What Do You Call Someone Who Plays Games A Lot?
As an avid gamer and content creator myself, I get this question a lot! People want to understand the different categories that intense gamers fall into. Here‘s a run-down…
Gamer
The most general term is simply "gamer" – someone who plays video games or other types of games regularly as a hobby. Typically, a gamer plays for at least 5-10 hours per week. Casual mobile games may not count!
Hardcore Gamer
A hardcore gamer takes gaming to the next level. They play video games for upwards of 25-30 hours per week on average. Gaming is their primary hobby and entertainment activity. Hardcore gamers are very dedicated to learning everything about their favorite games. They take pride in unlocking achievements, climbing leaderboards, and mastering game mechanics.
Pro Gamer / Competitive Gamer
Pro gamers elevate gaming to an expert level. They play in professional esports leagues and tournaments, often as a full-time job with sponsorships. You may catch them streaming on Twitch working hard to climb the rankings. It‘s intense dedication!
Popular competitive games include:
- League of Legends
- Dota 2
- Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
- Call of Duty
- Overwatch
- Fortnite
| Tournaments | Viewers | Prize Pools |
|---|---|---|
| League of Legends Worlds | Over 100 million | Over $2 million |
| Dota 2 The International | Over 50 million | Over $40 million |
| Fortnite World Cup | Over 2 million | $30 million |
As highlighted above, global esports tournaments already draw viewership rivaling traditional sports – and the scene is still rapidly expanding.
The Types of Gamers
Beyond categorizing gamers based on intensity and dedication, we can also segment them based on their motivations and priorities. Dr. Richard Bartle categorized 4 main video game personality types:
Achievers – Motivated by in-game rewards and status. They want to progress and "complete" games.
Explorers – Curious gamers who want to experience everything the game‘s world and mechanics have to offer. They seek out Easter eggs and obscure trivia.
Socializers – Play games primarily for the social interaction either cooperatively or competitively. Chat and relationships are the priority.
Killers – Enjoy competing against other players for status and domination. They may exhibit more toxic behaviors.
Most gamers actually have attributes spanning multiple categories, but the types help predict interests and patterns. For example, here‘s how I categorize some popular game genres:
| Game Genres | Player Types |
|---|---|
| MMORPGs | Explorers, Socializers |
| Team Competitive Games | Socializers, Killers |
| Sandbox / Open World | Explorers, Achievers |
| Strategy / Resource Management | Achievers |
| Battle Royale | All Types! |
Who Games Today?
Once seen as a niche hobby, gaming has hit the mainstream. Let‘s analyze the gaming demographics:
By Age:
| Age Group | % of Gamers |
|---|---|
| Under 18 years old | 21% |
| 18 – 34 years old | 29% |
| 35 years old + | 50% |
Gaming spans generations! In the 1980s and 90s, gaming was dominated by children and teens. But today‘s average gamer is a 35 year old adult. Seniors also game more thanks to accessibility improvements.
By Gender:
Gaming used to be male-dominated with a perception as a "guy" hobby. But women now represent about 41% of gamers and growing each year. Games like puzzle, family simulation, and match 3 titles often over-index with female players.
By Platform:
| Platform | % of Gamers |
|---|---|
| Mobile / Tablet | 60% |
| PC | 52% |
| Console | 49% |
Gamers play across platforms, especially mobile. Cloud gaming services like Xbox Game Pass also enable affordable access. As technology expands, gaming becomes more omnipresent than ever!
The Pitfalls of Gaming
For most, gaming is a fun hobby that relieves stress. But sometimes passions turn into hardcore addictions. When is gaming too much?
Signs of gaming disorder include:
- Spending increasing time gaming over other interests
- Unable to control gaming time / habits
- Worsening work/school/health due to gaming
- Feeling restless or irritable when not gaming
About 3% of gamers struggle with gaming disorder. Seeking counseling helps evaluate healthy boundaries.
Striking a life balance outside gaming remains crucial even as an avid gamer. Round out your routine with social interaction, exercise, productivity goals, and time offline in nature.
In Conclusion
Gamers come in all types from the casual mobile player to 60 hour per week streamers. Even "pro gamers" competitive at an elite tournament level attract huge global audiences now.
Gaming continues evolving into a mass market phenomenon spanning ages and genders. It forges friendship and community for many. Still, maintaining perspective and balance helps sustain gaming‘s magic as an entertaining passion, not a destructive addiction.
So what do you call someone who games a lot? For me, the multifaceted answer requires celebrating both dedicated gaming fans and warning signs of excess. Game on!
