Is it publicly and socially acceptable to be a gamer now?

[cloud_952]

Gaming has come around to the point where it's alright to say that you "play games", but definitely not yet to the level of acceptance where you can actively call yourself a gamer without people talking about it. This doesn't matter much in normal, day-to-day life and with people you know. However, in a professional institution (university, the workplace), it's a little more of a deal.

Casual gaming seems to be accepted, but to game as a hobby, that's still pretty stigmatized.

[F9zDark]

I think it is gaining social acceptance but I don't think its all there yet. I know a few people who have lost dates because the woman didn't approve of gaming.

I don't tell women that I plan on hooking up that I play games unless I know they do. Because quite frankly, I am not losing sex over a game.

[John Vattic]

All I play are sports games with my Jock buddies

[VFerg]

I havent seen any judgement in wether someone plays games or not in like 5 years. I now work full time for a big company and I would say about half the people that work there wouldnt mind or probably play themselves. The other half might not care for it but I highly doubt they give a crap wether someone else plays or not. I would say its an age group thing and also where you live.

[Paradok]

I've never really given it any mind. I've been playing console and PC games since I was nine, and my favorite thing to do before that (and sometimes after too) was go to the arcade. Pretty much every friend I've ever had played games at least a little, and most of the girls I've dated did too, even if it was just cutesy stuff.

The only people who ever gave me guff about playing games were the usual buttmunches who would have just found something else to give me grief about if I wasn't a gamer anyway. Gaming to me's never been any stranger than watching TV.

But I guess I'm just lucky.

[NeoXCS]

I've never much cared if anyone knew I was a hardcore gamer. I have LAN parties with my buddies at my house and game constantly. It's my way of life. Even my girlfriend is slowly working into being a gamer and she's loving it.

[Broadus]

This is retarded. Why are so many "front page news" things just generic, ridiculous qustions? When was it NOT socially acceptable to be a video game nerd, or to enjoy video games?
Obviously, there are still and always will be people who think video games are stupid, or too violent, or whatever. But I've never seen someone who likes video games go "Well I'd better not play video games because some people I don't know think it's unacceptable."
Personally, I hate going into game stores. The people browsing within are so nerdy and they creep me out. But, I've got to get my games somehow.

[baracki96]

I believe this is a good question because yu get to see different people's and places' view of the modern day acceptance of gamers. Gamers are accepted to a degree. If you are talking to someone how games little or not at all, and you say you play some madden and halo, then they are usually completely accepting. HOWEVER, if you start talking about how you finally got your paladin to level 60 after playing world of warcraft for 48 hours straight last weekend ( no offense to WOW gamers) then they will probablly nod nervously and try to come up with an excuse to get away from you. Basically, casuall gamers are accepted, while serious gamers will have to wait until they are no longer viewed as Serfs.

[Fittersman]

i dno, loads of people at my school think the wii is a piece of $#@! for babies. that's not to say i agree, but i think the wii is noot as widely hailed as everyone says. maybe it's something to do with age groups etc etc.

hahha, i think the wii is stupid... lol, personally i dont want to sit around waving a piece of plastic around, i would feel dumb... but thats just me, i prefer the classic joystick and buttons stuff.

and yeah i like video games but most of the time i personally dont go around bragging about it, but if someone asks about it i will tell.

[BrooksyX]

I have noticed that every other person in my Hhgh school has a Xbox 360 and Xbox live. Literally every day I find out someone new who has live and add them to my friends list. So I would have to agree that gaming can be called '"cool" and acceptable nowdays.