Home Gaming Why you can’t turn everyone into gamers

Why you can’t turn everyone into gamers

3 min read
39

jonsnow

The video below was circulated around the Lazygamer office a couple of days ago. It depicts The Guardian’s Charlie Brooker trying to make Channel 4’s Jon Snow understand Marvel: Lego and Call Of Duty: Ghosts. It doesn’t go well for Brooker, not that I was expecting it to. It becomes apparent the more you watch it that Snow was being deliberately contrarian in order to get a rise out of Brooker. Snow says some awful things about games not having a female audience, among many other stupid things that made me think he’s friends with Jack Thompson, and it just made me angry by the end of it.

An argument could be made for Brooker’s heavy handedness during the slot, but I think he handled himself rather well considering Snow’s baiting comments. Let me preface this article by saying that I don’t blame Snow for being ignorant about the video game industry, but the encounter with Brooker made it clear to me that you cannot turn people on to gaming.    

Gaming isn’t at that point yet where it has a reputation like for example fine art and film do. If I tell people that I’m a games journalist, they either laugh or didn’t even know that was a thing. The industry is so young that it has little reputation with those who aren’t already involved with it. If you’re a film, music or art critic, even to the most oblivious person, the response will be different. “Oh wow, that’s an industry, that exists. How prestigious.”. When you do try and explain games and the gaming industry to people, they are either dismissed as toys for children, or that thing that made teenagers shoot up a school.

bt_games_1375108912

But like films, music and art, games are self discovered. You can’t make a 66 year old man like Jon Snow play video games. You can’t tell him it’s a progressive medium and there are really interesting things happening in the indie scene. Because unless you do the independent research and discovery, you only have what popular media tells people, which is generalised and very rarely positive. I don’t know about the Lazygamer readers, but the only reason I still play games is because I went out and looked for them. Growing up with them isn’t enough, you have to actively seek out games and the community around it.

artist-sam-milham

I know how it sounds too. “Ooh, look how niche I am with the things I’m into that you wouldn’t know about!” The truth is that every artful medium is unknown to someone. I wouldn’t know the first thing about fine art other than “Ooh, pretty pictures!” in the same way someone outside of the video game world would be like “Violence! Teenagers! Think of the children!” If I were Charlie Brooker, I would just let video games show themselves off rather than trying to dazzle someone like Jon Snow who has already made up their mind, not even just for the exposure it would give you and your industry. Having an appreciation for the games that you find special is all well and good, but you cannot force people to become gamers.      

Last Updated: December 5, 2013

39 Comments

  1. Very good article.

    Some interesting points. But the joke is on them. If anyone is still oblivious to the all destroying force that is gaming, I don’t get angry, I pity them.

    Edit: I don’t pity non-gamers, I pity people that doesn’t realize what “gaming” entails. Also, I pity non-gamers 😀

    Reply

    • ToshZA

      December 5, 2013 at 12:59

      I don’t really. There is an entire world out there full of stuff to do that isn’t gaming. To want everyone to understand or appreciate gaming is a little narrow minded to be honest. The issue for me is about mutual acceptance and understanding. Why do so many gamers (not all, by any stretch) feel that gaming is the be-all and end-all of extra curricular activities? It isn’t, and it’s still not anywhere near as big as sports, or TV, or anything along those lines. It’s growing, certainly, but it’s definitely not the only, or the best, thing out there to do with your spare time. Not to many people.

      Saying that, I personally love gaming, I just don’t expect people to understand why or accept it.

      Reply

      • Spathi

        December 5, 2013 at 13:03

        “The issue for me is about mutual acceptance and understanding.”

        This. This is what I meant. People must accept and recognise that gaming is not only a past time for neckbeards and geeks, but that it is a form of entertainment, such as any other form.

        Reply

        • ToshZA

          December 5, 2013 at 13:18

          I agree, but that should also be reciprocated, which is where I’m coming from. Gamers should accept people who don’t game, just the same as they want to be accepted. Give a little, get a little. It’s how respect works. One must give in order to get in return.

          Reply

          • Shift-Tab John (JJ)

            December 5, 2013 at 13:20

            I have no problem with people who don’t game. Most people who don’t game have a huge problem with me gaming. Sadly, I think this is the same for most gamers.

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            December 5, 2013 at 13:26

            Don’t hate the player, hate the game. Wait, is that appropriate here?

          • ToshZA

            December 5, 2013 at 13:30

            That is my general experience personally as well. Still, I think that many gamers do the same to people who don’t game. “Why can’t you just create a character with me?”

          • Spathi

            December 5, 2013 at 13:24

            For sure. I’m not trying about converting someone to gaming. People just mustn’t be ignorant about what gaming entails.

      • No Longer SIR Twakkus

        December 5, 2013 at 13:04

        Boom!! This ^^

        Reply

  2. Lourens Jordaan

    December 5, 2013 at 12:38

    You know nothing Jon Snow….

    Reply

    • Spathi

      December 5, 2013 at 12:46

      Haha, didn’t see your post (out of the millions and millions(read 4) of posts here)!

      Reply

    • Sageville

      December 5, 2013 at 13:27

      You Sir!

      Have an upvote

      Reply

  3. Devourer of Small Bunnies

    December 5, 2013 at 12:44

    Stephen, its ridiculously creepy how a like my lil bro you look. Im not sure if thats a good thing or not. He’s a dick. Which is hard considering Im loving your articles.

    Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      December 5, 2013 at 12:54

      “He’s a dick. Which is hard” O_O *walk away*

      Reply

      • Vampyric Squirrel of the Sith

        December 5, 2013 at 12:58

        Lol! Trust you to read that incorrectly…

        Reply

      • TiMsTeR1033

        December 5, 2013 at 13:07

        you meant to put a smiley face Trevor!

        Reply

        • Alien Emperor Trevor

          December 5, 2013 at 13:11

          Shut YOUR face!

          Reply

      • Devourer of Small Bunnies

        December 5, 2013 at 15:47

        so. Like. Lady boner?

        Reply

    • Stephen Snook

      December 5, 2013 at 14:25

      Yeah I tend to remind people of people they hate xD.

      But thank you! Glad you’re enjoying my writing :3

      Reply

  4. MosselWasAlone

    December 5, 2013 at 12:45

    Wait a minute…his name is Jon Snow? Ofcourse he will be a bitter old man, he’s been part of the Night’s Watch for so long, it gets to you.

    Reply

    • Spathi

      December 5, 2013 at 12:46

      Jon Snow, you know nothing!

      Reply

  5. Kromas

    December 5, 2013 at 13:00

    Is is sad that I know that pic is of the BT games in Northgate?

    Reply

    • Kensei Seraph

      December 5, 2013 at 13:00

      I hope not, for both our sakes.

      Reply

      • Kromas

        December 5, 2013 at 13:01

        Well I do sit in my camping chair every midnight release so I get to see it at least once a year.

        Reply

        • Shift-Tab John (JJ)

          December 5, 2013 at 13:22

          It’s not different to when I was sitting behind my pc screen, every eight hours, to the minute, refreshing my steam to see the new flash sales.

          Reply

          • Kromas

            December 5, 2013 at 13:34

            I currently do that on the Dayz Reddit/forums/steam (for the last damn month mind you).

    • TiMsTeR1033

      December 5, 2013 at 13:01

      It is kinda sad! lol

      Reply

    • ToshZA

      December 5, 2013 at 13:02

      Northgate was the first ever store opened, and it used to be called Budget Technologies, before they grew and changed to BT games. I used to buy from them all the time. Before they moved across the mall.

      Is it sad that I know that? Or that Shannon was one of the original people involved?

      Reply

      • Kromas

        December 5, 2013 at 13:03

        Actually. I knew that as well. Must mean we are true old gamers. 😛

        Reply

        • ToshZA

          December 5, 2013 at 13:10

          Do you remember when Zaps (wasn’t called that back then) was just Wayne at a tiny stall in the Waterfront Flea Market selling games, back in the day? Then he got a single pc in the back, which we played the first GTA on. Then expanded with a 2nd stall, and just kept growing. Wayne has always been such an awesome dude.

          But yes, we are definitely older gamers if we remember these things. A Budget Technologies, I do kinda miss you guys. BT Games still rocks though, just a lot less personal now.

          Reply

          • Kromas

            December 5, 2013 at 13:34

            Oh hell. That brings back memories. Back then Animeworx was just a small shop as well. Speaking of I prob need to go do some xmas shopping there soon.

    • Sageville

      December 5, 2013 at 13:30

      Is it worse if, from that picture, I know it’s NOT BT Games Cresta?

      Reply

    • Vampyric Squirrel of the Sith

      December 5, 2013 at 13:38

      So it is… pretty sad that I can recognize it too… but then it’s now my local BT Games.

      Reply

  6. Stanley Watson

    December 5, 2013 at 13:02

    It’s funny that people deride the gaming industry, whilst it is bigger than either the film or music industry.

    Reply

    • ToshZA

      December 5, 2013 at 13:03

      Maybe financially, but not in terms of support or fan base.

      Reply

      • CAE9872

        December 5, 2013 at 13:08

        Yip – as per my comment further along. Money-wise yes, support of sheer numbers – not so much.

        Reply

  7. CAE9872

    December 5, 2013 at 13:06

    Can’t quite fathom why people trying to get certain people “interested” in games. They like their things, we like ours. As you say, cannot make people like something they simply don’t care about.

    I take my wife – I have been gaming forever, but she doesn’t have an inclination towards them preferring her books (and book clubs), social media, etc. And that is fine. I don’t try and make her “see what games are.”

    This whole debate of “Is games art” make equally less sense. Us gamers get it, those outside that don’t.

    And truth be told, despite the popularity of games, its a niche entertainment product. I lecture, one of my day-to-day activities, varsity students who you would think are down with it? Far from it – they will discuss latest Miley Cyrus or Game of Thrones episode throughout class.

    Ask them what they thought of The Last of Us…response = “sorry what?” Nuff said I think…

    Reply

  8. Gideon Venter

    December 5, 2013 at 14:05

    I laughed so hard at that video. I think the old man played the part of critic very well. Everything should be criticized, nothing is beyond reproach.

    Reply

  9. Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

    December 5, 2013 at 18:49

    hahahahahahaha. Never heard of it. Made me giggle. Listen dude. You better keep writing for lagz. You funny man

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Check Also

Have a Far Cry 5 Weekend on Ubisoft

I’m baaaaack…. Geez…bugs are sneaky but stupid. I still feel like warmed up Gouda, but any…