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What’s Really Wrong With The Gaming Industry: We’re Our Own Worst Enemy

WE need to be the ones to change the stigma and negativity of what it means to be a gamer.
This article is over 10 years old and may contain outdated information

The gaming community brings us many great things from time to time, sometimes even inspirational, but that blissful “this is why I game” feeling often doesn’t last long. There are more negative stories circulating the internet everyday than ones that hold any positive light most of us desire to spread into the world. 

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It’s frustrating to see those same gamers criticize someone for not knowing as much.

Take a chill pill, please! I understand that games hold a significant part of our past, present and most definitely our future, but that gives us no right to chastise someone for not being a fan from the beginning.

We all started somewhere, and the best way to get people to realize games are much more than people in their parents’ basements is to stand back and appreciate the fact that someone took the time to at least acknowledge our interest and give it a fair shot. 

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No one is at the same level of anything, no matter the hobby. Take it as an opportunity to discuss why you are so happy playing your favorite video games. In the long run, not being hostile is the best way to get people on your side. 

It seems these days, we are our own worst enemies.

The only reason non-gamers speak up about the violence in video games is because the violence is there. Look at any gaming message board, article, or post, and you will find people attacking each other on a personal level. I guarantee it! 

Sure this violence isn’t in the “real world,” but aggressive tactics online do have consequences in reality. The internet has given us a lot of leeway on when and how we can express our opinions, and it should shed a positive light on gaming culture.

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That’s exactly what it is too, culture. The culture of games have brought friends together, couples, and even weddings and life-long partnerships. No one is denying the power of games. Instead of writing that comment to say the author is an idiot or something else negative, write your opinion on the content in their writing. 

What’s it going to take? 

It’s going to take the good side of gaming, sharing their stories and teaching people how they can find a family within this community, not by picking and choosing who they want in their gaming circle based on how much knowledge they have on a particular game. 

What do you think needs to change about the industry? Do you agree or disagree?


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Author
Image of Miranda Kirk
Miranda Kirk
Former member and Senior Intern of the JTP program, woo!