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This is pretty much word for word what I was planning to write about the topic.
"Gamer" is a term that some people who play videogames concocted to make themselves feel connected to each other, and superior to "non-gamers". Since then, it's become a media buzzword. Game publishers use it to try to market their products as cooler and more legit than the stuff the other guys make ("Real gamers play on the PS3, Vita, Xbox, etc") while the mainstream media has used it as yet another derogatory term for people who like videogames, pretty much synonymous with "nerd".
The term serves no purpose other than to divide people and to invite gross generalizations. What Nintendo is doing with these adds is proving that you don't have to label yourself as another form of human being to enjoy videogames. All people can enjoy them, not just those of the "gamer" species.
Those who don't see that, or worse, are offended by that notion are likely holding on to the term "gamer" for the false sense of identity and superiority that it provides for them. The sooner these people stop defining themselves by what makes them different from "non-gamers" (or as they like to call themselves, "normal people"), the sooner they'll see that playing videogames is neither something to be proud of, or ashamed of.
It's just a think that some people like to do.
"Gamer" is a term that some people who play videogames concocted to make themselves feel connected to each other, and superior to "non-gamers". Since then, it's become a media buzzword. Game publishers use it to try to market their products as cooler and more legit than the stuff the other guys make ("Real gamers play on the PS3, Vita, Xbox, etc") while the mainstream media has used it as yet another derogatory term for people who like videogames, pretty much synonymous with "nerd".
The term serves no purpose other than to divide people and to invite gross generalizations. What Nintendo is doing with these adds is proving that you don't have to label yourself as another form of human being to enjoy videogames. All people can enjoy them, not just those of the "gamer" species.
Those who don't see that, or worse, are offended by that notion are likely holding on to the term "gamer" for the false sense of identity and superiority that it provides for them. The sooner these people stop defining themselves by what makes them different from "non-gamers" (or as they like to call themselves, "normal people"), the sooner they'll see that playing videogames is neither something to be proud of, or ashamed of.
It's just a think that some people like to do.
I don't consider myself a gamer.
I'm a gaming enthusiast. It means I don't shut the hell up about video games and that I really would rather show people why I like them and connect them with games they would like instead of lording over what games they should like or play.
"Gamers" try to police this hobby, tell you what to like and that what you like is wrong. Fuck those guys. Hardcore gamers spit at the sight of iPhones and casual gamers claim the end of console are night because of said phone. I just know that if a thing has games on it, it is a thing I want to have.
I'm a gaming enthusiast. It means I don't shut the hell up about video games and that I really would rather show people why I like them and connect them with games they would like instead of lording over what games they should like or play.
"Gamers" try to police this hobby, tell you what to like and that what you like is wrong. Fuck those guys. Hardcore gamers spit at the sight of iPhones and casual gamers claim the end of console are night because of said phone. I just know that if a thing has games on it, it is a thing I want to have.
Personally, I agree with this article mostly, but I do feel that Gamer can in fact be a label, if you feel it's positive to yourself. What I don't believe is that you can really say, there's a difference between gamer and casual-gamer. It's just a sub-category of a gamer, but they're still a gamer, I do agree there is something such as a casual-gamer, but that's because things such as casual games exist.
I would have a problem if someone who's never read, or been read a book calls themselves a book fan, but that's more of because it doesn't make sense. I can understand nintendo's purpose here, they're saying you don't have to be a "Gamer" to enjoy videogames, and that makes sense to me, but in reality, I feel anyone who plays or enjoys videogames can consider themselves a gamer.
I will say however, saying that a label embodying who you are I disagree with, it would make so much sense as walking into a room and saying "I'm a truck driver and nothing else" your ignoring too much of who you really are.
Likewise, perhaps you can call yourself a gamer, but you need to specify if you do, and even then you can't just pretend you're part of some "Elite" group just for being a gamer, or a type of gamer.
It gets fairly complicated, because we like having an identity of ourselves, and identifying ourselves with groups and things we like, am I a Dtoider? Sure, just as much as I am a PC Gamer, but if someone else only plays solitaire on their computer, and then one day says they're a PC Gamer when they play a game like Mirror's Edge and proclaim, they identify as a PC Gamer, and consider Solitaire and Mirror's Edge both PC Games, we shouldn't fault them for that. They're identifying with us as enjoying PC Games, despite the massive genre and level of intensity, they're all people who identify with an appreciation for part of what gives our enjoyment.
I would have a problem if someone who's never read, or been read a book calls themselves a book fan, but that's more of because it doesn't make sense. I can understand nintendo's purpose here, they're saying you don't have to be a "Gamer" to enjoy videogames, and that makes sense to me, but in reality, I feel anyone who plays or enjoys videogames can consider themselves a gamer.
I will say however, saying that a label embodying who you are I disagree with, it would make so much sense as walking into a room and saying "I'm a truck driver and nothing else" your ignoring too much of who you really are.
Likewise, perhaps you can call yourself a gamer, but you need to specify if you do, and even then you can't just pretend you're part of some "Elite" group just for being a gamer, or a type of gamer.
It gets fairly complicated, because we like having an identity of ourselves, and identifying ourselves with groups and things we like, am I a Dtoider? Sure, just as much as I am a PC Gamer, but if someone else only plays solitaire on their computer, and then one day says they're a PC Gamer when they play a game like Mirror's Edge and proclaim, they identify as a PC Gamer, and consider Solitaire and Mirror's Edge both PC Games, we shouldn't fault them for that. They're identifying with us as enjoying PC Games, despite the massive genre and level of intensity, they're all people who identify with an appreciation for part of what gives our enjoyment.
The reason gamers get so defensive is gaming is becoming more popular and being played by the popular people that used to pick on them for being gamers. Now gaming is a popular medium, and the "gamers" that get all defensive are the fuckwits who can't handle that. They want gaming to be treated seriously, and reach out to more people, but when it does, they chuck a hissy fit. It's called progression people. Fucking deal with it.
I'm a dude. I play games. Fuck it.
Great write up, seriously. The exclusivity bullshit people are trying to peddle is actually something I do understand; playing games all my life I went through the lows where video games made you unpopular, so I do get the annoyance of having a demographic of people who used to pick on me now referring to themselves as "gamers". It's the label itself that is pointless. Games are better BECAUSE they can reach out to the mainstream. The industry is bigger, and the big guys allow the little guys to exist in some capacity. So I have no problem with "non gamers", whatever the hell that means.
Great write up, seriously. The exclusivity bullshit people are trying to peddle is actually something I do understand; playing games all my life I went through the lows where video games made you unpopular, so I do get the annoyance of having a demographic of people who used to pick on me now referring to themselves as "gamers". It's the label itself that is pointless. Games are better BECAUSE they can reach out to the mainstream. The industry is bigger, and the big guys allow the little guys to exist in some capacity. So I have no problem with "non gamers", whatever the hell that means.
Fantastic write up!
Yeah, I read the same Schreier piece and had the same reaction as yourself. I don't see anything wrong with the ads.
My only minor concern is that there don't seem to be any men in these ads and they are very focused on the female demographic. Given that so much of the recent press has presented gamer culture in such negative terms (misogynistic, antagonistic... and all the other "ics") I can certainly see Nintendo wanting to appeal to females by saying they don't need to be in gamer culture to play games, but I do think that there are also many males that could benefit from the same message.
Yeah, I read the same Schreier piece and had the same reaction as yourself. I don't see anything wrong with the ads.
My only minor concern is that there don't seem to be any men in these ads and they are very focused on the female demographic. Given that so much of the recent press has presented gamer culture in such negative terms (misogynistic, antagonistic... and all the other "ics") I can certainly see Nintendo wanting to appeal to females by saying they don't need to be in gamer culture to play games, but I do think that there are also many males that could benefit from the same message.
I’m a gamer, gaming is my hobby, I am involved with games past a certain extent. I watch movies, but I’m not a movie buff. I eat food, but I’m not a foodie. But I am a gamer. I’m not sure when “labels” became such a bad thing, it’s just a word that describes a thing you do, they’re a quick and easy way to identify yourself and others, maybe some people don’t like them because it makes them feel less special, I don’t know.
So yeah, when I see an ad that proclaims “I’m not a gamer” as though it’s something to be ashamed of, it irks me a little.
It’s not like there’s a high barrier of entry, if you play some games and like them you’re a gamer, anyone’s welcome if they want. I don’t look down on anyone who doesn’t play games unless they look down on me for playing games, and I think that holds true for most of the community.
Not to mention that it’s another bunch of ads that implies an adult woman can’t just enjoy videogames, have you seen the one with the woman from Sex and the City, where she talks about Mario as though he’s some plumber she’s fucking? The Zelda Williams ads are the only ones I’ve seen where someone plays a game because they actually enjoy it. Their marketing is some of the most cynical shit I’ve ever seen, they think they need to trick women into gaming by telling them Wii Fit will help them loose weight or Style Savvy will make them more fashionable, they make it seem like gaming is still a boys club. And it’s so stupid when they have games with such wide appeal like Mario, I have a 60 year old aunt who loves Mario!
So yeah, when I see an ad that proclaims “I’m not a gamer” as though it’s something to be ashamed of, it irks me a little.
It’s not like there’s a high barrier of entry, if you play some games and like them you’re a gamer, anyone’s welcome if they want. I don’t look down on anyone who doesn’t play games unless they look down on me for playing games, and I think that holds true for most of the community.
Not to mention that it’s another bunch of ads that implies an adult woman can’t just enjoy videogames, have you seen the one with the woman from Sex and the City, where she talks about Mario as though he’s some plumber she’s fucking? The Zelda Williams ads are the only ones I’ve seen where someone plays a game because they actually enjoy it. Their marketing is some of the most cynical shit I’ve ever seen, they think they need to trick women into gaming by telling them Wii Fit will help them loose weight or Style Savvy will make them more fashionable, they make it seem like gaming is still a boys club. And it’s so stupid when they have games with such wide appeal like Mario, I have a 60 year old aunt who loves Mario!
I think the term "gamer" is useful as a summation of the passion you have for a hobby that you don't have to explain on forever to common laypeople. "Gamer" seems a more apt reply to "So, what do you do for fun" than "so, who are you as a person."
And people who are passionate about reading can sometimes be more hate filled to non-readers than gamers can be to non-gamers, from my own experiences anyway. But like any passion, I think it is just the elitists who feel they have to defend their hobby from all non-believers.
And people who are passionate about reading can sometimes be more hate filled to non-readers than gamers can be to non-gamers, from my own experiences anyway. But like any passion, I think it is just the elitists who feel they have to defend their hobby from all non-believers.
Labels are important. We live in a society where it's hard enough to define who you are, heck, I'm having a hard time putting anything in my about me column on this website alone, but I think we have developed labels as a quick and easy way to communicate things about what we do and who we are. Labels are also a double edge sword, however, because they are just words and can be left to interpretation. Anything that can be interpreted, especially these days, seems to lead to great and sometimes nasty debates.
I personally love playing games, I love learning about the industry, and I love finding things out about all the different things that go on in the gaming community. I HATE the label of gamer though because it seems like, in my experience, that when I tell people I'm a gamer, I've suddenly become an undesirable or worse yet I get the, "oh what games do you play?" question and if I don't say COD or WoW and then I'm apparently a real freak.
I say all that to say that gaming is a strange hobby and an even stranger culture. It is still so young that most people don't understand it nor has it had the time to develop a true identity. Because of that "gaming" is still trying to "find itself" and so we as "gamers" or whatever you want to call us, are in a constant state of flux as the world tries to wrap it's head around what gaming is.
I personally love playing games, I love learning about the industry, and I love finding things out about all the different things that go on in the gaming community. I HATE the label of gamer though because it seems like, in my experience, that when I tell people I'm a gamer, I've suddenly become an undesirable or worse yet I get the, "oh what games do you play?" question and if I don't say COD or WoW and then I'm apparently a real freak.
I say all that to say that gaming is a strange hobby and an even stranger culture. It is still so young that most people don't understand it nor has it had the time to develop a true identity. Because of that "gaming" is still trying to "find itself" and so we as "gamers" or whatever you want to call us, are in a constant state of flux as the world tries to wrap it's head around what gaming is.
Excellent article! I feel like the term "gamer" has become more of a hinderance than a help in the video game industry, and frankly, the way some "gamers" act makes me not surprised that companies try to stay away from the word.
Great write up. I game, but it's just one of my hobbies. But there are some alpha nerds who literally breathe only video games, and that's where you will find most of the social retardation you're writing about.
Before I spent much time on the gaming blogs, gamer was just a term I used to indicated I enjoy video games, and assumed other people did, too. I'm a reader, writer, sewer, and gamer. Just one hobby among many. So I'll have to disagree with Johnathon Holmes that it's just a word to divide people. However, I can see it is a word that has become controversial and charged for reasons I don't really understand.
More on topic, I really liked this blog article. It was well written and well thought out. And whether a person identifies as a "gamer" or not, it's really silly to think Nintendo was slighting "gamers" by trying to attract people who don't normally play games on a dedicated system. It's smart to try and capture the new audience, including young girls and those people that are realizing they actually do like and play games now that mobile gaming is really catching on. Those people are potential new customers for a company like Nintendo, might as well market to them.
More on topic, I really liked this blog article. It was well written and well thought out. And whether a person identifies as a "gamer" or not, it's really silly to think Nintendo was slighting "gamers" by trying to attract people who don't normally play games on a dedicated system. It's smart to try and capture the new audience, including young girls and those people that are realizing they actually do like and play games now that mobile gaming is really catching on. Those people are potential new customers for a company like Nintendo, might as well market to them.
im not a doctor, im an organ stealing champion.
to me these ads sound more like they are trying to make it seem like "you dont have to associate yourself with smelly nerd gamers to play video games you can just enjoy it for the jumping, or cute little coins"
to me these ads sound more like they are trying to make it seem like "you dont have to associate yourself with smelly nerd gamers to play video games you can just enjoy it for the jumping, or cute little coins"
Gamer and gaming are both really dumb words to refer to video game players and their hobby. They make my skin crawl and they're vague as hell.
Also frigging everyone plays video games.
Also frigging everyone plays video games.
I think "Gamer" can carry a stigma for some people, like fetusmilk said, I think when people think of the word gamer, they see a overweight, nerdy dude who smells of BO and has horrible greasy long hair, glasses, balding on the top, and is socially inept.
Right on, I completely agree. And I agree with you as well, J Holmes, which I find a pretty common occurrence.
Who NEEDS to be a gamer to enjoy games? The commercial is stupid by itself, it's effective off course but I can see why gamers get offended by it.
And yes, gamer is a definition of a person who have video games as their favorite hobby, why shouldn't be?
And people don't dislike the video just because they are "using gamer as a bad word", they dislike because it's Nintendo targeting it's audience once more to the housewives, and that's not cool considering they swear they are coming back to the hardcore market with the wii U, it only expose even more their bullshit.
And yes, gamer is a definition of a person who have video games as their favorite hobby, why shouldn't be?
And people don't dislike the video just because they are "using gamer as a bad word", they dislike because it's Nintendo targeting it's audience once more to the housewives, and that's not cool considering they swear they are coming back to the hardcore market with the wii U, it only expose even more their bullshit.
@MikeShadows: But I think that's kind of the point, isn't it? Why can't they advertise to both the "hardcore" market and housewives? Just because they want the more casual game-playing market doesn't mean they don't also want more experienced and dedicated game enthusiasts as well. They can have games like Fashion Diva Princess and games like Bayonetta 2.
well, you and holmes got it. though i must say i never gave it that much thought, if someone asked i would have said yes because i like playing (and someday hope to make) video games but it does bunch people into groups that generate friction between themselves.
on another note why do people have such a fixation on the whole gaymer issue if that too only seves to divide.
on another note why do people have such a fixation on the whole gaymer issue if that too only seves to divide.
Well this is a nice surprise. I leave for work with 5 comments, come home and see that my blog is missing. I was pissed until I saw that it was on the front page. Thanks, made my day.
I don't think it's a question of whether these labels exist or not, because I mean let's be honest here, they do. It's more an issue of how do people view these terms. To me if some one says they are a gamer I just think oh this person has similar interests to myself and we can probably have conversations pertaining to this hobby. To others this may encompass more than it should, more than just the hobby you enjoy, it might include what you look like, what kind of life style you have, what kind of sex life you have etc. This to me is the problem, not the label.
I think if we all just gave zero shits about stupid crap like advertisements then we would all be better off.
First off, the line "I am not a gamer" is taken out of context. She says "I am not a gamer. I am a coin collecting champion."
People are taking this ad too literally. Perhaps...just perhaps, they are trying to subvert the term "gamer." As if to say, "I will not be bound by the stereotypical definitions of a term that carries so much baggage with it." It's similar to all the empty hoopla of the old Charles Barkley "I am not a role model" commercial. Both strived for the same meaning of "I will not be defined by you on your terms, but by how I choose to define myself."
People are taking this ad too literally. Perhaps...just perhaps, they are trying to subvert the term "gamer." As if to say, "I will not be bound by the stereotypical definitions of a term that carries so much baggage with it." It's similar to all the empty hoopla of the old Charles Barkley "I am not a role model" commercial. Both strived for the same meaning of "I will not be defined by you on your terms, but by how I choose to define myself."
I find it a bit strange that the writer of the article first "complains" about the harsh critique that can be found on people writing and then continues to follow up by claiming that anybody that does not agree with his opinion on the ad is "not normal, sane or rational".
So as a person that according to the writer of this article is not "Normal, sane or rational", I will do my best to respond.
Here is the thing: There is something called being a gamer and not everyone who plays video games is a gamer. I have seen people trying to argue because you're not a "reader" for reading books and "movier" for watching movies, that means that gamers don't exist either. But thats missing the point. There actually is a difference between people who just read books casually, and people who are very much into books. Call them "Book enthustiastic" or slightly more offensive: "Bookwurm". What about movies? Ever heard of the term "Movie buff?" There is a difference between someone who casually watches movies and someone who is really into movies.
You might argue that the term "Gamer" is a bad term for it because it's too broad. Maybe so, but there is a big difference between people who play casually and people who are really into gaming. We, as gamers, have build an enormous subculture that we are very protective about. We are the ones that are holding this industry together and we are also the ones taking care of the history of the medium.
Regarding the Ad, it really is just a matter of interpretation. I disagree with the article, The term "Gamer" is stil seen as nerdy and something unappealing, so Nintendo figured:"Let's have a bunch of good looking, very successful ladies and give the message that you can still play these games without having to be associated with those annoying gamer people"
I think gamers are rightfully upset about that.
So as a person that according to the writer of this article is not "Normal, sane or rational", I will do my best to respond.
Here is the thing: There is something called being a gamer and not everyone who plays video games is a gamer. I have seen people trying to argue because you're not a "reader" for reading books and "movier" for watching movies, that means that gamers don't exist either. But thats missing the point. There actually is a difference between people who just read books casually, and people who are very much into books. Call them "Book enthustiastic" or slightly more offensive: "Bookwurm". What about movies? Ever heard of the term "Movie buff?" There is a difference between someone who casually watches movies and someone who is really into movies.
You might argue that the term "Gamer" is a bad term for it because it's too broad. Maybe so, but there is a big difference between people who play casually and people who are really into gaming. We, as gamers, have build an enormous subculture that we are very protective about. We are the ones that are holding this industry together and we are also the ones taking care of the history of the medium.
Regarding the Ad, it really is just a matter of interpretation. I disagree with the article, The term "Gamer" is stil seen as nerdy and something unappealing, so Nintendo figured:"Let's have a bunch of good looking, very successful ladies and give the message that you can still play these games without having to be associated with those annoying gamer people"
I think gamers are rightfully upset about that.
I do think people are getting angry for no good reason. While labels like movie buff, bibliophile are positive, gamer and especially hardcore gamer are not, due to their hostility towards everything that doesn't meet their changing criteria.
This is due to video games not having a place in academia or even a structured order of who gets to be a gamer or game buff or gamephile, does it involve studying game design? Does it involve only playing video games? Does it involve writing essays? for now all answers are yes and no.
This is due to video games not having a place in academia or even a structured order of who gets to be a gamer or game buff or gamephile, does it involve studying game design? Does it involve only playing video games? Does it involve writing essays? for now all answers are yes and no.
Sadly, I have found that MOST gamers nowadays are prentious arrogant morons who are often ignorant to boot yet quick to impose their presumed knowledge on others. Gabby probably had the class and common sense to not want to be associated with them.
And gamers IS a dirty word. I honestly don't like the term anymore. We don't call everyone who likes movies a movier, or movie buff, now do we?
Nintendo is also being smart, by finally advertising to people who think gamers are underachieving, time wasting scum.
Oh man, when it comes to politics, I have a "Shut up'a you face" policy. I don't talk about politics with friends, because you will eventually loose friends...I broke my own rule earlier this week when a friend of mine said aloud "I don't thing the rich should have to suffer and pay taxes just because they are successful"...
Let it be known that my head nearly exploded...for like 15 minutes straight. The good news is that he saw that he was wrong, and actually did a complete 180 in the issue after I pointed out all of the things wrong with that statement. The bad news is I lost my voice for yelling so loud, and the priest sure didn't appreciate me doing all of this in the middle of mass...
Nah, just kidding, I'm an atheist.
Let it be known that my head nearly exploded...for like 15 minutes straight. The good news is that he saw that he was wrong, and actually did a complete 180 in the issue after I pointed out all of the things wrong with that statement. The bad news is I lost my voice for yelling so loud, and the priest sure didn't appreciate me doing all of this in the middle of mass...
Nah, just kidding, I'm an atheist.
I disagree with this article. I think that saying "I'm not a gamer" is a clear attempt to disassociate oneself from... well, people like me. People who like video games. I know somebody who plays video games even more than I do but insists "it's not a hobby" and would never let you call her a "gamer."
Coming from Nintendo, it does get on my nerves a bit, though not to the point where I'd be shouting about it.
Coming from Nintendo, it does get on my nerves a bit, though not to the point where I'd be shouting about it.
I kind of don't want gaming to become any more socially acceptable than it already is. When the popularity of a thing increases its intelligence automatically goes downhill. All the unique ideas become replaced by lowest common denominator crap. When you listen to top 40 radio, you're not hearing the best and the brightest that the music industry has to offer. You're listening to the most marketable commodities they have to sell.
Gaming would go the same way given a chance. "We could write the most thought-provoking storyline science fiction has ever seen...except now we have a larger demographic to appeal to and it would only go over most of their heads. How about we just add multiplayer instead." Pretty sure this exact thing has happened at least once.
Besides, "gamer" is such an antiquated term. It brings to mind images of eighties children decked out in goofy little pastel shirts, with cheap sunglasses and headphones strapped to their vacuous little skulls. Not totally against the concept of self-identification but there's gotta be a better name.
Gaming would go the same way given a chance. "We could write the most thought-provoking storyline science fiction has ever seen...except now we have a larger demographic to appeal to and it would only go over most of their heads. How about we just add multiplayer instead." Pretty sure this exact thing has happened at least once.
Besides, "gamer" is such an antiquated term. It brings to mind images of eighties children decked out in goofy little pastel shirts, with cheap sunglasses and headphones strapped to their vacuous little skulls. Not totally against the concept of self-identification but there's gotta be a better name.
In a world where people who spend the majority of their time playing and loving video games, but who are still corralled and looked down upon by their peers for their chosen passion, sometimes a label like 'gamer' can provide a feeling a solace for that otherwise smothered demographic.
On the other hand, anytime a label is overused it can begin to adopt its more fringe aspects more publicly, which is a turn off to newcomers and further cements the stigma of the basement-dweller and socially maladjusted individual that the media and my peers for example so strongly associated with the medium.
It's a fine line but until playing video games is seen as just a viable form of entertainment as books or movies, the label will remain. And until that day, I will proudly wear that stigma-laden badge with honor.
On the other hand, anytime a label is overused it can begin to adopt its more fringe aspects more publicly, which is a turn off to newcomers and further cements the stigma of the basement-dweller and socially maladjusted individual that the media and my peers for example so strongly associated with the medium.
It's a fine line but until playing video games is seen as just a viable form of entertainment as books or movies, the label will remain. And until that day, I will proudly wear that stigma-laden badge with honor.
I'm a gamer. I'm also a reader of dumb fantasy novels, a metalhead, Canadian, Albertan, male, atheist, anime otaku(or weeaboo if you prefer I guess), I'm into motorbikes, beer, and I'm becoming a film buff. I don't really have a problem with labels as long as people realize that one label won't describe EVERYTHING that makes a person who they are.
I hate the word gamer. It's the worst thing ever. I guess I'm a "movier" a "booker" or a "musicer" as well. I'd rather be a dude who just plays video games any day.
Who remembers when this commercial was cute and funny?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ep8lkKxgKc
Who here is buff with nerd-cred?
Who here has ever wasted time enjoying the time they wasted?
I really dug your article, crackedbat. I don't believe these commercials are a swipe at anyone. Nintendo is just stating that Nintendo is for more than the labeled hard-core. Good. Any industry, especially one we love, should have anyone and everyone participate in it. It will keep it strong. "Everyone." How's that for a label?
Will this cause publishers and developers to cater to this "broader" audience and the "mainstream/casual" crowd? Perhaps. And it may be best if they do as long as video games keep getting made. Go to any bookstore, view any Netflix list of movies, visit your local gamestore and take a look of how much *ahem* "garbage" is there. And among the garbage will be treasures.
And that goes for everyone.
But I digress.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ep8lkKxgKc
Who here is buff with nerd-cred?
Who here has ever wasted time enjoying the time they wasted?
I really dug your article, crackedbat. I don't believe these commercials are a swipe at anyone. Nintendo is just stating that Nintendo is for more than the labeled hard-core. Good. Any industry, especially one we love, should have anyone and everyone participate in it. It will keep it strong. "Everyone." How's that for a label?
Will this cause publishers and developers to cater to this "broader" audience and the "mainstream/casual" crowd? Perhaps. And it may be best if they do as long as video games keep getting made. Go to any bookstore, view any Netflix list of movies, visit your local gamestore and take a look of how much *ahem* "garbage" is there. And among the garbage will be treasures.
And that goes for everyone.
But I digress.
Its a neat campaign, I think. It acknowledges that the "gamer" label (thanks to gaming enthusiasts themselves) is weighed down with all this nonsense slackerism and elitism and says "Nuts to that. Come play something for fun's sake." And it says that without being of or about this ridiculous flame war bunk that game culture gets into every five minutes about being disenfranchised or otherwise downtrodden by society at large.
The commercials basically works to divorce enjoying games from the commitment of getting all up in the thick of gamer-ism. Kudos to that, because hardcore nerds are inherent'y elitist and creep people out, which is just what geeks do (because they're SO into something, ya know?) Not a bad thing on either side of that fence, I'd say. Identifiers and non-identifiers alike should buy Nintendo's fine 3D portable product.
Grats on the front page!
The commercials basically works to divorce enjoying games from the commitment of getting all up in the thick of gamer-ism. Kudos to that, because hardcore nerds are inherent'y elitist and creep people out, which is just what geeks do (because they're SO into something, ya know?) Not a bad thing on either side of that fence, I'd say. Identifiers and non-identifiers alike should buy Nintendo's fine 3D portable product.
Grats on the front page!
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