Gaming went mainstream

[ice]

I've seen a few posts on various topics surrounding the current state of gaming and I just wanted to point something out. GAMER is no longer synonymous with NERD. Historically a community of males, as a stereotype we used to be bullied by the rest of society for our hobby. Now, the same people who would normally ridicule us have started to join the video game consumer base. Starting around 10 years ago with the streaming boom, the influence gamers have on the population was magnified with various memes and references. Not to mention, a lot of popular culture and viral content from the early internet was produced by us (LEEROY JENKINS), and quite honestly... still is. I believe, from a business perspective, the reason why more gamers are feeling estranged from our hobby is because we no longer comprise the new average audience member. If you're wondering what can be done about it, personally I believe it's a lost cause. I am impressed but not convinced that the community can do anything about the state of gaming as it exists today. However, I see two paths. On one hand, we forget what gaming used to be. The other, somehow, we go back to the way it once was.

[Steve]

Normies ruin everything.

[Soft Wumbo]

smartphone games ruin everything

[ṼṏẌṏḭḊ]

Gaming is fine. There is a bit of mainstream trash, but it's all still mostly the same.

[Punished Rusty Shackleford]

Originally posted by ṼṏẌṏḭḊ:

Gaming is fine. There is a bit of mainstream trash, but it's all still mostly the same.

until a franchise you enjoy gets watered down. They're no longer using JAV actresses in Yakuza games because it went mainstream.

[ice]

Originally posted by Dr. Staten Island:

Normies ruin everything.

You know what the worst part is? It's a direct result of inviting people to play video games. How could we have possibly known, that if more people got involved, that it'd get sh!ttier for some reason? We got what we wanted, more players. But at the cost of the original experience.

[Shanti]

Originally posted by ice:

GAMER is no longer synonymous with NERD.

Dude, it is so for more than 15 years already.

The solution is simple. Don't play the games you know you don't like. And you'll have time to find the right games, and right communities.

[The nameless Gamer]

Originally posted by Punished Rusty Shackleford:

Originally posted by ṼṏẌṏḭḊ:

Gaming is fine. There is a bit of mainstream trash, but it's all still mostly the same.

until your franchise you enjoy gets watered down. They're no longer using JAV actresses in Yakuza games because it went mainstream.

Happened to one of the franchises I like. Guilty Gear Strive is a downgrade of the franchise in every way. But... there's usually greener pastures to move to. Switched to Under Night in-Birth. Problem solved.
And there are times you don't even need to leave. For example, people are still playing almost every existing Command & Conquer game despite the unmentionable final installment "ruining" the franchise.

Game communities NEED new members to thrive, because if the player pool doesn't get new people, it turns toxic and elitist. Happened to Dawn of War II, been there, seen it happen.

[Uncle Sam]

Originally posted by ṼṏẌṏḭḊ:

Gaming is fine. There is a bit of mainstream trash, but it's all still mostly the same.

Agreed it's part of the cycle in this hobby. The main negative stuff compared to before would be all the more or less "new" anti consumer tactics, and some casino like mechanics.

[ZAP]

If you're hearing about a game, it stinks.

[Lime]

Originally posted by ZAP:

If you're hearing about a game, it stinks.

debatable

[ice]

Originally posted by Shanti:

Originally posted by ice:

GAMER is no longer synonymous with NERD.

Dude, it is so for more than 15 years already.

The solution is simple. Don't play the games you know you don't like. And you'll have time to find the right games, and right communities.

I mentioned it not to be suggestive but because it's easy to forget sometimes, since like you said it's been that way for 15 years. I would get started on communities but that deserves another thread because it seems like relationships have become increasingly fleeting, even ones that are low maintenance like online ones. I used to make multiple friends online daily and now it seems like friendships are too much work for everyone. I would say the last good year was 2016.

[bad_fur_day1]

Is this just the same old same old gaming sucks now thread? Meanwhile buying the same call of duty game over an over.

[ice]

Originally posted by bad_fur_day1:

Is this just the same old same old gaming sucks now thread? Meanwhile buying the same call of duty game over an over.

I thought it was better than the usual fare.

[bad_fur_day1]

Originally posted by ice:

Originally posted by bad_fur_day1:

Is this just the same old same old gaming sucks now thread? Meanwhile buying the same call of duty game over an over.

I thought it was better than the usual fare.

I'd agree it certainly is a very good one.

[ice]

Originally posted by bad_fur_day1:

Originally posted by ice:

I thought it was better than the usual fare.

I'd agree it certainly is a very good one.

Something that bothers me about those threads is that it's usually just collective whining, trying to convince people of another opinion (almost pointless). My philosophy is if games are woke it's best to understand what promoted that in the first place. That is, if we're seeking to spread awareness to the issue and educate on why it's perceived as wrong.