Gamers – The Five Types of Video Game Enthusiasts
Gamers are a very large and diverse group of people who share a common passion: playing video games. Gamers range from recreational gamers who enjoy role-playing, socializing and escaping real life problems to hardcore gamers who compete for high scores, master complex game mechanics and create virtual identities. Research into gaming has found that it can help improve problem-solving skills, decrease depression and anxiety and promote physical health. In addition, gamers are more likely to be male, be a student and vote for the Democratic Party.
Various studies have shown that gamers can be divided into several behavioral categories, based on the type of games they play, the degree to which they engage with the gaming community and how important their gaming is to them. These categories are often referred to as gamer personas, and they are defined by a combination of the following factors:
Ultimate Gamers are hardcore gamers who spend an incredible amount of time playing their favorite games. They have deep knowledge of the game world and strategies they use to beat their opponents. They are also able to analyze their possible outcomes and make smart decisions under pressure.
These gamers love to interact with other gamers and participate in online communities. They also love to collect and complete achievements in the games they play. They are also very committed and dedicated to their game. They understand that being a good gamer takes hard work and practice, and they will always strive to be the best in their chosen game.
Enthusiasts are very similar to Ultimate Gamers, but they are a little less dedicated to their hobby. They also tend to spend a little less on their hardware. They prefer the newest releases, but they don’t consider them as essential to their gaming experience as the Ultimate Gamer does. These gamers also place a lower importance on the story and social aspects of the game, which is not surprising because they are more focused on the gameplay.
This group is a bit younger than the previous two, and they tend to favor action and adventure games. They also have a preference for fast-paced fantasy games that require quick thinking and strategy. They are more interested in completing challenges and earning rewards than in socializing or escaping from real-world problems.
Recreational gamers enjoy socializing and escaping from real-world problems, but they don’t spend the majority of their time playing video games. They have low impulsivity and self-esteem, so they are not compelled to play compulsively.
This persona is very similar to the Casual Gamers, except that they have a higher proportion of females and are more likely to be married than the other three personas. They are also more likely to have children and vote for the Democratic Party. They also believe that some games teach strategic thinking, promote teamwork and are better than TV. However, they are more likely to think that some games portray minority groups and women poorly.