Disproving Gamer Stereotypes
It seems that everywhere I go, gamers are always depicted as being exactly the same: nerdy, antisocial, obnoxious, etc. They are show to share a few characteristics ALL THE TIME, NO MATTER WHAT. Today, I'm going to dispel a few of these myths, using myself (a gamer) as a sample; if it isn't true of me, then it obviously isn't a universal truth.
#1. The Gamer Diet
Typically, gamers (as well as programmers) are shown as living on a diet of nothing but Cheetos and Mountain Dew. This diet is clearly not healthy, but the Cheetos are solid enough to keep a person from getting too hungry, and the Mountain Dew keeps a person up for all-night sessions of Halo.
Is there any truth to this myth?
Looking around my bedroom as I type, I see a few empty cans of Diet Mountain Dew (I don't drink the regular stuff because it tastes too syrupy), a family-size bag of Cheetos, a few bags of knockoff cheese snacks that I got at Dollar Tree, and some Funyuns. Okay, so I guess this myth isn't dispelled.
#2. The Gamer Budget
Society would have you believe that Gamers want to do with their money more than to spend it on the beefiest PCs, the latest games, and anything else to create an optimal gaming experience. Supposedly, they will buy any product with "gaming" in the name, such as gaming mice, gaming chairs, or gaming clocks; the product need not be related to gaming, so long as it is misleadingly named.
Is there any truth to this myth?
Looking through my email, I see order confirmations for a pair of gaming headphones I just purchased, a set of chargers for portable gaming systems, a few games I recently got from Amazon, all on the first page. Additionally, I am currently saving for a new TV, followed by a surround sound system, followed by a new computer (should take me about 4 or 5 months for all this). I guess this myth hasn't been dispelled either.
#3. The Gamer Social Life
Gamers are shown as having little to no social life. Rather than hanging out with friends, they meet up via online forums, and play multiplayer games together online, without ever having to see each other in person. They never go to the mall in groups, as they only go at all if they want to buy something to improve their gaming experience. They never date, unless they meet a girl online through World of Warcraft.
Is there any truth to this myth?
Last time I went to a strictly social activity was about two years ago, because there were prizes. The last time I went to hang out with actual friends just to be social was just over six years ago. I've never gone on a date. If left to my own accord, I'd probably end up a hermit. This means that yet another myth turns out to be somewhat true. Crap.
Closing Thoughts
Crap. Crap. Crap. Crap. Crap. Crap. Crap. Crap. IT'S ALL TRUE. Crap. Crap. I guess I ought to throw in a "dammit" for good measure.
#1. The Gamer Diet
Typically, gamers (as well as programmers) are shown as living on a diet of nothing but Cheetos and Mountain Dew. This diet is clearly not healthy, but the Cheetos are solid enough to keep a person from getting too hungry, and the Mountain Dew keeps a person up for all-night sessions of Halo.
Is there any truth to this myth?
Looking around my bedroom as I type, I see a few empty cans of Diet Mountain Dew (I don't drink the regular stuff because it tastes too syrupy), a family-size bag of Cheetos, a few bags of knockoff cheese snacks that I got at Dollar Tree, and some Funyuns. Okay, so I guess this myth isn't dispelled.
#2. The Gamer Budget
Society would have you believe that Gamers want to do with their money more than to spend it on the beefiest PCs, the latest games, and anything else to create an optimal gaming experience. Supposedly, they will buy any product with "gaming" in the name, such as gaming mice, gaming chairs, or gaming clocks; the product need not be related to gaming, so long as it is misleadingly named.
Is there any truth to this myth?
Looking through my email, I see order confirmations for a pair of gaming headphones I just purchased, a set of chargers for portable gaming systems, a few games I recently got from Amazon, all on the first page. Additionally, I am currently saving for a new TV, followed by a surround sound system, followed by a new computer (should take me about 4 or 5 months for all this). I guess this myth hasn't been dispelled either.
#3. The Gamer Social Life
Gamers are shown as having little to no social life. Rather than hanging out with friends, they meet up via online forums, and play multiplayer games together online, without ever having to see each other in person. They never go to the mall in groups, as they only go at all if they want to buy something to improve their gaming experience. They never date, unless they meet a girl online through World of Warcraft.
Is there any truth to this myth?
Last time I went to a strictly social activity was about two years ago, because there were prizes. The last time I went to hang out with actual friends just to be social was just over six years ago. I've never gone on a date. If left to my own accord, I'd probably end up a hermit. This means that yet another myth turns out to be somewhat true. Crap.
Closing Thoughts
Crap. Crap. Crap. Crap. Crap. Crap. Crap. Crap. IT'S ALL TRUE. Crap. Crap. I guess I ought to throw in a "dammit" for good measure.
posted by Covarr at 4:11 AM
Permanent Link | Linking Blogs | 4 comments
4 Comments:
lol ur such a nerd...so, when you get ur new gaming compy, can i have the laptop? pretty please? i'll give you some money...or cheetos...or maybe find you a date...
btw...'anonymous' means Cay,if you didn't catch that...apparently I don't exist since I don't blog...
Sorry, I still have uses for this laptop.
I got the TV though. 42" LCD in a 9' by 10' bedroom. Hooray for extravagance.
apparently I don't exist since I don't blog...
Blogito, ergo sum? :)
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