Ever since the 80's, the people who play games have been called "Gamers". It's been a title that many have taken with pride, but also a title that has followed the industry about like a "My Little Pony" backpack. The term "Gamer" refers to a time of old, when games were considered a fad, toys, something for children. Why call us "Gamers"? If you read books, are you called a "Reader"? If you watch movies, are you called a "Watcher", or "Filmer"? If you listen to music, are you a "Listener"?
Games aren't what they used to be, games can now do what movies and music can't. They invoke thought, make one craft relationships, and often, take a step back and just sit in awe at what the player has just accomplished.
So, what are your opinions? Do you think the term "Gamer" is an honor? An insult? A title we must get rid of if we are ever to transcend into an art form? (a movement fast-approaching)
I take it neither as an honor nor an insult. It does not affect me at all. I also see no reason why being called a name would prevent anyone from doing what they wanted or what they are capable of doing.
Whoa. That sounds a bit deriding toward your question. D: I'm not insulting your question, that's just what my opinion truly is.
But anyway, I think the realm of games will continue to expand and improve no matter what its makers and users are called.
i see nothing wrong with that title. its just a name to call someone who plays video games. a person who likes to play th musical instrument is called a musician, a person who likes writing books is called a writer and so on. i think its good that gaming is actually considered a hobby just like any other activity
it's just a word, dude, don't look so into it. i'll call you a gamer if you enjoy video games and say i'm not much of a gamer if i don't play that many games (which is complete blasphemy).
It's a way for people to classify each other. If you're male, we call you a man. It's how language works. I see nothing negative or innately positive about it; one who plays games is called a gamer.
The word "gamer" is nothing anyone should take too seriously. I take it as a term that which means that, well...you play video games. Nothing more, nothing less. I guess language works in these ways.
...why does everyone get so worked up over what things are called. I feel the same about this as those who say we shouldn't call cats/dogs "ets" I don't care. If someone calls me a gamer, whoopdiedo.
Why call us "Gamers"? If you read books, are you called a "Reader"? If you watch movies, are you called a "Watcher", or "Filmer"? If you listen to music, are you a "Listener"?
If you play sports, are you an athlete? If you like to paint, are you an artist? If you play an instrument, are you a musician?
It's a description, no more, no less. Saying it's positive or negative is just dumb.
The definition of a gamer is just someone who plays games, as others have just said. However, your points just don't hold water, in that you are comparing gaming with popular media. Gaming may transcend into a type of art form, but that doesn't mean we cannot hold our traditional values of what gaming is--playing games. Gaming is an art form strictly in the eyes of the developer and it makes sense. Like painters, authors, composers, etc., they made their creations out of *poof* nothing! Now, we can also have the people who appreciate the works of art, as people interact with paintings, music, and whatnot. That's what we are. It seemed to be only about playing games in the 80s, but in reality, it wasn't. It too was an art form. It was just so primitive, like those cave paintings we discovered. Videogaming has grown immensely since then, from 8-bit to 120x120 visuals. It is not just the visuals that can be interpreted as art, however. It can also be the storyline and the music that can be appreciated, even though it branches from more traditional areas. What do we call gamers? Those that play and appreciate videogaming.
Oh and by the way, let's not see anymore posts judging and agreeing with who is and isn't spamming, with pictures adding to the mix. Let US decide who is.
While the points raised in this thread are certainly true, I still find there is still a stigma associated with the term "gamer".Yes, its a descriptive term, but does society at large see that too? In my country, I see news often use a variation of the term to describe someone madly obsessed with games.
Especially if the industry continues with its nonsensical seperation of "hardcore" and "casual". If anything, it's those terms we should rid ourselves of.
I say the term gamer is'nt bad and usally peple only call you a gamer if your always playing or are always wearing so clothing with a game on it. So i don't see anything wrong with that title i find it an Honor
But i am not called a gamer and here nobody uses it.
nobody uses that word here either. i guess its because of the language but actually not many people here play video games and i think i can surely say that many people dont know who mario, sonic or zelda are.
ChillzMaster you are right, we should use term "heretic" instead.Since playing games means that you wont do physical exercixes and you only eat fast food, thats unhealthy and shows bad self-discipline, so all people who play games should be called heretic, and they should be burned at stakes => (text above is supposed to be ironic if you dont get the point).
Actually, I hear term "gamer" little negative word somehow.But I dont mind if people call me gamer, or nerd, or heretic or whatever.Its their opinion, not mine.
