Support NeoGAF

[ChoosableOne]

I have a trip tomorrow, and as someone nearing his 40s, I feel a bit embarrassed to play on my Switch(sorry kirby) or Miyoo Mini Plus in public. For now, my only option is to play Balatro on my phone, because people will probably think it's poker — and poker is considered a cool game.

Any advice?

 

[yet_another_alt]

Easy. Just browse Twitter or TikTok like a normal person.

 

[Zathalus]

I'm 39, I'll gladly play on my Switch 2 in public. Anybody who has a problem can go get fucked. I'm a married man with kids, I've got nothing to prove.

 

[joeygreco1985]

I'm 39 and I play my Retroid Pocket Flip 2 on the train, in waiting rooms, etc.

Here's a tip, and this goes for many things you do in life:

Nobody gives a shit.

 

[killatopak]

they'll forget about you in a day.

just do your thing man

 

[Fermbiz]

43 years old here, I bring my Steam Deck and now my Switch 2 to the bar all the time. Who gives a fuck

 

[Artistic]

For me at least, like eating alone or watching movies alone in public...there is none.

I've grown used to it.

 

[EverythingsOverrated]

My advice is to not give a fuck. No one really cares and the few people that do, so what?

Also, it's a great way to meet new people. Through the years I've had people ask me what I'm playing, or recognize what I'm playing and it leads to a good conversation, or maybe you might find someone to play Mario Kart with on the flight.

 

[nowhat]

Any advice?

Benzos if you're feeling so self-conscious. Just do it. No one cares, and most of all, neither should you.

(and yes, I'm older than you)

 

[Chuck Berry]

I have a trip tomorrow, and as someone nearing his 40s, I feel a bit embarrassed to play on my Switch(sorry kirby) or Miyoo Mini Plus in public. For now, my only option is to play Balatro on my phone, because people will probably think it's poker — and poker is considered a cool game.

Any advice?

Yeah - Who gives a shit what absolute strangers think. If you wanna play your Switch, play your Switch.

 

[Arsic]

I have a trip tomorrow, and as someone nearing his 40s, I feel a bit embarrassed to play on my Switch(sorry kirby) or Miyoo Mini Plus in public. For now, my only option is to play Balatro on my phone, because people will probably think it's poker — and poker is considered a cool game.

Any advice?

You're 40. Stop giving a fuck what people think about you. Strangers you'll never interact with especially.

Fuck me man. How did you get this far? Do you ask for permission or approval to select the food you order at a restaurant? "Oh gee I really like salad but I don't want people to think I'm a pussy so I'll order a steak instead."

Come on dude…

 

[cireza]

How about not giving a fuck about what people think ?

 

[GHG]

Long plane/train/bus journey, no fucks given. The Steam deck is coming out.

You should travel to parts of Asia to see how common it is for grown men to game in public, epscially on public transport.

I don't understand why there's this mentality in the West that mindlessly scrolling/engaging on brainrot social media is ok, but gaming is not.

 

[Connificent]

 

[Magic Carpet]

Quest 3, with headphones.

 

[EverydayBeast]

Nobody cares! Play a gaming laptop for a reasonable amount of time in public before and everybody minded their own business. A switch or psp in public is great, it never crosses my mind what people think of myself playing a handheld.

 

[jshackles]

I guess it never even occurred to me to be embarrassed

 

[ReBurn]

Do what you want because

Who care what they think?

 

[Jaybe]

Play Mario Kart. You may just get someone people to join in.

 

[TintoConCasera]

Of course. I have to maintain my alpha chad reputation, can't let the hot bitches catch me playing Doki Doki Literature Club on my Steam Deck.

 

[BennyBlanco]

 

[semiconscious]

I have a trip tomorrow, and as someone nearing his 40s, I feel a bit embarrassed to play on my Switch(sorry kirby) or Miyoo Mini Plus in public. For now, my only option is to play Balatro on my phone, because people will probably think it's poker — and poker is considered a cool game.

Any advice?

thing is, op, poker actually is a cool game...

 

[cireza]

Of course. I have to maintain my alpha chad reputation, can't let the hot bitches catch me playing Doki Doki Literature Club on my Steam Deck.

This.

When unsure, boot Dead or Alive Xtreme.

 

[ADiTAR]

I was in a public bomb shelter for the past week and a half and played my Switch 2. Who cares?

 

[S0ULZB0URNE]

Shouldn't be

 

[Imtjnotu]

Bro you're old enough to not give a shit what people think.

 

[Plies]

With my Nintendo DS : Very much embarrassed.

With my Steam Deck : Absolutely no fucks given.

 

[LordOcidax]

 

[kevboard]

it was less embarrassing I think when they still were the size of a phone, and not the size of a tablet lol.

I remember when I got my PSP, which I imported because it launched months later in Europe than anywhere else (Dec 2004 in JP, Mar 2005 in NA, Sep 2005 in EU), I saw someone else on the train who also imported a PSP, and we both nodded at eachother

I wonder if his was a US or a JP model. I had a JP model because it had the same UMD Movie region code as Europe.

 

[MayauMiao]

I don't give a fuck playing portables in public....


...that is unless I play Gal Gun.

 

[Juja]

Fuck me man. How did you get this far? Do you ask for permission or approval to select the food you order at a restaurant? "Oh gee I really like salad but I don't want people to think I'm a pussy so I'll order a steak instead."

 

[balls of snow]

Lol my steamdeck is for hotel rooms only. Bring a book when im flying.

 

[Raven117]

I have a trip tomorrow, and as someone nearing his 40s, I feel a bit embarrassed to play on my Switch(sorry kirby) or Miyoo Mini Plus in public. For now, my only option is to play Balatro on my phone, because people will probably think it's poker — and poker is considered a cool game.

Any advice?

Nobody cares dude. If they do, so what? You honestly think that some hot chick was going to come up and chat you up but for you holding a Switch? That wasn't going to happen anyway, so pass the time however you see fit.

 

[Baemono]

No, except one time a 10 years old boy was watching me playing Vampyr and I didn't find it appropriate, but his father didn't say anything

 

[Imru’ al-Qays]

Whenever I break out my Vita on the train Zoomers ask me what it is

 

[danklord]

Literally no one cares your embarrassment is self-projected narcissism funneled through low self esteem. Grow up.

 

[Gaiff]

Nah, I'm with OP. Playing games in public is embarrassing.

ChoosableOne ditch the Switch 2 for a Steam Deck. How many M-rated games on the Switch 2? Can't be caught playing Mario games at 40. Real grown-ups play GTA and COD and other violent games for adults.

 

[Dorago]

I post up for hours every Sunday at the coffee shop with my Switch, Steam Deck, or Laptop.

Who cares?

The people doing their homework or actually socializing are the ones engaging in cringe.

 

[RoboFu]

Who goes out in public anymore?

 

[AJUMP23]

This thread is more embarrassing than playing a video game in public.

I tend to only play on a plane, or a train. I would not go to a park and play or go to some historic site and play or to a friends house and play unless they asked me to bring it. But you can play your game and not be embarrassed if you want.

 

[Kacho]

I'd just shitpost on GAF tbh.

 

[ChoosableOne]

Bro you're old enough to not give a shit what people think.

Being old isn't really good in this situation. If I were in my twenties, I think I'd play more comfortably. People aren't really used to older gamers yet.

You honestly think that some hot chick was going to come up and chat you up but for you holding a Switch?

I passed that period son. This is something else.

 

[MDSLKTR]

Ungovern your autism, op. Then you will really be free.

 

[Hudo]

You say you're nearing 40. By that age you shouldn't give a shit about what others think. The only thing I'd be worried about is whether it could get stolen.

 

[schaft0620]

I'm a 38 year old man in CT/NYC area, people are totally enamored when they see the Switch 2. When the Switch 1 launched, that week, I went to a brewery and had an audience.

 

[Angry_Megalodon]

You should make a statement and play Brown Dust 2. Women will flock you.

Spoiler

Spoiler

 

[CrustyBritches]

There is no "they". Don't have a complex about it. I play my Anbernic 280V in public all the time. Better to have something cheap and pocketable so you don't have to stress about it.

 

[A.Romero]

I'm 41 and travel often. I carry a Switch Lite with me and play it in public sometimes but more often I play Magic Arena or read manga which I would think would be more embarassing but don't give a shit. Nobody pays attention and if they do that's their problem, not mine.

The only time I felt a little (just a little) embarassment was this one time I was reading a book in the plane. The book is called "she comes first" and is pretty much about how to give oral sex. Most of it is words so it's no problem but this one time I turned the page and there was a full page ultra detailed diagram of a vagina. It looked like an anatomy book but I still closed it really fast, mostly because I didn't want to risk offending the passenger in the next seat.

 

[ChoosableOne]

Nah, I'm with OP. Playing games in public is embarrassing.

ChoosableOne ditch the Switch 2 for a Steam Deck. How many M-rated games on the Switch 2? Can't be caught playing Mario games at 40. Real grown-ups play GTA and COD and other violent games for adults.

I can't do it now, I already payed 60 dollars for a fcking kirby.

 

[kruis]

Wear a furry costume and most people won't notice the embarrassing fact that you're a grown man still playing kids games on the Switch.