The Different Types of Gamers
People who play video games are often referred to as gamers. While the gaming industry has made efforts to expand beyond its stereotype of young men playing in their parents’ basements, many outsiders still have preconceived notions about gamers. Some may believe that video games are addictive, or at least should be played in moderation. However, gaming has proven to have many benefits to the brain.
The term “gamer” is also used to refer to people who make a living from playing video games, eSports players. While there is debate about whether eSports is a legitimate sport, it is clear that the competitions and tournaments attract a lot of attention and money.
Most children and teens who play video games do not become addicted to them or have other problems associated with them. However, when a teen begins to spend an excessive amount of time on gaming, it is important for parents and teachers to step in. If a teen is struggling with addiction, there are online support groups available to help them quit gaming and start getting involved in other activities. For example, Gamers Anonymous is a self-help program that follows the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. In addition, there are also online resources available for family members and friends of gamers who are concerned about their loved ones’ gaming habits.
There are several broad categories of gamers based on their dedication to gaming and the types of games they play. Ultimate Gamers are dedicated to their hobby, usually willing to put in the hours it takes to rise to the top of a game’s rankings or finish a quest. This dedication can lead to a certain level of insularity and can cause them to neglect other parts of their life, including their social lives.
Enthusiast Gamers are less dedicated to their hobbies than the Ultimate Gamers, but they still spend a good portion of their free time playing games. They prefer more detailed game worlds and are more interested in interacting with the non-player characters (NPCs) of a game than they are in competing with other gamers.
Explorer Gamers enjoy exploring the far reaches of a game’s map and completing its storyline. These gamers are most likely to enjoy MMORPGs, where they can interact with a wide variety of other gamers.
Competitor Gamers play competitive video games to improve their skills. These types of games require hand-eye coordination, quick reflexes and strategic thinking. Gamers will often spend countless hours repeating a move over and over, trying to get it just right. They often develop a “game sense” so that they can understand what the enemy team is doing before it even happens.
While a few gamers may want to make a career out of playing video games, the vast majority simply do it for the enjoyment of it. For some, this enjoyment comes from the challenge of beating a difficult level, or helping a friend with a hard-to-solve puzzle. For others, it is simply a way to relax and unwind.
