Define "gamer"

[Johnny Novgorod]

I wonder what "makes a gamer".

The 'duh' answer is "a person that plays (video) games".

'Plays' as in how frequently? 'Games' as in what kind, and to what extent?

We've all played at some point. That doesn't make everybody a gamer.

Then what does?

We have these duels going on - hardcore vs. casual, console vs. PC, modern vs. retro, AAA vs. indie, they're art vs. they aren't, realistic FPS vs. everything...

It seems like we're always finding contrived little ways of excluding people out of the definition of 'gamer'. Why are people so zealous about the term? I don't think it's because they're petty. I think there's a huge, thriving culture behind videogames (if this site is any proof of it) and its members are constantly giving it form by probing its limits.

What's your personal definition of 'gamer'?

 

[Daystar Clarion]

Anyone who likes games?


I currently use a PS3, a 360 and a PC, as well as a Wii that's collecting dust in the corner and a DS for trips.

Does that make me more of a gamer? Of course not, it's not about how much time you spend gaming or on what machine, it's about playing games.

 

[Fappy]

This kind of makes me want to create a Forum Game thread: "You know you're a Gamer when..."

Honestly, I think anyone who enjoys video games and plays them is a gamer.

 

[shrekfan246]

Snip

Snip

You guys are such casual scrubs. You wouldn't know a real gamer if he beat you at mega awesome MLG l33t pr0 levels. God, you think just anyone can get into this hobby? Ugh, it makes me sick to even think about that.

[sub]Yeah, "people who enjoy playing games". I don't even want to use to term to describe myself, because of the weird connotations that get associated with it, like we're some exclusive elitist club that only accepts the best of the best, and looks down upon those we deem 'unworthy'.[/sub]

 

[Assassin Xaero]

Anyone who likes games?


I currently use a PS3, a 360 and a PC, as well as a Wii that's collecting dust in the corner and a DS for trips.

Does that make me more of a gamer? Of course not, it's not about how much time you spend gaming or on what machine, it's about playing games.

I disagree with that, just because, when you think about it, most people would be gamers then. My mom plays solitaire (actually more than I play anything) on her laptop, so she would be a gamer. All those people who play Farmville, Angry Birds, etc. would be gamers, too.

"Gamer", to me at least, is an equivalent of a "bookworm". I occasionally read books, not very often, and I suck at it. Am I a bookworm? No, I'm a person who reads books. I play sports sometimes (rarely) with people, does that make me an athlete? Again, nope. Years ago, I could see how the term "gamer" would apply to anyone who played games since it wasn't as common as it is now.

I'd consider myself one because I have somewhere around 400-500 games across PS2, PS3, PSP, Vita, N64, Gamecube, Wii, Wii U, Gameboy Pocket, GBA, DS, Xbox, 360, PC, and then also my phone, iPad, Kindle Fire, and probably something else I'm forgetting. I obviously have and play a lot more than just your average person who plays games. Not to mention that I'm trying to get into the field of game development (almost there).

 

[NightmareExpress]

I like to think it applies to people who identify it as one of their primary hobbies.
Doesn't really matter how much they do of it. That's the difference in my mind that allows for two different answers to:
"do you play games?" and "are you a gamer?".

You can play games, but if you don't see it as a hobby then you can't be a gamer.

 

[Pink Gregory]

'Videogame Enthusiast'

Not quite as simple as simply playing, but also taking an interest in a wide range of titles (or particular interest in a particular genre/game) and/or maintaining an interest in the field of interactive entertainment and it's continued development and history.

 

[Tom_green_day]

I've found that anyone that calls themself a 'gamer' from my experience tends to be someone who just does it for the image associated, and usually only plays casual games.
EDIT: I also think to be classed as a proper game fan you need to be into gaming as a culture too, so although you don't play all the games you know a bit about a lot, and understand some memes and stuff. Everyone reading this probably earns this just by being on a sight like this.

 

[Darquenaut]

*rolls neck* Ooookay, to answer this is like sticking a hand into a thornbush, but here goes:

The term "gamer," for me is just that: A person who plays games. It doesn't matter if you play Bejeweled or Final Fantasy or Call of Duty or DOTA or Minecraft or Myst - you are playing a game, therefore you are a gamer.

However, due to the fact that the gaming community was primarily derived on the idea of escapism, there is a stigma brought on by those who "were here first" and the general stigma derived by popular collective thought that people that play video games are this closed-off culture, it gets into people's heads that is what a "gamer" is: the old late 80s, early 90s archetypical stereotype of think kid playing in his darkened room alone.

And to be told, from that stereotype, there were people that honestly embraced the idea. They were the outcast, the recluse. Video gaming was theirs to have. And this isn't to say there is something "wrong" with them - it is just basic human instinct to be competitive and to believe "x is right, therefore y is wrong." We'll get back to this later.

As time moved on and technology was brought to include more people that didn't have to understand anything more complicated than how to use a phone, the term "gamer" also expanded. Further, the concept of what games could be able to do expanded as well, both in narrative and playability.

Now, let's say you know a band, your own personal favorite band. They got a following, but nothing huge. Then, they release a single and it goes straight to Number 1. Now everyone knows the band. They're on the radio. They're on the "Today" Show. Your asshole cousin has them on his iPod. Now it's not just YOUR band.

This is what happened to the video game industry. It became more acceptable to play video games. Now, remember all of those people who embraced the "outsider" idea of a gamer? Now they're having to share the same interest with whom they perceive to be assholes.

And this is where the conflict arises. Why should the "gamer" from the early 90s accept that this other "gamer" who doesn't even know what a Crash Bandicoot is, why should they be called as such? They need a title for them, something to categorize them. We'll call the "casual" gamers.

Now, thus far, this has been only a binary example, but all the other conflicts derive from the same idea, just with differing variables. Someone has an idea and they embrace it. Something comes along with a similar idea but not just quite the same. Conflict arises, and people get butthurt over it, even though in all reality it doesn't matter. And the reason for that is simple: that is their belief.

Digressing back, but keeping in mind what I just laid out: the term "gamer" is a person who plays games. It is up for who to decide how wide-reaching or a how narrow your own personal definition of "gamer" is.

 

[DoPo]

I wonder what "makes a gamer".

The 'duh' answer is "a person that plays (video) games".

'Plays' as in how frequently? 'Games' as in what kind, and to what extent?

We've all played at some point. That doesn't make everybody a gamer.

Then what does?

Easy: playing video games being one's hobby. That's pretty much it. If your hobby is gaming, you're a gamer. I'm pretty sure people are aware what a hobby is - if you've played the occasional round of Solitaire for no actual motivation to play games then it probably isn't.

 

[Beautiful End]

The 'duh' answer is "a person that plays (video) games".

Well, you've stolen my answer already. To me, a gamer is anyone who plays videogames. Doesn't matter if they're good or not or "casual or hardcore".

Although a game can be a board game Minesweeper or whatever, in this case, it is understood that the word Gamer is related to videogames.

It's funny because I have a friend who plays videogames very rarely but she's really good at SSBB. I told her she's some sort of gamer and she got sort of offended because she believes a gamer is a hardcore person who's really into videogames.
I believe she's wrong, like I explained.

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

I have a little cousin. She just started playing monopoly, she's a gamer.Gamer is just a word the describes people who play games. Stop trying to make it mean more than it does.

I'm not trying anything except for people to give their opinions, which you just did, and are duly thanked for.

Snip.

Thank you for the unusually insightful post.

 

[Dead Seerius]

'Gamer' as defined by me - person who plays any console, hand-held, or PC-based games on at least a weekly basis.

'Gamer' as defined by society - antisocial shut-in with a strong aversion to light and basic hygiene.

 

[WoW Killer]

So I checked dictionary.com:

gamer
gam·er [gey-mer] Show IPA
noun
a person who plays games, especially computer or video games.

I don't disagree. Is there any argument against this?

 

[scorptatious]

Someone who enjoys playing games. Simple as that.

I find it kinda sad and infuriating to see fellow gamers belittle others for enjoying games they don't. I personally don't care for CoD, but I don't mind people who do.

 

[Phasmal]

You know what, no.
I've seen so many people try to define `gamer`, and bitching that their definition of `gamer` was better than the other definitions by other people because ponies.
There are probably people who have spent more time deciding who is and isn't a gamer than they have actually playing some damn games.

I actually don't care what makes me a gamer.
I define myself as one and I'm gonna let others decide for themselves whether they are or aren't.
Because I am not the Nerd Police.
And neither are you.

*gets off soapbox*
[small]But seriously how many times have we had this thread...[/small]

 

[krazykidd]

This again . I was going to write a lengthy post about what i feel make a gamer and include myself in this defination. i play games 7 days a week about 4-12 hours a day , i also read up on gaming news , check up comin releases , it's an addiction reay . Then I realised it doesn't matter . It really doesn't matter . People will define themselves as gamers regardless . And you know what ? Fine . Everyone and their mother is a gamer now ( apparently ). So fuck it . You ( not you specifically ) can have your title . I no longer want any part of it. A few years ago if someone asked me if i was a gamer , i'd say :" hell yeah " and be proud of it . Today , i don't want any association with these entitled, whiny , little brats ( of all ages ) that spend all their time bitching about the new flavor of the month ( now it's sexism). I am NOT a gamer . You can have your title .

Just to get back to the original question . A gamer is someone who says they are a gamer . Regardless of what others think , only YOU decide if you are a gamer or not .

 

[StriderShinryu]

It's not about how much money or time someone spends on playing games, and it's definitely not just "anyone who plays games." A gamer, quite simply, is just someone who not only plays games but who's interest in games extends beyond just playing to the background of, creation of and industry of the entertainment medium.

It's basically the videogame equivalent of the cinephile.

Sure you can say that a gamer is just anyone who plays a game, but that's just being purposefully obtuse and conciously answering the question in a way that avoids what is actually being talked about.

 

[farscythe]

eh.. as far as im concerned a gamer is someone who's primary hobby is playing games (in some cases job) be it cod or monopoly...
(also...unless your getting paid to play 24/7 hardcore gamer = jobless bum)
... jus my 2 cents (for what its worth the hardcore gamer thing is aimed at all the prats that give me shit for not having as much time as they do to get good at a game...i get about 8 hours a week if im lucky)

 

[Scarim Coral]

Pretty much someone who played games on a regular basis. I think that suffice to say what a gamer is.