The Different Types of Gamers
Video games have become an inescapable part of our culture. They influence and affect our brains by interacting with the brain regions responsible for memory, spatial orientation and information organization. These interactions are both positive and negative. Positively, they allow us to gain new skills and learn new concepts such as programming, coding, math and more. Negatively, prolonged gaming causes a number of health problems. Long hours spent hunched over a screen and neglecting to eat properly or get enough sleep can have serious physical consequences. Moreover, it can affect our mental health by leading to depression or anxiety.
Gamers have been unfairly criticized for being addicted to their games and for wasting their time, and many people have misunderstood what they do and why they play. There is a large segment of the population that plays games and they deserve to be treated with respect.
The misunderstanding of gamers stems from the fact that we do not think of them as an intelligent group of consumers. We tend to think of them as naive and immature individuals who are obsessed with video games. This misconception is not only harmful to the gamers, but it also misrepresents the game industry.
Despite the misperception of gamers, it is important to remember that we are a diverse group with a wide range of interests. The gaming community is constantly growing and changing. There are many different types of gamers and the most common types are:
Achievers earn gold and XP, Socializers carouse and talk with friends, Explorers scour the game world, and Killers raise hell. These are the four player types as defined by the Bartle taxonomy, which was developed in 1996 by Richard Bartle, a British writer, professor and researcher. The test involves answering a series of questions to determine which player type you most relate with.
If you are an explorer, you enjoy scrounging the map of your favorite game in search of treasure or completing quests. Explorers are often found in MMORPGs and can be identified by their desire to talk to other players in-game or on the forums. They are also known for their competitive streak and tenacity in the face of hardships.
Achievers are the most competitive gamers and are often found in clans that compete for rankings. They are highly impulsive and have high self-esteem, which makes them prone to addictive behavior. They enjoy playing video games to feel a sense of accomplishment and use them as an escape from their real-life problems. They often enjoy story-heavy role-playing games, but they can also be found in combat and first-person shooter games. This is because they derive pleasure from mastering gameplay mechanics and beating other players. In addition to their competitive streak, they also like to discuss the games with other gamers and read gaming news. This is why they often prefer multiplayer games.