Marketers Should Be Aware of the Personas of Gamers

Gamers are a diverse group of people who enjoy playing video games. Some of them have an intense passion for the hobby, while others just use it as a way to relax or unwind. There is no one-size-fits-all stereotype of gamers, but there are a few prominent gaming personas that marketers should be aware of.

The Ultimate Gamer is the epitome of a gamer, dedicating massive amounts of time to their favorite games. They are likely to play a variety of systems and genres, and they have the disposable income to afford Day 1 releases. They also invest heavily in their hardware and consume a lot of content surrounding the industry. The Ultimate Gamer skews male and tends to vote for the Democratic political party.

This persona makes up 4% of gamers. They are a bit more varied in their game choices than the Ultimate Gamer, and they enjoy exploring detailed worlds in their gameplay. They also find role-playing a compelling aspect of their gaming experience. This persona is a good fit for the RPG genre, which tends to offer more in-game story and character development than most other types of games.

These players enjoy multiplayer games that allow them to compete with other online users. They have a competitive spirit and are often found in large multiplayer games, like Fortnite. They tend to have a positive relationship with their social life, and they are often seen as cool by other online users. They also enjoy participating in esports, which is where they can show off their skills and compete with other gamers.

Escapers are a subset of this persona that engages in immersive gameplay as a means of escaping from negative mood states and boosting their self-esteem. They may have an underlying mental health condition or have experienced a traumatic event in their life that has left them feeling low. Escapers are a risky category to target, but if done correctly, they can be highly effective at increasing brand awareness and engagement with the right audience.

Gamers have a strong connection to the gaming culture, which is why it is important for marketers to understand how to reach this segment of their audience. By creating a solid understanding of who gamers are, and what they want from their gaming experiences, marketers can create better marketing campaigns that will have a stronger impact.

The world has long had a stigma around gamers, with the popular image being of lonely, anti-social young men wasting their lives in someone’s basement. However, the gaming industry has diversified and expanded into areas that are more socially acceptable. In the US, gamers now make up 21% of all entertainment leisure hours. This is more than even time spent on television and movies. In fact, this percentage is expected to continue growing as the gaming market grows more and more inclusive. As a result, marketers should look at the many ways they can engage with gamers and how to avoid the pitfalls of stereotyping.