How games are viewed socailly?

[Para]

I am kind of in the same boat. I have a lot of friends that play games, but most of them aren't retro gamers and know little to nothing about gaming in general. They are just the typical "Xbox" guy who buys the latest first person shooter and considers themselves gods gift to gaming.

A lot of people know I have a passion for games and that I have a huge collection, but it isn't exactly the first impression that I give off. If I just meet someone, I'm not gonna start talking about "how much DPS my uber leet shadow priest does", it will just make me sound like a huge dork. I do have a bunch of other passions, hobbies and interests so when the majority of people aren't interested in (retro) gaming, I at least have other things to fall back on. I can almost gaurantee that if we all didn't have similar problems with finding others to enjoy our passion in real life, there would be a lot less need for forums such as this one, more specifically "Together Retro".

I have several hundred games but when my friends come over, we always end up playing the same few games. I'm not really sure what to make of that situation. It says a lot about those specific games, but at the same time it would be nice if I could share some of my nostalgia with them on other more obscure games.

We usually play typical pickup-and-play multiplayer games such as Smash Bros, which most people are familiar with. Not to be conceded but I also find my general skill and knowledge of most games kind of ruins some game experiences for everyone. Its not that I sit at home and study and practice playing Smash Bros, (I literally only play it when my friends are over) but I am just naturally a lot better than most of my friends and I end up winning 90% of the time. Sometimes I try slightly less hard so that I don't completely own everyone and make it no fun, but at the same time it isn't fun for me to not try at something. The same thing happens with a lot of competitive games so I generally find playing co-op games and on teams helps the situation a lot. But that raises another point of finding good co-op multiplayer games.

I used to play games with my brother(s) all the time but for the most part that has pretty much came to a grinding halt because of lack of interest, lack of time, moving out, etc. My girlfriend doesn't really care about gaming at all other than the odd game of Dr Mario or Tetris, so it I am really at a loss on what to do at this point in my life.

I was really reluctant to post about this so any advice or anything really is greatly appreciated.

[gtmtnbiker]

I definitely keep my video game interest on the down low. There are a couple of co-workers who share my interest and we'll discuss some new games or systems or what to get for the kids. I don't broadcast my interest unless someone else brings it up. When the age-old question "what are your interests?" come up, I always give the safe answers such as home improvements, sports (baseball/football), cooking, reading).

My wife has no interest in video games although my daughters will tell her about stuff in Dragon Quest IX or Ace Attorney games. So within the family, my daughters think I'm the cool Dad who buys DS/Wii games for them or will take them to Gamestop to get a Pokemon, etc.

Most people my age say that they don't have time for anything, least of all, games.

[dsheinem]

I was really reluctant to post about this so any advice or anything really is greatly appreciated.

Maybe I don't see the problem...what do you need advice about? It seems like you are managing everything you described quite well.

[saturnfan]

One of my friends is a big collector like me, but we don't get to hang out all the much anymore due to work schedules and such.

My regular group of friends of course are all gamers, but none of them are collectors/classic gamers. A few of them are into online gaming, like WoW and other blizzard games. I personally don't like online gaming or mmorpgs. A few others are just causal gamers.

So I wouldn't say I have to hide my hobby, but its more personal I suppose.

[PixelPixii]

This is a very interesting topic.

I have all my games on a shelf in my bedroom. Anyone who is lucky enough to make it there can see them in plain sight.( I am not hiding them, that was just the only space left in my apartment.) I am not ashamed of being a gamer even though I know there are people out there that look down on the hobby.

I have a girlfriend that LOVES games even more than I do. She kicks ass at FPS games, but if we are at a party and someone pulls out a game... she acts like she has no idea what she is doing.

My main argument with people that look down on gaming is this: How come it is completely acceptable for you to sit hours in front of a T.V but not okay for me to play a game? What is the difference?

[J T]

You know, one of these days that's going to come to a head.

Yes this is a big issue waiting to boil over

Na i imagine it would be pretty easy to handle.

"I just found out you still play video games"
"Yes i do, you know i enjoy them"
"Then how come you dont have any on show then?"
"Because i know you dont enjoy them like myself so out of respect for you i keep them out of sight"
"O ok thats at least kinda thoughtful"
"Dinner"
"Sure"

Well ok maybe thats a bit farfetched but yeah its nothing compared to most problems in a relationship.

It's mostly this kind of scenario. She knows I love games. I know she doesn't. I just make sure to do gaming stuff when she's not around because when we're together, we are doing stuff together.

[alienjesus]

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)

I am 22 and from the UK, and games are viewed socially amongst my friends. Every so often (once or twice a year normally) me and all my friends have a massive gaming night at my house normally involving 16 people, 8 or so consoles and a crapload of pizza. It's good stuff.


On the other hand, although most of my friends are gamers, most aren't really interested in retro gaming at all outside of one or two classics they love (read: Final Fantasy games on PS1 for most of them). Still, just enough care for me to get a good match of a retro game every so often.

Me and 3 other friends also beat 4 swords for gamecube in 4 player and are half way through Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles. I think at least amongst my friend circle, games are very social.

[arion]

I don't hide my interest in games but i do vary in just how nerdy i get. If im talking to someone that only plays recent stuff i try to pose my retro collection as interesting facts. Like "Did you know games used to be on tapes" which is never met by anything else but "what really ?" which gives me ample time to speak of the awesome that is the Commodore 64.

Also people that only remember Mario from the nes era usually aren't that big on old games but give them the chance to play some of the Nes mario games and the attitude will turn in your favor. And rarely do the know about the existense of emulators which in turns gives you the chance to regail them with wondorus tales on how you can actually still play these games on a pc. Which usually is met by "wow awesome"

Kowing the when and how in sharing information about retro stuff can make quite the difference.

Also in my expirience people who give you shit for owning a bunch of old stuff usually arent that bright to begin with.

[Michi]

I don't hide my interest in any of my hobbies, I just don't usually broadcast them. Casual acquaintances will have some form of knowledge that I like reading and movies and games, but only my close friends know how great the interest really is since they've come over to my house and seen my varying collections displayed on my shelves (I'm getting some more built soon. I'm running out of room. The stacking on the floor method is getting out of hand).

The ones who play games are pretty much only own the current or last generation consoles, and I have a couple friends who are really into PC games, though I don't share that last particular interest. So yeah. I don't really have any 'retro' friends, but it is nice to have some friends who own current gen consoles and play things other than FPS and recommend games to them that they've never heard of.

Also in my expirience people who give you shit for owning a bunch of old stuff usually arent that bright to begin with.

Ain't that the truth.

[fvgazi]

My fiance hates games. Although, I do all my gaming while she isn't around. The only games I can get her to play are Tetris and Katamari (which she loves). I think if we had a wii she'd probably play mario kart with me. She wants to get kinect for the dancing games, but I can't see spending that amount of money while we could just get a wii with worthwhile games.

As for my friends - I have only a few who like games. One of them is huge into retro, so we play a lot of shumps and DC games together, and the other ones play 360 or ps3. I don't broadcast my love for gaming and modding, but I do wear the occasional street fighter or megaman shirt. I usually get a compliment every time I wear one.