Gaming and the workplace

[JamesGoblin]

Good part of my coleagues are also gamers and/or programmers and/or in their 20s, and even my boss has 5 kids (10 to 21 YO) kinda hooked on computers and internet (I believe term "hooked" is already dated, say - are we hooked on electricity?) so I never had a slightest problem speaking openly about games. Furthermore, it's often me being the "uneducated" one about this or that new thing.

[sandman]

My boss looks down on gaming as a stupid pastime. Yet, he will happily chat to clients about football for half an hour at a time. Go figure.

And the women who look down on you on the train when you play on your 3ds as they happily sit there playing candy crush. For many, mobile phone gaming is considered ok, everything else isn't.

As bad as gaming is seen by many, its nowhere near as bad as admitting you still read comics once you are in your 40's.

[b00dles]

I'll happily say it and admit to enjoying interactive over passive mediums and as has been said, everyone plays "games" of some type these days.

Even if everyone doesn't realise they're playing a version of puyo puyo pop, or columns most of the time

[Guest]

Embarrassed about gaming being your hobby, wtf? Even if you're the only gamer there who gives a shit - it's your hobby and not theirs.

Jesus fucking Christ man, the things people worry about.

[tobert]

I am really fortunate as I work in the games industry so nearly everyone plays games and is happy to talk about them

[Vorgot]

Does seem a bit of a strange topic. I've always talked about my hobbies at work, gaming and other 'nerdy' stuff without any embarrassment or worries. Lots of people have hobbies others might think are a bit strange, but it's part of who you and they are. Always been myself on the workplace and have lifelong friends because of it, I'm not going to pretend to be something I am not for the sake of it

[Fury4k]

Embarrassed about gaming being your hobby, wtf? Even if you're the only gamer there who gives a shit - it's your hobby and not theirs.

Jesus fucking Christ man, the things people worry about.

That's the thing about these situations. I think people pick up on the awkwardness and respond to that rather than the fact that it's games with some people.

[Clyde]

I don't give a shit now but I've been that guy who's mentioned they like games and I get the awkward looks. I've never hidden from it but I've also played it down, they don't need to hear that I spent my weekend trying to platinum Final Fantasy VII.

[MattyP]

Work in IT so plenty of geeky types about. Most play games.... although don't mind mentioning I play games. Everyone has something they are passionate about and people get far to judgemental about what passions are "socially" acceptable. Which is fine its their problem not mine. Personally think gaming is great for keeping brain active and reflexes quick. Give me a game over TV anyday... The day I can't hold a pad and play a game is the day I should not be alive . Just be proud of what you enjoy and shout the merits of gaming to those that frown on it.

[matt0]

One thing I find amazing is the number of people with incredibly fond memories of specific games but who can't make the connection between that and why you'd want to play games.

[MattyP]

I always find it amusing that for example in the case of the Wii the sheep effect was taking place where people were just buying them because they were perceived cool by people and much of the media. So then gaming was more socially acceptable for some reason.

Think many people just enjoy them now and again saying that its a huge market these days just think there are a lot of closet gamers out there who feel ashamed to enjoy their hobby.

A lot of people don't like gaming because it requires some thought and you have to learn buttons etc then how to play the game rather than passive stuff like TV. My other half for example would rather just chill after a hard day at work thinking than play a game that can require yet more cerebral input which is fair enough. Sometimes games can feel like work.... Take fallout 4 for example resource management,planning etc. Sometimes I feel like this too that's why I love my WiiU silly games, set in beautiful cartoon like fantasy places,easy to pick up and fun for a few hours light entertainment.

Think its the more in depth games that consume vast amounts of time like Fallout 4 or similar that people frown on playing perhaps. Probably viewed as a waste of time I guess in their view.

[dr_manhattan^]

maybe it was just a different worldview, or a weird sense of humour.

He sounds like a closed minded prick to me.

[Kryptonian]

Yep, definitely sounds like a prick.