Define "Real Gamer"

[zhemis]

lol no one can be considered a real gamer if they play one game. We could all just play solitaire and be 'real gamers'. I think there's levels though. A gamer would be someone who enjoys playing a video game(s) but doesn't ever take is seriously and generally may never actually finish a game. Then you've got a hardcore gamer, I think these are pretty close to fanboys, imo. They fall in love with their game or game genre and belive it's all that matters in life. Hardcore gamers generally have one or two titles that they are very good at but they are limited by genre/game love.

A real gamer plays all genres and isn't restricted by genre/series love. I think a little bit has to do with skill level, as well, but not practiced skill level. Real gamers can pick up any title from any genre and very quickly and easily figure out controls/concept/etc. Not saying real gamers are all badasses, just that they understand the fundamentals without exercise. They may just ever achieve mediocre in some areas.

I don't see that bankroll and collection size has anything to do with whether you're casual or real or hardcore. High end system owners can still be solitaire duds. Most consoles (except the latest) can be emulated on the PC.

I also never understood the history of games opinion either. I think this falls into a different class like gamer historian or student. Kind of like the douche that knows everything (or thinks he does) but can't make any of it practical. Knowing the rise and fall of the developer just means you've done some research. While they were researching others were playing the game!

Just my two cents. Could be wrong.

 

[TiefBlau]

"Real Gamer" elitism is the cancer that's killing the industry, and casual gaming titles like Guitar Hero and Peggle and iPod Touch apps are the chemo that's healing it, despite their lack of real depth or fun more complex than flashy lights and luck.

I loathe the phrase like I loathe the pricks like Jack Thompson that insult it on a daily basis. The reason is simple: alienation is as useful as a splinter in the eye. I want more people to understand why games are fun. I want people to understand why I enjoy the things that I do. I want them to understand and enjoy the things that they do. So it's absolutely essential that gaming can be, at times, inviting and accessible. This is why I don't mind the Wii, no matter how many people want to bash it. Because I know that somewhere out there, the Wii has made a gamer out of someone who would otherwise ignore the medium as a whole.

If everyone wrote a bit of poetry every now and then, the world would be a more understanding place. If everyone studied a little physics every now and then, the world would be a smarter place. And if everyone played a few games every now and then, the world would find something better to do than chase celebrities all the fucking time.