Welcome to the Age of the Nerd!

This is a slight editorial of sorts, me just saying how I feel about the stigma of video gamers among average American socialites…

So, first thing: I was with a group of my friends the other day and someone and I were talking about a certain game we're interested in, and of course someone starts groaning about how we're obsessed with video games. (This coming from a Twilight fan. BA HA HA!) While I myself may dislike certain franchises such as an unnamed series about sparkly gay vampires, or a rather popular "singer" with a touch of an identity crises, I never attack someone for the form of media they love. Books, Music, Movies, and games are all very much interconnected. Many people assume all video games come in 3 types and only these 3.

Type A: Mario or pokemon. Aka kiddy games.
Type B: Halo or GTA. Aka Bloody killer games
Type C: Rock Band or DDR Aka those "fun" "hip" and cool games.... that require a totally different skill set from traditional games.

People don't seem to understand just how varied video games can be. That there is a gaming equivalent of (first the GOOD!) Disney. Fun games that are easy to learn and capture the feeling of a world that is vast and heartwarming. Such as Super Mario Galaxy which honestly makes me feel like a 5 year old every time I play it. The feeling of wanting to fly through space in overalls so amuses me like a child. Games charm also extend to their soundtracks. I was shocked to realize that some people still think that games use literal beeps and whistle sounds in this day and age. Today games utilize full orchestras in addition to synthesizers to give us a whole range of sounds, often companies like Nintendo doing orchestral versions of their classic themes. I would even dare to say even more work goes into some major game soundtracks than in some motion pictures, for adding music to something others are going to control truly does take energy and skill.

There's also games that are so much more than just violence. Take Metal Gear Solid 4 for example. It's an M-rated game, but did you know you can go through the entire game without taking a single life. At all. The series also ventures into themes about so many things you wouldn't think a game would talk about. It's actually very anti-war, and how loyalty is not always a sign of true freedom. Also take Bioshock. This is like literature brilliantly passed onto a game. A Utopian story about a mad-man that decides to create a world without war, without poverty, yet without authority and without God, reminds me somewhat of a certain 1984. Mature games are no different from R rated movies. You have some akin to the like of Crank, Wanted, and the thousands and thousands of horror flicks. Games made for you to kill and kill and watch gore and gore. I find it confusing when people complain about these games when there are far worse things visable in movies. (I watched My Bloody Valentine Unrated today and have NEVER seen a woman get her face cut in half by a shovel in a video game). [edit: However after playing God of War III I must be honest that the part involving Hercules came rather damn close] I feel that video games are no more affecting a person's lust for violence any more than the television shows we watch, the movies we watch, or the books we buy. They all affect how we think and what we feel, to assume that because one gives us control means it will most affect us is absurd. I still consider books to be worse because they are put directly in your subconscious, a dark place where no one else will ever dare to visit.

Not only are gamers captivated by games' stories but by what you can do with them. Gaming allows for so much exploration and non-linear thinking, calculating, "deciding" (that one's for you Bush!), and etc! I myself prefer games where combat is varied and I have a variety of tools to accomplish my mission. Metroid's use of strange weapons not only unlocks new ways to kill baddies, but new areas that could not be accessed or opened up without certain weapons or upgrades. In fact it is stupid to say that games are stupid because they're not stupid at all! Look at tons of games and you'll find that they are very complex. Books have literally been written about tons of games and what you can do with them and such.

Then you have the most absurd misconception about Gamers: that we're all friggin' social outcasts. We're not! ANYONE ANYWHERE can be a gamer. There are also "closet gamers." who are super into games but never let anyone know outside of there gaming life. Gamers have the internet, we have Xbox Live we have PSN, we have tons and tons and TONS of forums WE set up to talk about video games. WE have debates DAILY about video games, not just once in a great while. We aren't afraid to announce our loyalty to a brand, a game, or whatever. Gamers are semi-nerds. They may be the "jocks" of the nerds, but were a branch. We're here, and unless everyone stops making games, us gamers will be here a long, long, time. Welcome to the age of the nerd!