What is your definition of a "Gamer?"

[DeviousOne]

Browsing the forum and seeing various time where this topic comes up I think this would be the option to discuss this because the various ideas of what a gamer is from what I've seen have been hilarious, laughable, and contradicting.

Quick google search of the word gamer:

gam·er/ˈgāmər/
Noun:
A person who plays a game or games, typically a participant in a computer or role-playing game

Discuss =)

[BoyBettaKnow]

Someone who plays games and has a genuine passion for all things gaming.

[radgamer420]

Someone who plays games and has a genuine passion for all things gaming.

Pretty much. Its also a person who is too mature to play Nintendo games. Ha ha just kidding. I had to throw that in there after reading that other thread in the Nintendo section. lol Seriously though somebody that has a passion for all things gaming regardless of the platform.

[spyrde]

Can someone who only plays internet/smartphone games actively be called a gamer?

[Ghost-Rhayne]

Someone who games as a hobbyist/enthusiast.

[BoyBettaKnow]

Can someone who only plays internet/smartphone games actively be called a gamer?

I wouldn't call them a gamer in the same way most of us on this forum are, they are still someone who enjoys games though so i suppose they are, to an extent though. If that makes sense?

[DeviousOne]

How about if you play FB social media games like Farmville?

[BoyBettaKnow]

I wouldn't call them gamers if they exclusively play those. They're more for time wasting aren't they?

Saying that. Aren't all games for time wasting?

[Kuro]

People who play video games for fun when they are bored.

[Cybertox]

An experienced person in playing games which require skills. Those games are eventually harder and take more time to learn and even more to master. They also require more knowledge and develop significant skills over time.

[Ghost-Rhayne]

Can someone who only plays internet/smartphone games actively be called a gamer?

Hell yeah imho. Just because such games don't appeal to our tastes in general here at PSU, doesn't mean a dude who is into such games isn't a gamer. Some people here don't like handhelds, some don't like PC and there may be some who don't like consoles...If the smartphone/web browser gamer prefers those platforms I don't think he can be disqualified as a gamer.

[DeviousOne]

An experienced person in playing games which require skills. Those games are eventually harder and take more time to learn and even more to master. They also require more knowledge and develop significant skills over time.

Mario Kart requires skills and time to master all the tracks and techniques. So would that would be a "gamer" game?

[Cybertox]

Mario Kart requires skills and time to master all the tracks and techniques. So would that would be a "gamer" game?

No. Gran Turismo would be considerate as a racing game which requires real skills.

[BoyBettaKnow]

Hell yeah imho. Just because such games don't appeal to our tastes in general here at PSU, doesn't mean a dude who is into such games isn't a gamer. Some people here don't like handhelds, some don't like PC and there may be some who don't like consoles...If the smartphone/web browser gamer prefers those platforms I don't think he can be disqualified as a gamer.

I suppose you've got a point. Some people used to play Runescape like there was no tomorrow. Then you got games like Quake Live, so yeah. I guess they are!

Mario Kart requires skills and time to master all the tracks and techniques. So would that would be a "gamer" game?

Or Super Smash Bro's Mele. You can learn how to play in a few minutes, takes a damn long time to master it though

[DeviousOne]

Those games are eventually harder and take more time to learn and even more to master. They also require more knowledge and develop significant skills over time.

Based on your definition Mario Kart would be classified as a gamers game?

It takes time to master it and learn all the tricks and speed boost along with the power slides to maintain speed on turns...

Its not a gamers game because its a Nintendo game?

[Marcsony]

See for me the difference between casual and core is i went out and spent £425 to play my games and that was the only reason i bought it unlike a phone/tablet that has a gaming(of sorts) option. I have no problem with casuals but im fed up of fools at work showing me there highest score on Temple Run.

[BoyBettaKnow]

No. Gran Turismo would be considerate as a racing game which requires real skills.

hmm... Ok. But GT compared to a game such as Project C.A.R.S is quite casual... Anyway, Mario Kart does require real skills, have you seen how good some people get at that game, they make green shells look like red shells they are so accurate. I guess that takes no skill though?

See for me the difference between casual and core is i went out and spent £425 to play my games and that was the only reason i bought it unlike a phone/tablet that has a gaming(of sorts) option. I have no problem with casuals but im fed up of fools at work showing me there highest score on Temple Run.

So it comes down to how much money is spent? What does that say for you when people spend double that on just GPU? Does that make them more of a gamer than yourself?

[DeviousOne]

See for me the difference between casual and core is i went out and spent £425 to play my games and that was the only reason i bought it unlike a phone/tablet that has a gaming(of sorts) option. I have no problem with casuals but im fed up of fools at work showing me there highest score on Temple Run.

I 100% agree with there being different types of gamers casual and core.

[Cybertox]

hmm... Ok. But GT compared to a game such as Project C.A.R.S is quite casual... Anyway, Mario Kart does require real skills, have you seen how good some people get at that game, they make green shells look like red shells they are so accurate. I guess that takes no skill though?



So it comes down to how much money is spent? What does that say for you when people spend double that on just GPU? Does that make them more of a gamer than yourself?

There is a big difference in skills between a game which was developed in a small amount of time and mainly focused for kids and a realistic driving simulator which was developed for a really long time and very accurately. Project cars require more in depth skills but doesnt make gran turismo be on the same level as mario kart.

[BoyBettaKnow]

No. But by your logic, it means those playing GT are lesser gamers than those playing P.Cars

[Cybertox]

No. But by your logic, it means those playing GT are lesser gamers than those playing P.Cars

There are no lesser gamers. There are casual people who like playing all type of games and just want to waste some time or have fun. Then there are gamers and professional gamers like those koreans who compete in tournaments and earn money.

[BoyBettaKnow]

So are you competing for money, or are you a casual gamer? I suppose by your definition i'm a casual gamer as i don't compete for money and i do play to waste time...

[Cybertox]

So are you competing for money, or are you a casual gamer? I suppose by your definition i'm a casual gamer as i don't compete for money and i do play to waste time...

If you have played some games which required real skills and took time learning and improving yourself were at the end you were very capable in that type of game you are a gamer, even if you also enjoy playing games like mario kart or zelda.

[Sir_Scud]

To me it's simple, I try not to dilute the definition into specific types of gamers or games they play. A gamer is a person who likes to play video games on a console or pc as a hobby. Someone who might keep up with videos, reviews, etc. and likes to talk about new releases coming out. A gamer is someone who genuinely likes video games and being that it is a hobby, one year from now they will still be playing games.

[Silver_Knight]

I think a gamer is anyone who plays video games. The only difference is the different crowds of gamers.. You have two sets of gamers and that's hardcore and casual gamers.The only reason i divide these are because the difference between the games they like and that's it but inside we're all gamers. I don't define anyone as real gamers or fake gamers like some people do. I don't care if your playing hello kitty needs a bath or uncharted 3 As long as your playing video games and supporting the video game industry your a gamer in my book. Gaming4life!
-silver