Silicon Valley's dirty secret - age bias

Re:Silicon Valley's dirty secret - age bias by jlgreco on Tuesday November 27, 2012 @05:18PM (#4839496)

Despite being a "nerd", I think the more traditional sort of 'frat' is actually a lot more inviting. Without the video-game nonsense I think it is actually more accepting of lifestyles that don't involve primarily a couch. The thought of spending my own freetime playing video-games is revolting to me, I associate it with depression and loneliness (yes, online or otherwise multiplayer games too). It really seems like one of those all-or-nothing activities where you either spend hours a week doing it, living it, or you are forever the outsider.

Sure you can game in moderation, but if you do so you won't be a gamer. I think I average maybe a handful of hours a month playing games, and that is as much as I will ever see myself caring to spend on them. There is no way for me to relate to people who call themselves gamers.

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Re:Silicon Valley's dirty secret - age bias by w1ntermute on Tuesday November 27, 2012 @06:58PM (#4840066)

The problem for me is the time investment required to be any good at gaming. When people say they want to play Super Smash Bros. or Halo or something, I have no idea what I'm supposed to do, no one wants to show me what to do, and so I lose interest very quickly. It's not like watching a movie, where you can spend two hours on it and come out with a decent understanding of the movie, even if you aren't a movie buff.

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Re:Silicon Valley's dirty secret - age bias by jlgreco on Tuesday November 27, 2012 @07:12PM (#4840128)

I think I know exactly what you mean. Super Smash Bros. is actually the exact game that made me realize I was no longer going to pretend to be a gamer, for exactly the reasons you explain.

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Re:Silicon Valley's dirty secret - age bias by cpher on Tuesday November 27, 2012 @11:05PM (#4840964)

It's not an all-or-nothing choice, though. I've had an Xbox 360 for years, and when my kids were born/adopted, I barely touched it. I hate playing against the knobs on Xbox Live, so I just stick with the single player stuff, or find friends to explore maps and blow stuff up. Very immature, I know. But it's fun. Look at my post up above...My Xbox is an early generation and I still hardly play it because I have better things to do most of the time.

I'm not sure what preconceptions you have about "gamers" are, but from what I know, most gamers are in their 30's and have lives outside of video games.

I wouldn't call myself a "gamer", as per your definition, but I've loved playing video games since the early 80's, which might not register with your experience. I'm an ordinary guy with a beautiful wife and kids. Not sure what your beef is.

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Re:Silicon Valley's dirty secret - age bias by jlgreco on Wednesday November 28, 2012 @12:29PM (#4843643)

I am talking about the "is addicted to playing online games for 30+ hours a week in addition to working 60+ hours a week." type.

I'll play video-games on occasion but to be able to pass myself off in that sort of gamer culture is I think impossible unless you are willing to glue yourself to a television for hours and hours a week.

Other types of "frats" do not need that level of dedication I think.

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