The Playstation 2 is the ultimate casual gamer machine. A casual gamer console being defined as a console that has a ton of really crummy games because casual gamers will buy anything. Ok so it has a few good games but those are rare.

Im an exception to most of the rules you're discussing here. I'm a computer nerd, I spend usually 3-4 hours a day when possible on the computer (and I try to limit myself to 1/2 the time gaming, 1/2 programming/researching, but sometimes it doesn't work quite right =) Also I tend to hang out with the in-crowd at school, but I'm skinny/weak/etc (classic stereotypical nerd) I am about 5'6, 110 lbs, 15 yrs old. At school I play soccer in the fall and badminton in spring (badminton's really fun, try it before you think "NERD!").

However I can manage to hang out with the popular crowd and also hang out with my "gamer-nerd" friends. The secret is just to be funny, dont be shy, be outgoing, and make friends. People don't care what you look like or what your hobbies are if you are just a cool person. This seems hard to some people (ie my non-popular gamer friends), and they complain that they are outcasts just because they like games and are nerdy looking. This isnt true! It just so happens that a gamer tends to have a shy, secluded personality. So instead of making friends and getting social skills, nerds just complain that people stereotype them, but its really because they are too shy. If you dont want a social life thats fine, because it is your life and your choice.

Basically, what I'm trying to say is: you should do what you enjoy most. If you enjoy doing nothing but playing games, thats perfectly fine. But if you also want a social life, GO GET ONE! dont just sit around and make excuses...

On another note, some of my in-crowd friends think its nerdy to play games. I tell them its dumb to watch TV a lot, and it doesnt matter what I do in my free time, and nobody hates me for it. Another portion of my friends play games in their leisure time, but tend to like the social multiplayer games (Goldeneye, Gran Turismo, Counterstrike, etc) over RPGs, and don't spend so much time gaming as us nerds. However, just about all of my friends think its cool that I can program. Sometimes they'll ask me if I can do something in programming, and if I can, I'll make it and everyone will be all impressed, even if it is insanely simple. Other cool things to do is make an advanced network chat program and install it secretly on all the computers in your school's computer lab so everyone can chat. Also, abuse the "net send" command in Windows 2000 is fun, again in computer lab.

Another thing: don't be embarrassed by games you play, and NEVER be embarrassed by games you make. Sometimes people make games, but they are afraid to show anyone, because people will think "wow this game is nerdy, the author must be REALLY nerdy" or "jeez he musta been smart to write this, so he's a nerd." DONT BE EMBARRASSED, just show em and if they dont like it, try to explain why YOU like it, theres got to be a reason. There's also a chance that they will like it, if its a good game. Most of the time, they will be fairly impressed if its decently made and looks nice, even if they think the style, idea, or content sucks.

One major thing is that if someone knows you're doing something productive on the computer all day, like programming a game, then they respect you and your determination, and you become more "cool" and less nerdy to them.

WHEW. sorry for long post, but I've been thinking about this stuff lately and it all just came pouring out

EDIT: made things clearer

[edited by - Neosmyle on August 3, 2002 2:08:27 AM]

The fact that anyone is reading this and especially those of us who decide to write in this topic - that says something.
It says something about what you prefer spending your time doing (ie. at your computer reading half inanae posts about nothing).
But don''t let it define you. You''re into and may even have the determination to write games.
SO WHAT? why do we think its so special - ITS NOT, its just like anything else.
Before anything can change, gamers have to lose the notion that they think what they do is so bloody special.
It ain''t, its no different from driving trucks, in terms of what it provides to society. (just begging a flame war but for once someone just let a single opinion that differs from your own just rest)
I like to write games, but thats one very small part of me. The fact that I may spend a fair amount time on it doesn''t mean that it contributes to a large percent of my personality.
I''m not saying I''m not proud of doing it, I''m just saying that it doesn''t define me. And nor should it.

Toby

Gobsmacked - by Toby Murray

Were I live, the In-Crowd is either consisted up of:

1) People who are generally dumber then the average person. (I know average, average is the guy who actually gets 10 or less items at the express checkout counter.) For some reason, they have the abilities to get A''s in school yet they don''t have the ability to retain the knowledge for more than 2 weeks.

The media, or certain movies definetly don''t help out either. Do you all remember Goldeneye 007? If you do, you probably already know who I''m thinking of - Boris. He knows like everything about computers and programming. But look at him! He smokes, he''s weak(a pussy actually), and wears big glasses. He looks all nerdy saying...."send spike" and "I AM INVINCIBLE!!!!!!"

Hell yes! Boris has always been my hero.

I think it is somewhat realistic, although exaggerated. Geeks tend to be under-weight or overweight, have poor social skills, are highly intelligent, and usually are male. I never offended by films or tv presenting geeks that way. I think it is actually a little flattering. I think knowledge and mental adeptness is a more honorable trait to desire than physical strength and popularity. Personally I believe that if someone is liked by nearly everyone than they are doing something wrong.

quote: Original post by wall
I love to code apps/games and I''m totally a cool guy!

His mom told him so! =D

Sorry, Wall... I couldn''t resist ;-)

- Jay

"I have head-explody!!!" - NNY

Get Tranced!

quote: Original post by ShadoWWrappeR
I hate it when I mention to people that I like playing games a lot and they give that look as if they think your a complete square!

Ummm... ok. Can''t say I''ve ever experienced that. Are ya sure they''re lookin'' at ya like a square ''cause you''re a gamer? Dude, ya mighta just had sumthin'' stuck in your teeth.

Anyway, which part of the population is more likely to be geeks? Computer programmers or saaaay, lawyers? I''m not nerdy by a long-shot (hehehe, my mom told me so) but I''ve known plenty of programmers that fit the stereotype. So, I''m not about to march on Hollywood because I''m being stereotyped. I kinda have more important things to thing about. Besides, games ARE cool. Mario might be corny but what about Jar Jar Binks? Movies can be pretty lame as well. Just how cool & hip are film directors?


- Jay

"I have head-explody!!!" - NNY

Get Tranced!

When I do something wrong, people blame it on my obsession: computers/games.
Im tired of that, we need to do somethin!!!!

Just write more social games. Sports games, competitive and cooperative puzzle games. Games that don''t require "committment" or "dedication", games that you can play for an hour or two with a couple buddies.

Yeah, we still want our deep, brooding opuses with complex plots and character development, but either provide a mode or complementary product for kicking back.

One.