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I used to hide being a gamer from all my frends. I grew up around jocks and anti-geek culture. My own group of friends (and myself) were all athletic, party folks. It wasn't really cool to be a gamer at all, at that time. As I got older, I stopped giving a fuck though. Now it's weird to me, that so many folks are cool with it. Awesome weird, but still weirdly awesome. I'd say come out your gamer closet. Be who you are and don't shy away from it. that way you can meet people similar to yourself and start to form bonds with them.
Man, where I'm from it seems like everyone plays video games. I've played games with almost everyone I've met in Columbus. Even several of my managers at work are big gamers. It's so weird.
I'm willing to bet there are way more gamers living near you than you realize. I'm not sure how you would go about finding them, but maybe wearing video game clothing and stuff like you were talking about would be a good start. You never know, someone might randomly compliment you on it. And once you realize that there are more gamers out there than you think, maybe you'll start to become a little more proud of your interests. I don't see why any sane person would think less of you for liking games.
I'm willing to bet there are way more gamers living near you than you realize. I'm not sure how you would go about finding them, but maybe wearing video game clothing and stuff like you were talking about would be a good start. You never know, someone might randomly compliment you on it. And once you realize that there are more gamers out there than you think, maybe you'll start to become a little more proud of your interests. I don't see why any sane person would think less of you for liking games.
I understand what it is like to not be able to share game related things to most of the people around me since none of them care or understand what I am saying.
Most of the best game experiences are coop. Halo wouldn't have been the same if you couldn't do it with a buddy and Portal 2 would just be Portal 1.5. I hate this current generation's idea where if coop can be done, replace it with online multiplayer and not bother with splitscreen. So games like Bioshock and Mass Effect get multiplayer and absolutely 0 options for those with a friend over. When you are making a shooter, you have literally no excuse if you put MP in to not include coop.
The Elder Scrolls Online is a good example. Instead of giving us what we really wanted which was to play the game with another person at our side doing the same cool stuff we were, they give us a cheap cash in mmorpg which can and will fail against the almighty megalith that is World of Warcraft and close down after its free-to-play death throes. It doesn't even have 1/2 of what made the series great so I don't know how they are gonna make it a success without magic or skooma or something.
Most of the best game experiences are coop. Halo wouldn't have been the same if you couldn't do it with a buddy and Portal 2 would just be Portal 1.5. I hate this current generation's idea where if coop can be done, replace it with online multiplayer and not bother with splitscreen. So games like Bioshock and Mass Effect get multiplayer and absolutely 0 options for those with a friend over. When you are making a shooter, you have literally no excuse if you put MP in to not include coop.
The Elder Scrolls Online is a good example. Instead of giving us what we really wanted which was to play the game with another person at our side doing the same cool stuff we were, they give us a cheap cash in mmorpg which can and will fail against the almighty megalith that is World of Warcraft and close down after its free-to-play death throes. It doesn't even have 1/2 of what made the series great so I don't know how they are gonna make it a success without magic or skooma or something.
@Phil
Man, at the very least I can be happy that I don't have to hide anything from my friends. They all accept what I do as part of who I am (that's why they're my friends, after all) and they understand it to a more or lesser extent as well. They're definitely cool with it, but I'd like for them to take just that one extra little step.
@bbain
Well, I do know one law professor who confessed that he wanted to try Civ V, that was quite a surprise for me. And you may be right, maybe I'm overlooking a lot of people by not being open about it myself. Also, it's really weird how I know I shouldn't (and don't, for the most part) care if people look down upon me for doing something I like, it still somehow gets to me.
Human nature, I guess :P
@Glitch
I've also noticed a trend away from on-the-couch multiplayer (co-op or otherwise), and I really don't understand why. I mean, it can't be that hard to program, right?
I do like what Nintendo has been doing with its platformers though. Kirby, Donkey Kong and Mario all have co-op that looks like a lot of fun.
Man, at the very least I can be happy that I don't have to hide anything from my friends. They all accept what I do as part of who I am (that's why they're my friends, after all) and they understand it to a more or lesser extent as well. They're definitely cool with it, but I'd like for them to take just that one extra little step.
@bbain
Well, I do know one law professor who confessed that he wanted to try Civ V, that was quite a surprise for me. And you may be right, maybe I'm overlooking a lot of people by not being open about it myself. Also, it's really weird how I know I shouldn't (and don't, for the most part) care if people look down upon me for doing something I like, it still somehow gets to me.
Human nature, I guess :P
@Glitch
I've also noticed a trend away from on-the-couch multiplayer (co-op or otherwise), and I really don't understand why. I mean, it can't be that hard to program, right?
I do like what Nintendo has been doing with its platformers though. Kirby, Donkey Kong and Mario all have co-op that looks like a lot of fun.
Dude, just do it. I used to not wear game shirts, but that's only because I didn't like t-shirts, or more so the way they fit me. I got in better shape, bought a few Dtoid shirts, went to PAX, got like 10 more game shirts for attending, and now I love it.
Seriously, there's no conspiracy to judge what shirt you're wearing. Some game shirts are ambiguously cool looking and appeal to everyone, some are universally recognizable, and the rest are who gives a fuck? If you already wear t shirts, get some with which you identify. Just do it! You're not going to be ostracized, and you will start to hear tons of quips regarding it that you'd never hear otherwise. It's really cool! I actually started noticing other people's shirts more, too.
Don't let anything prevent you from from expressing you! And for God's sake, talk to the girl the next time you see her!
Seriously, there's no conspiracy to judge what shirt you're wearing. Some game shirts are ambiguously cool looking and appeal to everyone, some are universally recognizable, and the rest are who gives a fuck? If you already wear t shirts, get some with which you identify. Just do it! You're not going to be ostracized, and you will start to hear tons of quips regarding it that you'd never hear otherwise. It's really cool! I actually started noticing other people's shirts more, too.
Don't let anything prevent you from from expressing you! And for God's sake, talk to the girl the next time you see her!
@Arttemis
Thanks, stuff like that is really motivating! (no sarcasm)
I'm seriously starting to eye that Portal shirt, along with some others.
Also, talking to whoever she is was definitely on my to do-list should I ever come across her again. I'm not even sure anymore what prevented me the first two times, but either way those were massive missed opportunities.
Thanks, stuff like that is really motivating! (no sarcasm)
I'm seriously starting to eye that Portal shirt, along with some others.
Also, talking to whoever she is was definitely on my to do-list should I ever come across her again. I'm not even sure anymore what prevented me the first two times, but either way those were massive missed opportunities.
For me personally, I don't typically enjoy printed shirts. I do have a custom made Fallout 3 hoodie that I wore a lot. Don't feel like you have to wear gaming clothes to prove you are a gamer, but if you like the shirt, wear it proudly. I recently got my Double Fine Adventure backer shirt and I am going to love wearing it.
And I understand the type of situation you are in. I gamed with friends when I was in grade school (Goldeneye, Perfect Dark) and into high school (Halo, Timesplitters) and even college. If you are a fan of Rock Band, you can typically convince most people to drink and play some rock band and then go to a bar after. We did that a lot and everyone had a good time, even though I was the only one that could be considered a major gamer. Now in my life I moved for a job and I knew no one and no one I work with are gamers, but I met a friend through a coworker who liked old RPGs and so we got together one night and started switching back and forth playing FF7. Now we game a lot together.
There's no reason to be shy about a hobby that you enjoy. People build tiny ships in bottles for fun, so what's there to judge about gaming?
And I understand the type of situation you are in. I gamed with friends when I was in grade school (Goldeneye, Perfect Dark) and into high school (Halo, Timesplitters) and even college. If you are a fan of Rock Band, you can typically convince most people to drink and play some rock band and then go to a bar after. We did that a lot and everyone had a good time, even though I was the only one that could be considered a major gamer. Now in my life I moved for a job and I knew no one and no one I work with are gamers, but I met a friend through a coworker who liked old RPGs and so we got together one night and started switching back and forth playing FF7. Now we game a lot together.
There's no reason to be shy about a hobby that you enjoy. People build tiny ships in bottles for fun, so what's there to judge about gaming?
As much as I hate myself and lack confidence, I've never had a problem wearing gaming related clothing. I remember attempting guitar lessons and my teacher saying, "You should be wearing band clothing, not Mario shirts." That's just who I am.
I'm not ashamed to be a gamer at all. Maybe I was embarrassed before, but websites like Screwattack and Destructoid have shown me that there is nothing to be shameful of. In fact, I'm wearing a Nintendo Power shirt and Mario pajama pants as we speak. Sometimes I have a Halo Reach shirt with PS3 pants. It's just what I do.
To the Iron Maiden concert, I wore a Ghost Recon shirt. My friend wore a Zelda one. It was awesome.
I'm not ashamed to be a gamer at all. Maybe I was embarrassed before, but websites like Screwattack and Destructoid have shown me that there is nothing to be shameful of. In fact, I'm wearing a Nintendo Power shirt and Mario pajama pants as we speak. Sometimes I have a Halo Reach shirt with PS3 pants. It's just what I do.
To the Iron Maiden concert, I wore a Ghost Recon shirt. My friend wore a Zelda one. It was awesome.
@myhero
Don't worry about me feeling forced to wear anything like that. It's more like I always sort of wanted to (if it's a cool shirt of a game I like, off course) but just never did for whatever reason.
By the way, a JRPG would probably be one of the last genres I would think to play together, but I guess it just goes to show that anything can work!
@KingSigy
It's kind of interesting seeing how it's the exact opposite for me. I've never "hated myself" (although I'm going to assume that it's not that bad for you either) and I'm reasonably confident in my everyday life, but for some stupid reason not when it comes to video games. It's getting better as we speak, though, and each of the comments here has been a little push in the right direction.
Don't worry about me feeling forced to wear anything like that. It's more like I always sort of wanted to (if it's a cool shirt of a game I like, off course) but just never did for whatever reason.
By the way, a JRPG would probably be one of the last genres I would think to play together, but I guess it just goes to show that anything can work!
@KingSigy
It's kind of interesting seeing how it's the exact opposite for me. I've never "hated myself" (although I'm going to assume that it's not that bad for you either) and I'm reasonably confident in my everyday life, but for some stupid reason not when it comes to video games. It's getting better as we speak, though, and each of the comments here has been a little push in the right direction.
Glad to see you writing! I love reading stories from fellow community members.
As for game shirts, I'm not terribly fond of ones that have generic logos on them, but I LOVE ones that are fairly obscure, like the Konami Code and the Triforce with nothing else on it.
I mean, they're obvious to us, but not to the general public: so when someone says "nice shirt!" it can be a great conversation starter between two enthusiasts.
As for game shirts, I'm not terribly fond of ones that have generic logos on them, but I LOVE ones that are fairly obscure, like the Konami Code and the Triforce with nothing else on it.
I mean, they're obvious to us, but not to the general public: so when someone says "nice shirt!" it can be a great conversation starter between two enthusiasts.
@Chris
Thanks for the compliment!
And I think you're right, the design makes all the difference. I've actually been searching for cool shirts ever since I posted this yesterday, but so far it does seem that many designs seem a bit too cluttered and in-your-face. I like it simple, but not so simple as to just be a logo (because where's the fun in that?!), so it's a difficult balance.
Still, every once in a while I stumble upon a shirt that a) is based on a game I like, and b) has a design that I could see myself wearing in everyday life.
So I'd say we're definitely getting there!
Thanks for the compliment!
And I think you're right, the design makes all the difference. I've actually been searching for cool shirts ever since I posted this yesterday, but so far it does seem that many designs seem a bit too cluttered and in-your-face. I like it simple, but not so simple as to just be a logo (because where's the fun in that?!), so it's a difficult balance.
Still, every once in a while I stumble upon a shirt that a) is based on a game I like, and b) has a design that I could see myself wearing in everyday life.
So I'd say we're definitely getting there!
Oh and I'd like to share a secret of mine with you, on the subject of shirts: shirt.woot.com Almost every shirt I own is from there. Lots of gaming and other geek culture stuff there. Just got Tea Time and the T-rex shirts.
@Phil
Personally, I'm digging that The Raven shirt! Sad that it's only a part of the poem (then again, that thing's a beast), but hot dang son!
Personally, I'm digging that The Raven shirt! Sad that it's only a part of the poem (then again, that thing's a beast), but hot dang son!
@ShadeOfLight
JRPGs work surprisingly well actually if you switch back and forth a lot. We were also reading the dialogue in goofy voices so it added a bit of hilarity of its own. Also, enjoying some beer helps as well.
JRPGs work surprisingly well actually if you switch back and forth a lot. We were also reading the dialogue in goofy voices so it added a bit of hilarity of its own. Also, enjoying some beer helps as well.
For a while I was confident in expressing myself to others as a gamer but there was a point when I moved and gathered a new circle of friends and I discovered I was actually pretty reluctant to share the fact that I'm a gamer, and only my closest friend knows I've written for websites and do some blogs here. He's never read them, as he isn't as much as an enthusiast. Maybe that made it easier for me to tell him about them).
Though the only time I've complimented on someones gamer t-shirt didn't go well. There was this big guy in a bar wearing this sky blue t-shirt with Mario's joyful wee face on it. The guy looked to be well in his 30s. Unfortunately, I was very drunk and walked in, saw the guy from the other side of the bar, pointed and shouted "nice shirt! what's your favorite Mario game? mine's 3!"
He then looked a bit sheepish and just said he liked the shirt and didn't really know what it was from.
I suspect he was lying to an extent, I mean who doesn't know what Mario is at all? but I suspect he reacted that way because I embarrassed him.
Though I'm not trying to put anyone off engaging someone about their shirt, as I just acted a dick... I suppose that's how not to do it.
Though the only time I've complimented on someones gamer t-shirt didn't go well. There was this big guy in a bar wearing this sky blue t-shirt with Mario's joyful wee face on it. The guy looked to be well in his 30s. Unfortunately, I was very drunk and walked in, saw the guy from the other side of the bar, pointed and shouted "nice shirt! what's your favorite Mario game? mine's 3!"
He then looked a bit sheepish and just said he liked the shirt and didn't really know what it was from.
I suspect he was lying to an extent, I mean who doesn't know what Mario is at all? but I suspect he reacted that way because I embarrassed him.
Though I'm not trying to put anyone off engaging someone about their shirt, as I just acted a dick... I suppose that's how not to do it.
@Leigh
Now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure my friends don't know about my cblogs and stuff either, although it's more because it simply never came up than not wanting them to know. Maybe I should get some of them to read this one, actually...
Anyway, shirt-complimenting also depends on the time and place, I guess. I can imagine that your guy didn't feel comfortable talking about his favorite Mario game in a bar (then again, if that was the case may he shouldn't have worn it in the first place).
Now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure my friends don't know about my cblogs and stuff either, although it's more because it simply never came up than not wanting them to know. Maybe I should get some of them to read this one, actually...
Anyway, shirt-complimenting also depends on the time and place, I guess. I can imagine that your guy didn't feel comfortable talking about his favorite Mario game in a bar (then again, if that was the case may he shouldn't have worn it in the first place).
