Games, Gamers...
Its time for another update!
I've recently been thinking about the definition of a "Gamer" defined as "an individual frequently plays video games." The issue with this definition, is that for the most part it excludes me. My fellow classmates all get a little gamming in on a regular basis, and often spend much of their weekends involved in LAN parties. It is not often that I take time to play games these days. I spend my free time involved in other activities. And while everyone goes nuts over the newest console or game; I couldn't care less. This is not because I do not enjoy games, when I do play I obsess over it. It just isn't a common occurance in my life.
Despite this, I am probably the most informed out of my classmates on the industry. I keep myself constantly abridged on what developements are occuring, when new titles are comming out, when new hardware is comming out, corporate politics, movements in the industry ('serious games', 'indie games', 'casual games', all the new buzzwords on the street). I may not be playing games, but I sure devote a lot of attention to what the industry is doing and where it is going. I can tell you what studios are working on what projects, where those studios are located, what they've done before and my general impression of their work. I can tell you about the various conferences, and I'll typically read about what was showcased, presented or discussed at each... you get the picture.
So we have this paradox, I am a gamer--who does not game, or at least does not game regularly.
I've recently been thinking about the definition of a "Gamer" defined as "an individual frequently plays video games." The issue with this definition, is that for the most part it excludes me. My fellow classmates all get a little gamming in on a regular basis, and often spend much of their weekends involved in LAN parties. It is not often that I take time to play games these days. I spend my free time involved in other activities. And while everyone goes nuts over the newest console or game; I couldn't care less. This is not because I do not enjoy games, when I do play I obsess over it. It just isn't a common occurance in my life.
Despite this, I am probably the most informed out of my classmates on the industry. I keep myself constantly abridged on what developements are occuring, when new titles are comming out, when new hardware is comming out, corporate politics, movements in the industry ('serious games', 'indie games', 'casual games', all the new buzzwords on the street). I may not be playing games, but I sure devote a lot of attention to what the industry is doing and where it is going. I can tell you what studios are working on what projects, where those studios are located, what they've done before and my general impression of their work. I can tell you about the various conferences, and I'll typically read about what was showcased, presented or discussed at each... you get the picture.
So we have this paradox, I am a gamer--who does not game, or at least does not game regularly.