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What questions matter?
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Registered User regular
Registered User regular
I'm trying to compile a list of questions you might ask yourself about what kind of gamer you are.
I am not saying that this list of questions should be what determines whether or not you're a "quality" gamer. What I am saying is that these questions should matter when asking yourself what kind of gamer you are.
Like I said, I'm trying to compile a list. (NOTE: These "questions" are in a True/False format, in case you don't pickup on that)
...meaning that the point of this topic is NOT for you to answer these questions, but to suggest additions and modifications to this list.
What I have so far from myself and others I know includes...
[EDIT]
This is NOT a list of things I believe to be true about myself!
(sheesh! I thought I had made that obvious)
[/EDIT]
I am not saying that this list of questions should be what determines whether or not you're a "quality" gamer. What I am saying is that these questions should matter when asking yourself what kind of gamer you are.
Like I said, I'm trying to compile a list. (NOTE: These "questions" are in a True/False format, in case you don't pickup on that)
...meaning that the point of this topic is NOT for you to answer these questions, but to suggest additions and modifications to this list.
What I have so far from myself and others I know includes...
[EDIT]
This is NOT a list of things I believe to be true about myself!
(sheesh! I thought I had made that obvious)
[/EDIT]
I consider myself a "hardcore" gamer.
I generally don't criticize games because I don't like the console it's exclusive for.
I generally don't criticize games because I don't like the genre.
I generally don't criticize games because I don't like the franchise.
I generally don't criticize games I've never seen gameplay of.
I generally don't criticize games that I've never played myself.
I generally don't bother reading game reviews.
I believe that a game "demo" that I cannot actually "play" is not a demo.
I occasionally find myself nitpicking a game because of game design choices that don't make a lot of sense.
I believe that in general common objects (trees, rocks, fire... human joints) in games should imitate real life.
I consider myself a fanboy/fangirl.
I understand the distinction between "newb" and "n00b".
I know (without looking) what a "7th generation" game is.
I currently own the following game consoles.
One of the primary purposes of my computer (if any) is to play games.
When I'm gaming, I often end up staying up past 2am.
I have played a fair amount of the following games.
I can name (without looking) at least 5 (five) third-party game design studios.
I believe I have what it takes to game competitively.
I believe gameplay is more important than graphics in most cases.
Explanations of these can be found in this post.
I generally don't criticize games because I don't like the console it's exclusive for.
I generally don't criticize games because I don't like the genre.
I generally don't criticize games because I don't like the franchise.
I generally don't criticize games I've never seen gameplay of.
I generally don't criticize games that I've never played myself.
I generally don't bother reading game reviews.
I believe that a game "demo" that I cannot actually "play" is not a demo.
I occasionally find myself nitpicking a game because of game design choices that don't make a lot of sense.
I believe that in general common objects (trees, rocks, fire... human joints) in games should imitate real life.
I consider myself a fanboy/fangirl.
I understand the distinction between "newb" and "n00b".
I know (without looking) what a "7th generation" game is.
I currently own the following game consoles.
(this question would list all the console systems from the last 3 generations)
I have sometime in the past sold a game console explicitly so I could buy another.One of the primary purposes of my computer (if any) is to play games.
When I'm gaming, I often end up staying up past 2am.
I have played a fair amount of the following games.
(This question would list some of the most unique games from the last generation or two, such as "Metroid Prime 3")
I have seen Johnny Lee's Head Tracking video.I can name (without looking) at least 5 (five) third-party game design studios.
I believe I have what it takes to game competitively.
I believe gameplay is more important than graphics in most cases.
I prefer playing video games alone, instead of with other people. (added by Digg)
I often find myself skipping cut scenes or dialogue to get to the next action scene. (added by Digg)
I spend a sizable amount of my disposable income on video games. (added by rchou)
In my spare time, I like to browse gaming forums and websites to see what other people think about a game. (added by rchou)
I often find myself skipping cut scenes or dialogue to get to the next action scene. (added by Digg)
I spend a sizable amount of my disposable income on video games. (added by rchou)
In my spare time, I like to browse gaming forums and websites to see what other people think about a game. (added by rchou)
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Just... no. Seriously. How could you EVER believe this is at all even a remotely important personal measure of a gamer, or even a question to every be considered in a discussion of such?
Just... a million "you're doing it wrong" pictures apply here, as well as to several of your other questions, ("I believe that in general common objects (trees, rocks, fire... human joints) in games should imitate real life."?) but that's besides the point I really want to make: Who fucking cares?
Really, if there's one thing I've learned from being on these forums for as many years as I have, is that these questions shouldn't matter at all to anyone in any form, and you shouldn't try to classify yourself as a type of gamer as such, because if so, you're missing the whole point.
Just relax and and play some games, dude.
Gaming isn't some kind of philosophical existentialist argument to be made.
I'M A TWITTER SHITTER
Do you believe in there being a hardcore gamer and casual gamer group?
Trying to separate hadcore gamers from others is pretty closedminded.
Edit: Oh wait, I see one.
As far as recent, unique games (what does that mean?) I can name a few for you. Bioshock. Aquaria. Dwarf Fortress. Portal. Team Fortress 2. La Mulana. The Witcher.
I've never done that. For me, it's like a sin. Unless the newer system is 100% BC with the old one. But even then I'm hesitant. For the record, I've never sold a console of my own. Part of my reasoning is that I have a lot of games from each generation that I consider pure classics, and I enjoy going back and playing them.
Steam ID: slashx000______Twitter: @bill_at_zeboyd______ Facebook: Zeboyd Games
and on that point, in relation to the questions above, when i do discuss games, i try to do so fairly. this is such an interesting time for gaming. its torn between in its adolescence, trying to cater both to a mature audience, and one wanting nothing but violence, gore and sex. its an industry trying to find that comfort zone that stretches between art and entertainment. each side has its merits, those who wish to be arts, those who want to entertain(whether it be with mindless violence, or pick up and play mechanics).
personally i think the worse thing to happen for both gamers and the games industry, is for gaming to be mass market. to let the real fans figure out just what they want, would have resulted(hopefully) in a happy medium. then from there, developers and publishers, would have had a clearer idea of what to present to the mass market. as it is, the mass market dictates what is presented to the gamers who follow the industry, from conception of an idea to it going gold.
however, as i noted in the 'do gamers read?' thread from a week or two back, i think we are currently seeing a shift towards the more artistic developers. some are trying for a cinematic feel, but in doing so are addressing issues that, with few exceptions, wouldn't appear in games[Assassin's Creed's exploration of the self(its there is you look for it), BioShock's take on Rynd-ian philosophy]. we're only seeing the tip of the iceberg at the moment, but it heralds a greater change as the industry finds its feet and grows to a constant part of the art/entertainment industry alongside music and film(both of which straddle that divide so well).
But you've sold someone else's console? That you probably stole!
I've never sold a console or game either, because I know I'd want to use it again as soon as I did.
But yeah. Never sell a system. There'll always be a time when I want to go back and play an old classic on the old console. Just like picking up a favorite old book, or rewatching a classic movie.
Steam ID: slashx000______Twitter: @bill_at_zeboyd______ Facebook: Zeboyd Games
The only games I regret getting rid of are Castlevania 3, Bionic Commando, and Secret of Mana, because there have been no ways to play those games on the newer consoles. I'm still waiting on those for the Virtual Console, but they'll come (at least the first 2).
Switch - SW-3699-5063-5018
Shows you are a true game/car enthusiast!
Also, just as Recoil points out, some of them are pretty non-sequitur.
I'll keep making the point that gaming is just too broad at this point. There are so many people doing it that it'd be near impossible to categorize them, especially since even people who play the exact same games usually aren't alike AT ALL. Ask anyone on this forum who plays Halo or CS if they consider themselves to be a part of what most outsiders (and many insiders) consider to be the "Halo Community," or the "CS Community." Hell, I'm a Quake player and I would be offended if you included me in the same group as RA3 players, who just happen to be the largest single group of Quake players around.
Anyone want to beta read a paranormal mystery novella? Here's your chance.
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I go one step further. I only play games endorsed by Mark Ecko. and only on handhelds so i can play them while i skateboard to my job at the fireworks factory.
While listening to speed metal.
Back to the topic.
Gamer classification is an old discussion, and the media and game companies don't seem to feel any need to codify it, despite the fact that their financial success somewhat depends on it.
Gamers themselves always seem to be interested in it, some because they're curious, some because they like things organized, and some because they're looking for "their people" within the group.
It can be valuable, inasmuch as it serves the above needs. But it usually breaks down pretty quickly as the actual experience of any given game can be vastly affected by individual pet peeves or other circumstances well outside of a designer's control.
For marketers, learning what people like in general (power, pretties, rewards), and trying to shoot for that seems to be the most practical approach. For gamers, simply talking about individual games and comparing experiences seems to be the most fulfilling thing (next to playing together, of course).
That said, I do actually categorize the people I know.
I know one gamer. He reads gaming news sites. He is always trying out the latest and greatest (at least in the FPS and RTS genres, with the occasional platformer thrown in). I consider myself in his category. I know one semi-gamer. He mostly plays WoW, but if X-Play gives four or five stars to a strategy game, especially one in a franchise he's enjoyed, he'll play through it. I know one former gamer. He just plays WoW.
As you can see, these classifications aren't really useful to anyone but me. And that's usually how these threads go.
Edit: To tie it back to original subject, "What are you playing" or "Do you remember <game>" are probably the questions that matter, for most of us.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Nintendo-Wii-PROTOTYPE_W0QQitemZ180201788902QQihZ008QQcategoryZ145520QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
This is clearly a 'cut and shut'. I can tell by some of the pixels, and from having seen quite a few in my time.
It's one thing if other people consider you a hardcore gamer, but most people won't say that they consider themselves hardcore gamers. Whether or not you admit it yourself is the distinction. Those that consider themselves "hardcore" generally act drastically different from those that generally don't.
These questions tell whether or not, in short, you're a useless gamer. That is, a gamer that usually criticizes a console or game for an unacceptable or invalid logical reason. I know this may be a controversial statement, but at least IMHO a gamer that can't back up his claims with valid reasoning isn't worth listening to.
The key word here is "bother". This can go either way. Many gamers don't read reviews because they consider the source biased or compromised. Many of course read reviews so they'll have a fair idea what they're buying before they spend $50+ on it.
This is referring to whether or not they accept a demo video as an acceptible means of conveying the worth of the product. This comes in varying degrees. On the low end, an unfortunate gamer is led to believe that the video (often a cinematic) is what actual gameplay looks like, and could be convinced to buy the game or not right there. Somewhere in the higher end, a gamer might recognize a cinematic and not let it influence them much, or see gameplay in the video and believe that it's worth their money. IMHO, the much higher end of the scale won't buy a game without personal recommendations and/or playing an actual playable demo. (source link here)
The gamers that do this are generally in touch (perhaps unconsciously) with things like common sense and knowing what they really want in a game. These are the kinds of people that game designers should listen to, arrogant as that may sound. (read some of the posts in the linked thread in the quote to see what I mean)
I believe David Wong said it best in A Gamer's Manifesto, so I let him do the talking: We all know what a stereotypical "fanboy" is. The stereotype is what I call a "useless" fanboy. A "useless fanboy" generally refers to a person that is completely close-minded to anything which implies or states that what they are a fan of is flawed in some way. It says a lot about what kind of gamer you are if you admit you're a fanboy.
This makes all the difference in the world. If you refuse to understand the distinction, you are not worth most people's time, and deserve to be rejected from every kind of multiplayer game until you freakin' respect the distinction.
Although most know what consoles you're talking about when you say "next gen" or "current gen", not everyone realizes that this "current gen" is the SEVENTH generation of console gaming. In my experience, many gamers feel a little warmer inside when they hear someone reference the current generation as "seventh". Referring to it this way tells the world "I know when we are". Sounds vauge, I know, but some of you will get what I mean.
This doesn't mean much except to answer the two other more common questions "what generations' consoles do I own more of" and "what company's consoles do I own more of". What this says about you as a gamer is relatively obvious.
As some have mentioned, doing this is often considered stupid, regrettable, and in some cases even an outright sin.
I realize that many people simply don't have a computer, (or have one that just isn't for gaming) but this question is really asking "If you have a computer all to yourself, do you use it primarily for gaming."
This asks the question of whether you're the kind of gamer that gets so lost in the game that frequently you completely lose track of the time because of how immersed in the game you've become.
As I mentioned earlier, this question would list some of the most unique games from the last few generations, such as Metroid Prime 3, Portal, and Grim Fandango. The resulting list undoubtably says something about you as a gamer.
This is partially a question of whether or not you are relatively up-to-date with the latest gaming news, and partially to determine whether or not you've seen with your own eyes that it is now feasibly possible for games to do what that video shows us.
This answers the really basic question of "do I even know who made the games I like?" Obviously, knowing lets you better take notice when another game by that developer is on the way.
This isn't a question of if you currently game competitively, or if you think that game competitively is something you find desirable, but if you have enough self esteem to believe your "skillz" are enough to give competitive gaming a shot.
This is the age-old argument we all know and hate. I shouldn't have to explain what your answer to this says about you as a gamer.
...and that's where it ends. Abruptly and in shame, I'm afraid.
Anyone who refers to themself as "hardcore" is just sad.
You don't want to be a "hardcore gamer". I mean, hardcore means you are probably a fat greasy fuck eating cheetos all day going nowhere in life because you are too busy playing games and using acronyms like LOL in real life.
Kinda sad that we have these threads. Sad moments in gaming.
"Hardcore gamer" is a term that loosely describes certain groups, and different people use it to mean different things. I hate the term and try to avoid it whenever possible.
The media and the first parties refer to "core gamers" to describe people that have been gaming for a while and are used to the medium. As opposed to new gamers/casual gamers in their context, which refer either to gamers just now picking up a console, or gamers that only buy a few games a year.
Then there's webforums like this one that loosely use the term to describe people that play and know a lot about games and the industry, or at least care about it, and then only when absolutely required to make a point or in certain context. It doesn't matter which games they play, it doesn't matter how much time or money they sink into it. That is not a metric of a 'hardcore gamer.' At least around here we understand that people with different lives have different amounts of time, money, social/family/personal lives. Usually when webforums use 'hardcore,' or at least this, it also means a gamer that can appreciate games small and large, big and small budgets. It means that we consider gameplay as the most important factor in gaming. It means we can also appreciate a game for excellent style, as well as excellent technical feats - be it in graphics, or in presentation. We appreciate new things, different things, as well as traditional things. While we understand that some games are easier to get into than others, we don't consider ourselves too pompous to enjoy stuff just because it's "casual" because if we have a good game with great gameplay, that is what matters. We enjoy the Shadows of the Collosuses as well as the Maddens and Guitar Heroes, but also Geometry wars and Phoenix Wrights.
Then there is the douchebag usage of the term 'hardcore gamer.' This is the worst. These are the people that actively call themselves 'hardcore gamers' and think of it as some kind of elite club of few. They think of themselves as the only ones knowledgeable about anything about gaming and the only ones that are worthy to say what the industry and consumers should do. They often treat how much time you sink into gaming per day/week as a metric, and usually they add on how much money you put into your hardware as a metric. They also often consider that only "hardcore gamers" can appreciate the technical side of gaming, and that anyone with anything less than the most powerful consoles or videocards necessarily do not understand and cannot appreciate "great" games. They think they have finer taste because they sink so much money into hardware to get "better" graphics for "better" games. Because also, games with bigger budgets and production value are also necessarily better games most of the time, to these people. They often refuse to play any game that is easy to get into, because they don't want to touch anything "casual," because owning and enjoying "casual" games isn't 'hardcore.' They want big budgets and 40+ hour playthroughs on the first play with 40 person multiplayer and nothing less. They freak out when casual games do well because it's going to "destroy the industry." Shit like this. Man. It's pissin' me off just thinking about it.
The funny thing about the definitions of "casual" and "hardcore" gamers/games is that the perception is kind of changing. Last generation, when people spoke of "casual games," they were almost only ever talking about the EA sports games, Halo, and maybe like Mario Kart, and Guitar Hero. Now when people say "casual games," it's like those games I just mentioned are no longer considered part of this group, and "casual games" are now training games (Brain Age/Wii Fit) and mini-game stuff, and 'casual gamers' are now simply referred to as anyone who doesn't play shooters or .. basically anything except Training games and minigame types. I'm sorry, but there are still tons of people that casually play games, and a lot of them casually play the EA games, Guitar Hero, stuff like that. And that's not even to say that playing these games makes you a casual gamer - which is another exception to the generalization. There are plenty of "hardcore gamers" that play these games. Sometimes they play 'em like everyone else, sometimes they 5-star everything on expert. Whatever.
The point is this:
There are too many definitions and contexts for the term "hardcore gamer." And honestly, I don't like using it unless I absolutely have to. The worst thing is when some jackass will join this forum and go post in a thread about some new game and say that it's not a "hardcore game" and that people that want it aren't "true, hardcore gamers" or whatever. Fucking twats.
edit; I'm NOT criticizing the OP here, he doesn't appear to be in category 3, I'm just describing something I've noticed, and it's related to the topic. It's not a response to any particular person directly, more of a response to the direction this thread has sort of started to take.
I'd actually answer the OP with by posing some questions of my own.. but I just don't feel like doing it right now. That said I don't have a problem with this thread at all.
Steam ID: slashx000______Twitter: @bill_at_zeboyd______ Facebook: Zeboyd Games
OP has a douchebag sig.
And I'm not trying to rip the OP a new one, I'm just curious. Because the whole thing, while possibly interesting, seems pretty pointless.
Anyone want to beta read a paranormal mystery novella? Here's your chance.
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Well, aside from the fact that self-contemplation is never pointless, if someone were to up front ask you what kind of person you are, and being a gamer is an integral part of your being, wouldn't it be nice to be able to answer immediately?
For example, if someone (myself, a game dev studio, w/e) wanted to make a questionnaire for incoming applicants to determine what kind of gamer they are, these questions would certainly help narrow down the list of applicants to people that are actually worth your consideration... except for the jackasses that know perfectly well what the desirable answers are and just run through the list, although that can be avoided for the most part by not making them True/False but free response and/or rewording the question.
Whoa whoa whoa whoa. I'm in high school. Don't lump me in with this guy.
http://www.audioentropy.com/
Which do you do more: play video games alone, or with other people?
I think that the answer to that question might tell you something about different people's motivations in gaming.
Your questionnaire seems to be about identifying the degree of 'hardcoredness' of gamers... which is fine is that's all you're interested in.
Another question that differentiates player types more:
Do you often find yourself skipping cut scenes or dialogue to get to the next action scene?
"Hardcore gamers are stupid. Playing a game is playing a game."
No. Maybe the word hardcore killed your dad or something and now you hate it, but this is so stupid. Its like saying that because I own a car I'm as into cars as the Top Gear guys. Its like saying I'm the same as Roger Ebert because we've both seen a movie at some point.
The ironic thing is of course that most of the games talked about in this forum aren't games that anyone can play, the require an understanding of the medium.
ever wondered why your dad and mum aren't interested in Bioshock?
https://medium.com/@alascii
A phobia of diving suits?
Sometimes I Stream Games: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/italax-plays-video-games
You said it DodgeBlan!
Hey everyone, DodgeBlan just made a good point about how hardcore gamers are stupid!
...hard core is actually a good term to describe very enthusiastic gamers. I think what irritates some people is that the phrase has evolved in recent years from describing dedicated followers of something to meaning X-treme and all that sort of junk.
I blame Vince McMahon.... (for most things).
Damn casuals ruining everything, etc.
http://www.audioentropy.com/
You said it, Digg.
https://medium.com/@alascii
It is all in your head
It comes form one thing. Being teased as a child. It all boils down to a superiority complex passed on by jocks and mean little bastards. Not by genetics, but by punches, names, and tears. You envy these people, you want to be these people, you want the fuck the head cheerleader, so you become one in your own twisted imaginary way.
You create things that are not there to give yourself the edge. Some kids found other ways to deal with this. They busted their ass in college and/or work, they formed a band, they fell in love, they got shit done.
You on the other hand proudly boasted you are better then people who don't even know you exist.
...Or maybe you became an internet psychologist. Whatever helps you cope.
0431-6094-6446-7088
I am an internet God.
Yeah because when some nerd was getting shoved into a locker or some other cliche bullshit he was repeating the mantra "I am a hardcore gamer, I am a hardcore gamer".
Maybe you are internet retarded?
seriously, let me break it down for you
hardcore gamer:: core gamer:: revvhead:: avid gardener:: movie buff:: gun nut:: hip hop head
seeing a pattern here?
https://medium.com/@alascii
Carry on all.