How games are viewed socailly?

[Frizz.Meister]

In the few years i've been a member on this site, i've noticed that the members are from pretty much every social group imaginable. So i'm wondering how people in your "social circle" (hate that phrase) view video games.

For example pretty much everyone who knows me barely even knows i like them. Mine are not hidden but out of site and neatly in cupboards and draws ect. Also i never tend to talk about them or anything related to them. It's pretty strange now i think about it, but it is pretty much what everyone i know does. We all know we play them, its just not a social thing. Whereas with some of you lot it's clear that you and your mates like nothing better than to crash at someones place and play some street fighter.

For the record im 19 and from the UK (i believe views are VERY different in the US)

[emwearz]

I have different groups of friends.

Some I game with, some I just talk about it casually, some don't know what a NES is. The best is when my girlfriends friend's come around and see a 42" screen with 12 consoles under it, 90% of them just give this look .

[Anapan]

Except my brother and a couple of friends, most of my social circles either exclusively play modern FPS games, cutting edge racing games, rhythm/music games or most commonly none at all (tho this group usually has fond memories of Atari and NES and I can occasionally talk them into play a few rounds). Among my co-workers I get teased occasionally for wearing SMB T-shirts when most of them wear plaid or band shirts. I've even been dubbed "Super Nintendo" by a fellow co-worker. Nobody's really judgmental about it, it's just that most of my social group find computers scary, videogames difficult and/or annoying and would prefer to stick to movies, cable TV, and music rather than interactive entertainment. My latest booty-call plays Nintendo with me

[MaliceValentine]

depends like my good close friends love video games to bits, then again most people in the alternative scene do, its just a common thing being social outcasts haha

My last GF though wasnt part of my ermmm "clique" she hated them to bits and it was viewed as dorky and lame, and the first thing that comes to their mind for gaming is Halo and COD.

I do hope oneday when you first meet someone and ask them what their favorite films and music is, youll also ask what are your favorite games :/

[Thierry Henry]

Most of my friends don't really know about my interest in video game systems and games. It's something that hardly ever comes up in conversation and truth be told I don't mind either way.
I would guess that they'd probably be cool with it but they're more into the outdoors type of thing and very active in sporting activities, as am I in regard to sports.

Actually I don't mind the way that things have worked out.
The few (at last count it was a grand total of 2 ) that share my interest in video games, is fine by me. And those others that I socialize with regarding my other activities or interests, is ok as well. No problem if the two groups are apart from each other.

Regarding family and the girlfriend,
-My girlfriend is ok with it but is not what you would call much of a "gamer".
-A few years ago when I was still staying at home, my folks thought of gaming as a complete waste of "productive" time, but because they saw that that wasn't my only hobby/interest that occupied my spare time, they kind of put up with it.

[Bradtemple87]

All of my stuff is in the open and on display for anyone to see. I have nothing to hide and screw anybody who doesn't approve. I don't see the point in hiding a hobby that has brought me joy for over 15 years!

[dsheinem]

Most of my friends and colleagues know I play games.

Most don't know that I have 1000+ games, that I play lots of retro games, or that I host a podcast about gaming.

[Flake]

Almost all of my friends game at least a little. Most of my friends think I am kind of quirky for my love of niche or retro titles.

If I get shit from anyone for gaming, it's from the few friends I have who are die-hard FPS next-gen fans. They just do not understand how I can get my kicks watching sprites move across a flickering screen to the accompaniment of midi tracks. Of course I cannot understand how they can spend a relaxing evening shooting realistic avatars in the head over and over again.

[Bradtemple87]

If I get shit from anyone for gaming, it's from the few friends I have who are die-hard FPS next-gen fans. They just do not understand how I can get my kicks watching sprites move across a flickering screen to the accompaniment of midi tracks. Of course I cannot understand how they can spend a relaxing evening shooting realistic avatars in the head over and over again.

I share the feelings *facepalm*

[irixith]

All of my stuff is in the open and on display for anyone to see. I have nothing to hide and screw anybody who doesn't approve. I don't see the point in hiding a hobby that has brought me joy for over 15 years!

^^^ This!

I'm proud of gaming, and love to get the chance to introduce people to it, or just talk about it with the better informed. Everyone that I know is aware that I'm into it. Anyone that disapproves of the fact that I still play games even though I'm 30, well, they've shown me how narrow-minded they are, and I know who to cull from my friend list. :p I really hate it when people say you can't do "x" when you're "y" age. Bah.