The Different Types of Gamers

Video games can bring people together from all walks of life. From the early days of Super Mario Bros to today’s creative titles, they can be fun, challenging, and even educational. They also offer a safe space for people to fail. If you or someone you know has a gaming addiction, it’s important to be understanding and non-judgmental. There is a reason this behavior exists, and it is important to explore their reasons for gaming rather than dismiss them or call them out on their obsessions.

Gamers are men and women, young and old, who play video games for a variety of reasons. There are many different types of gamers, but the common stereotype is a young, male gamer hunched over a computer in a dark room. This is an unfortunate representation of the gaming community, which is diverse and full of both men and women from all ages and backgrounds.

Whether they’re competing against friends or playing for the pure enjoyment of it, gamers are a varied group with very unique motivations and interests. Researchers have identified four distinct categories of gamers: Escapers, Socializers, Achievers, and Completionists. These groups are based on the type of game they play and their personality traits, but it’s not uncommon for a player to show tendencies of multiple categories at once (e.g., Socializer-Achiever).

Escapers are impulsive and often have low self-esteem. They enjoy the escapism of immersive gameplay and use it to fill in gaps in their lives that are too painful or overwhelming to handle. Some escapers struggle with mental health issues or traumatic experiences in their real-life lives.

Achievers are driven by competition and achievement. They play to gain power and prestige, and they often seek out difficult or unpopular challenges in their games. Some of them are even willing to sacrifice their own well-being in order to win a trophy or get a higher rank.

Socializers are sociable and like to interact with other players online. They enjoy the friendships they form with other gamers and the sense of belonging to a community that they feel when they play games together. These are the people who frequent gaming conventions and web forums.

Finally, Completionists are a combination of the Achiever and Explorer types. They enjoy the sense of accomplishment that comes with completing a game, and they often seek out difficult or unpopular quests in their games. They are known to spend time researching strategies for beating games and often wake up at odd hours in order to beat a particular boss. They also tend to be extroverted and outgoing in real life.