Gen Con LLC Community

Given that CCF refused to accept a charity on behalf of Gary Gygax (CCF has always been a favorite charity of his) as the funding came from the sale of D&D material, how do go about changing the fundamental prejudices still lingering after all this time in our society?

What do you guys think are ways that we, as gamers, can do to help?

CCF refused to be the official charity of GenCon *BEFORE* the convention.  Sorry if this wasn't clear. 

GenCon's official charity was Fisher House so it's not like they turned down the money after we had raised it.

 Fisher House too the money but gamers do need to break the stereotype many people hold of us. For example, most people see us a losers, lacking girlfriends, gay (I know male gamers who only want guys in the gaming groups), freaks in heat, lacking social skills and/or life, and no interest in anything mainstream. Break that view and things will go easier. Of course, there will always be those that are the stereotype but gamers should let the grown-up geeks represent instead of the tact-less dorks.

Auction_God:

CCF refused to be the official charity of GenCon *BEFORE* the convention.  Sorry if this wasn't clear. 

GenCon's official charity was Fisher House so it's not like they turned down the money after we had raised it.

No, that's okay...it was my own interpreation until I read further about it. That's why I'm asking as more of a "How did we get to this, and what can we do?" kinda question.

Thanks for the clarification, though.

I mean, I don't know what to do to change other people's opinions about gamers other than what I already do, which is, try and be very open about it and treat it as a normal thing, and not hide the fact that I'm a gamer, as I know some people do because they are afraid their friends and coworkers will make fun of them, or think less of them.  I find that when I'm straightforward and open about what I'm doing, people sometimes have a few questions, but when I explain we're just playing a game, like they might have a poker game or a fantasy football league, or a family board game night, they're usually pretty accepting of it.  I sometimes get the wacky questions, ("Do you think of your character as real?"  "Uh no, do you really think you're the manager of a football team, or Mr. Moneybags buying up property in Atlantic City?), for the most part people are just curious about it, and don't know how it works.

If you try and hide the fact that you're a gamer, I think that causes other people to think that there's a reason to hide it.  It's a perfectly normal passtime, and I try and treat it as such, in the hopes that it will cause other people to treat it normally as well.

I do think all the recent popular fanstasy movies, and the popularity, and almost mainstream level, that online gaming has achieved, like WoW and Xbox live, has helped somewhat with people's opinions.  I just think we have to continue to be proud, or at least not ashamed, of our passtimes. :)

As far as I can tell, groups like CCF have the impression that gaming, and D&D in particular, is somehow opposed to Christianity.

Perhaps if they knew that many people who take part in this pastime are in fact devout Christians, of many different denominations, and that they even hold worship services at conventions such as GenCon, it might help to change their mind.

themaninawhitecar:

As far as I can tell, groups like CCF have the impression that gaming, and D&D in particular, is somehow opposed to Christianity.

Perhaps if they knew that many people who take part in this pastime are in fact devout Christians, of many different denominations, and that they even hold worship services at conventions such as GenCon, it might help to change their mind.

Yeah, I guess that's what generally floors me about this. Gary Gygax loved this charity, and worked with them often. How they could not begin to pick up on the fact that you can be a man of faith AND a gamer after working with Gary is beyond me.

I agree with Marian though, I'm just going to keep doing what I do and let people see me as a gamer. They are free to draw their own conclusions.

themaninawhitecar:

As far as I can tell, groups like CCF have the impression that gaming, and D&D in particular, is somehow opposed to Christianity.

Perhaps if they knew that many people who take part in this pastime are in fact devout Christians, of many different denominations, and that they even hold worship services at conventions such as GenCon, it might help to change their mind.

The reasons the donations were refused had absolutely nothing to do with the organization believing in the gamer stereotype. It was because they are stuck in the early 80's and think that games such as D&D are patently anti-Christian and promote Satan and devil worship.

Both stereotypes (the gamer and the games) need to be fought against, but before you go on a crusade to change peoples' misconceptions, make sure you're clear on which misconception it is you need to change.

http://www.theescapist.com/darkdungeons.htm

 http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/0046/0046_01.asp

 For those who won't read the page, that is one of the reasons people hate D&D

 CCF? A bit more specific, a Google search turns up about 20-odd charities with these initials.....

Dylanesque30:

 CCF? A bit more specific, a Google search turns up about 20-odd charities with these initials.....

christian children's fund

Yep, it's all about the mid-80s thinking. I can tell you that growing up in the Lutheran School system in the '80s, D&D is frowned upon by most if not all denominations. My 5th grade teacher tried to get me expelled for "teaching the other kids how to cast spells" for instance....

 Regardless, there's nothing you can do to dispel this stereotype. These are the same people that believe the Harry Potter books are implements of the devil, and would burn every copy if they had the chance.

Wow- I guess I was lucky...I went to a Catholic High School (class of 85) and we'd roll up characters in study hall, with our manuals piled around us, no one ever sid "boo,"

That really amazes me about CCF. I grew up in a very rural, conservative christian area smack dab in the middle of the bible belt. Aside from one incident involving a local youth minister, I never really had anyone (that I know of) tell me I was anti-christian or damned for playing D&D and other games.

 Ironically, today I find more presumptions are made of it than before. I work in a conservative profession (I am an attorney)...and when someone finds out what I do...you would think I had just announced that I had shot a client.

 It is amazing how differently people will percieve you. I dont game constantly, maybe once or twice a month, and I go golfing with the partners, or attend their poker night, network with potential clients, and take existing clients to lunch, all that jazz. I think I get along well with people, have brought many clients into the firm, and do everything that is expected of me. But last year when I told one of the partners why I need a couple days away from the office in August you would have thought I had just grown another head and began to spit pea soup all over the place....

 I know with complete certainty that my status as an occassional gamer has jeopardized my ability to make partner and truly excell in my career field. It truly is unfortunate. I would love to be openly a gamer, but the presumptions and preconcieved notions people have about it do not allow me to do this. So really, it is a catch-22....because the previous posters are right: what truly makes the perceptions worse is that so many people hide it, and only be embracing gaming can we fight it...but at the time same time, for many of us, if we do "come out" we will be ridiculed and harmed by it.

On a somewhat lighter note....i recently looked back at all my GenCon pictures. I have pictures of droids roaming the ICC halls, of people from the 15th century playing harps and singing, of people of all shapes and sizes wearing all sorts of skimpy outfigts, dark robes, and other costumes...pictures where literally hundreds of people are all wearing dark t-shirts with random slogans like "the rules say you are a-hole" or PWND!!

 Personally, I think it si great that for 4 days we can embrace our inner nerd and not care what anyone thinks...but if you were an outsider seeing this for the first time....you would probably think we are a bunch of freaks too!!

Gaming is becoming more mainstream and once the majority of gamers age and become upper managment, there will be more acceptance for gamers. Heck you may even see company lay offs and holidays placed smack dab in the middle of Gen Con week.

C.E.O."Um sorry we need to um... down size and recollect ourselves to make this corperation a more fundamentally sound institution."

Human Resources" Why do we have to do this from the 2nd week of August to the first of September?"

C.E.O."DAMNIT!! Dont question me! The fate of the entire corperation is in our hands! Oh and make sure the Convention..urr..Compensation Checks are issued to all employees. Board meeting will be held in Indinapolis."

That would own!

Brewski:

Gaming is becoming more mainstream and once the majority of gamers age and become upper managment, there will be more acceptance for gamers. Heck you may even see company lay offs and holidays placed smack dab in the middle of Gen Con week.

C.E.O."Um sorry we need to um... down size and recollect ourselves to make this corperation a more fundamentally sound institution."

Human Resources" Why do we have to do this from the 2nd week of August to the first of September?"

C.E.O."DAMNIT!! Dont question me! The fate of the entire corperation is in our hands! Oh and make sure the Convention..urr..Compensation Checks are issued to all employees. Board meeting will be held in Indinapolis."

In case you guys don't frequent the "Announcements" section, Jeannette LeGault (GenCon director of programming) has posted an official response.  I'll be updating our live game auction's website soon.

http://community.gencon.com/forums/t/18786.aspx

Auction_God:

In case you guys don't frequent the "Announcements" section, Jeannette LeGault (GenCon director of programming) has posted an official response.  I'll be updating our live game auction's website soon.

http://community.gencon.com/forums/t/18786.aspx

Thanks for the update.  That certainly changes my estimation of the situation.  Too bad there was some miscommunication, but I am sure the funds raised went to a good cause anyway.

Thanks for the update Auction God, but I guess from a GC perspective I'm still a little confused. I don't think anyone was ever questioning the methods GenCon LLC uses to choose its charities. The Fisher's House is a wonderful charity, and we all know the Charity was in place prior to GenCon.

The issue I broached was simply ...How can we as Gamers promote ourselves throughout the community at large to help end these stereotyopes that would cause a charitable group to refuse our aid?

Say what you will, but there's not much difference between CCF saying they would not provide you materials to help promote your charity drive and saying "We don't want your money". They rebuked you, you moved on...I'm glad.

I don't think we can ever overcome all prejudice against our hobby....people will always have some measure of a core prejudice that you can't do anything about. However, there always has to be a way to improve ourselves and our images. I think if we focus on that, and on how we can make those images more positive, we can at least win some of the battle.