Gamers and Video Games
Video games have become a massive industry with a global audience of over 2.47 billion gamers. While some games are very violent, most are based on strategy and problem solving. Gaming has also been shown to enhance cognitive abilities, particularly in problem-solving and logic. It has also been shown to improve hand-eye coordination and focus. There are some negative aspects of gaming, including a potential for addiction and social isolation. However, if used appropriately, gaming can be a positive part of life for many people.
A gamer is a person who plays any video game. A gamer can be any age, gender or ethnicity, but there is a significant demographic of young, male players. These gamers are often referred to as ‘gamers’ and have a strong social media presence. They may participate in video gaming competitions or ‘esports’, and may earn money or prizes for their skills.
Gamers are a highly social group who are able to work together online or in-person in teams to play a game. They are typically able to communicate with their teammates through text, voice or chat features in the game. Gamers must be creative, have excellent problem-solving skills and be familiar with the latest technology in order to perform their jobs effectively.
In addition to the social aspect of gaming, gamers often enjoy the sense of achievement and accomplishment they get from beating a level or scoring a high rank in a multiplayer game. They are motivated by competitiveness and self-mastery. They are usually not impulsive and do not use gaming to escape or feel a need to fill an emotional void in their lives. The most common types of gamers are Achievers, Killers, Socializers and Explorers.
Unlike recreational gamers, professional gamers play for a living. They spend a large amount of time practicing and mastering their games in preparation for tournaments. These professional gamers are known as esports competitors and compete in various online or offline ‘esports’ events, where they can earn money for their skills and performance. They also have to be able to meet strict time and practice requirements.
The development of gaming systems in the 1980s allowed multiple players to play in a virtual world simultaneously, creating a new kind of media that is not just a film or television program. With the rise of the Internet, it became easier to share and distribute this form of media. The popularity of gaming has increased significantly since then, with the gaming industry worth more than $22 billion in 2022.
Despite the widespread negativity toward gaming, it is important for educators to understand this subculture and how to engage with it. By learning the language of gamers, educators can help students develop social-emotional skills, encourage respectful digital behavior and create classroom and extracurricular spaces where all learners feel seen and heard. This includes understanding the slang that gamers use when referring to one another. A recent study has shown that gamers have more grey matter and heightened connectivity in the parts of their brain responsible for reasoning and problem-solving, compared to non-gamers.