Personally the only modern MMORPG trend that annoys me is the idea that MMOs need to be designed in a way to attract people who don't actually like MMOs. Which to me makes about as much sense as someone trying to figure out a way to get vegetarians to eat at their steakhouse. - FARGIN_WAR
There has to be a distinction between someone that just plays games as a pass time and someone that plays them as a hobby. I mean, I'm not a basketball player just because I occasionally mess about with a basketball.
A gamer to me is someone that regularly priorities gaming over doing something else. Someone that goes out of their way to do it, someone that is looking forward to some game releases as much as they look forward to their next vacation. Not just someone that does it when they have nothing else to do.
How good someone is at playing games, what games they play, how long they have to play games.. is nothing to do with it.
I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it.
Sry I posted something unrelated and couldn't delete post.
Guess I could have put some sort of answer rather than a period so I would say no. I play one game mainly which is Warband multiplayer. I lose interest fast when trying to play alot of single player games. I think I have adult add.
It's a good question, because it made me think of what I do and don't consider myself as.
I dance, but I don't consider myself a dancer. That I think is because 'dancer' is a job description, something that someone does for a living. I don't think I considered myself a dancer even when I performed with a (hobbyist) dance group.
I practiced karate but I don't think I considered myself a karateka. I feel that implies some interest in the philosophy behind that, or doing karate as a way of life.
I wrote, and I do think that I considered myself a writer. Sure, a wannabe, but I did hang around writing forums, read writing books and I did sell a story to a magazine. It's a good question of whether I can continue thinking about myself as a writer when I no longer write.
For gaming, well, I do think I was a gamer. I spent a large part of my time gaming, subscribed to gaming mags for quite a few years in the old days, cared about what was in development... So I feel that I was enough into it to actually name it. These days I don't play much, though I still follow the industry to an extent. I'd say that I'm more a gaming fan than a gamer.
I also enjoy movies... does that make me a "movie-er"?
There's a difference between enjoying movies and having more of an interest in them. You can certainly be a 'movie buff'. You can have an active interest in what is being made, in the actors, in the industry. You can go to the cinema on a regular basis. That would certainly make you a 'movie-er' in my book.
You're posting on a gaming site, so obviously you have more than casual interest in games. As I posted above, that by itself doesn't make one a gamer, I think (I consider myself a gaming fan more than a gamer, these days), but if you're interested enough to discuss gaming, interested enough for follow gaming news, and you're spending a decent amount of time gaming, then I'd say that you're a gamer.
I am not sure gamers exist any more, it has become so mainstream it is now just part of mainstream. There was a time you could define yourself as a gamer because relatively few people compared to today were gaming. There was a demographic, mostly teenage boys or men in their twenties.
That has been lost, the word much like the term MMORPG no longer means what it used to mean. Which in turn points to how much all games have changed, easy mode being the most obvious example of that.
The example was given "I also enjoy movies... does that make me a "movie-er"? Well we did think of ourselves as gamers, the term was quite apt. Now I find myself playing MMOs for the guild as much as the game, not playing certain genres as much as I used to and finding some genres of gaming have all but disappeared.
The term is still used of course, I use it, but I thinking it is more meaningful to gaming companies and their marketing departments than us.
I am not sure gamers exist any more, it has become so mainstream it is now just part of mainstream. There was a time you could define yourself as a gamer because relatively few people compared to today were gaming. There was a demographic, mostly teenage boys or men in their twenties.
That has been lost, the word much like the term MMORPG no longer means what it used to mean. Which in turn points to how much all games have changed, easy mode being the most obvious example of that.
The example was given "I also enjoy movies... does that make me a "movie-er"? Well we did think of ourselves as gamers, the term was quite apt. Now I find myself playing MMOs for the guild as much as the game, not playing certain genres as much as I used to and finding some genres of gaming have all but disappeared.
The term is still used of course, I use it, but I thinking it is more meaningful to gaming companies and their marketing departments than us.
Back then, "gamer" actually was fitting. Boot discs, video and sound card settings (IRQs and DMAs), jumpers, all had to be "right" in order to just boot a game up. A player actually needed to know computers, somewhat. Gaming was far from mainstream
- Al
Personally the only modern MMORPG trend that annoys me is the idea that MMOs need to be designed in a way to attract people who don't actually like MMOs. Which to me makes about as much sense as someone trying to figure out a way to get vegetarians to eat at their steakhouse. - FARGIN_WAR
Back then, "gamer" actually was fitting. Boot discs, video and sound card settings (IRQs and DMAs), jumpers, all had to be "right" in order to just boot a game up.
Only for a certain period for a certain platform. Gamers on Commodore 64, Spectrum, Amiga or Atari ST (etc.), and of course on consoles, didn't have to deal with that crap. It was only the masochists on the PC platform who had to suffer through that. And yes, there was a period when home computers were on the way out and the PC was the way to go for gaming, and Windows 95 still wasn't there, but that was a relatively short period in the history of gaming.
I am not sure gamers exist any more, it has become so mainstream it is now just part of mainstream.
I think that it still has meaning. It's true that most people play games, but just looking at my son and his friends, sure, they would all play Fortnite or Minecraft, but my son would also have me buy games he saw on YouTube, he wants a PS4 because he wants to play God of War, .... Compared to what I know of his friends, or my daughter, who also sometimes plays, I do feel that he's more knowledgeable and more engaged with the hobby.
Does it warrant calling him a 'gamer'? I think that's semantics. Whether it's a marketing definition or otherwise, there are different levels of engagement with the hobby, and since that distinction is meaningful, it's reasonable to have a name for it. Call it what you want (like my distinction between 'gamer' and 'gaming fan'), it still has meaning.
It's a good question, because it made me think of what I do and don't consider myself as.
I dance, but I don't consider myself a dancer. That I think is because 'dancer' is a job description, something that someone does for a living. I don't think I considered myself a dancer even when I performed with a (hobbyist) dance group.
I practiced karate but I don't think I considered myself a karateka. I feel that implies some interest in the philosophy behind that, or doing karate as a way of life.
I wrote, and I do think that I considered myself a writer. Sure, a wannabe, but I did hang around writing forums, read writing books and I did sell a story to a magazine. It's a good question of whether I can continue thinking about myself as a writer when I no longer write.
For gaming, well, I do think I was a gamer. I spent a large part of my time gaming, subscribed to gaming mags for quite a few years in the old days, cared about what was in development... So I feel that I was enough into it to actually name it. These days I don't play much, though I still follow the industry to an extent. I'd say that I'm more a gaming fan than a gamer.
You don't need to be paid to be a dancer. The act of dancing is making you a dancer. The act of getting compensated for dancing is making you a professional dancer.
I am not sure gamers exist any more, it has become so mainstream it is now just part of mainstream.
I think that it still has meaning. It's true that most people play games, but just looking at my son and his friends, sure, they would all play Fortnite or Minecraft, but my son would also have me buy games he saw on YouTube, he wants a PS4 because he wants to play God of War, .... Compared to what I know of his friends, or my daughter, who also sometimes plays, I do feel that he's more knowledgeable and more engaged with the hobby.
Does it warrant calling him a 'gamer'? I think that's semantics. Whether it's a marketing definition or otherwise, there are different levels of engagement with the hobby, and since that distinction is meaningful, it's reasonable to have a name for it. Call it what you want (like my distinction between 'gamer' and 'gaming fan'), it still has meaning.
It is certainly fair to say one person is more of a gamer than another, but the idea of what a gamer is has changed. For example many "gamers" watch as much or more gaming than they play, are they gamers? It is not a term that will die out because it is to handy as a marketing tool and we still use it, so it ain't going no where.
Like most people, I like to be entertained (and run away from my responsibilities). At some points, gaming was the bulk of those activities.
I've never felt the need to identify as a gamer though. To me, when you say you are something, it should be of significance. If I say I'm an accountant, you might want to hire me, or know how much I make, know where I'm can be useful now, in the future, etc. For me, it's how I buy food to live.
I suppose saying I'm a gamer lets you know...something. But I feel it's weird to define yourself by something you like to be entertained by. Sort of like those people who say "I'm a sexual person." Who isn't?
By identifying yourself as something, you are implying it is something more or different than everyone else. I suppose it divides people...the negative reaction is "so you indulge a lot huh?" and the positive is "wow, I'm a gamer too, we can be buddies!" Neither of those reactions interest me.
You don't need to be paid to be a dancer. The act of dancing is making you a dancer. The act of getting compensated for dancing is making you a professional dancer.
The act of dancing just makes you someone who dances. People dance on many occasions, but that doesn't make them dancers. You'd assume that someone at the very least has some skill in that. But I'd also assume, and I think that's what I think of what I am, it depends on the importance you give to the action. You might dance sometimes or play games sometimes, and it's something you enjoy, but if it's not part of your self definition, then you won't consider yourself a dancer or a gamer. Just like you don't consider yourself a TV watcher or book reader or basketball player (if you play with your friends, even if it's on a regular basis) or any of the other things you do.
There's also how others look at you, but it often goes hand in hand with how you see yourself. It's not always the same as how you see yourself, but it's often clear to others if you're good at something and dedicate a lot of time to it.
You don't need to be paid to be a dancer. The act of dancing is making you a dancer. The act of getting compensated for dancing is making you a professional dancer.
The act of dancing just makes you someone who dances. People dance on many occasions, but that doesn't make them dancers. You'd assume that someone at the very least has some skill in that. But I'd also assume, and I think that's what I think of what I am, it depends on the importance you give to the action. You might dance sometimes or play games sometimes, and it's something you enjoy, but if it's not part of your self definition, then you won't consider yourself a dancer or a gamer. Just like you don't consider yourself a TV watcher or book reader or basketball player (if you play with your friends, even if it's on a regular basis) or any of the other things you do.
There's also how others look at you, but it often goes hand in hand with how you see yourself. It's not always the same as how you see yourself, but it's often clear to others if you're good at something and dedicate a lot of time to it.
People call themselves a lot of things, not always exactly truthful. I've seen people call themselves professional writers because they wrote an e-novel on their blog, models if they have their picture on the web, and musicians with a YouTube video. None making money (or much if they do) and for sure they are, but used in a "this is my profession" kind of way.
"Gamer" is a bit different because it is not a profession, but an interest or hobby.
I do agree that how we see ourselves may differ in how others see us, and vice versa
- Al
Personally the only modern MMORPG trend that annoys me is the idea that MMOs need to be designed in a way to attract people who don't actually like MMOs. Which to me makes about as much sense as someone trying to figure out a way to get vegetarians to eat at their steakhouse. - FARGIN_WAR
The only problem with the gamer label is people that don't know you will think you are a fat nerd. Most people don't envision a gamer as the athletic type.
The thing that weirds me out is when people start acting like there is a gaming culture. Like people that wear Mario 1 shirts and don't wash properly. Yeah, those people exist, but they are only the most obnoxious people that game, not the representative ones.
People call themselves a lot of things, not always exactly truthful. I've seen people call themselves professional writers because they wrote an e-novel on their blog...
I agree with you that there's a bit of distinction between hobbyist and professional. I think it's reasonable for a person to consider themselves a writer if they finished and published a novel. However, I won't consider someone a professional writer if they didn't actually sell anything. As to what is required to be considered a pro, far as I remember SFWA's criteria was (when I was writing) 3 short stories sold to be published or one novel at certain terms. I'm sure definitions vary.
Still, if that person is dedicating quite a bit of time to writing, and is continuing to work on new novels, etc., I'd certainly consider them a writer. A hobbyist writer, perhaps, but still a writer.
Gamer these days is a profession too. Professional gaming is a thing, and people have made quite a bit of money off it. Here too it's possible to distinguish between pro and hobbyist, but again, it's mainly whether one makes money off it.
The thing that weirds me out is when people start acting like there is a gaming culture. Like people that wear Mario 1 shirts and don't wash properly. Yeah, those people exist, but they are only the most obnoxious people that game, not the representative ones.
I'm not sure how 'don't wash properly' comes into this. There's gaming culture, whether it's in the form of gaming cosplay, figure collection or t-shirts. These people aren't necessarily obnoxious, unless you in general dislike people who are very dedicated to a hobby (which I admit can be annoying for any hobby).
Still, if that person is dedicating quite a bit of time to writing, and is continuing to work on new novels, etc., I'd certainly consider them a writer. A hobbyist writer, perhaps, but still a writer.
I would as well. I know quite a lot of artists, writers, actors, etc who do not make a living but spend an amazing amount of time honing and practicing their art.
Like Skyrim? Need more content? Try my Skyrim mod "Godfred's Tomb."
Still, if that person is dedicating quite a bit of time to writing, and is continuing to work on new novels, etc., I'd certainly consider them a writer. A hobbyist writer, perhaps, but still a writer.
I would as well. I know quite a lot of artists, writers, actors, etc who do not make a living but spend an amazing amount of time honing and practicing their art.
I agree, and didn't mean to imply they weren't, just because they were hobbyists. My point was more towards how some people see themselves, or portray themselves to others
PS to ET3D: BeansnBread used the "dirty stinky" trope that gamers all live in their parents basement, do not bathe, and are fat slugs
- Al
Personally the only modern MMORPG trend that annoys me is the idea that MMOs need to be designed in a way to attract people who don't actually like MMOs. Which to me makes about as much sense as someone trying to figure out a way to get vegetarians to eat at their steakhouse. - FARGIN_WAR
Comments
- Al
Personally the only modern MMORPG trend that annoys me is the idea that MMOs need to be designed in a way to attract people who don't actually like MMOs. Which to me makes about as much sense as someone trying to figure out a way to get vegetarians to eat at their steakhouse.- FARGIN_WAR
A gamer to me is someone that regularly priorities gaming over doing something else. Someone that goes out of their way to do it, someone that is looking forward to some game releases as much as they look forward to their next vacation. Not just someone that does it when they have nothing else to do.
How good someone is at playing games, what games they play, how long they have to play games.. is nothing to do with it.
Guess I could have put some sort of answer rather than a period so I would say no. I play one game mainly which is Warband multiplayer. I lose interest fast when trying to play alot of single player games. I think I have adult add.
"If I offended you, you needed it" -Corey Taylor
That has been lost, the word much like the term MMORPG no longer means what it used to mean. Which in turn points to how much all games have changed, easy mode being the most obvious example of that.
The example was given "I also enjoy movies... does that make me a "movie-er"? Well we did think of ourselves as gamers, the term was quite apt. Now I find myself playing MMOs for the guild as much as the game, not playing certain genres as much as I used to and finding some genres of gaming have all but disappeared.
The term is still used of course, I use it, but I thinking it is more meaningful to gaming companies and their marketing departments than us.
- Al
Personally the only modern MMORPG trend that annoys me is the idea that MMOs need to be designed in a way to attract people who don't actually like MMOs. Which to me makes about as much sense as someone trying to figure out a way to get vegetarians to eat at their steakhouse.- FARGIN_WAR
I've never felt the need to identify as a gamer though. To me, when you say you are something, it should be of significance. If I say I'm an accountant, you might want to hire me, or know how much I make, know where I'm can be useful now, in the future, etc. For me, it's how I buy food to live.
I suppose saying I'm a gamer lets you know...something. But I feel it's weird to define yourself by something you like to be entertained by. Sort of like those people who say "I'm a sexual person." Who isn't?
By identifying yourself as something, you are implying it is something more or different than everyone else. I suppose it divides people...the negative reaction is "so you indulge a lot huh?" and the positive is "wow, I'm a gamer too, we can be buddies!" Neither of those reactions interest me.
Someone even called me a "newb" the other day. Can you imagine?
Once upon a time....
"Gamer" is a bit different because it is not a profession, but an interest or hobby.
I do agree that how we see ourselves may differ in how others see us, and vice versa
- Al
Personally the only modern MMORPG trend that annoys me is the idea that MMOs need to be designed in a way to attract people who don't actually like MMOs. Which to me makes about as much sense as someone trying to figure out a way to get vegetarians to eat at their steakhouse.- FARGIN_WAR
You can see my sci-fi/WW2 book recommendations.
Godfred's Tomb Trailer: https://youtu.be/-nsXGddj_4w
Original Skyrim: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/109547
Serph toze kindly has started a walk-through. https://youtu.be/UIelCK-lldo
PS to ET3D: BeansnBread used the "dirty stinky" trope that gamers all live in their parents basement, do not bathe, and are fat slugs
- Al
Personally the only modern MMORPG trend that annoys me is the idea that MMOs need to be designed in a way to attract people who don't actually like MMOs. Which to me makes about as much sense as someone trying to figure out a way to get vegetarians to eat at their steakhouse.- FARGIN_WAR