By Todd Russell
There are times in this world of 2025 that it feels like cultural modern hell. My eyes crossed when reading this trending thing called aura farming:
“TikTokers count the aura points earned when they do something cool; players of games like Elden Ring farm aura by performing spectacular game play moves, or standing against a backdrop of cool scenery and wearing all their their cool gear – to share with viewers on a stream, or social media followers, or just for their own satisfaction.” – Explain it to me quickly: What is aura farming, and is it cool or cringe?
Getting a headache? Why should looking cool in a game be a thing vs. actually, you know, playing the game and being good at it?
This is an extension of skins. It’s a new sort of social status for younger folks, I guess, in games. It has to be the reason our grandkids in Fortnite always want V-bucks so they can buy whatever stupid skin is being sold. It’s cool to have/wear that new skin. In Roblox, the drug of DLC currency choice is Robux. Ew.
Some reading might wonder why I chose the placeholder image to be a piece of broken plastic on Jaws. Trust me, the metaphor is intentional.
Happy Monday everybody! There is a stream this morning we call the (No) Blue Monday show. Stop on by and say hi: https://www.twitch.tv/playgamesmoredotcom
Am hoping this generation of social status in gaming appearance goes the way of the dinosaurs. We don’t need no stinking wardrobe police in videogaming. Didn’t nerds always used to dress the worst, anyway? Cosplay I’m cool with. Aura farming? No.
Hell, yep, we’re living in it. Then again, the start of the work week can feel that way …