Gaming Rant

Ok, as of late I have been witnessing some things with my co-workers and friends that has been boiling my blood. It has to do with the fact that I'm a gamer and definitely because I'm a ''PC'' gamer. Let's get started why don't we?First off, it is true that when entering the realm of PC gaming it can run you a pretty penny but only depending on the level of detail and performance you want for your system. I decided to choose a somewhat costly alternative with my purchases but don't worry, I saved my money in building it myself (Great thing about being in the computer industry) That is all fine and dandy until my co-worker came over to my house as he was having a computer issue of his own. So I drag his relic of a machine over to the desk which my computer is happily perched near and he says ''Wow, look at that. How much did it cost you?'' After adding up approximate cost, he proceeds to laugh saying that I wasted my money and that I could get one down the road for a lot cheaper at futureshop. I then attempted to justify my reasoning for purchasing such a machine to him and he just would not accept it. So I shrugged it off and finished repairing his system.The next couple of weeks, my friend who is dedicated to the Xbox 360 asked me for some computer purchasing advice. I simply asked him what the need of the system was for and he mentioned to me that he needed it to be mobile, great performance and to be able to run a couple of games. So I then proceed to locate a good priced laptop for him that could run the games he wished to play. After seeing the specs he asked me how it would hold up against the Xbox 360 and knowing that the graphics chipset was pretty low due to his budget requirements, I told him not so well in the graphics department. He then started with the normal ''See, this is why I purchase consoles. You get better graphics and gameplay and no messing around with specs.'' (I sugar coated it) Knowing that he was a lost cause and that saying anything would just result in him getting defensive, I let him have his victory and I went on my merry way.Then I went to work just a couple of days ago and my co-workers asked me what kind of games I played. Now, they were just talking about pong and the Atari so I quickly assumed they meant computer/video games and I told them about my preferences. They then started to laugh and insulting me as they were referring to sports instead. After telling them that I gave up on competitive sports years ago, they proceeded to start slamming me with the derogatory use of nerd and geek. But, after letting them have their spoils I went to get my lunch and when I returned were two of my other co-workers who not only played computer/video games but dedicated most of their life to WoW. We discussed many gaming topics during the lunch break and got me thinking and the following questions came to mind.Why is it that in a world that is obsessed with entertainment, that interactive entertainment (Aka gaming) is frowned upon by the masses? Why is the love of a computer system or video game console always the target of ridicule stating that it is a waste of money? Is the hobby of gaming really much different from cars or hunting?Anyways, that is the end of my rant. Feel free to comment and please keep the replies clean.Gaming Rant
It's peoples preconceived beliefs about gaming that affects its overall image.Gaming Rant
I think it's because video games don't inherently make you smarter, stronger or more physically attractive.
Patronizing people like that always seems to piss them off, especially running logic circles around them.
[QUOTE=''Cdscottie''] Ok, as of late I have been witnessing some things with my co-workers and friends that has been boiling my blood. It has to do with the fact that I'm a gamer and definitely because I'm a ''PC'' gamer. Let's get started why don't we?First off, it is true that when entering the realm of PC gaming it can run you a pretty penny but only depending on the level of detail and performance you want for your system. I decided to choose a somewhat costly alternative with my purchases but don't worry, I saved my money in building it myself (Great thing about being in the computer industry) That is all fine and dandy until my co-worker came over to my house as he was having a computer issue of his own. So I drag his relic of a machine over to the desk which my computer is happily perched near and he says ''Wow, look at that. How much did it cost you?'' After adding up approximate cost, he proceeds to laugh saying that I wasted my money and that I could get one down the road for a lot cheaper at futureshop. I then attempted to justify my reasoning for purchasing such a machine to him and he just would not accept it. So I shrugged it off and finished repairing his system.The next couple of weeks, my friend who is dedicated to the Xbox 360 asked me for some computer purchasing advice. I simply asked him what the need of the system was for and he mentioned to me that he needed it to be mobile, great performance and to be able to run a couple of games. So I then proceed to locate a good priced laptop for him that could run the games he wished to play. After seeing the specs he asked me how it would hold up against the Xbox 360 and knowing that the graphics chipset was pretty low due to his budget requirements, I told him not so well in the graphics department. He then started with the normal ''See, this is why I purchase consoles. You get better graphics and gameplay and no messing around with specs.'' (I sugar coated it) Knowing that he was a lost cause and that saying anything would just result in him getting defensive, I let him have his victory and I went on my merry way.Then I went to work just a couple of days ago and my co-workers asked me what kind of games I played. Now, they were just talking about pong and the Atari so I quickly assumed they meant computer/video games and I told them about my preferences. They then started to laugh and insulting me as they were referring to sports instead. After telling them that I gave up on competitive sports years ago, they proceeded to start slamming me with the derogatory use of nerd and geek. But, after letting them have their spoils I went to get my lunch and when I returned were two of my other co-workers who not only played computer/video games but dedicated most of their life to WoW. We discussed many gaming topics during the lunch break and got me thinking and the following questions came to mind.Why is it that in a world that is obsessed with entertainment, that interactive entertainment (Aka gaming) is frowned upon by the masses? Why is the love of a computer system or video game console always the target of ridicule stating that it is a waste of money? Is the hobby of gaming really much different from cars or hunting?Anyways, that is the end of my rant. Feel free to comment and please keep the replies clean.[/QUOTE]I read your gaming rant,now go read mine, its on my blog
[QUOTE=''Korubi'']I think it's because video games don't inherently make you smarter, stronger or more physically attractive.[/QUOTE] Neither do alcohol or cigarettes.Whatever.You play games, that's good. You've got the guts to say it, then that's great.Waste of money? Waste of time? I'm spending money doing things I like. How's that a waste? They should try it before they judge.
Still even in this day and age people still beleive that gaming is in the hobby of young children. Personally i don't understand this esp with titles like Halo 3 being the biggest opening of any media/ entertainment ever!



All I say to people who frown on my gaming is this:



What about those people who drink and talk about wine ... go into where the grapes are from and the soils they are produced on are they geeks/ nerds? How about people that enthuse about there latest cookery masterpeice, the way they geek about the flavours, the textures are they sad as well? No they are not it's just that those ''pastimes'' are seen to be more adult they are no more or less obsessed by there hobby/ pastime so why percicute me for mine. Gaming is no longer the domain of the young we have all grown up playing games and now into adult life we should be able to continue without the stigma attached to it ... it's thier ignorance not yours ... be happy in what you do and the next time one of your work colleges geeks over sport scores or stats just chuckle at them and call them a nerd LOL
[QUOTE=''Revelade''] [QUOTE=''Korubi'']I think it's because video games don't inherently make you smarter, stronger or more physically attractive.[/QUOTE] Neither do alcohol or cigarettes.Whatever.You play games, that's good. You've got the guts to say it, then that's great.Waste of money? Waste of time? I'm spending money doing things I like. How's that a waste? They should try it before they judge.[/QUOTE]Well said.Most people spend more money on alcohol then on other things.They get drunk every weekend and tell you at every chanche how much they spent and drunk...I磎 partying everytime I can too,but they shouldn磘 tell anyone anything about wasting money.I think the major issue is : Gaming doesn磘 get girls.If so our community whould be overrun :lol: ...but watching Movies or hanging drunk on the Table doesn磘 either...
PC gaming definitely kicks the crap out of consoles. I say this as a compulsive cheater, who would rather look for a trainer than a patch.
The horrible stigma that video games are meant solely for children is a frustratingly outdated and ignorant one, but also one that is perpetuated by the game industry and gamers themselves, unfortunately.
I don't understand why gaming is still seen as a child's activity when the average gamer is 33 (or something like that).
[QUOTE=''UpInFlames'']The horrible stigma that video games are meant solely for children is a frustratingly outdated and ignorant one, but also one that is perpetuated by the game industry and gamers themselves, unfortunately.[/QUOTE] That's why PC gaming rules! PCs can do anything, and then game as well. Don't look like childish machines.
[QUOTE=''The_Frederick''] [QUOTE=''UpInFlames'']The horrible stigma that video games are meant solely for children is a frustratingly outdated and ignorant one, but also one that is perpetuated by the game industry and gamers themselves, unfortunately.[/QUOTE] That's why PC gaming rules! PCs can do anything, and then game as well. Don't look like childish machines.[/QUOTE]After having a PC which exeeded the expected System Requirement around 4 times and having a game still running worse then on my XBox...Yay!But it磗 not like I don磘 like PC-Games,I just prefer sitting in my couch,putting a game in the console and see it works.Smooth.If not it磗 the devs fault,not anything else.
Leave the lost causes be, its their loss
I have to say that sports and such have their place. Football is fun, soccer is fun, paintball, etc. But they aren't necessarily better than video games. In fact, when those sports guys get older, they'll be veggin out in front of the tv all day watching ESPN news.
[QUOTE=''UpInFlames'']The horrible stigma that video games are meant solely for children is a frustratingly outdated and ignorant one, but also one that is perpetuated by the game industry and gamers themselves, unfortunately.[/QUOTE]Agreed.It isn't just gaming though it's other mediums too.It's the same with comics how people laugh at you because they think you are reading a kids book about super heroes, when in reality it's by Frank Miller.Or Anime when people assume you're watching something solely intended for children when in reality you're watching a drama with deep characters and mature themes such as Monster.Funny thing is that when it's only ''immature'' or ''nerdy'' until it appeals to them.Anything animated was for little kids, but then South Park, Family Guy, and The Simpsons came out and now suddenly it's OKAY to watch those shows.Before if you even played a video game past the age of 13 people laughed at you, however it's OKAY to play Halo.I don't really know how to explain what I'm saying here but I hope you got the point. :)Everyone has there own opinion and views on things any for some reason it's hard for people to understand that.I mean a football fanatic by having dozens of posters in their wall, consistently wearing football related clothing almost everyday, buys football accessories like couches and cups, and talks about it constantly (you people god-damn know what I mean) and it's acceptable and even praised upon. But if someone walks in on me playing Persona 3 or watching Bleach it's suddenly unacceptable?Personally I think the idea of sports watching is pathetically stupid. I mean I'm sorry but I never got the idea of why it's so enjoyable to watch other people have fun or ''manly'' by you watching man much stronger and athelitic then you play a game instead of you actually playing it yourself to show of your ''manlyness''. But you don't see me giving people arkward stares during SuperBowl Time.
Oh I completely understand that it is a matter of opinion but I thought that society was finally putting light on the gaming industry....although the news channels act as if it's a ''New'' thing all of a sudden. I mean as a guy in the computer industry, I hear the terms nerd/geek towards me all of the time but it doesn't usually bother me but I just find it hard to find people still having this conception on gaming. Oh well, guess I've finally gotten sick of it over the past 15 years of my gaming experience.
[QUOTE=''Revelade''][QUOTE=''Korubi'']I think it's because video games don't inherently make you smarter, stronger or more physically attractive.[/QUOTE] Neither do alcohol or cigarettes.Whatever.You play games, that's good. You've got the guts to say it, then that's great.Waste of money? Waste of time? I'm spending money doing things I like. How's that a waste? They should try it before they judge.[/QUOTE]That's arguable. Many people would argue that cigarettes make you look ''cool'' and that alcohol makes you better at socializing. I can't say I disagree ;).
I live in the UK and I can't say I've ever ran into any ridicule for being a gamer, I've had people say ''I wouldn't spend THAT much on a computer'' but then I point out what they do spend money on. I spoke to an Xbox 360 fanatic once and he was saying PC gaming is dumb because it costs so much more, once you factor everything in it isn't.A lot of Xbox 360 or PS3fans will have a HD TV, DVD player, Stereo and a PC for the internet etc. I just have a PC that does it all. I watch TV through my PC, listen to music, browse the web, play games and I have many more options on top of that, like making levels for games or programming. There are no limits, but there are with console gaming.Altogether my setup probably cost ?,000 including all the preferals and my projector, can't beat a 7 foot screen :). While some HD TV's will cost ?,200 before you get anything else. I know someone that is heavily into painballing and will think nothing of spending ?00 on a new gun and various other things. There is always something that people will be willing to put a lot of money into because it is their hobby.Have fun.
Why bother trying to explain to people who don't understand? it's just not worth it.Doing something you enjoy isn't time wasted at all.