Gaming is a fun place where people from all walks of life come together to enjoy themselves. Whether at a LAN party, an online party, or even a single-player playthrough, people count gaming as an escape from the stresses of life. But a darker side of gaming communities is becoming more common: gatekeeping.
You’ve probably seen it or even experienced it—players questioning whether newbies are “real” gamers, demanding a certain level of skill or ways to play their beloved game instead of allowing the new player to try things out in their own way. Are you on the receiving end or the opposite? It’s time to ask yourself: Are you a gaming gatekeeper?
What is gatekeeping?
Gatekeeping in gaming happens when someone decides who should or shouldn’t be part of the community. A common example is in the Souls games by FromSoftware, where veteran players criticize newcomers for using summons to beat tough bosses. They often say things like, ‘We didn’t have summons when we played, so neither should you,’ even though summoning is a huge part of the game’s lore.
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Gatekeepers try to control who gets to belong, often unintentionally pushing away newer or more casual players.
The problem
It is harmful and annoying because it discourages new gamers from entering the scene. Gaming should be a welcoming space where people feel comfortable regardless of their expertise or preferences. When someone feels judged for their game choices or skill level, they might stop playing altogether—or worse, they never begin. Now, it might be my hot take, but I am sure developers want as many people as possible playing their beloved game.
It can be easy to gatekeep without even realizing it, so here is a quick list to keep in mind:
Mocking the casuals: If you’ve ever laughed at someone for playing games like Candy Crush or The Sims, you might be gatekeeping. These games are just as valid as the most hardcore AAA titles. Yes, that means leaving the mobile gamers alone.
Unrealistic standards: Telling someone they need to complete a specific game on a high difficulty to be considered a “real” gamer alienates those who just want to have fun. Not everyone wants the same experience from gaming.
Belittling game choices: Whether someone enjoys indie games, visual novels, or mobile games doesn’t make them less of a gamer.
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Instead of pushing people away, embrace the diversity in gaming. Encourage new players to explore different genres and offer advice without judgment. Everyone starts somewhere, and their journey might look different from yours. And that is okay.
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AUTHOR
Louigi Balao
Content Writer
Louigi, better known as Gi, is a content writer for Next Upgrade’s Tech and Gaming sections. In his free time, he enjoys long strolls in his house, loves fantasizing about anime ships that will never bear fruit, and constantly complains about his scuffed Korean backdashes. If you need a quick 3 AM chit-chat, he is your guy.
