How gaming changed for me.
In the 90s if you were a gamer you were a sub set of culture, you were a nerd and other segments reminded you of that. "Video games?! What are you, a nerd?!" So instead of people arguing about SNES and Genesis it was more of friendly camaraderie as we were gamers.
Now, it feels like those same people that belittled our hobby are also gamers, and the conversation is things like "JRPGs?! What are you, a nerd/otaku?!" or "You still like Sonic?! Grow up, man child!"
There was no threat to the culture back then because we were the culture and the industry catered to us. So many gaming trends in past decade (shooters, realism, gritty "mature" titles, online play at expense of local multi player) fly in the face what gaming was then.
I get it, culture changes and the broadening of gaming means more diverse groups. However, I do have an emotional attachment to this hobby so when these trends mean what I love about gaming struggles it does concern me. Selfishly I want to be able to play games like I did back then forever so these "wars" feel like a endorsement to the future of gaming and I'd prefer the future to have a place for my gaming interests.
