Agenda for a Gamer

After discussing the gaming subculture in class, I started to really consider what it means to be an avid gamer. Growing up, I was enamored of video games. I could be seen sneaking out of bed at 2:00 am, traveling down to the basement where my playstation was. I spent an ample amount of time with my eyes glued to the screen, meticulously trying to collect every gem before moving to the next stage of Spyro. I remember the days of Crash Bandicoot, Ratchet and Clank, and Kingdom Hearts. I would readily refuse an offer to hang out with my friends, if that time would interfere with my gaming schedule. Looking back, I wonder if I would be considered part of the gaming subculture. This culture is one that knows no age boundaries and has the most eclectic following out of an subculture we've discussed. The question I pose is: Do you have to be a member of MMORPGs to be considered a member of the gaming subculture? I was never involved in the interactive games, those in which you rely on other team members to help you with quests or war escapades. I devoted a lot of time to playing video games, but I never once did interact with other people in the game. The only contact I had while gaming was a physical experience, when a friend would come over my house and we would play on multiplayer mode together. So although I do not have the luxury of spending a mass majority of my time gaming anymore, I wonder if I could consider myself part of the gaming subculture. I am no less passionate now than I was before, knowing that if the chance arose to replay a game that took me 24 hours to complete, I'd do it in a heartbeat. I guess this question is merely a matter of opinion, so in that case I would still consider myself a member of the gaming culture. I may not be as enveloped into the culture as many members are, but I believe it's the passion that keeps this subculture alive, and I know I'll never lose that spark that I ignited as a child.