Closet Gamer or Proud Gamer?

[jecca-neko]

Gaming has really come far since I was a kid. As a kid, it was a nerdy hobby. Nowadays, I don't get that same impression. I know there's a decent number of AoDers that hide their anime fandom so I must ask:

Are you a closet gamer or are you proud to be a gamer? Or maybe you're something in between.

Me, I'm definitely a proud gamer. I'll wear gaming shirts in public and to work. It's neat because sometimes when I wear my "Back in the Day" shirt that has a picture of the NES controller I give people that warm, fuzzy nostalgia feeling. I know, because they usually tell me so. :) I've got gaming related stuff on my desk at work, to even include a big Pikachu sticker. I frequently tell co-workers, even the non-gamer ones, about games they might like. I've made at least a few casual gamers with this. I'm also the video game rep for our club at work.

No one has called me a nerd for my gaming hobby ever since high school, when I got called a nerd for playing Pokemon on my Gameboy Pocket on the bus. :blush:

[ADC]

I don't know that I'm really a 'closet' gamer — the people whom I care about know that I'm a gamer — but I don't exactly advertise, either. I have no game-related apparel, I don't play my DS or GBm anywhere except my living room (I probably would if public transportation in Sacramento were worth a damn, but, like just about everything else in this town, it isn't), so there you are. It's not a matter of not wanting to be called a geek or nerd or whatever, just that I have clothes I like to wear which don't have games (or animé) on them.

I think I'd say it this way: When I'm playing games or posting about them on AoD, games are important to me. When I'm not playing or posting, they're not. Does that make sense? :nervous:

[distantmantra]

I think I'd say it this way: When I'm playing games or posting about them on AoD, games are important to me. When I'm not playing or posting, they're not. Does that make sense?

This describes me as well, I couldn't have said it any better.

I enjoy gaming, and I don't care if people know it. But, at the same time, my life does not revolve around gaming, I don't wear game-related clothing, my house is devoid of gaming swag, etc.

Much like anime, it's a hobby of mine, nothing more.

[Citizen Klaus]

I wouldn't say I'm a proud gamer, but I'm definately not closeted. I don't wear game T-shirts (though I do own a few), but I'm not shy about my gaming. I have no qualms about playing my DS at school or in the green room; in fact, I've managed to pique the interests of more than a few people thanks to Cooking Mama, Phoenix Wright, and Brain Age. I might even have sold a few folks on getting a DS themselves. :nervous:

But yeah, it's kind of fascinating to see just how much popular acceptance video gaming enjoys these days; I remember when it used to be on almost the same level as anime or D&D. Now (thanks, in my estimation, to GTA, Madden, and other "adult-friendly" franchises), gaming seems to be a bona-fide part of mainstream culture. A Super NES used to be almost a badge of distinction (or infamy), but a PlayStation 2 now seems to be an essential home-entertainment accessory, along with a flat-screen TV and an iPod.

And yet anime and manga still get wary glances and suspicious mutterings. Odd, how this stuff works.

[Warren]

I'll have to say I'm somewhere in between.

I don't wear game shirts, and generally don't advertise my gaming hobbies, so I'm not a proud gamer. The only game related thing I carry around normally is a Xenosaga keychain.

However, I do talk about what games I've been playing with people around me. So... I'm not really a closet gamer either.

I've never had anyone give me a hard time about gaming either. Although, I do get comments about how I don't really play MMORPGs. I guess it's generally more accepted nowadays that someone my age plays games...

[Chacranajxy]

Closet. The only people who really know how ridiculously huge of a nerd I am are really good friends and family. Basically, if anyone's seen my room, they would probably suspect that I like gaming... just a little.

[joelgundam01]

Are you a closet gamer or are you proud to be a gamer? Or maybe you're something in between.


I would say, somewhere inbetween. Many of my co-workers and friends know that I'm a gamer. However, I don't really show it (ie wear game releted clothing, ect...).

[GHardin]

I'm not going to go so far as actively wear gaming shirts and whatnot, but other than that, I like to think of myself as a proud gamer.

[ADC]

But yeah, it's kind of fascinating to see just how much popular acceptance video gaming enjoys these days; I remember when it used to be on almost the same level as anime or D&D. Now (thanks, in my estimation, to GTA, Madden, and other "adult-friendly" franchises), gaming seems to be a bona-fide part of mainstream culture. A Super NES used to be almost a badge of distinction (or infamy), but a PlayStation 2 now seems to be an essential home-entertainment accessory, along with a flat-screen TV and an iPod.
The strange thing is, most of the D&D freaks I've known aren't that much into video games. Which I guess makes video games geekdom-lite. Who knew? But you make an excellent point about the change in perception. I think, though, that the adultification of games isn't a product of GTA or Madden so much as the way the Playstation broke Nintendo's family-friendly stranglehold on the industry. The moment Barret launched into his first profanity-laced tirade, the genie was out of the bottle, I think.

On a side note, my iPod shuffle got noticed by some employees at Worst Buy this evening (I'm thinking of upgrading them to Mediocre Buy after the excellent service I got this evening). Everybody seems shocked that they could make it so small, which, admittedly, I was when it arrived.

[GyBaNO]

Proud gamer, but I don't advertise outside of playing my Nintendo DS in public places.

I was in Little Ceasers the other day playing Elite Beat Agents (with the headphones on) while waiting for my specialized pizzas to get done.

;)

[jejune]

I'm always a little weird. I'd describe my relation to videogames as 'Hardcore Lite'. If you averaged out how much I normally play, it probably would come out to barely an hour a week - I just tend to gravitate to the most nerdy, hardcore stuff for that one hour.

I've beaten Xenogears and it's my favorite game of all time, but I've never played a Final Fantasy title past getting to the world map. Metroid Prime and Metal Gear Solid just couldn't hold my interest, but I've played Sword of the Berserk (DC) and Front Mission 3 to death.

I'm not pretentious about it, and I don't think that the games I play are any better than a lot of the more mainstream ones I usually pass up (I did love Sonic Adventure and Custom Robo. Can't admit that you love Custom Robo and still have any hope of coming off as 'high-brow'), but a lot of what I play tends to be very story-driven stuff. It all seems very mature when I'm immersed.

But then I walk in to check out the games store during a break from work, I'll see some guy asking his wife if he can buy <Game X>, and I suddenly find myself feeling really embarassed. It just all seems really childish all of a sudden.

I know that it's not - non gamers have their soap operas, or their game shows, or favorite TV show or card game or football game or whatever; and it all fills the same spot that video games or anime do for us. I don't know why I'm so programmed to view my hobbies as inferior - just something I'll have to get over one of these days.

I guess I am a closet gamer, though. :)

[Nork22]

If you ask me that question 10 years ago, I would have been a proud gamer.

But nowadays, much like my anime, I'm just a casual hardcore.

[Suwako Moriya]

I guess somewhere in between, I'm not going to stand in the middle of a store and announce my love for Video Games by way of a speaker phone making sure it's being broadcast live. However at the same time, I'm not going to wear a dark robe, lurk in the shadows, and disguise my voice just to purchase a game. In short I'm closet enough to not constantly advertise it, but proud to not hide the fact I'm a fan.

[Fudce]

I'm definitly a proud gamer, and for me that's sort of strange. Normally I'm quite introverted, and don't like to talk about myself, but I have no qualms wearing my "Touch Me" Nintendo DS promo Tshirt, nor do I mind folks seeing my NES pad keyring.

[Noodle]

I guess I'd say proud, simply because I don't ever deny that I play them, I'm not embarassed to shop for them, I'll talk about playing them to anyone around if that's what hobby I'm engaged in at the time, and even though I don't wear game clothing, I do have pins on my bag, game paraphernalia sitting around my desk, I'll play my gameboy on the bus... whatever. Certainly there is plenty of proof in my house. I'm not "hardcore" to the people who call themselves that, but I can obsess over a game just like they can if I'm so inclined.

Basically I view video games the way I view anime or manga - something I really love to enjoy and I'm not ashamed of it. If people can't handle it or want to think I'm a dork - they're welcome to kiss me bum. :neko: As much as I can sympathize with the closet-type folks, (hey, I've been there), I think the only way to stop people from looking down on your interests is to take pride in them. If you can't be proud of what you do, why should anyone else take it seriously?

[Nosredna]

I think I'm in between. I don't go out telling people I play video games, but I don't hide the fact either. I have no problems playing my DS in public and I don't have problems talking about video games in public. But I don't pre-order games any more and really get too exicted about them, so I'd guess I'm in between.

[battra92]

I love to game and will talk about it with anyone who wants to but I don't wear T-shirts or advertise my console loyalty to the world or anything like that.

[Mateo_home]

I'm more towards a proud gamer. I play my DS on the train alot and sometimes in the employee locker room and not care what my co-workers say about it. But I don't brag about it, just play casually. I did tell them I got the Wii, but I don't care what they think. Just gotta satisfy yourself. :P

[Johnny]

Anyone who lives in this house with me knows I'm a bit obsessive. My mum seemed particularly shocked/interested when I told her I had a PS3 coming as she had watched some news report on the European delay/shortage of them available.
My bro knows as well. He was on the same sort of level of hardcoreness back in the PSone days but is more of a casual gamer now. He (or anyone else) doesn't know how much I spend per month/year but was pretty shocked when I told him my 50th DS game was on the way.

Outside though I don't tell anyone. I don't feel the need to. If they ask specifically I'll tell them.

I honestly don't even consider it a hobby anymore. It's been in my life for close to 20 years and is more of a way of life for me.

[BluWacky]

I'm almost far enough in the gaming closet I'm in digital Narnia...

Well, the family is well aware of my gaming habit as my sister and dad are both big ol' geeks as well (although only they know about the Xbox 360...) but I do my damnedest to hide it from the world at large, mostly because I have no need to talk about it and have other things in common with people. I don't want people judging me harshly because of my unhealthy liking for melodramatic, barely interactive RPGs, now, do I? :)

[ZhenJi]

I'ma proud gamer. I dont' wear t-shirts but I have no problem playing my DS in public or telling my boss that I'm tired because I stayed up all night playing video games.

[ADC]

I'ma proud gamer. I dont' wear t-shirts but I have no problem playing my DS in public or telling my boss that I'm tired because I stayed up all night playing video games.
I told my boss that once at SG and he didn't understand. He lectured me about the value of a good night's sleep. He needed, to borrow a phrase from George Harrison, a damn'd good whacking.

[Lego]

I would have to say in the right settings, I'm a proud gamer. Of course I'm not going to go into a Wal Mart and go "ZOMG I PWN YOU NOOBS!" hehe. But if I'm in a specialty game shop, then I'll be a little more assertive. Most or not all of my friends game, my younger brothers game, so it isn't something that I have to hide. In public, I guess I would be a closet hardcore gamer. We've all heard of Mario, Sonic and so on, but how many have heard of some of the more obscure characters?

I'm not ashamed to be a gamer, but I find that my gaming fandom mirrors my anime fandom. I don't really go on and on about it unless I'm in the right situation.

[AbeChinchilla]

PROUD!!

Although I'm somewhat nerdy for anime, I try to give the impression to others that ANYONE could be a gamer.

And I really think the "Wii" is going to change things.

[Kikaroo]

Count me in the "proud" group. I have various shirts I wear on casual days at work (my favorite is the Murloc shirt from Blizzcon - nobody at work has ANY idea what it is :D). And I've had my Blizzcon Diablo bracelet thing on since we went last year (that trip was such a great "self birthday gift"!). I suppose it might look out of place in the office, but given the anime/gaming decor around my desk - everybody thinks I'm weird anyway :nervous:

Of course, I can't say I'm much of a hardcore gamer. I tend to have one game I play at any given time, usually an MMO which sucks up any and all free time I have (WoW, for the last 2 years and various others for ~5 years? before that ><). Prior to MMO's I really did play a lot more games, but since then... Eh. Not so much. Exceptions tend to be when a new FF comes out or something really catches my eye, though the "catches my eye" games tend to never get finished >< So, it's either playing WoW or watching anime when I have time to spare.

Now, I do have a variety of games to try out if I ever should choose to do so - hubby buys a new game every week just about. And we tend to find game night LAN parties to attend with his co-workers - nothing screams proud gamer more than lugging your PC's around town, sometimes overnight, just to play games you COULD play together from your house. ;)

[Johnny]

Just on this subject, like I said in my original post, I don't usually tell anyone but last week in work, completely out of the blue, my line manager asked me if I was into games (I think he'd just been doing some Christmas shopping and couldn't find what games he was planning on buying).
I told him I was and he was telling me he bought his son an Xbox and PS2 a while ago and was looking for games, but freely admitted that he was the one that played them most.
That was fairly surprising as, on the outside, he looks and appears nothing like a typical gamer. He wasn't even shocked that I dropped £700+ on a PS3, saying that if I got the use out of it he could see my justification in spending that amount.

So yeah that was pretty weird and unexpected.

[safielstar]

Proud gamer here. Don't have any cool gaming t-shirts yet, but I play my DS in public and talk about the games I play to other people. It helps that my SO is a big gamer and most of our friends are as well. Even when I was younger most of my friends were some sort of gamer, so I've never seen gaming as a really nerdy hobby, although I did figure out that gaming was not something the girls in my area really did.

[Kevinroc]

I've been playing games since I was a kid. I don't hide it or anything but I don't advertise it either. I don't wear shirts or anything like that that advertising that I play video games. I've gone out with my DS in public. If people ask, I tell them.

[Kinomoto_Shinji]

Somewhere in between, since I don't consider myself a traditional gamer. Ever since I started playing Pump three years ago, I've been hook on Bemani type games. If anyone asks what my hobbies are, I'll normaly tell them I play Bemani type games instead of being a gamer, since that's what occupies 90% of my play time. ^^;; I do have some DDR shirts that I wear, so I guess I advertise a little. If I could find a place that sold shirts for bemani type games, I'd probably wear them a lot.

[AdyHart]

Proud Gamer without a doubt. I dont go running around screaming at people that I play games but I do tend to bring gaming references into a large amount of work I do as well as in conversations with people. Its not like its kids stuff as I wouldn't trust anyone under 13 to touch a PS3,Xbox360 or Wii or any high level console as I would be worried for the equipment. Plus kids with their grubby little hands sticky and covered in chocolate would just mess up the consoles and the discs . :P