The word "gamer".

[Pixel_Outlaw]

Am I the only person who hates the word "gamer" and what it stands for?

Currently the modern "gamer" is a person who wears a knit hat (in mid summer), has heavy framed rectangular glasses and long moppy hair. They often stink and wear dark cloths.

They are a bunch of punks quick to jump on the bandwagon with other "gamers" and are easily impressed by poor quality games with impressive visuals.

I would like to separate the shmup elite from this term. What other terms would best fit us? I'm just sick of seeing the word "gamer" plastered on every magazine and game product.

[ED-057]

What other terms would best fit us?

I doubt there is a single stereotype that applies to everyone on shmups forum. I'm happy to identify as otaku myself.

[Pixel_Outlaw]

Ok fair enough.
I must admit that there is no single word to describe everyone but I do wish to depart from the term gamer. I know some people will disagree with me but that is fine.

[Necronopticous]

I jokingly refer to myself as a gaming extraordinaire to my friends. They think it's a joke, at least.

[Bloodreign]

I just refer to myself as old school game player, as I play lots of old school games, I much prefer them over much of the new stuff. Never really thought of myself as a gamer, more of a game player.

[crithit5000]

Am I the only person who hates the word "gamer" and what it stands for?

I'd like to say 'yes', but there's probably other crazies out there.

Currently the modern "gamer" is a person who wears a knit hat (in mid summer), has heavy framed rectangular glasses and long moppy hair. They often stink and wear dark cloths.

No, that's the general youth of today who just happen to be wearing a Halo or Mario t-shirt from Hot Topic. Seriously, all those kids look the same. And if you actually talk to them, they're more apt to describe themselves as 'indie' than gamers. It's grunge all over again, only they like video games on occasion.

I would like to separate the shmup elite from this term. What other terms would best fit us? I'm just sick of seeing the word "gamer" plastered on every magazine and game product.

I suggest "Snooty fags"

[trivial]

"Gaming" was co-opted by gambling years ago. "Video game" doesn't yet mean video poker or slots though. Gamblers are kind of retarded and I'd rather not be taken for one.

[jpj]

i hate the word gamer, especially when spoken with a nasal american accent. "hi there fellow gaaaaaaaamers..." that makes me cringe

it's like a sanitised PR version of "nerd"

i totally understand why you don't want to be associated with a lot of the current crop of players

[moozooh]

So you want to come up with a term that would emphasize the elitism of this (and a handful other) community, and further depreciate the rest? "They aren't like us, they don't like GOOD games" or something?

I don't remember if forceful segregation has ever managed to accomplish something useful.

You probably want to take this less seriously. There are people here that don't want to be grouped together regardless of how it's going to be called. For many obvious reasons, too.

For one, I can't even be referred to as a gamer because I barely play any games anymore, especially if compared with 6-8 years ago.

[jpj]

There are people here that don't want to be grouped together regardless of how it's going to be called.

exactly

no stereotypes for me please

[Lordstar]

I dont care. you can put me in any group you like, theres only one me. To the rejoice of many

[Klatrymadon]

To be honest, Pixel, I think you might be attaching to this word a group of people that don't really exist. Or, at least, not in the numbers you're suggesting. I don't like the word "gamer" either, but that's because it sounds corny as hell and because I'm resistant towards any language that attempts to pigeon-hole people in terms of petty adolescent social groups.

So, yeah, I don't like it, but I'm not looking for a word to replace it with, either.

If people want to know what I'm into, I'll explain what I'm into. Using this kind of language is inviting people to think of you as part of a faceless, amorphous mass. I would cease to be "Mike, who likes his death metal" and become "a metaller", or some silly rubbish like that.

[PROMETHEUS]

Am I the only person who hates the word "gamer" and what it stands for?

Currently the modern "gamer" is a person who wears a knit hat (in mid summer), has heavy framed rectangular glasses and long moppy hair. They often stink and wear dark cloths.

This is a barely existent occidental stereotype. To me a gamer is someone who plays competitive games, therefore someone who works at overcoming his limits and getting harder better stronger faster ;]

[Lordstar]

I work more than i game these days. Gaming has alwasy been a hobby for me I worked in the games industry in 99 until 02 I did not really see myself as a gamer then. Something I do (no matter how much of my time it takes up) does not make me something. However anyone who wishes to pegion hole me is welcome to as it really is nothing more than a title to lable me one way or another, not that anyone would want to im higly unintresting compared to some.

its odd because even though I play games a lot and they say that the things we do make us the people we are I still dont feel like I am "a gamer" maybe becuase i know theres better examples of "gamers" than me.

[markedkiller78]

I don’t like to be pigeonholed either and I don’t think of myself as a gamer, but if that’s what they’re calling us, so be it.

I’ve been called a lot worse things than a gamer. Recently a friend’s fiancé referred to me as “the 40 year old virgin”. I think the number of toys, cabs, computers & crap lying about my spare room inspired the comment. I don’t really know the guy that well, so it sounded a bit off to me, but I can always take solace in the fact that his fiancé gave “the 40 year old virgin “ a BJ 12 years ago.

Jesus I forgot it had been that long. I’m getting old

[Frederik]

"Gamer" is about as exact as "Book Reader" or "Music Listener".

"Hey dude, you listen to music as well? Rad! Music really kicks ass, eh? In fact, I bought a music compact disc just this week and will be going to a big music concert in a few weeks. Man, it´s good to be a music listener."

[honorless]

Pixel, people like you are the exact reason the word "gamer" has such negative connotations in some circles. Thank you for helping perpetuate the stereotypes!

Less sarcastically, you disliking the term is not going to stop people from using it, or from associating it with the same/a different group of people.

A better solution would be to refer to yourself as a gamer—since the definition of "gamer" is "someone who plays games"—and help stretch the negative stereotypes into irrelevancy.

Here, an example: I am quite bald (at the moment). I wear a lot of bright clothing. Whether the underlying game holds up or not, I am deeply prejudiced against polygonal graphics. I have never worn a knit hat in my life. And yet, I am a "gamer".

Feel free to try and fit that rhomboid peg into your round hole, sir.

[Super Laydock]

What Bloodreign said!


I have no real negative connotations with the word gamer though.
Anyone who does seems to have some elitist aspirations.

You prefer to play a certain genre of video games over others... you´re still a gamer.

Refer to terms like shmup-o/shmupper or the likes describe yourself in more detail. Shmupotaku has a nice ring to it for me as well, but seems to be too popular sounding/looking...

[Momijitsuki]

What other terms would best fit us?

I doubt there is a single stereotype that applies to everyone on shmups forum. I'm happy to identify as otaku myself.

I'd go so far to say that there is no single stereotype to use for any large group of people on this or on any forum except for 'human'. Well, unless you have your dog/cat/goldfish typing for you or something.


As for me, I'm more of an otaku than a gamer.

[Taylor]

Gaming isn’t considered a pastime exclusive to geeky basement-dwellers anymore, so the term gamer is likewise inoffensive.

[Lordstar]

but I can always take solace in the fact that his fiancé gave “the 40 year old virgin “ a BJ 12 years ago.

FUCK YEAH HIGH FIVE DUDE!

[Diabollokus]

You should absolutely mention that at the wedding, everyone will find it hilarious and be more friendly towards you.