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[Lissar]

Sure, but like I said, that's because we are on the internet and that gaming is a massive boy club. Just like how a girl getting in any boy club like army, police, firefighters, mechanic and ect will get insulted on her gender at the first mistake. But that's not my issue. I think you mistake me saying that a girl jumping on the minecraft train so hard that she create a whole channel and have to learn WASD and do not know anything about pc gaming is a gender problem. It's not.

If a guy go make the channel "Slenderboy" and do the same thing, with a camera covering a part of the game screen, and the first minutes is him trying to use the arrow keys, I would have the same problems.Both would be Gamer Gurls, even if one of them is male. It's like the term Bitch and Dick who can be applied to both genders even if they seem more to be toward only one.

Okay, so where are the examples of men who do this (supposedly) heinous thing? Or do men just not do this? Or maybe the men who do it aren't considered as awful as the women so you've never heard of anyone doing this?

Also, for the record, a gendered insult like "bitch" has two different connotations when being used against men and women. Gendered insults are not innocuous.

 

[Orayn]

Waiting for the "bro gamer" threads.

The dudebro phenomenon is mostly whining about people being into games you don't like.

Fedoras might be a closer analogy, but even then the anger is largely directed at actual bad behavior instead of just being the wrong gender and not enough of an expert in something.

 

[H.Protagonist]

Of course. Men are just as capable of this feat, do we have terms of endearment for them? Threads about them?

.

 

[Rubius]

It's a little odd how specific you are about wanting to define and use what is inherently an immature, childish insult designed to separate people into others based on baseless assumptions.

Like I said, I do not care about the gamer gurls or fake gamers or what ever. At worst, they pull an Ultraneko and steal donation money. At best, they become real gamers who play games and enjoy them. It really do not matter to me outside of it being slightly harder to find a good channel on Twitch who is not about cleavage and a tiny window about the game.

 

[shadowkat]

Sure, but like I said, that's because we are on the internet and that gaming is a massive boy club. Just like how a girl getting in any boy club like army, police, firefighters, mechanic and ect will get insulted on her gender at the first mistake. But that's not my issue. I think you mistake me saying that a girl jumping on the minecraft train so hard that she create a whole channel and have to learn WASD and do not know anything about pc gaming is a gender problem. It's not.

If a guy go make the channel "Slenderboy" and do the same thing, with a camera covering a part of the game screen, and the first minutes is him trying to use the arrow keys, I would have the same problems.Both would be Gamer Gurls, even if one of them is male. It's like the term Bitch and Dick who can be applied to both genders even if they seem more to be toward only one.

What? they are "Gamer Gurls" because they don't do everything perfectly when learning a game or how to stream? And I don't think I've ever heard a woman being called a dick. Bitch is used for both but has different means for each gender.

 

[Paracelsus]

Waiting for the "bro gamer" threads.

Of course. Men are just as capable of this feat, do we have terms of endearment for them? Threads about them?

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=751673

He isn't followed because he's good or he's good-looking, more because he either comes off as a believable ***clown or he honestly is.

 

[DAREALGUMMY]

What, exactly, is so terrible about this? Most of life is people using titles to get attention. Do you freak out when people have LinkedIn profiles or hand out business cards? Do you hate the whole concept of streaming in general, since it only exists for people to insert themselves as personalities into videos of games? You obviously don't have a problem with people using usernames and avatars to attract attention to themselves on a message board. What is so deeply offensive about someone attracting attention to themselves?

I guess my problem with it is how they seek attention. Like I said, if a gamer wants to make videos because they love games and even if they do it for some attention then by all means go ahead. My biggest concern is people exploiting others for that attention. Look at Olivia Munn, her popularity on the internet grew tremendously when it was about a hot girl doing geeky things and doing sexy things while being geeky. When she left G4 and tried to make it out of that culture, she didn't end up doing so hot. Other women like Morgan Webb and Alison Haislip were also on G4 but they were genuine about their love for the gaming and geek culture and that's what I personally like about them.

 

[mugoldeneagle03]

I always used the term until I met my girlfriend, who plays as much as me if not more. Haven't used or even thought about it since.

Sadly sex sells, so I doubt it will ever go away

 

[UnWeave]

Yeah, I find it bizarre that the complaint that someone on Twitch or YouTube -- two services designed from the ground up to turn attention to cash -- is that they're seeking attention. Well, duh. It's a broadcast medium wherein viewers determine cash flow. If they aren't seeking attention, they've misunderstood the nature of the enterprise.

Both on that level and on a personal level, seeking attention is a fundamental part of being human. Most people enjoy attention, particularly if that attention is positive. I suppose you can complain about the authenticity of it, but in a world where everything you wear has designer labels, people identify themselves by the media they consume, and the culture's entire language is permeated by pop culture references which are essentially advertisements for media back catalogues, it seems a bizarre fragment of an inauthentic world to get worked up over.

Exactly. And even if it is particularly obnoxious attention seeking, are they entirely to blame? Probably not. Society tells us that what others think of us is extremely important, and for women the issue is amplified. Not that I think it isn't important, but I believe that it currently undermines any hope for an accurate measure of self-worth. Men have to be strong. Women have to be attractive. Oh, you're not? Or, even worse, you don't fit neatly into the binary gender system? Then you've failed.

Yeah okay maybe I am getting farther from the OT and closer to a social justice monologue. But it's important. Sexism (and related) is (are) still way more pervasive than most people realize. I think some of the comments in this thread do a good job of demonstrating that, albeit within a small demographic.

(That was kind of my point. That making negative judgements based on the fact someone is doing it is stupid.)

(Ah. I see.)

 

[Madness]

The real irony is if it wasn't treated with such novelty you wouldn't have those who capitalize on it.

Haha, I was actually thinking of this topic and a situation with you for some reason. Do you remember when we were discussing Halo UI mockups in the thread, and someone found you were a girl who was into ui/interface design and was like "marry me" in the thread. That's something said precisely because you' were a woman.

Halo 2 was bad, same with Halo 3, I remember a lot of swears, but it was generally okay at times. People actually had decent convos about the maps, games. Sure sometimes things got heated and insults went too far. But I actually feel it's ten times worse now. Maybe because I'm older and picked up on it as immature teens. But I think just this general assholery has taken over online gaming. So much so that games like Destiny are trying to forgo voice chat altogether for non-friends because they're anticipating it being so bad.

 

[jaypah]

Edit: I don't like any of the comics posted in this thread because they grossly generalize and stereotype female gamers into a dichotomy. One seems to promote slut-shaming or inauthentic behaviour, while the other mischaracterizes women who do play video games but portrays them as overly-aggressive and/or obsessive. It's the same type of comic as "hardcore [male] gamers vs casual [male] gamers/fratboys", and I'm quite sure that people will make the same argument that merely placing everyone into a dichotomy is absolutely unfair.


RPGs? Those games are for chicks cuz they're so cutesy/easy to control and/or you can make your own character with flimsy armour and poor stat distribution.

Platformers? Oh, you only like the cute easy ones by Nintendo or that mobile jank.

Shooters or even STGs? Okay, gurl gamer, you like Halo/CoD like all the rest of those casuals.

It's like you can't win, and even if you like some of the games some may assume you like because they are popular, sometimes you're belittled for liking the things you do.

Well damn, you hit this nail right on the head. Females who play games often times don't get a fair shake because people want so desperately to put them in a box. Some people seem like they NEED a reason to exclude females from the more "core" parts of their hobby. How fucked is that? I don't even understand the end game. So if you manage to marginalize all of the female gamers until none of them identify with gaming....then what? What's the point?

 

[Devolution]

Haha, I was actually thinking of this topic and a situation with you for some reason. Do you remember when we were discussing Halo UI mockups in the thread, and someone found you were a girl who was into ui/interface design and was like "marry me" in the thread. That's something said precisely because you' were a woman.

Halo 2 was bad, same with Halo 3, I remember a lot of swears, but it was generally okay at times. People actually had decent convos about the maps, games. Sure sometimes things got heated and insults went too far. But I actually feel it's ten times worse now. Maybe because I'm older and picked up on it as immature teens. But I think just this general assholery has taken over online gaming. So much so that games like Destiny are trying to forgo voice chat altogether for non-friends because they're anticipating it being so bad.

It's gotten worse because they know they can get away with it I think. There's no real punishment meted out for being a total asshole on mic.

 

[Rubius]

Okay, so where are the examples of men who do this (supposedly) heinous thing? Or do men just not do this? Or maybe the men who do it aren't considered as awful as the women so you've never heard of anyone doing this?

Also, for the record, a gendered insult like "bitch" has two different connotations when being used against men and women. Gendered insults are not innocuous.

DSP is a pretty famous one, but I think he do not fit in the whole "gamer gurl" mold because he play 8 hours of video game every day and play games from many genres. Most fake gamers try to focus on one game like Minecraft, League of Legends or Call of Duty or Diablo 3.
There was a guy who actually did fake a disability to get donations, but again, it's more about a guy who wanted money to play video games all day.

As far as male gamer gurl, or fake gamers, Smosh, Tobuscus and even in a ironic way, Jacksfilms who actually parody the Gamer scene.

I'm not a big Twitch or Let's play viewer so I cannot really name list and lists of name but I know that there is tons of both sides who just want to get rich and famous using video games popularity. It's harder for a guy to fake that kind of thing, since the population is mostly male, and so why would a random guy faking liking video games get a lot of views and get rich out of it? He have to use charisma mostly. Girls are easier and get more jealousy out of it since they just have to show cleavage and they get thousands in donations. Where guys cant really do that.

 

[Wazzy]

Someone playing only one game does not make them a fake gamer. How many times does that have to be said?

 

[charlequin]

Like I said, if a gamer wants to make videos because they love games and even if they do it for some attention then by all means go ahead. My biggest concern is people exploiting others for that attention.

This kind of pushes the issue down a level, though. Why is a man who does these things assumed to be a "gamer" and therefore acting in a right and proper fashion, while a woman has to prove that she's a "gamer" to qualify?

 

[someday]

I guess my problem with it is how they seek attention. Like I said, if a gamer wants to make videos because they love games and even if they do it for some attention then by all means go ahead. My biggest concern is people exploiting others for that attention. Look at Olivia Munn, her popularity on the internet grew tremendously when it was about a hot girl doing geeky things and doing sexy things while being geeky. When she left G4 and tried to make it out of that culture, she didn't end up doing so hot. Other women like Morgan Webb and Alison Haislip were also on G4 but they were genuine about their love for the gaming and geek culture and that's what I personally like about them.

Funny, I never had G4 so I didn't watch any of them. But thanks to Gaf, I know the name Olivia Munn but haven't really heard much about the other two.

 

[Rubius]

What? they are "Gamer Gurls" because they don't do everything perfectly when learning a game or how to stream? And I don't think I've ever heard a woman being called a dick. Bitch is used for both but has different means for each gender.

Gamer Gurls are people who start playing and streaming video games for money and not enjoyments.Nothing less, nothing more. The word became to describe girls who would use sex appeal to get donation money, like the girls of GameCrush who allow you to pay a girl to play video games with her.

I heard a couple of time dick being used toward a female.

 

[njean777]

Doesnt really bother me, if people want to label themselves then more power to them. Not to say that I agree with people labeling themselves, but if they do I am not going to yell at them and tell them that they are stupid.

 

[Devolution]

Gamer Gurls are people who start playing and streaming video games for money and not enjoyments.Nothing less, nothing more. The word became to describe girls who would use sex appeal to get donation money, like the girls of GameCrush who allow you to pay a girl to play video games with her.

I heard a couple of time dick being used toward a female.

How do you decide who genuinely enjoys it or who doesn't and why does it matter.

 

[Toxi]

I'm not a big Twitch or Let's play viewer so I cannot really name list and lists of name but I know that there is tons of both sides who just want to get rich and famous using video games popularity. It's harder for a guy to fake that kind of thing, since the population is mostly male, and so why would a random guy faking liking video games get a lot of views and get rich out of it? He have to use charisma mostly. Girls are easier and get more jealousy out of it since they just have to show cleavage and they get thousands in donations. Where guys cant really do that.

Well gee, I'm glad you're keeping touch with reality.

 

[Tellaerin]

I should have worded it more, looks/appearance are often used to discredit in this regard, which you seem to be supporting because you view it as a suggestion of superficiality on the part of female gamers. Taking care of your looks or presenting yourself in a way that makes you feel comfortable and attractive (especially if they're on live feeds) shouldn't somehow invalidate your credentials as a gamer. If it wasn't in a big part due to attractiveness or dressing/grooming a certain way, then these comics wouldn't always seem to be a split of sexy woman versus obviously disheveled woman. If they care about how they look, then surely they can't actually be into games for their own sake. They MUST be doing it just for attention! It creates this very simplistic view of all women in gaming that we run up against all the damn time, so you can imagine how frustrating it is to see those comics all the time, especially in topics like these.

Maybe I should've worded things better myself. : /

Wearing makeup, being well-groomed, and dressing sexily doesn't make a woman inherently shallow or superficial, and it definitely doesn't invalidate her credentials as a gamer. I'm sorry if I somehow gave you the impression that I felt that way.

What I think those comics are saying - in a deliberately exaggerated fashion - is that for the type of "girl gamers" they're depicting, their supposed interest in videogames is just another fashion accessory, like sexy outfits or makeup. Their primary goal is to attract the attention of men and/or other women, and they're only interested in gaming insofar as they think it can help them achieve that goal.

Another thing I think is worth bearing in mind is that comics like these are meant to be humorous, even when they're presenting some sort of social commentary. The "girl gamer vs. gamer girl" divide is deliberately played up for effect because the comparison of two characters at opposite poles like that is funny. I don't think most people actually believe that a woman has to dress in ratty t-shirts, have birds-nest hair and curse like a sailor to be considered a "real" gamer.

 

[Giolon]

Someone playing only one game does not make them a fake gamer. How many times does that have to be said?

I wouldn't really consider someone who only plays a single game a gamer, similar to how I wouldn't consider someone a comic book fan because they read a single series, or a book lover because they enjoyed reading a single book. I think it makes them a fan of that specific thing. I mean, I like the occasional country music-inspired song (Hey Brother by Avicii), but I wouldn't say I'm a country music fan, and I would never describe myself that way.

I don't think it's something to denigrate someone over, but I wouldn't call it an accurate way to describe someone to say they're a fan of a genre, medium, or hobby just because they like one specific thing inside of its umbrella. Sure they've got every right to call themselves whatever they like, but if they ask someone who's more thoroughly interested in the subject they claim to have interest in, you can't see that someone might be naturally disappointed to find said interest extremely narrow and limited?

 

[Rubius]

How do you decide who genuinely enjoys it or who doesn't and why does it matter.

I do not decide jack. It's all based on assumption and jealousy mostly. Like I said many time so far, I do not care or judge girls gamers on being fake or not. I can see the ones who do it only for the money and do not have any experience, but I grew up playing video games with girls all around me, so I just do not see it that way.

But, the term was made by people who grew up never seeing a girl playing video games, people who think that girls do not play games, and girls who do, are acting and lying.

You can really feel the jealousy and frustration. They do not want girls to play games because if they do, then why were they rejected by girls when they are leet? But the change is happening all over the world. Hell, in China, some girls want to date Dota players, just like some girls want to date Football players over here.

 

[beercr8te]

A gamer is a gamer, whether they are male or female in my opinion.

 

[UnWeave]

... I know that there is tons of both sides who just want to get rich and famous using video games popularity. It's harder for a guy to fake that kind of thing, since the population is mostly male, and so why would a random guy faking liking video games get a lot of views and get rich out of it? He have to use charisma mostly. Girls are easier and get more jealousy out of it since they just have to show cleavage and they get thousands in donations. Where guys cant really do that.

If that's true, it's not the woman's fault, is it? It's the people (men?) giving her all the donations.

 

[DAREALGUMMY]

This kind of pushes the issue down a level, though. Why is a man who does these things assumed to be a "gamer" and therefore acting in a right and proper fashion, while a woman has to prove that she's a "gamer" to qualify?

I think this about both genders. I just feel like it's exploited easier when it's geared toward males. I don't think people have to "prove" themselves to be a gamer, it's just off putting when it is obvious of their intentions by how they present themselves.

Maybe I'm just old and getting jaded by everything. It irks me the same as when musicians try to put on a spectacle instead of using talent.

 

[Wazzy]

I wouldn't really consider someone who only plays a single game a gamer, similar to how I wouldn't consider someone a comic book fan because they read a single series, or a book lover because they enjoyed reading a single book. I think it makes them a fan of that specific thing. I mean, I like the occasional country music-inspired song (Hey Brother by Avicii), but I wouldn't say I'm a country music fan, and I would never describe myself that way.

I don't think it's something to denigrate someone over, but I wouldn't call it an accurate way to describe someone to say they're a fan of a genre, medium, or hobby just because they like one specific thing inside of its umbrella. Sure they've got every right to call themselves whatever they like, but if they ask someone who's more thoroughly interested in the subject they claim to have interest in, you can't see that someone might be naturally disappointed to find said interest extremely narrow and limited?

And I disagree.

We consider MMO players gamers and they spend a majority of their gaming time playing them and that's a single game.

Someone might be more passionate than another about videogames but that doesn't mean we have to get into a core vs causal debate.

Let people like what they like and stop making these restrictions and rules for enjoying something that is there to entertain.

 

[NipplesAndToes23]

My wife hates the term "Girl Gamer". She feels that the girls that do use it are often attention seekers and only game because all the guys will be giving them attention. As a huge gamer herself, she feels it brings down the respect that female gamer deserve in a male dominated online echo system of most games.

That's straight up what boy has told me. Attention hungry like a mug.

 

[Rubius]

If that's true, it's not the woman's fault, is it? It's the people (men?) giving her all the donations.

Of course it's not the girls fault. There is a market and they use it to make money. Hell, if I was charismatic I would do it too.
But the term Gamer gurl is an insult toward those kind of people. Girls and rarely guys, who use sex appeal to get donations from people.
There is insults for everything. If you buy a expensive car, you are a show off. If you dont, you are poor. If you say hello, you are creepy, if you dont, you are antisocial.

You can take anything and anyone and put an insult on it.

 

[Paracelsus]

And I disagree.

We consider MMO players gamers and they spend a majority of their gaming time playing them and that's a single game.

Someone might be more passionate than another about videogames but that doesn't mean we have to get into a core vs causal debate.

Let people like what they like and stop making these restrictions and rules for enjoying something that is there to entertain.

A single game could be anything so it's too dangerous to make statements. Solitaire is a game. An old man playing Solitaire every day while puffing a cigar is a gamer? No, he is not. Wiifit is by all intents and purposes a game. A househusband/wife trying to lose some weight is a gamer? No, neither of them.

This is why gamer is a bad word, not because it wants to be elitist, but because it should but it was dragged in the opposite direction.

 

[Tellaerin]

And I disagree.

We consider MMO players gamers and they spend a majority of their gaming time playing them and that's a single game.

Someone might be more passionate than another about videogames but that doesn't mean we have to get into a core vs causal debate.

Let people like what they like and stop making these restrictions and rules for enjoying something that is there to entertain.

Personally, I take "gamer" to mean "someone with a passionate interest in videogames". That passion can be broad (plays and enjoys a multitude of games, if not necessarily mastering most or all of them) or narrow (focuses on a particular game or genre and drills deep, really getting into the complexities and nuances). It can be limited to the actual games themselves, or extend to "behind-the-scenes" elements like game design, sales numbers, or what have you. It's really about having that passion.

 

[zhorkat]

A single game could be anything so it's too dangerous to make statements. Solitaire is a game. An old man playing Solitaire every day while puffing a cigar is a gamer? No, he is not. Wiifit is by all intents and purposes a game. A househusband/wife trying to lose some weight is a gamer? No, neither of them.

This is why gamer is a bad word, not because it wants to be elitist, but because it should but it was dragged in the opposite direction.

What is the downside to the term "gamer" not being an elitist term?

 

[Giolon]

And I disagree.

We consider MMO players gamers and they spend a majority of their gaming time playing them and that's a single game.

Someone might be more passionate than another about videogames but that doesn't mean we have to get into a core vs causal debate.

Let people like what they like and stop making these restrictions and rules for enjoying something that is there to entertain.

I didn't say anything about hardcore vs casual. If someone's heavily into an MMO but doesn't play any other games, I'd call them a fan of that MMO, or a "that specific MMO-player." It wouldn't be accurate to call them a fan of games in general, and I'd expect if you asked that person they'd probably say "I don't really like video games, but I really like this MMO X". It's not a bad thing. It's not an exclusionary thing. It's all about understanding someone's interests. If someone only likes MMO X, and they repeatedly say that, should I continually ask them if they want to play the latest FPS Y or Z? No, that would be silly. Does it make them less of a person? Nope.

I'll give you a concrete example. My mother really enjoys classic Looney Toons and Disney animated films. But she hates everything else that's animated, particularly if it involves animated people. She won't even give it a chance to see if it actually contains content (characters or story) that she would like - she won't even get past the fact that it's animated and not live action. It's accurate to say that she likes Disney animated movies and Looney Toons, but it would be completely incorrect to say that she's a fan of animation in general. She likes specific things, but she doesn't like the medium in general.

 

[Ric Flair]

In my circle of friends we don't use the term gamer at all, in fact people either "play games" or don't. I think the genre has become ingrained enough in popular culture by this time that the term 'gamer' is outdated.

 

[UnWeave]

A single game could be anything so it's too dangerous to make statements. Solitaire is a game. An old man playing Solitaire every day while puffing a cigar is a gamer? No, he is not. Wiifit is by all intents and purposes a game. A househusband/wife trying to lose some weight is a gamer? No, neither of them.

This is why gamer is a bad word, not because it wants to be elitist, but because it should but it was dragged in the opposite direction.

Wait, you want gamer to be an elitist term? Really? Elitism is basically bad, um, all the time.

 

[Paracelsus]

What is the downside to the term "gamer" not being an elitist term?

Gaming journalism, for example.

 

[Tellaerin]

In my circle of friends we don't use the term gamer at all, in fact people either "play games" or don't. I think the genre has become ingrained enough in popular culture by this time that the term 'gamer' is outdated.

That's the thing, though.

There's a difference between a cinephile and someone who likes going to the movies, or an avid reader/bibliophile and somebody who enjoys the occasional book. "Gamer" is a convenient way to describe someone for whom videogames are a serious interest, rather than being something they enjoy from time to time but aren't particularly invested in.

I don't think we'll be ready to retire the term "gamer" until somebody coins a better term to describe people who are especially passionate about videogames.

 

[Wazzy]

A single game could be anything so it's too dangerous to make statements. Solitaire is a game. An old man playing Solitaire every day while puffing a cigar is a gamer? No, he is not. Wiifit is by all intents and purposes a game. A househusband/wife trying to lose some weight is a gamer? No, neither of them.

This is why gamer is a bad word, not because it wants to be elitist, but because it should but it was dragged in the opposite direction.

Eh. If someone wants to claim they like games and then cites Solitaire or Wiifit as an example, I'm not going to care or question their validity as an actual "gamer"

Personally, I take "gamer" to mean "someone with a passionate interest in videogames". That passion can be broad (plays and enjoys a multitude of games, if not necessarily mastering most or all of them) or narrow (focuses on a particular game or genre and drills deep, really getting into the complexities and nuances). It can be limited to the actual games themselves, or extend to "behind-the-scenes" elements like game design, sales numbers, or what have you. It's really about having that passion.

I don't think gamer means they have to be passionate about gaming. Casual gamers can just find them entertaining.

I didn't say anything about hardcore vs casual. If someone's heavily into an MMO but doesn't play any other games, I'd call them a fan of that MMO, or that specific MMO-player. It wouldn't be accurate to call them a fan of games in general, and I'd expect if you asked that person they'd probably say "I don't really like video games, but I really like this MMO X". It's not a bad thing. It's not an exclusionary thing. It's all about understanding someone's interests. If someone only likes MMO X, and they repeatedly say that, should I continually ask them if they want to play the latest FPS Y or Z? No, that would be silly. Does it make them less of a person? Nope.

I'll give you a concrete example. My mother really enjoys classic Looney Toons and Disney animated films. But she hates everything else that's animated, particularly if it involves animated people. She won't even give it a chance to see if it actually contains content (characters or story) that she would like - she won't even get past the fact that it's animated and not live action. It's accurate to say that she likes Disney animated movies and Looney Toons, but it would be completely incorrect to say that she's a fan of animation in general. She likes specific things, but she doesn't like the medium in general.

I don't see why an MMO player isn't a gamer. They put 100's of hours and more into them. While they might not play many other games(I'll also say it's very uncommon for someone who enjoys a paticular game to not try or enjoy others) they're still playing as much as any other gamer, it's just focused on one thing.

If someone wants to identify as gamer because they play an MMO, are you really going to say it's wrong for them to think that way?

And while she might not identify as a fan of animation, some people would with what you listed.

 

[zhorkat]

Gaming journalism, for example.

I'm going to need you to explain this one because I'm not following.

 

[breakfuss]

I've always viewed gaming as one of the few equalizers. Obviously there's still work to be done but I'm confident we can get there. GAF is a prime example. Nobody cares who you are here, lol. It's liberating. Promoting oneself as "female" just sort of cheapens that,*IMO*. People can do what they want to gain viewership but I don't see why it's wrong to be put off by it. Again, I'm not suggesting anyone conceal or be ashamed of WHO they are.

 

[Oblivion]

How about this? One can be considered a true gamer if they post on a message board. But it has to be a good one. Theoretically this would prove that a person has more than a mere passing interest in games as a mere diversion or other time killing activity.

Around the same ratio as the general population? The most "hardcore" gamer I know is a model.

From what I've noticed, around the same percentage as non-gamer girls.

.Who knows? I'm curious why anyone would think most girls who play games are unattractive.

All the girl gaffers posting in here are very pretty and as you can see, they're all gamers.

The first two quotes explain why such a thing is surprising. Like it or not, gaming is an ugly people's hobby, and so any time we see someone who doesn't fit that mold (admittedly, this seems to affect the female side moreso), people tend to be surprised.

 

[Arkage]

Just wanted to point out that this thread of shit has actually given me hope in NeoGAF, if only due to the many mod's consistently well thought out and non-aggressive answers to the many angry fedora wearing bros in here complaining about a generically descriptive term. Being so civil in the face of such insular opinions is a gift few possess.

Another important point here is that yes, you can call a girl out for saying she's a "girl gamer," but only if you put in the context of "a person is using words to sell their channel!!" at which point you will also be forced to condemn 95% of streamers for their superfluous descriptions.

But you won't do that because that's not what's really bothering you, is it?

 

[Damaniel]

Considering that about half the posters on the first three or four pages of this thread were pretty much immediately banned after commenting, it's probably best to steer clear of this one.

(Except to say that I really don't have any opinion on the matter. A gamer is a gamer, regardless of gender.)

 

[Aeana]

How about this? One can be considered a true gamer if they post on a message board. But it has to be a good one. Theoretically this would prove that a person has more than a mere passing interest in games as a mere diversion or other time killing activity.

I'm going to assume this is a joke post.
You want me to think this is a joke post.

 

[Karkador]

How about this? One can be considered a true gamer if they post on a message board. But it has to be a good one. Theoretically this would prove that a person has more than a mere passing interest in games as a mere diversion or other time killing activity.

The first two quotes explain why such a thing is surprising. Like it or not, gaming is an ugly people's hobby, and so any time we see someone who doesn't fit that mold (admittedly, this seems to affect the female side moreso), people tend to be surprised.

Don't tip your hand so heavily, joke poster.

 

[Tellaerin]

I don't think gamer means they have to be passionate about gaming. Casual gamers can just find them entertaining.

Whereas I've always read the term "gamer" as something that specifically distinguishes the people who are passionate about some aspect of the hobby from the ones who casually play games every so often. Shorthand for that greater level of interest. I think labeling everyone who's ever played a videogame (and enjoyed it) a "gamer" dilutes the term pretty much to the point of uselessness, especially when virtually everyone nowadays has played something, even if it's just the occasional game of Candy Crush on their phone to pass the time.

 

[Hedge]

This is pretty good, actually.

 

[breakfuss]

Another important point here is that yes, you can call a girl out for saying she's a "girl gamer," but only if you put in the context of "a person is using words to sell their channel!!" at which point you will also be forced to condemn 95% of streamers for their superfluous descriptions.

But you won't do that because that's not what's really bothering you, is it?

Nah, I can confidently say I'd be just as annoyed if someone was selling themselves solely as the "chocolate" or "gay" or [insert minority] gamer. Sure, they might inform your commentary to a degree but I consider them largely incidental. The "angry nerd" or "stay at home dad" or "hip hop gamer" labels are very narrowly defined. They're personalities. Caricatures, in some cases. It's not even remotely the same. What the hell is a "girl gamer"?

 

[Wazzy]

How about this? One can be considered a true gamer if they post on a message board. But it has to be a good one. Theoretically this would prove that a person has more than a mere passing interest in games as a mere diversion or other time killing activity.


The first two quotes explain why such a thing is surprising. Like it or not, gaming is an ugly people's hobby, and so any time we see someone who doesn't fit that mold (admittedly, this seems to affect the female side moreso), people tend to be surprised.

Whereas I've always read the term "gamer" as something that specifically distinguishes the people who are passionate about some aspect of the hobby from the ones who casually play games every so often. Shorthand for that greater level of interest. I think labeling everyone who's ever played a videogame (and enjoyed it) a "gamer" dilutes the term pretty much to the point of uselessness, especially when virtually everyone nowadays has played something, even if it's just the occasional game of Candy Crush on their phone to pass the time.

I don't think everyone should be labeled a gamer just because they've played a game.

But if they want to self identify as one because they're say, into mobile gaming or play an MMO or shooter then why not?

 

[Eusis]

How about this? One can be considered a true gamer if they post on a message board. But it has to be a good one. Theoretically this would prove that a person has more than a mere passing interest in games as a mere diversion or other time killing activity.

What the hell?

Fuck it, if they'll do more than sit in front of a TV and senselessly mash buttons and push sticks PRETENDING to play a game they're a gamer. And that aforementioned weirdo/very young child is a fan of games.