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Gamertag: SaveTheCatgirls
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And here's why. Many of you do not know this, although I've made it a point in my other blogs, I am a young gamer. At the age of 15, I'm often grouped in with the "adolescent" crowd. The actual age, however, is not the problem. Call me an adolescent, that's not what bothers me. What bothers me is that I'm at the same level as these pricks Jim Sterling keeps ranting about. I'm here to state my case: Not all younger gamers are rude, immature idiots. There's a revolution happening, my fellow DToiders. A revolution of mature, polite, and considerate young'ins. And I'm a part of it.
I started gaming at the age of three. This was the time of Diddy Kong Racing and Rayman 2. I never got to enjoy the "true" classics, such as the original Final Fantasy or Megaman titles. Although I'm not particularly fond of these retro games, I'm humbled by the fact that they exist, and many gamers love them. My entry into gaming was successful and, well, awesome. My entry into online gaming, however, was not. At the age of 11 I picked up Counter Strike: Source and played it heavily. I wasn't the best at the game, but I could keep myself out of last place. My Counter Strike days did not last long after I got my microphone, though. When I plugged in and said a quick "Hey, guys, what's up?", the entire server was in an uproar. I honestly wanted to have a nice, civil conversation, but was shot down because my 11-year-old voice was high-pitched. Four years later, I play on the very same server I did that faithful day, and am a part of the flourishing community. So there's a little info on where I come from. What angers me is that people my age get a bad rep. My "peers", if you will, are the ones flaming forums for no reason and calling you a "st00p1d faggot" on Xbox Live. It infuriates me to know that I'm categorized as one of these people. Being a younger gamer is no longer a blessing, being one of millions who share the same hobby. No, I'm now grouped together with these little shits who just learned the word "fuck" on Xbox Live. So with this, I'm imploring you, Destructoid, to see younger gamers with a different perspective. I am NOT following the young gamer stereotype. I am a mature, responsible person, and I want to be on the same level as older gamers. Allow me to apologize for my peers, and let me assure you that I'm here to make a difference.
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Living the dream since March 16, 2006
GT: Kobewan0869
I wish I was 15 again.
GT: electro lemon
I'm in the same boat as you, man, but I think it's worth saying that this two year difference is the difference between our first consoles being SNES/Genesis. Odd, but that's where the cutoff really starts.
I'm in the same boat as you, man, but I think it's worth saying that this two year difference is the difference between our first consoles being SNES/Genesis or PS1/N64. Odd, but that's where the cutoff really starts.
People are always going to descriminate because of age. I know this too well, looking young for my age. I remember a friend of mine and I being asked to leave a college party a couple years back because people didn't want "highschoolers" around. I still get carded at game stores and movie theatres. Most recently, I was kicked out of a 21 and older hot tub at a beach club because I didn't have my ID on me and the staff didn't believe me. I think that you just have to deal with your age and what goes with it. People are always going to judge you for being a whippersnapper or an old coot and you can't do much about it.
On a separate note, I find it incredibly odd that Diddy Kong Racing is something you played as a small child. For me those titles were from the late NES and early SNES era. However, people a few years older than me might find it odd that A Link to the Past was my first Zelda.
I disagree with slapping on an age limit for online gaming that would be separate from what the ESRB has on the front. The older generation needs to realize that kids nowadays are not always voice spamming noobs who team kill for the fun of it. And younger gamers need to be more mature about how they handle themselves online and be respectful of others. But this is unlikely to happen because the internet is backwards-vile.
Some kids are all right, just like some adults are all right. The rest are a bunch of idiots. :D
Ya ok.
Pessimism!
Yeah it was a lame joke. xD
@Patters
I didn't get Rayman 2 when I was 3, but it was one of the games I grew up with and love.
Or you can just come here and keep posting awesome Cblogs, that gets my attention.
Also: lol Counter-Strike ;)
Just sayin'.
Otherwise, good shootin', Tex.
Nonetheless, welcome. You've already accepted one of life's great truths, which is that teenagers are stupid. People don't usually find that out until they aren't one anymore, so that makes you wise beyond your years in my book. I wouldn't worry about it. Trust me, you'll be old before you know it.
Also on a side note, my introduction to gaming was when I was 2 or 3 and on the NES and GameBoy which were my older brother's. I was introduced to the N64 later in it's lifespan and only acquired a SNES about a year and a half ago.
I also know what you mean about the prejudice... I'm female, but I have a lower voice and am sometimes mistaken for a "15 year old boy"... and yes, the comments were derogatory (and I'm actually 47... I can barely even remember being 15! LOL!).
People's actions tend to speak louder than their words... however I should also note that for some reason younger male gamers can be annoyingly persistent in their quest to get a female gamer on their buddy list (even if she's 47...so it must be some sort of status thing) and I've never had this situation with an older person (probably because older people are reluctant to beg, whereas young guys don't seem to mind begging for some reason!). It's kind of cute, but I still don't add them but feel bad about it. There are some factors that are just age-related, so while you may get lumped in with the "kids" it's just up to you to prove you're different.
(and again, being a female gamer I too often get lumped into the "grrl gamer" category... and I'm just a gamer, not a "grrl" gamer).
... if that makes sense at all...
=D
Get off the bandwagon. Ask your mommy for a 360 for Christmas.
@DRMaster
GT:ChronosWing
I don't mind playing with 15 year olds as long as they aren't illegitimate fuck heads. Just read zgerhand's comment.
I've been mistaken for a young man once or twice during the few rare times I dug out my headset when playing some MP game on Xbox Live. I usually have fun with it though, because my retorts are usually something they aren't expecting.
Enough rambling on my part, the community here is friendly to those that seek this kind of camaraderie. The troublesome ones are hounded after and usually leave the site either by their own will, shape up or result in bannage. You can't help that you're 15, but you can show the maturity that your words already seem to have.
Honestly, age has no meaning between friends. :)
I look back at teenagers today and I always think to myself, "was I really that dumb?".
Overall I agree with you.