Help me with my research paper: Survey #1

[Xath]

Over the course of this semester, I have to write a series of papers that will culminate on a final proposal. My topic is the stereotype of gamers, but I can't go into details quite yet. However, there's not a lot of existing information out there, so I have to collect most of my own through surveys of the gaming community. I'll be posting these surveys on multiple messageboards. Please only respond once, and please answer truthfully. If you don't feel comfortable answering these questions on a public forum, please feel free to PM me. Thanks for your help.


Questions:

When you think of the word "gamer," what words/phrases/images come to mind?

Do you believe there is a stereotype (or multiple stereotypes) of gamers? If so, what is it/are they?

Have you seen evidence to support this stereotype?

Do you fall within this stereotype?

Do you admit that you game to non-gamers or strangers?

 

[Steverooo]

Questions:

When you think of the word "gamer," what words/phrases/images come to mind?

"RPGs", "Roleplaying Games", Conventions.

Do you believe there is a stereotype (or multiple stereotypes) of gamers? If so, what is it/are they?

Yes, there are many stereotypes. About as many as there are folks to have them. One would be "Overweight, smelly, socially-inept geekazoid". There are others.

Have you seen evidence to support this stereotype?

No one I know meets all of those, although some fit, partially. Most gamers I know seem pretty normal (although I knew a few exceptions, too).

Do you fall within this stereotype?

No. Do you?

Do you admit that you game to non-gamers or strangers?

I don't generally tell strangers much. I admit gaming to non-gamers if they ask, but don't generally talk gaming to non-gamers unless the subject somehow comes up.

 

[wedgeski]

When you think of the word "gamer," what words/phrases/images come to mind?

D&D, d20, big table surrounded by boys, collector, geek, dressing up

Do you believe there is a stereotype (or multiple stereotypes) of gamers? If so, what is it/are they?

There is one obvious stereotype of the socially awkward, smelly, withdrawn, girlfriendless kid who prefers a fantasy life to the real thing. I'm not sure there are others. There may be some that are just small variations on that one.

Have you seen evidence to support this stereotype?

I have *been* a variation on that stereotype , give or take, and yes, I have met two or three people who fall neatly into that category. This compares to several dozen gamers who don't come anywhere near it.

Do you fall within this stereotype?

A variant of it, when I was a teenager. Now I would consider myself as far from it as it is possible to be.

Do you admit that you game to non-gamers or strangers?

'Admit'..? No such concept. If I think someone may be interested, I tell them about it, in detail if they like. If it doesn't come up I don't mention it... why would I?

Good luck with your papers.

 

[freebfrost]

When you think of the word "gamer," what words/phrases/images come to mind?

Geek, nerd, technophile.

Do you believe there is a stereotype (or multiple stereotypes) of gamers? If so, what is it/are they??

Sure - all stereotypes have a basis in repeatable recognizable situations. The stereotypical gamer is male, a social outcast of some sort, with bad hygiene habits and generally a nerdy outlook on life. You can expect them to be talking in Klingon, arguing about whether Gandalf could beat Elminster in magic duels, wearing dragon embossed t-shirts and certainly never wearing matching socks and shoes. (This last bit of data is supported by my ongoing multi-year secret survey conducted each year in the dealer's room at GenCon...)

Have you seen evidence to support this stereotype??

Sure. Rarely do I encounter someone that fits all those ideas, but it has happened. Usually it's bits and pieces of the stereotypical whole.

Do you fall within this stereotype?

Bits and pieces certainly. I can wax poetic about a great D&D combat of years gone by, or about who was the best starship captain, or if Wolverine could beat Batman. However, I also can talk about mundane actitivies. Get me on my favorite topics, though, and I'll definitely show my fanboy roots!

Do you admit that you game to non-gamers or strangers?

I don't proselytize being a gamer, but I'm certainly proud of it and will readily discuss my hobby with people who inquire about it. If someone asks about my hobbies in general, I'll briefly talk about it but don't ramble on about it.

 

[Nareau]

When you think of the word "gamer," what words/phrases/images come to mind?

Fatbeards!

Do you believe there is a stereotype (or multiple stereotypes) of gamers? If so, what is it/are they?

Fatbeards!

Have you seen evidence to support this stereotype?

Fatbeards!

Do you fall within this stereotype?

Nope.

Do you admit that you game to non-gamers or strangers?

Yep. In much the same way I admit to using email, or eating an occasional icecream cone.

Spider

 

[librarius_arcana]

if Wolverine could beat Batman

Wolverine would totally kick his arss

What?

What?




I'll go away now

 

[ThirdWizard]

When you think of the word "gamer," what words/phrases/images come to mind?

Someone who likes games. Generally, I'm going to think of video game playes, not just roleplayers. But, for purposes of this question, if someone mentioned roleplayers, I'm going to think of something along the lines of the comic book guy from The Simpsons!

Do you believe there is a stereotype (or multiple stereotypes) of gamers? If so, what is it/are they?

Most steriotypes probably have to do with bodily odor. Oh, and inability to express one's self verbally, unless talking about the lastest Star Wars book or episode of Lost.

Have you seen evidence to support this stereotype?

I've noticed gamers have a predalection toward certain other pursuits: sci-fi, fantasy, super hero genres, for example. I've not run into the negative stuff. I've also run into enough female gamers over the years, though that probably has to do with who I hang out with more than overall trends.

Do you fall within this stereotype?

I'm a nerd, and I can go on about geek things, obviously. But, I that's about it.

Do you admit that you game to non-gamers or strangers?

If it gets brought up, I'll talk about it. I'd wear a gamer tee shirt if I had any (like I wear my anime shirts around), so I wouldn't hide it. I don't really care what strangers think, anyway.

 

[freebfrost]

Wolverine would totally kick his arss

*coughcoughcoughwhobeatupsuperman?coughcoughcough*

 

[Nyaricus]

When you think of the word "gamer," what words/phrases/images come to mind?

Words: Nerd, Geek, Dork, etc.
Image: A guy playing video games. Alone.

[note: I've only, since coming to EN World, associated the word 'gamer' with a RPGer. Before that, it was mostly video games so that's why my response is thus]

Do you believe there is a stereotype (or multiple stereotypes) of gamers? If so, what is it/are they?

Gamers, in my mind, get grouped in with nerds, geeks and dorks. So we are socially inept, bookish techies with no lives, glasses, computer-screen tans and a certain air about us that screams "I WILL DIE A VIRGIN!!"

Have you seen evidence to support this stereotype?

my ex-DM was gangly with long greasy hair and literally did have what we others identified as a 'computer screen tan." Indeed, that's how I know that phrase.

Do you fall within this stereotype?

Nope. 5'6", ~190 pounds, muscular (not ripped but workin' on it ), goatee and generally dressed as a metalhead. Rarely get accosted by panhandlers because of it

Do you admit that you game to non-gamers or strangers?

If asked, yes. Generally, this answer will follow a question like "what are your hobbies?" or "So, what are you doing this weekend?"

Plenty of strange looks but many say "oh hey, I knew a couple of my buddies played that back in the 80s, in highschool" etc.



Hope that helps

 

[wmasters]

When you think of the word "gamer," what words/phrases/images come to mind?

Board gamers, RPG players, TCG/CCG players.

Do you believe there is a stereotype (or multiple stereotypes) of gamers? If so, what is it/are they?

I think there are several stereotypes associated with gamers, depending on how involved with them you are. The stereotype from the perspective of a non-gamer, is, I think, a guy that doesn't interact well socially and hasn't grown up and discovered the real world. From the perspective of a gamer though, it's quite different, and I'd say the stereotype is maybe someone bright, friendly and sociable, probably reads a lot and likes other 'cult' hobbies (anime, comic books/graphic novels etc, cult tv).

Have you seen evidence to support this stereotype?

Yes, both stereotypes to some degree. Most of the gamers I've met support 'gamers stereotype of a gamer' stereotype that I've got more than the other though, and are generally well rounded individuals.

Do you fall within this stereotype?

I hope so. I don't know.

Do you admit that you game to non-gamers or strangers?

Yes, readily, if it happens to come up.