gamer body image/self image
- Thread starter alsih2o
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Ranger REG
Explorer
I can safely say without a doubt I do not fit in the stereotype you described. However, my stereotype tends to be on the hefty side, very opposite to many in the US mainland. So, in a way, I'm glad for folks like JD Wiker and Owen KC Stephens, who were kind enough to post their pictures on the Wizards' web site.Djeta Thernadier said:
gamer vogue
I dunno about the rest of the world. But in my group, there's a fair few of us who were athletes some time in our past. (one of the co-gms used to lift weights, a fair number of us do martial arts to keep in shape, etc)
Speaking for myself, I know I'm not in prime form. But I'm not exactly overweight, or even fat (hey I gotta have something going for me... I'm a short @rse by most people's standards) And sure, I'm not exactly a looker, but I get by.
Most of the guys(and gals) who I've gamed with over the years, while not "supermodel" thin (and really who is) are in the same boat.
Slowly aging, putting on a little weight here and there, and usually wearing comfy clothes (which have themselves seen better days). Thereby eliminating us from any "most-glamourus group" awards.
Mind you, the above doesn't mean we show up unwashed and in rags, just that we don't exactly go out of our way to "glam" up just for a sit around a gaming table.
As to the "gamer stereotype" I dunno. We've always held that this is more the overweight unwashed lout, who's complexion is more due to monitor glare than sunlight. (but that could just be the people I've worked with at a help desk) [1]
[1] I know I'm generalising, and I don't mean to offend anyone I may have worked with in the past. (specially not those who may read this board)
Dom
I dunno about the rest of the world. But in my group, there's a fair few of us who were athletes some time in our past. (one of the co-gms used to lift weights, a fair number of us do martial arts to keep in shape, etc)
Speaking for myself, I know I'm not in prime form. But I'm not exactly overweight, or even fat (hey I gotta have something going for me... I'm a short @rse by most people's standards) And sure, I'm not exactly a looker, but I get by.
Most of the guys(and gals) who I've gamed with over the years, while not "supermodel" thin (and really who is) are in the same boat.
Slowly aging, putting on a little weight here and there, and usually wearing comfy clothes (which have themselves seen better days). Thereby eliminating us from any "most-glamourus group" awards.
Mind you, the above doesn't mean we show up unwashed and in rags, just that we don't exactly go out of our way to "glam" up just for a sit around a gaming table.
As to the "gamer stereotype" I dunno. We've always held that this is more the overweight unwashed lout, who's complexion is more due to monitor glare than sunlight. (but that could just be the people I've worked with at a help desk) [1]
[1] I know I'm generalising, and I don't mean to offend anyone I may have worked with in the past. (specially not those who may read this board)
Dom
Dr. Strangemonkey
First Post
Buncha hippies, bartenders, and grad students in my group.
We got a slip of a girl, three fairly in shape guys running to little bits o gut, my slightly spare tired but otherwise fine self, a man who's rapidly gaining weight, and a very buff computer programmer.
Haven't exercised regular since grad school started, but normally, when work doesn't interfere, I play ultimate frisbee about three to four times more often than I game. Most of the group plays frisbee golf very frequently. When I pay my gym dues I swim once or twice or week and walk everywhere that I can.
I am pale to pink and never ever darker since my nordic bloodlines have left me at extremely high risk for melanoma.
Many of us are computer oriented, but in a variety of styles.
My last group fit the stereo-type to a tee.
The groups before that bucked them at every turn.
Lots of drug use, alcohol and otherwise. Don't know how that fits into anyone's stereotypes. Been a while since I seen a Goth. Like I said, grad students, bar tenders, and hippies.
We got a slip of a girl, three fairly in shape guys running to little bits o gut, my slightly spare tired but otherwise fine self, a man who's rapidly gaining weight, and a very buff computer programmer.
Haven't exercised regular since grad school started, but normally, when work doesn't interfere, I play ultimate frisbee about three to four times more often than I game. Most of the group plays frisbee golf very frequently. When I pay my gym dues I swim once or twice or week and walk everywhere that I can.
I am pale to pink and never ever darker since my nordic bloodlines have left me at extremely high risk for melanoma.
Many of us are computer oriented, but in a variety of styles.
My last group fit the stereo-type to a tee.
The groups before that bucked them at every turn.
Lots of drug use, alcohol and otherwise. Don't know how that fits into anyone's stereotypes. Been a while since I seen a Goth. Like I said, grad students, bar tenders, and hippies.
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All in all I have to say that the stereotype is mostly bullhockey as to what I've seen. Like all groups of individuals, the boorish outspoken types tend to be seen, espicially a good number of the gamestore employees I've seen. Mstly I'd say this tends to come from the wargamer angle more than roleplayers, roleplaying for most people around me being a largely social thing. I.E. If you don't shower people would generally not game with you.
As for me I'm largely settling out of my awkward stage, and attempting to replace my gut with some muscle mass. Here are my physical stats for those wanting a better view eh?
Weight: 275
Height: 6'3"
Waist: 40
Build: Naturally muscular, with my legs falling into a much more wellbuilt mold. My stamina and agility tend to be shot as I was born with an awkward neck-shoulders build and I smoke quite a lot.
Complexion:Golden tan, the sun tends to strike me quickly.
Usual Mode of Dress: Metal-band t-shirts, a shaved head, and black baggy pants. I've been told I look goth before, but from the usual Whitewolf crowds I've seen around here, not by a long shot.
The Rest of my group from High School:
Justin: Recent army recruit, A bit shorter, with a little less muscle mass. Lost his gut during Basic, but has it back now. If he weren't such a jerk, people really would like him. Being irish/jewish he has no tan to speak of. People like him when he's not being purposefully antisocial and spreading around communist propaganda.
Tony: A big guy with a big gut that would probably out-fight most people I've met. Pretty active, but has had some genetics related heart problems that slowed him down.
Josh: Scrawny, muscular llittle guy with git. Made it to regionals for wrestling. Quick guy, really into martial arts. Really nice girlfriend. Wish I had this kid's social skills.
Rob:Scrawny nerd-type, pretty smart but overtly clumsy. Growing out of hs shell. Called dexterity-boy for things that were broken in hyper-active stages.
Ryan: 300 pounds, short, and not really active, a real social butterfly though. Keeps himself well stocked in expensive clothes. Too much of a rebel complex though.
Dave: Pretty much like Rob,except that girls seem to like him. Good kid, as a 10th grader, he's probably still in his awkward stage.
Nick:Charasmatic wily runner, pretty much partied all the time. Took off game nights for girls. We pretty much all did that though.
There are a few other guys though. We were pretty much the only gaming group in town so...
As for me I'm largely settling out of my awkward stage, and attempting to replace my gut with some muscle mass. Here are my physical stats for those wanting a better view eh?
Weight: 275
Height: 6'3"
Waist: 40
Build: Naturally muscular, with my legs falling into a much more wellbuilt mold. My stamina and agility tend to be shot as I was born with an awkward neck-shoulders build and I smoke quite a lot.
Complexion:Golden tan, the sun tends to strike me quickly.
Usual Mode of Dress: Metal-band t-shirts, a shaved head, and black baggy pants. I've been told I look goth before, but from the usual Whitewolf crowds I've seen around here, not by a long shot.
The Rest of my group from High School:
Justin: Recent army recruit, A bit shorter, with a little less muscle mass. Lost his gut during Basic, but has it back now. If he weren't such a jerk, people really would like him. Being irish/jewish he has no tan to speak of. People like him when he's not being purposefully antisocial and spreading around communist propaganda.
Tony: A big guy with a big gut that would probably out-fight most people I've met. Pretty active, but has had some genetics related heart problems that slowed him down.
Josh: Scrawny, muscular llittle guy with git. Made it to regionals for wrestling. Quick guy, really into martial arts. Really nice girlfriend. Wish I had this kid's social skills.
Rob:Scrawny nerd-type, pretty smart but overtly clumsy. Growing out of hs shell. Called dexterity-boy for things that were broken in hyper-active stages.
Ryan: 300 pounds, short, and not really active, a real social butterfly though. Keeps himself well stocked in expensive clothes. Too much of a rebel complex though.
Dave: Pretty much like Rob,except that girls seem to like him. Good kid, as a 10th grader, he's probably still in his awkward stage.
Nick:Charasmatic wily runner, pretty much partied all the time. Took off game nights for girls. We pretty much all did that though.
There are a few other guys though. We were pretty much the only gaming group in town so...
Tarrasque Wrangler
First Post
Unfortunately for me, on the Great Continuum of Gamer Physiques, I bear a closer resemblance to the Comic Book Store Guy than I do to Vin Diesel.
Re
There is only one person in our gaming group that fits the stereotypical description of a gamer, and we don't see him too often. I think the gaming stereotype came from people who hang out at hobby shops. I usually see alot of the pasty, nerdy looking folk hanging out at the local hobby store spending hours sitting around some table playing a game or telling stories about playing a game.
I hit the gym 3 or 4 times a week and benchpress 350 lbs, soon I'll be up over 400 lbs. I don't want to look like a big pasty nerd. If I'm going to be a nerd, I want to look like a big, scary huge-muscled nerd. hehe. Keeps me motivated to keep lifting and getting stronger.
There is only one person in our gaming group that fits the stereotypical description of a gamer, and we don't see him too often. I think the gaming stereotype came from people who hang out at hobby shops. I usually see alot of the pasty, nerdy looking folk hanging out at the local hobby store spending hours sitting around some table playing a game or telling stories about playing a game.
I hit the gym 3 or 4 times a week and benchpress 350 lbs, soon I'll be up over 400 lbs. I don't want to look like a big pasty nerd. If I'm going to be a nerd, I want to look like a big, scary huge-muscled nerd. hehe. Keeps me motivated to keep lifting and getting stronger.
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