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I really enjoyed a response that @Alyxx posted on this thread in regards to playing games and expressing gender identity. I could relate, because playing MMOs when I was young gave me a way to see past social constructs and get to know people on a level beyond age, nationality, gender and so forth. Since it was at a formative time in my life, it also gave me a chance to see myself beyond those constructs and form an identity which transcends them. It made me realize that while game worlds are constructed, a lot of what society takes for granted IRL is constructed too. As a Communication major in college, I wrote a few papers about this. I was wondering if anyone else has stories to share where playing games has helped to either shape your identity or express it in some way?

@Katri Marcell and I were talking in this thread about situations where we have “bent the rules” in terms of intended game play in various games. She talked about playing a support role in PUBG instead of killing other players, and I talked about an MMO where I refused to kill NPCs to level up. In both cases, we found our choices rewarding, even though other players questioned our basic sanity =D I also remember these golf simulator games when I was a kid which didn’t really interest me in terms of golf. I just played the golf in order to run around the course maps and explore. I would often try to send the ball as far to the edge of the map as possible, always wishing there was more to see. I'd get depressed when it'd fall off the edge into nothingness. Now we have open world games to fill the void I was trying to fill in childhood with the golf games. Anyone else have similar stories to share?

Here's a few more contestants who could arguably make the cut for me: Ben Folds Five, Weezer, Meat Loaf, Coldplay, Counting Crows, Beck, Air, The Strokes, The Virgins, Daft Punk, Aimee Mann, and Blur. (Sorry for the cavalcade of bands!!!!)

Oh you did that too? I would often walk around (yes actually walk) just to act like an NPC as well in Guild Wars 2. Man I love that game...

I remember back in my Guild Wars 2 days, I used to act like an NPC citizen just to get a different feel of it. I would find houses along the way and try to figure out which one I want for more to live in, and just sit there whenever I was AFK. I would also find perfect spots for sunset gazing and look for the spots with the best view. Everyone else was grinding in PvP but those things were never for me 😄

For real?? Man Stacey! You're my idol 😄

Tough question. My contenders would be Radiohead, The Libertines, The Beatles, Super Furry Animals, Belle & Sebastian and Neon Neon.

As a more indepth extension on what I stated, games have helped me develop my female identity, what makeup I want to use, what clothes I like wearing etc. I often have very specific ways of expressing myself in games, especially MMO's and such and the more customization options I have the better. That's why I am always a bit bothered by lack of customization in multiplayer games. It's a personal reason but a reason nonetheless.

Exactly! A must-play franchise for sure!

MGS is a godmade franchise. When I first got into it I wasn't prepared of the depth it carried. I used to say that I don't care about playing it since it will be "Counter Strike" material. Poor foolish me 😄

So far I have only played multiplayer and a little Blackout since getting the game and I have to say that Hardcore Team Death Match and Hardcore Kill Confirmed are my two favourite modes on multiplayer. I am yet to try zombies but I am being told that there are mixed reviews regarding the Zombies side of Call Of Duty this year with some loving the mode and others not liking as much as previous games and they feel they tried to do too much to it. I will be trying zombies myself at some point but as it stands right now, hardcore team death match and hardcore kill confirmed are my go to.

That’s awesome! Sounds like you’ve traveled a lot, dude. I would absolutely LOVE to visit Japan one day. It’s on my bucket list.