When I read Conklederp's First Post, it got me to thinking about my own gaming identity. Since then, I've had this topic brewing in the back of my head. First, I pondered the subject of gender in games. This subject sure is a minefield, but there has been some pushback. The money raised from the kickstarter for Feminist Frequency's proposed series on video games far exceeded their original goal. This shows a demonstrated interest in breaking down negative females stereotypes and creating a safe place for female gamers to participate. Fortunately, the internet has also provided a forum for different Gamers to express themselves. As a greater number of women identify themselves as gamers and make their voices heard, in turn, there will be a great number of ways in which they identify and express themselves within the lense of gaming.
However, my focus has shifted away from Gender in gaming, and more toward my own personal identity. What sort of gamer am I? As I play games, and post on this website, I've noticed certain trends. One is that I like to criticize things. This has been going on my whole life, I used to catch a lot of shit from my sisters for it. Another thing is that I am very much a retro-gamer. I don't put much effort into catching the speeding train of the latest and greatest in the gaming world. My hard-core gaming days are long behind me, but I still care a lot, and, more importantly, think I know what really matters in games. This has led me to the conclusion that I am a Cranky Old Man gamer.
Not unlike Cranky Kong himself, I am many years out of my depth. About the time Donkey Kong Country came out, I felt I was on top of the gaming world, I knew everything that was worth knowing, I was confident and life was good. Over the years, I've fallen out of touch, but I still feel very passionately about video games and what they have to offer. Fortunately, I have been kept afloat by emulators and indie games. Playing these games with a critical eye, I hope to get closer to answer the question: what makes games so great?
Until then, I'll be in my rocking chair, with my controller on my lap. Telling you what's wrong and what's right in the world of gaming. Even if I don't really know what I'm talking about, I can wave my cane for emphasis.
I loved Cranky being cranky in Donkey Kong Country. One summer (possibly the summer after I got the game, or maybe it wasn't summer but another season), I tried to write down all the shit that Cranky said about old video games versus newer games.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm probably a similar type of old man gamer, except that I own a 3DS, so that might take me out of the running. Either way, I remember playing an Intellivision and an Atari 2600. So screw all them damn kids and their new fangled socialist devices that promote deviancy.
I just thought of something funny. I would like for there to be a modern remake of the original Donkey Kong featuring Cranky vs an elderly Mario. It could be basically the same game, with maybe a few jokes thrown in there, and of course updated graphics. Even just a single level of that game would be funny.
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