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I think there's a good mix of both. There's definitely a marketing push from tech manifacturers-and-like with messages such as "you need to use this gamer mous

I think there's a good mix of both. There's definitely a marketing push from tech manifacturers-and-like with messages such as "you need to use this gamer mouse if you're a real gamer" but there's also a lot of tribalistic self-segregation. Especially in discussion communities. It's very apparent when you browse various gaming communities on reddit, for example my favorite anecode woul be r/gaymers - it's gay people who play video-games — the correlation here is a real headscratcher. It's much more extreme on platforms like Discord, I've been kicked out from few discord communities because I was a casual gamer and didn't identify myself hard enough with "the brand": "why are you even here if you don't dedicate yourself to gaming 24/7" I don't mean to generalize and gaming communities on average are friendly, fun and enjoyable but the extremes are definitely very vocal and sometimes seem to be steering the medium too much.

Mirioron 6y ago
The tech marketing part makes some sense though. The requirements for gaming are often higher in many ways that people would require for casual use from their devices. I think these extreme gaming communities are set up with gate keeping in mind. Many people that play video games have been a part of communities that eventually just die because "casuals" take it over. That can be frustrating especially for competitive games. I think communities like that are fine, but they aren't meant for everyone.
gorgoiler 6y ago
I’m surprised you didn’t mention gamergate. Gamergate in no way defines what it means to be a gamer. But I feel like that one can’t talk about the term “gamer” as a cultural phenomenon without gamergate’s presence being felt lurking somewhere in the shadows.
- aspenmayer 6y ago
  It’s hard to be proud of liking games, perhaps distinctly so as a man, when so many men are such poor examples of good sportsmanship when playing with others. I’m not really going to put too fine a point on it because it applies in many contexts surrounding gaming, including journalism, but also in livestreams and online play. People can talk tough without any intention of gatekeeping, but interpretations and effects matter as much as intent. Harming others because of their gaming or association with gaming isn’t fun, and it isn’t part of the game. Just leave it on the field. Am I old? I feel like I shouldn’t even have to say all of this, and this isn’t directed at OP but more at gamers generally, and friends of gamers.

Mirioron 6y ago

The tech marketing part makes some sense though. The requirements for gaming are often higher in many ways that people would require for casual use from their devices. I think these extreme gaming communities are set up with gate keeping in mind. Many people that play video games have been a part of communities that eventually just die because "casuals" take it over. That can be frustrating especially for competitive games. I think communities like that are fine, but they aren't meant for everyone.

gorgoiler 6y ago

I’m surprised you didn’t mention gamergate. Gamergate in no way defines what it means to be a gamer. But I feel like that one can’t talk about the term “gamer” as a cultural phenomenon without gamergate’s presence being felt lurking somewhere in the shadows.

aspenmayer 6y ago
It’s hard to be proud of liking games, perhaps distinctly so as a man, when so many men are such poor examples of good sportsmanship when playing with others. I’m not really going to put too fine a point on it because it applies in many contexts surrounding gaming, including journalism, but also in livestreams and online play. People can talk tough without any intention of gatekeeping, but interpretations and effects matter as much as intent. Harming others because of their gaming or association with gaming isn’t fun, and it isn’t part of the game. Just leave it on the field. Am I old? I feel like I shouldn’t even have to say all of this, and this isn’t directed at OP but more at gamers generally, and friends of gamers.