gamer body image/self image

[KitanaVorr]

Most of the people I've met who game fit into that stereotype kind of look, except for the notable few. Of course I stand out big time and certainly don't fit into that stereotype.

5 feet tall, so small that people say slight breeze could blow me over and unlike most Asian women I inherited a generous chest, hips and a butt (thank you J-Lo for making those attributes popular!) so I am really the opposite of the stereotype.

I've also been intensely popular in college and basically any place I go to so I definitely don't fit with anything anti-social. I've modeled, been a singer, an actress (personally I think a bad one), and a socialite. I'm definitely a good example of a person who is not the stereotype.

My one nod to the stereotype is my high intelligence level but its something I am certainly not embarrassed about.

I think that movies, comic books, even ourselves - we tend to support the stereotype if only for a laugh. But as long as more people who don't "follow the stereotype" admit to gaming, letting it into the mainstream...then those things will start to vanish.

Its one thing to 'come out of the dice box' on the internet and to walk into work and scream at the top of your lungs...."I play D&D damnit and I'm not afraid to admit it!"



Though I have been known to do certain crazy things on occassion.

 

[Gnarlo]

There have been times when I've fit certain parts of the stereotype, for instance I've been painfully shy but in great shape, or have been overweight but the life of the party John Belushi type. Eh, it takes all kinds and I sees all kinds.

I think for a good random sampling that disproves the stereotype, take a look at the Chicago Gameday thread pictures. Sure, there's a couple of people that fit the out of shape part of the stereotype, but for the most part it just looks like a random selection of normal looking people.

/gnarlo!

p.s. And when you hear that 60% of Americans are officially classified as overweight, I don't think you can blame / point fingers at gamers (it'd be nice if we were responsible for skewing the numbers, it'd be a lot easier to find gamers around )

 

[Angcuru]

p.s. And when you hear that 60% of Americans are officially classified as overweight, I don't think you can blame / point fingers at gamers (it'd be nice if we were responsible for skewing the numbers, it'd be a lot easier to find gamers around )

Not to mention that 1/3 of us are obese. Stupid oversupply of food that we jealously keep to ourselves, eating constantly while people all around the world starve each and every day.... And most Americans wonder why the rest of the world hates us.

The rest of the world doesn't hate us for our political stances, they hate us because of our obsession with Potato Chips, Doritos, Twinkies, Pizza, Fast Food......the list goes on!
[/joke]

 

[HomerJS]

Id say in the early 80's the nerd gamer look was the majority. Now as gaming became more accepted they became the minority. You just cant get rid of a stereotype though when the image people have is of the 80's guys still. remember the first impression is the most important.

I know our gaming group is average to above average except for 1 guy and he doesnt even play that much. Everyone watches what they eat or they go to the gym on a regular basis.

Alot of athlets do play but they just stick with gaming with each other. I know I did when I played football. I wouldnt game with my brother or his friends just the players on the team. My team mates were also the same way.

I have the problem some others have posted about. Being looked down upon in a gaming store because I dont fit the "look".
It's pretty stupid if you ask me.

 

[crater]

If I suck in my gut, don't wear a nerd shirt, put in my contacts, and act "cool" I look pretty much like a non-gamer.

Cool would be gut out, googles on, dorky laugh, and proud!!

 

[BVB]

I think the fact that gaming stands in in place of a sport in many people's lives ...

I train and fence competitively in epee.
Likewise, I don't game very often.

Yeah, there's only so much you can do with the 24 hours of a day. Choices have to be made.

 

[megamania]

me? I'm an over weight nerdy cancer surviving diabetic moody comicbook collecting role playing her0-clixing off the wall kind of weird freak.

(that's my good traits)

I am sure there are athelethic types that are handsome and girl magnets that play DnD but in general, gamers are nerdy (meaning thinkers) introverts (meaning there is more to life that impressing others) with an strong self of imagination. (which is better than knowledge even!)

Sounds negative I know, I am accused of such, but it is generally that way. Of the thirty+ gamers I know on a personal level I would say only two have the type of charisma folks really like. Otherwise we are nerdy, introverted and/or troubled emotionally.

 

[BVB]

I am sure there are athelethic types that are handsome and girl magnets that play DnD but in general, gamers are nerdy (meaning thinkers) introverts (meaning there is more to life that impressing others) with an strong self of imagination. (which is better than knowledge even!)

Sounds negative I know...

thinker <> nerdy
introvert <> impressing others

such descriptions are overly simplistic and help to further strengthen inappropriate stereotypes one way or another

 

[Ogre Mage]

Gamer body self image

Well I am not pale but I am overweight in spite of exercising 3 times/week. People really gave me a bad time about it when I was growing up and I've never quite gotten over it (some of them were relatives). I've tried to lose, but it's very hard for me -- slow metabolism and the fact I'm a borderline food addict. Of the people in my group, half are overweight, the other half are average. But I don't know if any of the other overweight gamers are as self-conscious as I am.

 

[MarauderX]

I have also had this happen at a WotC store. It was rather funny as I was debating as to which splat book I wanted to read first when one of the employees asked who I was looking to buy it for. When I said me, she asked me rather snottily if I had ever played before, to which I replied "yeah, since the basic red set came out". She blushed and walked away and I felt strangely vindicated for saying something like. Over all I think there are a lot of in shape people that play the game, and it makes me smile to see that people from all sorts of demographics are enjoying the game.

Looking back, I think I am more let down by the WotC people than anything. They were looking for the stereotypical gamer I suppose, and I was not it by wearing a sports jersey. I have come to know that this means nothing about a person, but disappointing when others do not.

Do be do be do.