You might be terrible at video games. You might be amazing. And if you’re a guy who’s good at games, does that make you cool? That’s what one Japanese website wanted to find out.
According to Buzz Plus, the following question was posed to two hundred women in Japan: “Do you think men who are good at video games are cool?”
As with any poll, this data doesn’t speak to the opinions of all Japanese women and is only indicative of those who replied. Also, the poll doesn’t appear to take into account same sex couples. So! Take this data for what it is: a poll.
Here are the results:
1. “I don’t think they’re cool.” (59 per cent)
2. “I think they’re cool.” (33.5 per cent)
3. “It’s rather creepy.” (7.5 per cent)
So yes, the majority of those polled didn’t think being good at games was cool, with the more extreme opinions going as far as calling it a “waste of time” or “an illness.” But opinions and perceptions varied. For example, one woman replied, “Until college it seems cool, but once you’re in your late twenties, it becomes a bit much.”
But that doesn’t necessarily mean all those who don’t think it’s cool are against gaming per se. Said one woman, “I’m pretty good at video games, so it’s not cool for me, but normal,” while another added, “It’s cool if you’re a little good at video games.”
I dunno, I think it’s cool when people are good at almost anything. It’s interesting to see someone dedicate time and energy to master something. Maybe that’s just me.
But take heart. Buzz Plus noted that for some of the 33.5 per cent who think gaming skills are cool, they might fall in love with a guy for that reason.
Comments
6 responses to “Being Good At Video Games Isn’t Cool, Says Japanese Poll”
“Haters gonna hate”, jealous my 1337 mad “skillz that killz”. That 33.5% of the total world population(2.4 billion) are my fans. Gamergate is my temple.
Why am I trolling during my vacation period?
Hey, China still cool! You pay later! Later!
Everything old is new again, then, right? Like, games were always originally associated with the dorky, the uncool, the outcasts. Bound to come back into vogue.
These results do not surprise me.
Better headline: “66.5% of Japanese polled wouldn’t know cool if it thumped a jukebox to make it work.”
First off, 200 people is such a ridiculously small sample that barely proves anything more clearly than a sample of 20 people.
Second off, these Japanese polls always have a bias, which is precisely why the samples are so small. You want to show that “people think” that gamers, otaku, or any other members of some geeky subculture are creepy and unlikeable? Ask a select group of single, working class, traditionally-raised women between 27-32 years old; anything that deviates from the ideal of a perfect husband and father will be anathema. Want to show that they are cool, smart and edgy? Ask the denizens of 2ch, and so on.