Retro games are still loved by gamers and non-gamers alike. Even though most new games have evolved so much from the way they used to be, retro games are still fun to play as much as they were when they first came out.
About twenty years ago being called a “geek” was generally considered to be an insult. You were called a geek because you probably spent an awful lot of your time in comic book stores, playing video games, or because you had a deep and abiding love of science fiction movies. But today, it is quite possibly the case that being called a geek no longer carries a negative stigma, and that instead geek culture actually dominates mainstream popular culture.
“It’s-a me, Mario!”
Mario, Super Mario Series
From Batman to Halo, from comic-con to online role-playing games, the so-called ‘geek culture’ has become a worldwide phenomenon. What used to be a source of mockery for social rejects, now has science and technology at the core, echoing in movie scripts, TV series, novels, etc. What used to be considered a movie for just a handful of eccentric fans, is now turned into a worldwide blockbuster that brings hundreds of millions of dollars. And just like that, the online communities gathered around games such as Eve Online suddenly became mainstream as well.
But how did this transformation happen?
The Origins of Geek Culture
The roots of geek culture are deep and long. It’s not something that just evolved over the last few years. Science fiction novels, comic books and tabletop games are all concepts that evolved over the mid-20th century and have all grown their own social structures of people that would rather spend their time lost in some fantasy world or alternate universe.
The original fans were the first Geeks. They were the fans who had an emotional relationship with a story. They were the fans who talked about the story with other fans, who argued about the story, who made predictions about the story, who theorized about the story, and who loved the story. They were the fans who celebrated the worlds that authors and artists created for them. And they did it all long before the existence of the internet. Thousands of years before the existence of the internet they were discussing, speculating and celebrating their favorite worlds of make believe.
When geek culture really took off, characters from comic books such as Superman, Batman and Spider-Man became icons of the subculture, as did science fiction, from movies like Star Wars and TV shows like Star Trek.
For so many readers, it was more than just a form of fun – it inspired creativity, connected them with other fans and inspired them to create their own works of art.
The Rise of Video Games and Digital Communities
In an interesting discussion, Chris Mandle of The Telegraph says that one of the major events that made it more acceptable for people to be into geek culture was the advent of video games.
Games started out as a simple adaptation of the popular arcade games that first arrived in the 1970s and have today developed into a global industry that is worth multi-billions of dollars. Now iconic games such as The Legend of Zelda, Final Fantasy and Halo have helped to further develop the art of storytelling in this relatively new genre of video games.
Over the years we have all become used to the fact that the internet allows for the creation of communities for gamers to be able to communicate and collaborate with one another online to help work through levels in games that are proving difficult to progress through, to be able to compete in games in a more personal manner and to be able to make meaningful social connections through shared interests in games.
The Superhero Boom
Superheroes In Space: The Rise of the Geeky Movies Can you think of a better example of geek culture reigning supreme than the fact that movies based on comic book superheroes have become the highest-grossing movies of all time?
It sounds absurd, but comic book movies are now the biggest business in the film industry. And who is behind these superhero movies? Marvel and DC. While most films are stand alone movies, Marvel and DC films are largely about connecting the dots between movies. The two companies have built a multi-billion dollar franchise that could change the way films are made and released.
What was once a strictly comic book world has now invaded the real world. Characters that were once known only to comic book readers are now part of the common culture. Evidence of comic book characters invading the real world can be seen everywhere you look. Cosplay of comic book characters and fan art of the same are now part of our real world culture. And if you have ever walked into a coffee shop and overheard someone talking about last night’s comic book movie, you know what I’m talking about.
Once upon a time, superheroes were people whose exploits might be featured in a comic book, but today, they are something else entirely, which means they’ve become cultural icons.
The Internet and the Power of Fandom
The internet has played a massive role in shaping modern geek culture.
The internet has given people all over the world the opportunity to connect with others with the same interests in online forums, social media and fan sites dedicated to everything from games to movies, anime and technology.
Fan theories, discussions, memes and works of art evolve, merge and change into ever-changing cultures with extraordinary creative power.
For many, being a geek is no longer simply about being into movies, TV shows and other geeky stuff. It is also about having a social community to be a part of.
Conventions and the Celebration of Geek Identity
It is time to pack up the tents, costumes and return to reality. It is hard to believe that Comic-Con has already come and gone. Comic-Con, and other pop culture festivals, are fast becoming major gathering points where fans of comic books, movies and TV, and video games can all come together to celebrate their passions.
Cosplay, panels with creators, exclusive announcements and fan meetups have all come together to turn these festivals into something truly special.
What was once a few hundred comic book aficionados that could fit into a hotel ballroom has blossomed into a pop culture extravaganza that now welcomes Hollywood stars, comic book heavyweights and millions of others.
Conventions in Geek Culture: The growth of geek culture from its humble beginnings. These lists cover a wide range of conventions that celebrate various aspects of geek culture. From comic and pop culture to anime and video games, these events bring together thousands of fans, cosplayers and industry professionals.
Why Geek Culture Continues to Grow
Geek culture thrives because it encourages creativity, curiosity, and imagination.
Science and technology can be very useful for opening doors to new opportunities, for raising new questions and for providing a medium for communication between various interested groups.
I am a gamer, comic book and sci-fi nerd. In fact I am a self proclaimed geek in all its forms. I guess like a lot of us in the online community I feel we have not always received the respect we deserve from mainstream society. Pop culture is perceived as mainstream and by right cool and of interest to all whereas us geeky types are stigmatised and laughed at for being different, our culture is ‘less than’ and not acceptable. As I sit here on my large screen hd TV, playing the newest instalment of my favourate game, with the lights turned off to block out the brightness and wearing my favourite Star wars t shirt, I am sure I must look far from normal. The culture of the geek is mocked and set aside, not appreciated as an equal as the mainstream pop culture, in fact it is rarely given even a second glance as if it does not even exist. But for all the ridicule and laughter.
Technology is advancing at a rapid pace and Geek Culture, the niche that we at 9GAG often find ourselves immersed in, will only continue to grow in importance in society.
✅ Final Thoughts
Once the preserve of a rather niche demographic, the adult content creator movement has grown to become a global phenomenon of enormous cultural and social significance.
I suppose the cultural value of the word “geek” having changed so profoundly that we’ve graduated into an entire genre of media, the sum of which is commonly referred to as Geek Culture; the medium that informs the many movies and games we love, and inspires our wardrobes, while at the same time giving the world comic-cons and the technology we are using everyday. And at its core Geek Culture has given us a forum where we can be true to ourselves, explore our creativity in a welcoming environment without fear of being laughed at or ridiculed as per usual in everyday life.
Events like San Diego Comic-Con demonstrate how large and influential geek culture has become worldwide.
Read More Article: best retro games still worth playing
What is geek culture?
Geek culture refers to communities and interests centered around technology, science fiction, comic books, video games, and other forms of pop culture entertainment.
Why is geek culture so popular today?
Geek culture became mainstream thanks to the success of superhero movies, video games, online communities, and global fan events like comic conventions.
How did geek culture influence modern entertainment?
Geek culture influenced modern entertainment through comic book adaptations, gaming communities, fan conventions, and the rise of digital fandom.
