I hate the term "Gamer".

[Blaksmoke]

This has really been bothering me for years now and I'm only just making a thread on it. I've been playing video games since the age of seven (circa 1994) and I've always referred to myself as simply a "game player". I'm not exactly sure when or by whom the word "gamer" was first used to describe a person who plays video games, but I first remember hearing it right around the time that the PS2 came out and games finally became an acceptable form of entertainment for the mainstream crowd.

I really can't stand it, but I wonder if I'm the only one. Gamer, gaming, game-dom: to me they're just contrived labels to describe a group of used-to not-be-cool-but-now-are people. They elaborate upon certain subjects (games and the people who play them) like they're newly-discovered commodities. In short, they're buzzwords that have endured for far too long. Maybe I just don't like being labeled?

Yeah, I know. Pseudo-aimless rant, but I've really been wanting to get that off my chest for a while.

[Viper]

I don't recall when I first heard the term but since I've been playing video games since 1984 and have heard all kinds of terms (good and bad).

I agree that the term 'gamer' was probably introduced into the mainstream in the mid 90's as a quick way to categorize those that played video games but I don't think it was meant in the fashion you describe...to suggest game playing is now cool.

I see it as simply as a reference to one who plays video games much as catcher refers to one who catches or pitcher as one who pitches.

[Lucent Beam]

I don't like when people use the term gamer because some people are elitist fucks about it.

For example, check out this one girl bitching forever about what makes or doesn't make a gamer (http://community.livejournal.com/girl_gamers/3779596.html?thread=54324492#t54324492).

[Blaksmoke]

I understand the linguistics of it...I just don't like it. Perhaps it's also because the word itself is just awkward.

Yes, and this girl is deluded. Reminds me of the beaten to death "What makes punk rock" argument. Bleh.

[Viper]

Equating gamer to some elitist status is laughable. Not all "ers" are elite at their respective activity.

Blaksmoke, I can see how it sounds kinda strange when spoken. I also think it's much too broad based in that not all games are video gamers. 'Video gamer' is much more exacting than the more general 'gamer' but then the issue is people enjoy synapsing words and phrases so that 'gamer' is shorter and easier to say, read and write.

I guess you could say my biggest issues with it are the laziness in which it has come about and the general nature of the word versus the actual context.

[Zeep]

I don't like when people use the term gamer because some people are elitist fucks about it.

For example, check out this one girl bitching forever about what makes or doesn't make a gamer (http://community.livejournal.com/girl_gamers/3779596.html?thread=54324492#t54324492).

Wow. What a stupid bitch.

[Zer0-Sum]

I a with Blaksmoke on this one 100%. Gamer? What does it mean? Who really really cares? Elitist snobs, that is who. Fuck labels. Why pigeon-hole yourself with self made labels? I play video games, but I also play Pen and Paper RPG's. Play games you like, that is all a person needs to know.

[Lucent Beam]

There currently is a casting call going on for a new girl for G4.

http://www.gotcast.com/castings/Gamer-Girl/50406

Read those bio's and most of them you will find people who are in love with calling themselves "gamers". For the most part, people who love the term "gamers" are people who want some sort of special recognition for having their particular hobby.

I know this thread isn't about "girl gamers" in particular, but I think the term "gamer" poses a larger annoyance for females because a lot of girls want to make a name for themselves by showing off their "gamerness" within a male dominated interest (although it's no longer uncommon at all for girls to be openly obsessed with gaming).

Probably 95% of the time, the term "gamer" is somehow coupled with the idea that your gaming interests make you cooler than other people.

And I totally agree with this:

describe a group of used-to not-be-cool-but-now-are people

It's true. It's just people trying to establish a pecking order among a group of people with a common interest. i.e.: "They're not a real gamer" etc etc etc

[Blaksmoke]

For the most part, people who love the term "gamers" are people who want some sort of special recognition for having their particular hobby.

Yeah, that's really what I was going for. And I think I'd rather watch Fox News than G4.

[Gummy]

I like videogames.

I play them too.

Never been called a gamer, lol.

[LaLiLuLeLo]

People who take the title 'gamer' seriously are obviously not good at anything else. They tried to learn piano and guitar but couldn't carry a note with a bucket, quit karate class, can't draw, and suck at math.

[masteratt]

I don't understand why you got so annoyed because English language grew but oh well, I personally don't mind any of the terminology surrounding gaming/ gamers and actually find it convenient.

[XboxEvolved]

Yeah I mean why can people call me a gamer because that is something that I do a lot of? That is stupid. That is just as stupid as someone calling me a white American, or when I make stuff for people on the internet for pay them calling me a gamer, or when I go to work people calling me an employee of the business.

I just don't understand where people get these labels.

[Gummy]

Internet boy!

[HolyPaladin]

I never had any problem with the term "gamer". I hear or see the word and think "person who plays video games" as opposed to people that don't. I likewise have no trouble with the term "driver" being used for a person that drives, "eater" for a person that eats, or "masturbator" for 90% of males and 60% of females.

[The Dude]

I absolutely fucking despise the term "gamer". It's simply a marketing term to target the young 17-26 year old male demographic. I mean look in any video game magazine at the ads by schools of questionable accreditation that teach "Gamers" how to make games. The ads go something like this:

"I am a gamer period!"
I play games today, but one day I'll be makin' them
I have met TONS of gamers at TITTI University
We meet in the lab and talk about games all day and then make them!
Womb to Tomb, I'm a gamer til I die!

We major in skills to get you in game careers, call TITTI university today!

[XboxEvolved]

the dude, and everyone else freaking out about this, you freak out about nothing. Holy you got it down.

[Blaksmoke]

Adding an "er" to the end of a noun in order to create a new term is just...dunno. "Dumb" would be a word to describe it. "Game" is not a verb. And I think I just made my argument make even less sense, but I don't care. It's still a stupid term no matter how I look at lit. Heh, for those of you who don't understand what the fuss is about, my reasoning won't change your minds.

[The Dude]

the dude, and everyone else freaking out about this, you freak out about nothing. Holy you got it down.

Freak out? More like a rant.

I have worked in a Target electronics department for over 5 years and nearly every self described "gamer" I have met turned out to be a massive douche bag. Seriously, who bases their identity on the fact they play video games? YAY! Let's all label each other! Yeah, I play video games too, started when I was about 6 or so but that does not mean I care about your Gamerscore or that you have owned every single console since the NES, or that you think the Wii is a fad, and the PS3 is teh roxors! The fact we both enjoy pressing buttons in front of a screen does not make me think you are cooler in anyway.

[Phoenix]

I'm not a fan either, especially since the term mostly connotes the "X-treme" gamer who drinks 12-packs of Mountain Dew daily and plays Halo 24/7 and is a complete deadbeat. The kind that only popped into existence for the PS2 or original Xbox.

[Hisham]

LMAO, Mountain Dew. Hahaha.

Anyways, that link that Lucent provided is everything that is wrong with the so called "gamer" crowd. I don't really care what somebody labels me as, but when you label yourself, I find it sorta stupid.

[Crow]

cant we just stick with the word "nerd" instead?

i dislike the term too, its like an exclusive society, i bet someone out there has a card in their wallet with a photo and the word "Gamer" on it...its more like a cult

Carlos is a gamer

[XboxEvolved]

are you a car driver? Now, just because you aren't in the NASCAR races does that make you not a car driver?

[Blaksmoke]

Yeah, I drive. But I don't game.

[TheGreenElf]

The definition of a gamer would be "someone who plays games". Therefore, I am. The connotation of it and how you want to take it is up to you.

[XboxEvolved]

So then are you a player?