The Different Gamer Personas
Video games have become a wildly popular hobby in recent years. People who grew up playing Nintendo and Sega are now adults—and many of them continue to enjoy gaming as a way to relax or challenge their brains. This popular pastime has earned itself a reputation as a “nerdy” activity, but it’s actually quite beneficial for both mental and physical health. The gaming industry has evolved a lot in recent years, and there are now a number of different categories that gamer personas can be classified into.
The Ultimate Gamer is a dedicated gamer who plays a variety of genres and platforms. They are likely to spend a large amount of time playing, and they may also spend money on hardware. This group also tends to consume content and keep up with the latest news about gaming. The Ultimate Gamer is the most likely to stand in line at midnight for a new console or to pre-order the latest game.
Enthusiast Gamers are a smaller group than the Ultimate Gamer, but they still play a lot of games. They are more likely to be full-time workers, so they might not have as much free time to devote to the hobby. They also might not have as much money to spend on gaming-related hardware or content. They tend to have a lot of other interests in their life, though, so they might not spend as much time consuming gaming media or discussing the games they play.
Casual Gamers are the second largest gaming persona, but they don’t necessarily spend a lot of time playing games. These gamers tend to play quickie mobile games when they have a few minutes to spare, such as during a commute or while waiting for an appointment. They tend to spend less on gaming-related hardware or content, but they still often play a lot of games.
In a survey of 2021, two-thirds of people over the age of 65 said that they played to improve their cognitive skills. This can be done by using video games that challenge players to think outside of the box and try different strategies. The results of this type of gameplay can help improve manual dexterity and increase the speed at which a player can solve problems.
This persona makes up just over 3% of the gaming population. Backseat Gamers are usually former gamers who have given up on the hobby due to other priorities or a lack of time. However, they still watch gaming content, and they are sometimes influenced by what they see to return to the hobby at some point in the future.
While the stereotype of a shy video gamer may be a bit outdated, there’s no doubt that gaming is here to stay. The popularity of video games has grown exponentially in recent years, and this trend is likely to continue as more people are exposed to the benefits of this fun, social hobby. There are so many different ways to enjoy video games, and there’s a place for everyone in the gaming community.
