Gaming and Social Life

[JustGeorge]

I've heard two people tell me this week the fact that they don't have any inclination to play video games negatively affects their social lives.

One is a 30 year old woman. Another is a 37 year old man. They work in different environments, but both say talk often goes to games, and the fact that they don't play excludes them from much of the conversation. They both claim it kind of places them on the 'outside', and they feel people are less likely to talk to them.

Have you experienced anything like this? Is it simply the age group? Or something else?

 

[Stevicus]

I've heard two people tell me this week the fact that they don't have any inclination to play video games negatively affects their social lives.

One is a 30 year old woman. Another is a 37 year old man. They work in different environments, but both say talk often goes to games, and the fact that they don't play excludes them from much of the conversation. They both claim it kind of places them on the 'outside', and they feel people are less likely to talk to them.

Have you experienced anything like this? Is it simply the age group? Or something else?

Sometimes people play board games as a social activity. It was common for people to get together for their Saturday bridge game or poker or bowling. Games can bring people together, at least when it's done in person. Online gaming seems to be a different kettle of fish.

 

[JustGeorge]

Sometimes people play board games as a social activity. It was common for people to get together for their Saturday bridge game or poker or bowling. Games can bring people together, at least when it's done in person. Online gaming seems to be a different kettle of fish.

Yes, that's what I was mostly thinking here. Online and other more modern video games... They seem much different than Monopoly.

 

[Quintessence]

No, but it is routine for folks to talk about stuff you don't do. Doesn't really matter what it is, it happens and will happen.

For some added context about video games specifically, however - be aware that some modern games are literally designed to be addictive and psychologically coercive. The vast majority are not, but the ones with the explosive marketing budgets that "everybody talks about" tend to be. That adds a... more sinister dimension to this that I wish wasn't there, but it is. It has, in cases, become akin to a bunch of alcoholics getting together to chat about their mutual alcoholism.

 

[JustGeorge]

For some added context about video games specifically, however - be aware that some modern games are literally designed to be addictive and psychologically coercive. The vast majority are not, but the ones with the explosive marketing budgets that "everybody talks about" tend to be. That adds a... more sinister dimension to this that I wish wasn't there, but it is. It has, in cases, become akin to a bunch of alcoholics getting together to chat about their mutual alcoholism.

That's interesting, and I hadn't thought of that angle.

 

[Quintessence]

That's interesting, and I hadn't thought of that angle.

The social angle is considered in the development of some of these "games." It's why the cosmetics angle is so powerful. It has resulted in real world bullying.

Fortnite is free, but kids are getting bullied into spending money

Fortnite’s entire culture revolves around rare skins and cosmetics, which means that for some younger players, peer pressure forces them to buy skins with real money. Parents, educators, and teens detail the many ways Fortnite Battle Royale can lead to harassment. Polygon tried speaking to...

www.polygon.com

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

I've never encountered this with video games. It's much more of a problem with Marvel crap among my fellow Millennials in my experience. Men around 40 obsessed with it and trying to force you to talk about it. Cringe.

 

[JustGeorge]

I've never encountered this with video games. It's much more of a problem with Marvel crap among my fellow Millennials in my experience. Men around 40 obsessed with it and trying to force you to talk about it. Cringe.

What does Marvel crap consist of?

(Please understand, I live under a rock, and have for a long time.)

 

[Kathryn]

I have two sons in that age range. One is in the military in Korea and one is living in Austin. They are very, very different but one way they are similar is that they talk to buddies who are playing these games online. Like every day.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

What does Marvel crap consist of?

(Please understand, I live under a rock, and have for a long time.)

Well, it was just comic books (like Spider-Man and X-Men) but the explosion of the Marvel movies has really made it bad.

 

[JustGeorge]

I have two sons in that age range. One is in the military in Korea and one is living in Austin. They are very, very different but one way they are similar is that they talk to buddies who are playing these games online. Like every day.

When I lived with my ex, I played one MMO. It was more of a way to socialize, though. I spent more time goofing off than actually playing the game, and had little to talk about with actual 'gamers'.

 

[an anarchist]

Video games unite people! I guess it might be different for people who grew up alongside the development of video games. I’m 26, and the gaming industry has matured at the same rate I have. It was a little baby decades ago.

 

[JustGeorge]

Video games unite people! I guess it might be different for people who grew up alongside the development of video games. I’m 26, and the gaming industry has matured at the same rate I have. It was a little baby decades ago.

I don't have a problem with video games, but I was perplexed by how much these two people said not playing affected their social life.

One simply dislikes video games, the other is not able to play due to epilepsy.

 

[Kathryn]

When I lived with my ex, I played one MMO. It was more of a way to socialize, though. I spent more time goofing off than actually playing the game, and had little to talk about with actual 'gamers'.

I think that's the case with my boys. They both have really unusual hours for one thing. One of them is 13 hours ahead of the east coast, for starters. I can sort of get where he's coming from. The other is a bar tender in Austin so I can also sort of get where he's coming from. He's 34 and the other is 36,

 

[PureX]

I've heard two people tell me this week the fact that they don't have any inclination to play video games negatively affects their social lives.

One is a 30 year old woman. Another is a 37 year old man. They work in different environments, but both say talk often goes to games, and the fact that they don't play excludes them from much of the conversation. They both claim it kind of places them on the 'outside', and they feel people are less likely to talk to them.

Have you experienced anything like this? Is it simply the age group? Or something else?

To be honest, I think they should try and raise the level of conversation around the water cooler.

 

[Stevicus]

The social angle is considered in the development of some of these "games." It's why the cosmetics angle is so powerful. It has resulted in real world bullying.

Fortnite is free, but kids are getting bullied into spending money

Fortnite’s entire culture revolves around rare skins and cosmetics, which means that for some younger players, peer pressure forces them to buy skins with real money. Parents, educators, and teens detail the many ways Fortnite Battle Royale can lead to harassment. Polygon tried speaking to...

www.polygon.com

So, is Fortnite the "Pinball Wizard" of today's youth?

 

[JustGeorge]

To be honest, I think they should try and raise the level on conversation around the water cooler.

Seriously. Where's the toilet jokes?

 

[an anarchist]

I don't have a problem with video games, but I was perplexed by how much these two people said not playing affected their social life.

One simply dislikes video games, the other is not able to play due to epilepsy.

I suppose I can relate with sports. I used to not care for football, but that’s all the men would talk about come football season. I felt like I was left out socially so I got into football. I like the sport now, I find the athleticism entertaining, but I watch it now still in part for the social aspect.

I imagine the scenario you are sharing to be similar to that?

 

[JustGeorge]

I suppose I can relate with sports. I used to not care for football, but that’s all the men would talk about come football season. I felt like I was left out socially so I got into football. I like the sport now, I find the athleticism entertaining, but I watch it now still in part for the social aspect.

I imagine the scenario you are sharing to be similar to that?

Might be!

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

I suppose I can relate with sports. I used to not care for football, but that’s all the men would talk about come football season. I felt like I was left out socially so I got into football. I like the sport now, I find the athleticism entertaining, but I watch it now still in part for the social aspect.

I imagine the scenario you are sharing to be similar to that?

I go through the same here in Ohio. I can't stand the stupid sports obsession. It makes me not want to wear my SF Giants hat because people won't leave me alone about it, and I don't mean the compliments. I wear it because I'm from there, not because I really care about baseball. I'm sick of having to repeat that over and over.