A way of showing superiority in gaming circles though usually occurs in retro gaming circles by paying a lot of money to use original hardware & software while mainly only doing it to show off on social media rather than genuine intrest in the medium. Signs include looking down upon those using modern alternative means of accessing older video games and making your entire social media page just showing off consoles and physical media. They always tend to advocate for physical media and will constantly talk about digital media being the downfall of society. This also can be only going out in public just to play older video games. These acts are also very closly associated with "cute core" and "cozy" gaming. This in turn creates a hivemind that has made game collecting far more inaccessable to the general public.
By showing off and taking pictures of the old console and software in online and public spaces, you participate in Performative Gaming.
by TOIVIATO January 11, 2026
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