Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Behind the Curtain: Don't be ashamed]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/22/behind-the-curtain-dont-be-ashamed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/22/behind-the-curtain-dont-be-ashamed/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/22/behind-the-curtain-dont-be-ashamed/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

It's okay, you're with friends nowPicture the scene - you're at a family gathering, or maybe you're meeting your significant other's friends and family for the first time, and the conversation turns interrogative. Questions are asked about your hobbies; what you do to relax and how you spend your spare time.

What do you do? When put on the spot like that, it's natural for gamers to feel trapped, to feel like admitting to playing MMOs would be tantamount to admitting to a rather kinky fetish or confessing that you've got a rather embarrassing disease - it might not be catching, but there's a chance that you'll get some funny looks, and you may just lose some credibility points.

What about job interviews and applications? These invariably have a point where questions are asked about you hobbies and leisure time. While there are good arguments that putting down strong examples of guild leadership might work in your favour - owning up to the fact that you play an MMO upwards of 15 hours a week might not be the smartest thing career-wise.

Don't get me wrong - I am proud and happy to be a geek and a gamer, and I've never wanted to be anything else; the wall above my desk sports a rare Akira poster I picked up on holiday France a while back; I own the complete boxed set of the original Transformers series; and much of my wardrobe consists of t-shirts from ThinkGeek and the Penny Arcade store. People ask me what I do in my spare time, and I look them straight in the eye and tell them that I'm a gamer, and while I'm not ashamed of it, I can't help but wince a little when I see most people's reaction to it.

Continue reading Behind the Curtain: Don't be ashamed

MassivelyBehind the Curtain: Don't be ashamed originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 May 2008 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>behind-the-curtainembarrassmentfeaturedjack-thompsonkeith-vazleland-yeemanifestopenny-arcadepoliticsraph-kostershamethinkgeekThu, 22 May 2008 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Do you know Jack?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/23/do-you-know-jack/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/23/do-you-know-jack/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/23/do-you-know-jack/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Jack Thompson

Unless you've been living under a rock, you probably recognize this name. Thompson is a self-appointed crusader against violence and sexuality in video games. While he has relatively little to do with MMORPG's yet, it is only a matter of time before he, or others like him, decides to turn his attention to our favorite pastime. Thompson has been at his game for several years now, but it appears that the industry, as well as Florida's Bar Association, is starting to fight back.

Continue reading Do you know Jack?

MassivelyDo you know Jack? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 23 Dec 2007 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>censorshipjack-thompsonlegalreal-worldSun, 23 Dec 2007 00:00:00 EST