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If Gamers Ran The World
Elimination
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A friend if mine sent me this very interesting link to a short "essay" by a guy named Tom Armitage on his personal web site, Infovore. It is a really optimistic outlook on gaming and is against that whole "playing games is a waste of time" mentality that a lot of the older generation seem to think (Despite having barely touched games in their lives.). It speaks about the skills that we gain from gaming without really realizing it and how they come into play in our future lives and careers. It really is interesting to read and very positive for us gamers.
Take a look at it here. What do you guys think?
Take a look at it here. What do you guys think?
PSN: PA_Elimination 3DS: 4399-2012-1711 Steam: http://steamcommunity.com/id/TheElimination/
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Yeah i just found that this particular essay explained a lot of what we all are holding in our heads, just he put it into words in a really factual and up front manor.
Why is it that gamers feel this intense need to justify their hobby? I just don't get it. There are people out there spending dozens of hours a week playing poker, or building model trains, or playing paintball, or bicycling, or watching foreign films or collecting vinyl or playing soccer or birdwatching or rock climbing or swing dancing or painting miniature soldiers or tasting wine, and I swear to high heaven that all of them combined haven't stood up on as many soapboxes and tried to convince the rest of the world that "no, really, _____ is actually good for you!"
Is there really a Spanish Inquisition out there trying to stretch gamers on the rack? Do we really feel so insecure about our hobby that we have to defend it against all naysayers, both real and imagined? This article is yet another entry in the sporadic but unceasing litany of claims that it is, in fact, super great and awesome for people to play video games.
Maybe it is? Personally, I don't think it's particularly beneficial, and I think this article is stretching itself to an almost absurd degree to try to claim that it is. But, who fucking cares? It's a goddamned way to spend your free time--that's all!--and as far as I know there's no Final Solution being planned to erase gaming from the planet once and for all, so I'm looking forward to the day when we can all get over this complex we've created for ourselves as a subculture and just have a good time.
Frankly, after you hit 18, if you want to learn "important life lessons," don't play video games. If you want to have reasonably cerebral, escapist fun, play games by all means.
It's just laughable to read this guy trying to argue that the "aptitude for systems literacy" somebody hones by playing Tekken at a high level is going to be applicable to anything outside of another fighting game.
I can see that the guy's original point was sort of that we're likely to begin seeing more people in positions of power and authority boasting skills and aptitudes that are analogous to those posessed by hardcore gamers. But, fucking honestly, does anyone really think that the systems literacy gained from a 12-hour-a-day World of Warcraft addiction is likely to substitute for the systems literacy gained from a Master's program in a specific field of study?
Well we all know who would win that one don't we?
I agree with your sentiments generally, but it's nice to have something to say when I have a parent and 2 grandparents who regularly scold me for being a "gaming addict."
:?:
I just thought it was an interesting read, i didnt view it as anyone trying to justify anything imo. I especially liked the part about MMO's and the kids using spreadsheets to determine the boss's movements and attacks. But yeah, i just thought it was a neat read, i dont try to justify anything i do, and i dont think the writer was trying to either.
Mainly though it was nice to read something other than "Games make you violent and kill people or worship the devil HURR HURR DURR!!" and to actually see something positive. As well as explain why gaming is not a complete waste of time. I mean movies teach me a lot less than gaming, at least in gaming im also increasing my hand eye coordination, or at least using my head to solve puzzles and such.
Back when GTA3 first came out I used it to justify to my grandmother that it helped me deliver pizzas. I admit I was stretching it, but she's old.
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No, playing video games isn't going to make you more fit to be the leaders of the free world. But it won't make you less fit either.
That was the point i garnered from it from the get go.
Skills taught in a gaming environment don't have to be 100% applicable to the real world for his point to be valid. Parents, schools, and businesses do all sorts of outside activities that have no practical application in an attempt to socialize their children, students or employees, or encourage in them habits of problem solving or teamwork.
You point out the ridiculousness of claiming a WOW habit is going to grant useful skills on the level of serious academic work, and that is ridiculous. But it's not the point the author is making.
Doesnt some Korean guys get paid too much money to play SC?
Or Fatalonety, doesnt he get paid something to have his dumbass username on MOBO and stuff?
Unless you really like dicking babies. Then seriously, don't.
Uh, I don't think you're going to find that many 'football heads' who think gaming is dumb. I mean hell, when I played basketball we'd play Halo 2 pretty damn frequently after practice, and most of those guys are better players then the 'hardcore gamers' I know (you only get so far if you lack hand/eye coordination). The sixteen to twenty something ‘frat boy’ is the highest penetration market. The real problem is the old bastards, but that’s always the problem when it comes to anything new, especially youth culture or technologically orientated.
Oh, and gaming is incredibly useful in both increasing spacial awareness (studies by the RAF and British board of medicine – in relation to surgeons have proved this) with an hour of Tetris removing the gap between genders, and in play which is key to childhood development (there’s some interesting stuff here, I’ll see if I can fish it out).
Best post of the thread.
I suppose there might be some form of age differential here. I am at the point in my life where it is obvious I am a productive member of society and I don't really have to defend, justify, explain or any other synonym of protect my hobby from anyone's judgment. I also don't really define myself as a "gamer."
Fatality was a gimmick. I honestly don't know any gamer who really considered him a celebrity. But I realize that wasn't your point. I don't know how much he made, or how much Korean SC players make, but I'm sure it's a small enough amount, as well as number of people, to be almost completely negligible when compared to the number of basketball, football, and baseball players who make ridiculous amounts to play a game.
I don't really feel like getting on the topic of sports vs. video games though. It's a bit silly. I don't really look down on anyone who plays sports, but I do think pro sports players get paid too much. I'd think the same of people who got paid those amounts to play Starcraft or whatever.
Gaming is defended as a hobby because it really is looked down upon by "normal" people.
People often react negatively to hearing someone say they game in their free time, and pretending that they don't is just silly. People are naturally inclined to defend their hobby if people tell them its stupid or a waste of time at all.
Though I'm sure this article goes over the top.
Only a very small fraction of the people who play SC professionally make lots of money, and even then they make nothing compared to someone like A-Rod. Even then they basically dedicate their lives 24/7 to playing Starcraft.
Yes.
It's called parents.
I think I'm one of (if not the first generations of gamers who grew up gaming. People older than me were already grown, or getting real close, when consoles hit the home market.
It's quite the conundrum being a gamer and the parent of a gamer, since I enjoy playing them so much, and also enjoy watching my kids play/& playing with them, but at the same time I must break them away from their favorite timewasters to make sure they are able to spend enough time developing in other areas of life.
Especially when that takes time away from MY games.
the bastards.
Hahahahahah.
Oh man.
I don't play WoW, but boy do I have some friends who fit this description!
Steam ID: slashx000______Twitter: @bill_at_zeboyd______ Facebook: Zeboyd Games
But, more on topic. Videogames have actually taught me all sorts of interesting things, a good slew of problem solving skills and really did a lot for my vocabulary (well, games and magic the gathering). Hell, I knew what mitochondria were thanks to Parasite Eve long before I learned what they were in a biology class.
No one considered him a celebrity because Fatal1ty is a pompous ass and no one who's met the guy really likes him very much. He's pretty much got the same mentality a lot of other hardcore gamers have "I'm better than you and i'm going to rub it in your face every chance i get." the only thing is its 100 fold because he has been so successful. Hence last years PA Expo having in the "highlights" of the expo, the fact that Jonathan Wendal (Fatal1ty.) will not be present, and should he arrive he will be promptly escorted out.
On another note, most of the PC hardware with Fatal1ty's name on it is total trash btw.
you spend texa$, takes 10-20x as long as a movie or tv show to complete, and come away with zilch
hella fun though, right
right
also I did not read this thread before posting. I also find no reason to justify gaming.
Hahah, that was classic.
Steam ID: slashx000______Twitter: @bill_at_zeboyd______ Facebook: Zeboyd Games
I think AMPED energy drink might be working on that right now as they continue to sponsor their "pro gaming team" they have going.
Also on the up side, the MLG is actually on the upswing due to gaming becoming more and more mainstream. Though i wish they'd put less emphasis on Halo games since they really aren't all that and a bag of cheese, and more emphasis on good games like TF2 and Call of Duty. (Though that's just my opinion, i've never really liked Halo much since the original.)
and then you look at the average hours of TV watched per person, and you cry and cry for the world. Because seriously, it puts your average MMORPG player to shame.
I would purchase this item.
Yeah i loved that, i laughed my ass off when i saw it. And my ex (we were together at the time.) was all "who's Jonathan Wendal?" and when i explained she thought it was pretty great too.