyone, no shame involved at all. I think it's even important enough to play a role in getting into a romantic relationship, in that games to me are important and a big enough part (note: I do not see it as a 'lifestyle' mind you) that to really 'get' me, a potential girlfriend should be into games in one degree or another.

Also, in your situation I would've countered with something like "Nah just checking whether you have a copy of Planescape: Torment." and watch his "...wut?" face form. Of course, if he'd respond knowledgibly, I'd be sincerly impressed. Can't have too many youngsters knowing their classics.

PS: Heej, at least Black Ops isn't as fundamentally broken as MW2. Be happy he didn't suggest that.

 

[hexFrank202]

I like games and I play games. But the gaming community in general is scary. So I refuse to be 'a gamer'. Perhaps I'm a gamer in the same way that Wonder Woman is an amazonian.

I would get more into this but I couldn't without being understandably banned.

 

[hexFrank202]

Reading the rules' update, or something, caused me to double post. Weird glitch.

 

[Mcupobob]

Much like you I don't advertises it or try to keep it secret. But being 18 white and male most people just assume I play games and I do so theres that. Though I'm more of a occasional sim city builder or RTS player than your average suburban teen COD player like most people assume I am.

 

[NoriYuki Sato]

Welcome to The Escapist Mi Comrade! (Sprussian....or Ranish) Let me answer your very articulate question by saying: I very much consider myself a gamer. My reasoning behind such is because I have been playing video games ever since I can remember. When people insult the gaming industry and gamer in general, I stand up for it with all that I've got.

Now I realize the above statement may seem, well, rather silly to some, but I believe in gaming and what goes into it, as well as what it offers. Sure, we started out by shooting a small pixel ship through blocks of white into slowly descending alien ships, but we grew into a massive art form, stories are now extensions of people's minds. They are no longer "Let's make em shoot alien ships," or, "Move that circle to eat the other circles and cherries." We are now full of rich story and environment and detail. We are also full of things that would would mortify some, and be ceaseless entertainment for others!

I stand up for games, like I stand up for music and my friends. I believe in games like I believe in music and my friends. I have been a gamer for as long as I can remember, and I plan on staying that way. I have no issues announcing to the world that I am a gamer. I have no problem trying MOST games at least once.

The only time I suppress my identity as a gamer is during an interview or when it should be kept to myself. If I get the job, I will meet people and tell them I game. A true gamer should never have to "hide" the fact that they play games of the video persuasion. I will suppress it if the situation calls for it as mentioned above, but I will never hide who I truly am. I refuse to.

 

[Xixikal]

I also openly identify myself as a gamer. I find it a good conversation starter and, thus, often end up in conversations with fellow gamers. I figure it as a fairly prominent part of my life now and in the future.
If someone does come up to me in a game store and ask me for assistance I usually reply " I DO know what I'm looking for".
Though, I used to feel awkward being a girl in the games section, it doesn't bother me anymore.

 

[StormShaun]

Im open about me being a gamer, everyone knows it..

 

[Davey Woo]

The fact that I'm a gamer doesn't really raise itself in most situations. All the people that like me, like me because I'm a grumpy, funny, cynical bastad, and all the people that don't like me, don't like me because I'm a grumpy, funny, cynical bastard.

If someone asks me what I do in my spare time, I'll just shrug and say not much, not because I'm embarassed about gaming, but because I know that to a lot of people it's not a note-worthy thing to do.

 

[Vault101]

someone asks me or gives them opertunity then I could talk about games for ageis and never shut up

but usually other than escapist I dont have anyone to discuss gaming with, Im not ashmed of it though I was in the past (playing somthing particually violent ect..I just felt dirty afterwards)

Now I dont really care what people think...though I will admit somone asks what I do I just say "nothing" because in their eyes somtimes saying "nothing" is better than "played video-games" its still that mentality stuck with me I supose

also I dont let on to my mum how much money I actually spend on games