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[cormack12]

I know growing up I was mainstream only - even though I started on games loading via cassettes and graduated onto Atari then MegaDrive - I really only played the really big titles from the NES era onwards. When I discovered online communities is when I really branched out and got introduced to so many other genres and 'classics' I'd missed out on.

I'd never played turn based games for example and had a massive aversion to them, the entire MMO thing that happened with WoW blew up massively and got me more into heavier RPGs with stat sensitivity. If I hadn't been aprt of all these online places I think I would just be a CoD/FIFA/Gears/Fortnite bro so am glad there are so many experienced people who share their love and knowledge online. Young me would never have even looked twice at something like GranBlue Frantasy: Relink for example.

How about you gaf?

 

[MLSabre]

I definitely wouldn't have tried Trails in the Sky and by extension the Ys series without gaming communities like this. And I'm glad I did.

 

[IAmRei]

Well, I got lot of information here,
back before I only silent reader in some places

I got lot of information and insight here, useful to calculate what kind of product i should make later on.
and also what game I should avoid or what new game might poke my interest.

 

[Bumblebeetuna]

Yes. I have played many games and some genres I probably would never have been exposed to thanks to GAF. Including Game of the Year/Generation Balatro.

 

[duck_sauce]

Gaf has reduced my gaming habits and made me a game cynic.

 

[Doom85]

For me, it was Super Best Friends Play, a Let’s Play group on YouTube.

Discovered them in the early 2010’s (and followed them until their split in 2018, I somewhat follow their individual solo content), and because of them I got into:

-Resident Evil
-Silent Hill
-Persona
-Dark Souls/Bloodborne
-fighting games particularly Street Fighter
-Metal Gear Solid
-Platinum Games
-Suda51’s games
-Nier

 

[PharaoTutAnchAmun]

Short answer..noppe

 

[Pegasus Actual]

Broadened my contempt for my fellow gamers at least.

 

[Guilty_AI]

Mainly youtube channels for me.

 

[Pasta la Vista]

I was already in my early 30s when I started browsing neogaf (43 now) so, I was already into a lot of different genres but there are many games this message board brought to my attention that I would have missed out of otherwise.

 

[Rush2112]

No the opposite. Most classic WoW players despise other games.

 

[TheThreadsThatBindUs]

Nope.

Places like Gaf actually suck all the joy, excitement and anticipation out of gaming. If the game is not a Soulslike or a Nintendo exclusive, expect Gaf to shit on it until all your interest is gone.

Other places like Reddit communities surrounding specific games have been a godsend for sharing tips and tricks, walkthroughs and the like. So while the non-gaming parts of those sites are complete ideological shit holes, the individual game-focused communities do help renew your joy and passion for specific games.

 

[PeteBull]

The games/genres i didnt like playing- notching changed there, i kept on not liking/playing those.
On the other hand nowadays there are so many games even if u are hardcore veteran gamer u will always hear about this new niche game or old diamond of a game u never heard of before that is to ur liking, here GAF does Gods work

 

[Big Baller]

Not really. Once I started making money and bought my first console, the brakes were off and I developed my own taste. Sure, I have made use of recommendations and learned of some hidden gems but Ive been in the game for over 30 years now.

 

[Punished Miku]

Most of what I encounter is the exact opposite actually. More people are limited, judgmental, risk averse, and ideologically captured than ever and they try to literally heckle you until you are as closed minded as they are.

My tastes have never been broader but its because I research games, music, and movies independently. Gamepass is also huge for trying new things.

 

[Saber]

I guess. Theres some few games that I bought thanks to either reading some positive vibe or suggestions.

 

[ShadyAcshuns]

Opposite for me: I used to try everything and have an open mind for new things, but now I only play a few genres and no longer waste my time with games I know I'll not like. Sue me.

 

[cireza]

Online communities (forums) certainly helped me find out about more niche games such as Outer Wilds, Doki Doki, the Forgotten City etc... But I feel like I would have found these games by myself eventually, because I tend to look for a ton of things on the internet. Recently I made a pretty thorough search to find some Sci-Fi movies to watch. Found several ones, bought cheap dvds. You simply have the tools at your disposal to find things alone nowadays.