Has gaming shook the whole "nerdy-antisocial" vibe yet?

The only way in which it is nerdy is when people force it into the compact category of "TEH HARDCOREZ" because elitism.

No cause people are gonna hate things they dont understand

Really depends on the person, 
And the amount  they play.

At my high school it has to a point. I mean, I borrowed Fallout 3 from the star wide receiver of our football team, and later I let him borrow Assassins Creed 2. Games like WoW and Demon's Souls are kind of looked on in the same light as Magic and D&D, though.

Depends on the generation we're talking about. Older people(I mean 40+) have certain problems with understanding why we have fun doing what we're doing. 30+ demography is much more accustomed to the whole concept(average age for a gamer in US is about 30-33). It all depends on the personal preferences. Some prefer drinking their asses of in a bar, some prefer running and gunning in CoD, some like to play prolonged RPGs with lots of dialogues to devour. The former group don't understand incentives for the latter and vice-versa.

" I read a Cracked.com article talking about this. It brought out some statistics or something that gamers have the most sex or whatever. I mean we're definitely not antisocial, and so many people play games now that it's just stupid to generalize with this kind of statement. "

" @Vinchenzo said:

" I read a Cracked.com article talking about this. It brought out some statistics or something that gamers have the most sex or whatever. I mean we're definitely not antisocial, and so many people play games now that it's just stupid to generalize with this kind of statement. "

I almost forgot about that article. It's a pretty interesting read. "

no, it depends on the type of game. if you play halo, call of duty, it's good to play. When you say you play something unpopular like WoW or some RPG that nobody has herd then you get that nerdy anti-social life. 
 
thinking about the topic it really isn't all that anti-social with the internet and playing online. i for one i go to my friend's house and play video games. we both have our ps3 on playing modern warfare 2 together he invites other friend's over to play.

I don't think it has, a lot of gamers I meet are very hush hush about the fact that they game and only seem to mention it in one on one conversations so that other people don't find out. I don't see how it's anything to be ashamed of.

Depends on how much they play/the person. A lot of kids play at least popular games like Halo and MW2 now so not really, it's only the kids who bring their PSPs to school and shit that are weird.

I can't remember if I started playing games a lot because I didn't have many friends, or I don't have many friends because I play games so often. 
 
That being said, I openly admit to playing a whole ton of games, and nobody makes fun of me for it. They just accept it and move on.  
 
EDIT: Also, telling relatives (or anyone for that matter) that you want to become a games journalist causes them to look at you like you're a complete joke.

The increasing numbers of casual gamers and potheads on Modern Warfare 2 is evident that gaming has become more mainstream than ever and is starting to become cool for everyone to jump into. 
 
Of course, there are many of us who like playing games from a early age but aren't nerds to begin with, I'll say that much. Its not like games just popped out of nowhere.

I'm not anti social, but can get in some FUCKED up techy nerdy gaming conversations and know what I'm saying.

" @FluxWaveZ said:

" @LiquidPrince said:

" @DrPockets000 said:

" Nope.  For the reasons above, plus most antisocial people ARE gamers. "

That doesn't necessarily mean that gamers are antisocial... "

But it does mean that gaming is a welcoming hobby for the socially inept.  One of the few, at that. "

Err, hate to break it to you but most hobbies are welcoming for the socially inept as most of them allow and encourage time spent alone concentrating on your hobby of choice.  This is as true for collectors as it is for marathon runners who train every day as it is for for Trainspotters as it for... well you get the picture.  The idea that gaming is any more or less social then any other hobby is a false analogy. "

" @SeriouslyNow said:

" @FluxWaveZ said:

" @LiquidPrince said:

" @DrPockets000 said:

" Nope.  For the reasons above, plus most antisocial people ARE gamers. "

That doesn't necessarily mean that gamers are antisocial... "

But it does mean that gaming is a welcoming hobby for the socially inept.  One of the few, at that. "

Err, hate to break it to you but most hobbies are welcoming for the socially inept as most of them allow and encourage time spent alone concentrating on your hobby of choice.  This is as true for collectors as it is for marathon runners who train every day as it is for for Trainspotters as it for... well you get the picture.  The idea that gaming is any more or less social then any other hobby is a false analogy. "

Yes, but antisocial people who play games online AND do the voice chat (which antisocial people are capable of doing) will find that gaming is well suited to them, because it allows them to have that psychologically healthy interaction that they are incapable of in society.   "

nope, the awkward blank stare is still there

Most people I know play some amount of games. I somehow still manage to be considered the antisocial/nerdy one.

I am a teenager, and me and my friends all play games. Yeah, I do so a bit more seriously than they do (they're more the "I'll play Modern Warfare for the rest of my life" types), but none of us are anti-social, nor do I get shunned by non-gamers, males and females alike. In fact, pretty much everybody knows at this point that I have a big TV and a set of consoles sitting in my bedroom, and no one seems to mind this at all. It's not as though I haven't had any success with the ladies either. So I'd say, yes, times have changed.

" @DrPockets000 said:

" @SeriouslyNow said:

" @FluxWaveZ said:

" @LiquidPrince said:

" @DrPockets000 said:

" Nope.  For the reasons above, plus most antisocial people ARE gamers. "

That doesn't necessarily mean that gamers are antisocial... "

But it does mean that gaming is a welcoming hobby for the socially inept.  One of the few, at that. "

Err, hate to break it to you but most hobbies are welcoming for the socially inept as most of them allow and encourage time spent alone concentrating on your hobby of choice.  This is as true for collectors as it is for marathon runners who train every day as it is for for Trainspotters as it for... well you get the picture.  The idea that gaming is any more or less social then any other hobby is a false analogy. "

Yes, but antisocial people who play games online AND do the voice chat (which antisocial people are capable of doing) will find that gaming is well suited to them, because it allows them to have that psychologically healthy interaction that they are incapable of in society.   "

True as that may be, that doesn't infer that gamers by and large are antisocial beings.  Your example just means that people with socialisation issues can better communicate via voicechat in game environments. "

"  @SeriouslyNow said:

" @DrPockets000 said:

" @SeriouslyNow said:

" @FluxWaveZ said:

" @LiquidPrince said:

" @DrPockets000 said:

" Nope.  For the reasons above, plus most antisocial people ARE gamers. "

That doesn't necessarily mean that gamers are antisocial... "

But it does mean that gaming is a welcoming hobby for the socially inept.  One of the few, at that. "

Err, hate to break it to you but most hobbies are welcoming for the socially inept as most of them allow and encourage time spent alone concentrating on your hobby of choice.  This is as true for collectors as it is for marathon runners who train every day as it is for for Trainspotters as it for... well you get the picture.  The idea that gaming is any more or less social then any other hobby is a false analogy. "

Yes, but antisocial people who play games online AND do the voice chat (which antisocial people are capable of doing) will find that gaming is well suited to them, because it allows them to have that psychologically healthy interaction that they are incapable of in society.   "

True as that may be, that doesn't infer that gamers by and large are antisocial beings.  Your example just means that people with socialisation issues can better communicate via voicechat in game environments. "

He's not implying that gamers are antisocial beings. He is implying that antisocial people are welcomed and comfortable in the gaming world. The hobby and culture of gaming is a place that is ideal for those who have antisocial tendencies. The majority of antisocial people I know are gamers. But that doesn't mean the majority of gamers I know are antisocial.  "

I think it has to a certain extent. There are more video gamers now, even if they play 5 minutes on an iPod. 
Most people have come to realise that actually, games can be quite cool. At least as cool as films. However if you ramble on about the intricacy of Starcraft II in a conversation, you are obviously going to get some weird looks. 
 
Also people shouldn't shun you as soon as they hear that you game. If you are a nice enough guy/girl, what's the problem? Gamers can be cool too.

Well considering jocks and frat boys have been some of the most avid gamers for, damn, since about the days of Tekken 3 - I'd say yes. Even Jimmy Fallon reports heavily on games and the gamer culture. 
 
If everyone that grew up from the age of the NES was a hopeless nerd, yea. Since the majority have not been, it's cool.

Gaming is fairly mainstream these days.  When you're advertising video games during gigantic pop culture events, you know something has changed.  You never would've seen that when I was a wee lad.

" @x_XJules said:

"  @SeriouslyNow said:

" @DrPockets000 said:

" @SeriouslyNow said:

" @FluxWaveZ said:

" @LiquidPrince said:

" @DrPockets000 said:

" Nope.  For the reasons above, plus most antisocial people ARE gamers. "

That doesn't necessarily mean that gamers are antisocial... "

But it does mean that gaming is a welcoming hobby for the socially inept.  One of the few, at that. "

Err, hate to break it to you but most hobbies are welcoming for the socially inept as most of them allow and encourage time spent alone concentrating on your hobby of choice.  This is as true for collectors as it is for marathon runners who train every day as it is for for Trainspotters as it for... well you get the picture.  The idea that gaming is any more or less social then any other hobby is a false analogy. "

Yes, but antisocial people who play games online AND do the voice chat (which antisocial people are capable of doing) will find that gaming is well suited to them, because it allows them to have that psychologically healthy interaction that they are incapable of in society.   "

True as that may be, that doesn't infer that gamers by and large are antisocial beings.  Your example just means that people with socialisation issues can better communicate via voicechat in game environments. "

He's not implying that gamers are antisocial beings. He is implying that antisocial people are welcomed and comfortable in the gaming world. The hobby and culture of gaming is a place that is ideal for those who have antisocial tendencies. The majority of antisocial people I know are gamers. But that doesn't mean the majority of gamers I know are antisocial.  "

When someone says 'yes, but' they are taking an opposing stance and I'm not sure why he did that because there's nothing in my point of view which doesn't allow for his point of view to coexist with mine.  Antisocial people are welcomed and comforted in many hobbies.  I went to high school with a person who, along with many others who enjoyed the same thing, would ride along in and talk endlessly about all kinds of trains. He would do this on his own for the most part.  He was socially inept and hated computer games.   People who act like idiots and grief other players in online games are not antisocial types, though they do engage in antisocial behaviour.  They are, in fact, probably more outgoing and enjoy making others who aren't feel uncomfortable.  Gaming just isn't an antisocial hobby any more so than any other.  Stigmas are bullshit, plain and simple. "

If this BREAK.com video is any sign, then "NO".  Gamers are still easy targets for ridicule.  KOTAKU link

I am a giant anti-social misanthrope but it has nothing to do with games :D

Definitely not. There's a reason I prefer calling myself a hipster than someone who plays video games. People get the complete wrong idea about you. Generalization is more prominent than people think.

wait are you guys talking about gamers being socially inadequate or actual anti-social disorder? I always thought anti-social meant this exactly 

Antisocial personality disorder: A pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others and inability or unwillingness to conform to what are considered to be the norms of society.

The disorder involves a history of chronic antisocial behavior that begins before the age of 15 and continues into adulthood. The disorder is manifested by a pattern of irresponsible and antisocial behavior as indicated by academic failure, poor job performance, illegal activities, recklessness, and impulsive behavior. Symptoms may include dysphoria, an inability to tolerate boredom, feeling victimized, and a diminished capacity for intimacy.

Antisocial personality disorder, also known as psychopathic personality or sociopathic personality often brings a person into conflict with society as a consequence of a pattern of behavior that is amoral and unethical. Complications that might arise from having this disorder include: frequent imprisonment for unlawful behavior, alcoholism and drug abuse.

Samson may, it is thought, have had antisocial personality disorder. The Bible tells of his lies to his parents, his cruelty to animals, his torching the Philistine fields, his frequent brawls, and his unremitting bragging after killing a thousand men, actions fitting the diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder. A person with antisocial personality disorder was once called a sociopath.

 
Serial killers are anti-social, not gamers. Calling a gamer anti-social seems like something a stupid mother with too much time on her hands would call a gamer. That would be like calling a movie buff, or a music lover who barely stops listening to music anti-social, it's just not right.

Unfortunately no.

I'm not anti-social and I'm a Gamer, so Fuck everyone else.

Just as art enthusiasts will always be charactertured as rich, snooty old men, game enthusiasts will always be nerdy, antisocial teenagers.
 
Dat's life for yah!

At nearly 30, I don't really give a shit, I'm generally pretty open about playing games with anyone I meet. It also helps to try and live a well rounded existence. If you ask me it's never been 'cooler' to be uncool, which is also cool, but only if you don't talk about it, it gets confusing. Popular media embraces video games and nerdom that little bit more every year with the likes of Scott Pilgrim, Kickass, Big Bang Theory.

Have your say here...

I'm a gamer and I'm nerdy, yet I am anything but anti-social and I know a good few who are the same. I dont think that stereotype really took off in the UK as much as it did in the US.