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Sometimes I feel it is enough to stop gaming. First is the farce that is game journalism, the idea that these are somehow not all bought out by people.
And then comes the PC master race and console wars.
And then comes in those horrible gamer gate and Anita saarkeesion debacles that just seem old and out of date already.
the righteousness and blindness of gamers that refuse to acknowledge the problems with gaming?
It just feels stupId sometimes.
Why do we get caught up in this culture war and stuff and why can't we enjoy gaming?

If you don't wan't to be a part of that "culture", then don't be.

Not one of the things that you mentioned is even remotely mainstream so you won't have to deal with that unless you actually go looking for it. So don't.

Just relax and enjoy playing games for the actual pleasure of playing.

If you don't want to be a gamer, then don't. Not sure what's so hard about this

I play single player games, rarely play online multiplayer games, and play board and tabletop games and still consider myself a gamer.

I read Game Informer to stay up to date on new games I wanna buy, but I don't buy in to "Gamergate" or any other nonsense of that nature.

If you don't want to hear about the PC Master race or console war gak, don't talk about it.

Not one of those issues affects my gaming time, or fun.

1st point: If you dont want to deal with stupid people you don't have too. I ignore msot of "gamer culture" outside of short discussions with friends.

First is the farce that is game journalism, the idea that these are somehow not all bought out by people.

The upset is based on wanting honesty, then the journalists backlash of retardation. you can easily ignore it like 90 % of gamers did.

And then comes the PC master race and console wars.

Outside of stupid comments on youtube, there is only really a console war. And beyond that, what do you prefer? choose that one. no more major issue unless you think that it is up to you to defend sony or microsoft's honor in the field of comments.

And then comes in those horrible gamer gate and Anita saarkeesion debacles that just seem old and out of date already.

part of game journalism, they used sexism as a cover to shift the fault. also, the anita situation has little to do with gamergate, otehr then the "sexist" ideas that journalism sites wanted to push. again, see my point on the journalism part.

the righteousness and blindness of gamers that refuse to acknowledge the problems with gaming?

like what? sexism? not really an issue when you remember that not everything is designed and marketed to everyone. please share your opinion as I am curious.

Why do we get caught up in this culture war and stuff and why can't we enjoy gaming?

like I said, almost everyone ignores this stuff and has fun. everyone involved is either trying to push their agenda, or trying to stop said agenda from being pushed.

I guess maybe I am the one who pays too much attention to this stuff.....

Likely. Both my wife and me are vivid gamers and we just don't care about what happens in the gaming "culture". We like good games, we play good games...and that's about it.

I keep myself unaware of most of gaming culture by:
1. not believing the hype
2. keeping myself to myself
3. use indie reviews, multiple sourcing or buy blind
4. being easy to please within my genre, and not buying outside it much
5. generally buying older games, which are cheaper patched and fan reviewed.

Most of the "controversies" completely pass me by until I read them ion Dakka.

Just play what you enjoy. As others have stated, if you don't want to be a part of 'Gaming Culture' don't be. I used to buy 'Games ™' and swear by their reviews, now I just buy what appeals to me. I have no opinion on 'GamerGate' either. And I am certainly ambivalent about Anita whatserface..

Just don't let yourself get worked up about it all I guess.

 Orlanth wrote:
I keep myself unaware of most of gaming culture by:
1. not believing the hype
2. keeping myself to myself
4. being easy to please within my genre, and not buying outside it much
5. generally buying older games, which are cheaper patched and fan reviewed.

Most of the "controversies" completely pass me by until I read them ion Dakka.

This is basically the same as me. Most of the stuff you listed seems like stuff that's generated by journalists to create interest in whatever they write ( and for me anita sarkesian is the pinnacle of this). I generally read user reviews on steam ( part of why i like steam) and stay away from reviews from the big boys - I just wish I did this earlier as i own a lot of stinkers.

Well, there's gaming culture, and there's Gamer Culture.

One is the idea that relaxing with a game, be it a party game with friends, a eurogame with family, Warmachine at the FLGS, or Call of Duty online with a dozen strangers, is a good way to spend time. It's as harmless and ephemeral as any other culture that surrounds large and varied hobbies.

The other... well... there's something rotten in the old State of Denmark. Gamer Culture as it exists in its entitled, whiny, self absorbed state is simply awful.

 hotsauceman1 wrote:
Why do we get caught up in this culture war and stuff and why can't we enjoy gaming?

Have you considered taking a break? Recharge your batteries with another hobby for a bit

Is "gaming culture" even a thing anymore? I kind of thought it has gotten to the point that so many people play video games that "playing video games" isn't really enough of a niche to hang a cultural identity on.

 Orlanth wrote:
I keep myself unaware of most of gaming culture by:
1. not believing the hype
2. keeping myself to myself
3. use indie reviews, multiple sourcing or buy blind
4. being easy to please within my genre, and not buying outside it much
5. generally buying older games, which are cheaper patched and fan reviewed.

Most of the "controversies" completely pass me by until I read them ion Dakka.

I'd like to add to 3&5.
3. I wait for the lets play videos to come out for any game I'm interested in. Why listen to others opinions when you can see what you're getting.
5. find a good flash game site, it's like playing the old atari and SNES games.

IMO:
There really is no gaming culture as a whole:
: the beliefs, customs, arts, etc., of a particular society, group, place, or time
: a particular society that has its own beliefs, ways of life, art, etc.
: a way of thinking, behaving, or working that exists in a place or organization (such as a business)

No 2 games share any of the above, forget the culture and Play what you enjoy.

Never buy a brand new game and stick to whatever console/pc you like. I'm a happy PlayStation player, I don't care that 'I could build the same system on a pc for cheaper' I'm happy with my console. Plus I like the big television.

Gaming culture?Do you mean:THE PLAYBOX is way better then your xstation! other guyC is better with more fps! That culture?

 Polonius wrote:
Well, there's gaming culture, and there's Gamer Culture.

One is the idea that relaxing with a game, be it a party game with friends, a eurogame with family, Warmachine at the FLGS, or Call of Duty online with a dozen strangers, is a good way to spend time. It's as harmless and ephemeral as any other culture that surrounds large and varied hobbies.

The other... well... there's something rotten in the old State of Denmark. Gamer Culture as it exists in its entitled, whiny, self absorbed state is simply awful.

Im rather with Polonius on this one.... the folks who fall under "gaming culture" will certainly get together and discuss games they like, and quite often things will get testy with questions and responses like "What system(s) do you play?" "Ohh, I have a Wii at the house" "Ohh cool, so you like Mario Kart or Smash Bros. better?"


Gamer Culture goes off the deep end with ridiculous gak... I actually saw in a local Game Stop, a dude being "berated".. or at least, talked down to, because he was looking at buying the "wrong" head set for his system.

 dementedwombat wrote:
Is "gaming culture" even a thing anymore? I kind of thought it has gotten to the point that so many people play video games that "playing video games" isn't really enough of a niche to hang a cultural identity on.

I think it is. I mean, magazines like Game Informer are still around. I just think that with so many games out there, it's really been stretched. I can't remember the last time I heard the term "hardcore" or "casual" when referring to gaming. Now its just "Oh, I play X, X, and X".


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 welshhoppo wrote:
Never buy a brand new game and stick to whatever console/pc you like. I'm a happy PlayStation player, I don't care that 'I could build the same system on a pc for cheaper' I'm happy with my console. Plus I like the big television.

Eh, I wouldn't say never. A lot of indie games are well worth supporting, and some of the AAA titles are worth buying or preordering. Hell, I reserved RE: HD Remake and it's a blast. I'd say just be more picky with what you buy new, and don't just buy it because it's COD+1.

OP: I guess this only matters if you identify with a larger group and subscribe to the various forms of media.

My gaming is largely with friends and not some general lottery of playing with strangers.

I am fairly selective for reviews, a quick check on Metacritic and maybe see what the "Cynical Brit" has to say.

I have ALWAYS "gamed" if it be tabletop or electronic, PC or console they all have their place and if you like your games you do not care too much where it comes from.

The culture comes into play when I think my gaming is messed with... Steam listing all those Pre-purchase and "Early Access" (Alpha) with no initial differentiation gets my knickers in a twist.
Hearing news from people of who I am and what I want or don't want makes me want to figure out how to not hear them anymore because they are a bother.

I am tired of those who wish to categorize or use "gaming culture" for their own ends: they have no right to it and most of us do not care what they think and it just makes them louder.

So yeah, I could see people getting tired of the loud voices, I find it best to ignore them and keep on doing what you are doing: we are all our own special snowflake.

I'm a long time tabletop and computer gamer. I've competed and I've written for a couple gaming websites. (The Game Agent for example) I'm firmly a part of gaming culture, that culture's changed and adapted a lot over the years, but I think it's still present and viable. However, like most things you only hear from the extreme ends.

 dementedwombat wrote:
Is "gaming culture" even a thing anymore? I kind of thought it has gotten to the point that so many people play video games that "playing video games" isn't really enough of a niche to hang a cultural identity on.

Despairing the end of gamer culture is a pretty big factor in gamer culture, actually.

Rant time:

Here's the problem. For about 20 years, from the first Video game crash of 1983 through the mid 2000s, video gamers were mostly kids and what we'll charitably call individuals in the social hinterlands. In other words, losers.

As gaming gains more and more mainstream acceptance, a lot of gamer types are realizing a horrible truth: they're not losers because they play games. They're just losers, and they happen to play games. Now, just because their losers doesn't mean they want to accept that. They've blamed external forces for so long, that they cannot accept that the problem is them.

That's why hard core, fedora and trench coat wearing Gamer Culture is so toxic. These are people that lived under the delusion that their alienation and marginalization was due to their hobby. That gak simply ain't true, not when you've got frat boys playing Xbox and Homecoming queens that play WOW. But they can't handle it. They want gaming (and nerd culture in general) to go back to being niche, so at least they can pretend to be normal sized fish in a small pond.

 Polonius wrote:

 dementedwombat wrote:
Is "gaming culture" even a thing anymore? I kind of thought it has gotten to the point that so many people play video games that "playing video games" isn't really enough of a niche to hang a cultural identity on.

Despairing the end of gamer culture is a pretty big factor in gamer culture, actually.

Rant time:

Here's the problem. For about 20 years, from the first Video game crash of 1983 through the mid 2000s, video gamers were mostly kids and what we'll charitably call individuals in the social hinterlands. In other words, losers.

As gaming gains more and more mainstream acceptance, a lot of gamer types are realizing a horrible truth: they're not losers because they play games. They're just losers, and they happen to play games. Now, just because their losers doesn't mean they want to accept that. They've blamed external forces for so long, that they cannot accept that the problem is them.

That's why hard core, fedora and trench coat wearing Gamer Culture is so toxic. These are people that lived under the delusion that their alienation and marginalization was due to their hobby. That gak simply ain't true, not when you've got frat boys playing Xbox and Homecoming queens that play WOW. But they can't handle it. They want gaming (and nerd culture in general) to go back to being niche, so at least they can pretend to be normal sized fish in a small pond.

^ This.

You don't need to be part of that crap unless you want to. I don't even let myself be part of crap that targets me.

Basically it's just a lot of immaturity.

These days the only gaming culture I take a part of is the one I share between my close circle of friends.

To be fair, 2014 was a super contentious year -- BUT note that it has only been so ugly because deeply entrenched prejudices are being confronted and upended. I think "gamer culture" (something in which we all share and to which we all contribute) is actually becoming more mature and, as with anything else, there are growing pains. For most of us, who aren't receiving (for example) death threats, the worst of it is argument fatigue. I think its a credit to gamers that we have been having these discussions instead of dismissing our hobby as "just games," which is what would have been said not so long ago.

I like what Polonius wrote, I think it hit the nail on the head.
There are those who would aspire to nothing.
It is awfully nice to say you are being prevented from success because of the group you belong to.
Gaming is now something that "normal" adults do for leisure.
It is a funny kind of #gaming-is-not-your-shield: if life is not going your way, it is not because you are a gamer and it's "stereotype".
It is a label that has evolved to the general population.
They may have to move-on to being an Emo or something.

 dementedwombat wrote:
Is "gaming culture" even a thing anymore? I kind of thought it has gotten to the point that so many people play video games that "playing video games" isn't really enough of a niche to hang a cultural identity on.

"Gamer culture" as people commonly describe it is basically just The Internet.

A seething mass of disagreeing opinions and bitter cynicism. It doesn't really matter what the topic is. People on The Internet will express their opinion on video games as forcefully as they will religion or politics or anything else.

 hotsauceman1 wrote:
Sometimes I feel it is enough to stop gaming. First is the farce that is game journalism, the idea that these are somehow not all bought out by people.
Football World Cup bidding process

And then comes the PC master race and console wars.
Rugby League VS Rugby Union VS American Football (admittedly, I don't know much about this one). Team A fans VS Team B fans (Rangers V Celtic being the first example coming to mind)

And then comes in those horrible gamer gate and Anita saarkeesion debacles that just seem old and out of date already.
The firing of John McCririck from presenting Channel 4 horse racing and the various controversies and opinions involved in that.

the righteousness and blindness of gamers that refuse to acknowledge the problems with gaming?
Everyone with strong opinions on anything ever
It just feels stupId sometimes.
Why do we get caught up in this culture war and stuff and why can't we enjoy gaming?

Basically, there are a lot of people in the world interested in different things. And a subset of that lot of people in the world interested in different things are jerks. And a subset of that lot of people in the world interested in different things who are jerks are very vocal jerks.

I hate everything about gaming, gamers and video games lol
And sports, definitely sports...

most games, in any form, people go insane when they play games.
That's why I collect dolls I suppose

 Compel wrote:

 hotsauceman1 wrote:
Sometimes I feel it is enough to stop gaming. First is the farce that is game journalism, the idea that these are somehow not all bought out by people.
Football World Cup bidding process

And then comes the PC master race and console wars.
Rugby League VS Rugby Union VS American Football (admittedly, I don't know much about this one). Team A fans VS Team B fans (Rangers V Celtic being the first example coming to mind)

And then comes in those horrible gamer gate and Anita saarkeesion debacles that just seem old and out of date already.
The firing of John McCririck from presenting Channel 4 horse racing and the various controversies and opinions involved in that.

the righteousness and blindness of gamers that refuse to acknowledge the problems with gaming?
Everyone with strong opinions on anything ever
It just feels stupId sometimes.
Why do we get caught up in this culture war and stuff and why can't we enjoy gaming?

Basically, there are a lot of people in the world interested in different things. And a subset of that lot of people in the world interested in different things are jerks. And a subset of that lot of people in the world interested in different things who are jerks are very vocal jerks.

And one last item. The internet provides anonymity. I can flame you to my heart's content. And without a lot of research, you will never know who I am in real life (and even with that research you still might not be able to track me down if I've been careful enough).

As the saying goes, an armed society is a polite society. And even without physical weapons, there are still options in the real world when someone makes the wrong kind of fuss in a physical community. These can range from public shaming, to persecution, to the women in the community ambushing you as you come home from the bar one night and beating you senseless (yes, this happens; yes, the men that it happens to - and it's always men - invariably deserve it). It's much harder to retaliate in a meaningful fashion in a virtual community, particularly when the one causing trouble is quite literally only visiting the community to cause trouble and get him or herself banned.