So this is my first thread here, so apologies for any awkwardness in my writing, English isn’t my first language. Also, today finally felt like a proper autumn day so I’ve had a cider with fireball and am now having a brown pumpkin ale
So I want touch on something that I’ve seen only really pop up in the last few years in gaming that’s been really rubbing me the wrong way.
Consumer.
I really hate that word. People suddenly overnight started using it instead of enthusiast or hobbyist, or whatever else. I hate the term in the context of our hobby with a burning passion.
There are several resources, but I will provide one here regarding the term and the negative effects the use of it can contribute to ourselves:
https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/should-we-stop-referring-to-people-as-consumers.html
True, the term has a very strict definition, especially in regards to a business perspective. That being said, no other hobby has such a base that just loves referring to themselves as consumers as that of gaming.
Film? Literature? Music? Fine arts? Stamp Collecting? Very rarely. Oh, you may say, look at film threads on specific forums (especially RE). Sure, you’re right. But you only really see it in certain specific movies that are by their nature part of a specific fandom (MCU, Star Wars, etc.). But you will be hard pressed to find any film or book head refer to themselves as a consumer regarding their hobby.
In other words, I see games as art. Yes, there’s a business behind it. There is also a business behind film and literature. I don’t care about that very much outside of that I want to see creatives and developers I admire make a great game.
It’s a term I hate and it’s only recently within the last few years where it has just overtaken gaming. Every time I see someone refer to themselves or us as consumers, I give a bit of a side eye. Just rubs me the wrong way. Also, with the ever increasing hostility and negativity within this hobby, I see a clear correlation. The article above touches on that a bit. It also makes it seem as it’s disposable like a microwave. As if it’s not a creative output, but just a product to be used and discarded.
Sorry for getting on what seems to be on a soap box, but it’s been on my mind for quite a bit. So for your own sanity, for your enjoyment of this great hobby and of this fantastic artistic medium.
Someone here in another thread mentioned that value means something different to every individual. Like any other medium, I understand everything costs money. I’m not arguing that nor whether something has value to us or not. It will vary from person to person, and gaming like other hobbies is not immune to feeling disappointment.
But please, stop referring to yourself as a consumer. It really will change your perspective on the enjoyment of the hobby in general.
I’m probably about to get slammed hard here, but it’s been on my mind.
Cheers!
So I want touch on something that I’ve seen only really pop up in the last few years in gaming that’s been really rubbing me the wrong way.
Consumer.
I really hate that word. People suddenly overnight started using it instead of enthusiast or hobbyist, or whatever else. I hate the term in the context of our hobby with a burning passion.
There are several resources, but I will provide one here regarding the term and the negative effects the use of it can contribute to ourselves:
https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/should-we-stop-referring-to-people-as-consumers.html
True, the term has a very strict definition, especially in regards to a business perspective. That being said, no other hobby has such a base that just loves referring to themselves as consumers as that of gaming.
Film? Literature? Music? Fine arts? Stamp Collecting? Very rarely. Oh, you may say, look at film threads on specific forums (especially RE). Sure, you’re right. But you only really see it in certain specific movies that are by their nature part of a specific fandom (MCU, Star Wars, etc.). But you will be hard pressed to find any film or book head refer to themselves as a consumer regarding their hobby.
In other words, I see games as art. Yes, there’s a business behind it. There is also a business behind film and literature. I don’t care about that very much outside of that I want to see creatives and developers I admire make a great game.
It’s a term I hate and it’s only recently within the last few years where it has just overtaken gaming. Every time I see someone refer to themselves or us as consumers, I give a bit of a side eye. Just rubs me the wrong way. Also, with the ever increasing hostility and negativity within this hobby, I see a clear correlation. The article above touches on that a bit. It also makes it seem as it’s disposable like a microwave. As if it’s not a creative output, but just a product to be used and discarded.
Sorry for getting on what seems to be on a soap box, but it’s been on my mind for quite a bit. So for your own sanity, for your enjoyment of this great hobby and of this fantastic artistic medium.
Someone here in another thread mentioned that value means something different to every individual. Like any other medium, I understand everything costs money. I’m not arguing that nor whether something has value to us or not. It will vary from person to person, and gaming like other hobbies is not immune to feeling disappointment.
But please, stop referring to yourself as a consumer. It really will change your perspective on the enjoyment of the hobby in general.
I’m probably about to get slammed hard here, but it’s been on my mind.
Cheers!