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Nerds Without Pants   

Nerds Without Pants Episode 30: Growing up Geek

Yeah, Julian probably needs therapy...

Wow, Nerds Without Pants turns 30! Funny, the show doesn't seem a day over 22. Aging is the topic of the day this time around, as Julian wonders what changes are in store for the modern geek. Before that, it's Consumption Junction time once again.

Angelo is positively beaming after his conquering of Etrian Odyssey IV. Patrick has moved out of the parental domain, and he feels right. Julian Kickstarted a game he doesn't want, and he and Angelo have an almost civilized debate over the merits of Mighty No. 9. 

In the main topic, Angelo and Patrick shake their heads in consternation at Julian's decent into self reflection. This is a weird one, folks. If you've ever been passionate about any aspect of geek culture (and you probably have if you're visiting this website) then getting older and still geeking out over things is something you should think about. Julian realizes that he's now in a situation where he has to keep his hobbies close to his vest, while Angelo has the luxury of geeking out with his kids. Patrick doesn't bother with this stuff, because he's SO MUCH YOUNGER THAN THE REST OF THE CREW.

FEATURED MUSIC:

Supertramp- Logical Song

Poe- Haunted

The Servant- Cells

Shaun Barrowes- Light of the Day/Dark of the Night


 

Comments

BrokenH

09/06/2013 at 08:27 PM

I know when I recently pulled out my psp before a movie to pass some time I felt self conscientious. I was kind of afraid what the other adults and teenagers in the movie theater would think seeing a grown 30-something man enjoying his handheld gaming device.

It's kind of weird because we say gaming has become more accepted yet if that's true why is there still the impulse to hide it?

Anybody suffer from "adult gamer guilt" when in certain social places? lol.

Julian Titus Senior Editor

09/08/2013 at 11:52 PM

I hear a lot of people talk about that problem, but I've never had it myself. I love to bring my 3DS to the movies, because I get there early, can get some game time in, and then shut it during the movie and street pass. That's how I've gotten most of my street passes, actually.

I think my form of adult gamer guilt comes in my backlog, I can afford more games than I can play now, which results in me having tons of games on my shelf that I've never played. I keep telling myself that I'm saving them for a time when I can't afford the new releases, but who am I kidding? I find a way to buy the games I'm excited about, even when times are lean.

BrokenH

09/09/2013 at 12:28 AM

Theaters must trigger some sort of weird psychosis within me,Julian. lol. I say that because there are other places I'm perfectely fine playing my psp. Besides, people are so busy on their smart phones 30 minutes before the movie starts I bet they wouldn't notice me anyway. The anxiety I feel seems very ill founded and kind of silly.

I found the worst thing that contributed to my back-logs was getting a new rpg every month. It's better to break up time with rpgs with shorter games that are easier to put down. Then again, you have weird hybrid games such as Borderlands 2 that disguise themselves as fpses while still having enough rpg elements and side quests to completely take over your life. Tongue Out

Angelo Grant Staff Writer

09/10/2013 at 04:54 PM

Nah I know what you're talking about. Somehow I'm perfectly comfortable playing games on my phone in public, but my 3DS just feels like something I should keep hidden. I don't know why that is, but I imagine it's just the result of having the idea that games are for kids drilled into our heads all our lives. Even now when designers are very actively creating games with adults in mind, it's still got some sort of stigma attached to it.

BrokenH

09/11/2013 at 01:31 AM

It did stick with me. My first system was a Nintendo and back at that time games really were considered a kids hobby. You could sort of get away with being a teen gamer at my school too but you'd still face a certain amount of ridicule for it.

Jessica Dhai

09/11/2013 at 02:01 PM

I will bring my DS with me when I know I will have to wait for seating at a resturant during a busy holiday. Every now and again another kid will have one and we will sync up to play Mario Kart. Being a clean looking young woman their parents don't usually worry. I can no longer sit and do nothing while waiting and my phone can only be so entertaining. ^_^

Joaquim Mira Media Manager

09/10/2013 at 06:05 PM

I play with my 3DS when I go to, and come from work. On public transportation. Even play it at work when I'm on break if my hands aren't too busy feeding myself.

Chris Iozzi Staff Alumnus

09/10/2013 at 09:32 PM

great podcast. I suffered from adult gamer guilt for quite some time. I never brought it up at work or posted stuff on Facebook or whatever. I've recently decided to step out more and I bring it up to people at work I'm comfortable with and even linked some stuff I've written on PB to other social media. Its MUCH more sociall acceptable now but there are still people that don't get it and will immediately judge you negatively at the mere mention of it. I sometimes say I'm more a collector than a player, they get that some games are rare and are worth money. I hate tossing the word "picker" around but they seem to respond to it better. I envy people like Patrick Scott Patterson that have made a name for themselves being a "gaming personality".

BrokenH

09/11/2013 at 01:35 AM

I agree, it's much more accepted now. Yet there will always be that one person in the room that "just doesn't get it" or even feels as if it's their obligation to save your soul from the great and terrible pixel beast. lol.

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