Video games.
The bane of parents concerned for their children’s education, the only known activity that unemployed men seek as solace in their parents’ basement, the cause of the squandering of the next generation’s potential, an utter complete waste of time and life … or at least those are what we’ve been led to believe.
Gaming as a hobby began in the 1970’s and has only gone through monumental growth ever since. However, despite its surging popularity, gamers are often still stigmatized as immature and the hobby itself is seen as unproductive and unhealthy. This leaves many to avoid video games due to the fear of being ostracized, and gamers to hide and deny their true selves to the public. In an age of benevolent inclusivity, perhaps it’s time we shine some light on this playful group and see which of these stereotypes hold true and which should get a game over.
Myth: Only Boys Play Video Games
In the past, this stereotype may’ve been true to an extent, but today’s demographics are no longer limited to one gender or age group. In fact, statistics from 2023 report that almost half of all people who play games in the United States are women. However, there are genre preferences that separate the two as men prefer action-shooter games while women prefer puzzle-based games. Perhaps this is one of the reasons for the myth since the two rarely overlap.
The age group with the most players is 18-34 years old, with more than half of the games being marketed towards adults. This makes sense considering some of the most famous games are GTA V and Call of Duty. Games that children shouldn’t be in watching distance of.
Myth: Gamers are Loners
It’s easy to see where this comes from. People tend to be alone in their rooms when they engage in video games, leading to the notion that gaming leads to a solitary lifestyle that prevents a person from socializing. Ironically, gaming opens another avenue for social interaction. Firstly, as one of the most popular hobbies in the world, gaming gives like-minded individuals common ground to have a bonding experience. Rarely are friendships built faster than talking about Resident Evil 8’s Lady Dimitrescu. Second, there are several games wherein it’s more fun to play with buddies or even strangers such as Valorant and Call of Duty, granting players the chance to virtually hang out with their friends over Discord or to meet new people who share a mutual interest in games as them. Lastly, almost every game has a dedicated gaming community that every player is welcome to join and participate in. These communities are eager to help newbies learn and share relevant information and funny stories in the forums.
Myth: Gaming is Unconducive to Personal Growth
Hobbies offer a plethora of benefits aside from entertainment and passing time. Playing the guitar builds discipline, musicality, and dexterity. Playing sports grants strength, stamina, and agility. However, people think that playing video games is a hobby that has no external applications whatsoever. This can’t be any more wrong.
Video games constantly generate challenges for players to overcome. This requires skill, intellect, and perseverance. Fast-paced games such as fighting and shooter games demand physical skills such as quick reflexes and precise hand-eye coordination, motor skills that are useful in manipulating objects. Puzzle games force players to analyze the situation and think outside of the box, honing their observational and analytical skills.
Myth: Players Can’t Have Any Financial Gains from Gaming
Essentially a continuation of the previously debunked myth, guitarists can monetize their passion by performing during gigs and athletes have the opportunity to go pro. Nowadays, so too can gamers.
The rise of esports and game streamers has elevated gaming as a recognized and recommended profession for those with extensive experience and talents. Becoming an esports player is fiercely competitive but those who succeed in reaching glory can win quite an enormous sum of money. Likewise, those who are more keen on casino games, like poker, for instance, can also earn money once they have mastered the skill sets and knowledge needed to succeed in the game. Many start by venturing into online platforms to practice, like these popular new casinos in Canada, for example. These sites also explain the mechanics and provide additional details such as payout speed and bonuses to assist players in choosing the one best suited to their needs.
If you have no interest in esports or casinos as a whole and prefer a more relaxed approach to gaming, you can opt to stream your games on Twitch or YouTube. Streamers earn money through ad revenue or donations from their subscribers and is generally a less competitive space than esports. However, good PR skills and an entertaining personality are still a must to improve your chances of success.