Topic: Gamer Stereotype Broken, Says Study

[WindyMan]

Even though you might be a geek, gamers in general aren't.  Imagine that.

College is a great place to learn about anything you'd ever need in life.  It's also a great place to party hard.  There are some who think that one conflicts with the other in a way where it's detrimental to the education of young adults everywhere, but a new study claims otherwise.

Basically, a lot of college kids play games.  People might assume that games get in the way of grades, since all gamers do all day is sit in front of a computer or a TV and game all night instead of study all night.  Well, the Associated Press has an article that reveals the truth.  Here's a preview:

Roughly two-thirds of college students play video games, but the image of a nerdy guy who spends all day in a dimly lit room blowing up computer-generated bad guys is off base, according to a new study.

College gamers are not necessarily male — or anti-social hermits. And while about a third of those surveyed admitted playing computer games during class, the games generally don't conflict with their studies, says the researcher who conducted the survey for the Pew Internet & American Life Project.

How lovely.  Go read the whole thing and see if any of it applies to you.

[mouse_clicker]

Finally, we have a study that proves we're not all pasty computer nerds! I've must notify all my friends by email, IM, and message board! Away!

[Wesisapie]

garbage. my marks have been terrible lately because of games. (they used to be great)

[PIAC]

im an anti-social hermit that lives in a darkened room

serious, i have no windows

[oohhboy]

You needed a study to tell you that?

[Tanuki Suit]

Well..playing games hasn't damaged my grades at all (though I am only 14...)

[ThePerm]

i have foam in my windows..and dark curtains...i wnet outside to clean hte pool...but i had to go back in because the light hurts my eyes

[ThePerm]

speaking of that  the gamecribs thread kinda dissapeared...maybe piac could make a post..and maybe host my room too. Because my site is down for good...or at least till my friend finds a new server and pays the bill

[mouse_clicker]

I play videogames all day, among other industrious activities including but not limited to surfing the internet and watching TV, and my GPA this past year was 4.0, as it has been just about every year since I can remember being given grades.

[ThePerm]

how old are you mouse clciker..i keep forgetting

[reyontoyeny]

My question is what the study calls a "gamer." If a person follows mainstream hype and only plays games like The Sims, DDR, or GTA, I'm not really sure if this person qualifies to be considered as a gamer.

Also, the study says games are a very "social" activity. I know a lot of people who insist that they watch me play a game. When I offer them the controller, they refuse, insisting that watching is more entertaining. Would these viewers be considered as social gamers even if they lack the will to experience the gameplay and instead observe the slightly less critical aspects like graphics or presentation?

Well, I shouldn't be complaining. This study mainly applies to college students. I am really happy to see that gaming does not interfere with academic priorities.

[mouse_clicker]

15 years and going strong, Perm.

reyontoyeny: I think what they meant about gamers being social is that we love to talk with other people about videogames. If I hear someone talking about a game I like I'll join in on the conversation regardless of whether I know the people and have made many friends that way.

[Bartman3010]

I played my Game Boy Advance during some instruction in my driving class.

Guess what? Now I have a permit and perfectly capable of driving. Just dont tell me I missed a turn =)