Gaming Maturity: Stop Being Embarrassed and Just Play
So I finally got my hands on Pokemon Heart Gold this past week. The game (or games) is freaking fantastic. It exerts nostalgia, and I’m genuinely having a fun time playing it. Therfore, I would take the game with me to my classes and play with other people that also have the games. Then some jerk comes up to me.
“Really? You’re playing Pokemon? How old are you?”
I am 22 years-old, asshole, and if I feel like playing some damn Pokemon, then I should be allowed to. It seems like now, a lot of people now would rather skip a genuinely fun game not because they have a problem with the gameplay, but because they’re either too “mature,” “macho,” or “good” to play it.
Now, obviously, Pokemon is a prime example of this crap. I can’t seem to go a single day in public at school without some prick popping his head in to ask me why I’m playing a “kids game.” Why the hell can’t I? What is the problem with having some fun with a game? When did it become taboo to enjoy yourself? Sure, Pokemon has always been targeted at children, but anyone that has played the games can tell you how entertaining they are. It’s not just a nostalgia thing, either since I know several people that have picked up the games in their 20s and have found enjoyment in them.
I can understand that not everyone may be into Pokemon, but using “It’s for kids” as an excuse for disliking it is absurd. I would accept something like “It’s too easy to build a cheap team” before I accepted the fact that someone has outgrown a damn video game.
Granted, this view may have a bit to do with the society we live in, but when you’re playing a damn video game, I would think you would be a little less picky about the content you play. Why would you spend so much time worrying about what other people might see you playing (because deep down, that’s the real reason why you won’t play certain games)? There are plenty other people playing those games, so why not join in on the fun?
It doesn’t stop there, though. On the other side of the coin, games can apparently be too macho for people to enjoy. For example, I’ve heard similar complaints about the God of War series. People say that they don’t want to play the game because the series is “too ridiculously macho.” Okay, yes, the main character is this muscle-bound dude obsessed with killing things, but really… it’s too macho for you to enjoy it? Nevermind the fun combat system or neat puzzles and platforming; it’s just the obsession with violence and killing everything that just completely pulls you out of the game. Now, I could understand if you’re not looking for something violent or just don’t enjoy gory stuff; that’s a valid complaint. But when you’re bitching about how the main character is too much of a muscley bloodthirsty crazy-man, then that’s just plain retarded. How about you rest your brain for a little while and have some damn fun, eh? Isn’t that what video games are supposed to be about?
And then we have Japanese games. Here’s a big doozy for people. Many claim they’re just for “weeaboos” since it involves something remotely Japanese, and due to their blind hatred for anything “Asian” they shut themselves off from a wide array of video games. Some people say they don’t like the storylines from the games, other people say they don’t like the character designs. They’ll use one or two experiences with other Japanese games, or mere observations alone to judge an entire library of games without even picking up the controller. What the hell is the matter with at least trying the game and disliking it because of something gameplay-wise? When did these video games become such a large factor towards being socially accepted that we can’t be caught dead enjoying them?
Hell, what if they released a Barbie game that completely kicked ass? I know this may be a stretch of the imagination, but just take a moment and dream with me. This Barbie game comes out and is actually really fun. You play as Barbie and you are kicking ass Bayonetta-style. Are you really going to let your discomfort with your masculinity/maturity stop you from having some stupid fun? That’s what video games are all about, damn it. People, stop being such bitches about playing video games and just play them. Don’t let the embarrassment of being seen playing these games stop you from enjoying yourself.
*** Want some more hot Genki action? Gotta Rant Em’ All is updated every Saturday. Check back every seven days to follow. (You know you can’t resist this.) ***
About the Author
Josh "Genki" Michaelson
Writer of the column “Gotta’ Rant ‘em All,” Josh became obsessed with gaming after playing Super Mario Bros. 3. Since then, he has been deeply rooted in the culture of video games. This love for the medium had led him toward a degree in 3D Animation at Northern Illinois University.
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