The Different Types of Gamers
Video games have a long history of being used as a tool for socialization, learning and entertainment. They can help people develop skills and build confidence. In addition, they often offer a form of catharsis and a sense of achievement that can be hard to achieve in real life. But what really distinguishes them from other forms of entertainment is interactivity – the ability to take action, get feedback, and make changes based on that feedback. This is at the core of human learning. It is not only the way babies learn to walk, but it’s also how adults learn in their jobs, hobbies and everyday lives.
Gaming can be a source of socialization and learning, but it is also a great way to relieve stress and anxiety. A good game can help you feel like a powerful badass, whether it’s saving the planet from sentient doomsday machines or destroying a demon invasion with your own bare hands.
This is why it’s not surprising that gaming has been embraced by many different groups of people – from high school students and college graduates to retirees and millennials. In fact, the average age of a video gamer is now 31 years old, and more than half intend to play again in the next six months.
As a result, it’s become common for game media and industry analysts to divide gamers into broad categories based on their level of dedication to gaming, primary types of games played and other factors. The Bartle Player Taxonomy, for example, breaks down players into Achievers (who seek to gain rewards and succeed within a game), Explorers (who explore all areas of the game including hidden secrets) and Socializers (who prefer to interact with other gamers).
Another popular method of categorizing gamers is by their preference for competitive or non-competitive video games. Competitive games require skill, hand-eye coordination and fast decision making, much like sports such as basketball and football. Some of these gamers even dream of going pro – just like Michael Jordan, who spent countless hours practicing his craft, some gamers spend their time perfecting their gaming skills. This group is known as the eSports gamers.
Lastly, we have the Enthusiast gamers, who are the most dedicated to their hobby of playing games. They prefer a variety of genres, but RPGs rank first in their preferences. Their top two reasons to play are exploring the detailed game worlds and the feeling of adrenaline and excitement. They are also more likely to be full-time workers and are more inclined to purchase Day 1 releases for their favorite games. However, they balance their game time more evenly with other interests and are less likely to prioritize the latest technology over gameplay.