tech explorer
New Member
Is it the hardware or software? The amount of time you spend playing games? Or is it how heavily you compete? (btw I'm not a gamer)
What makes you think you're a gamer?
- Thread starter tech explorer
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wolfeking
banned
The ability to selflessly fork out $60+ on the same shit year after year makes you a gamer.
Can also be the mentality and the hardware. I think both are required. You can have the best machine in the world, and every game in the world, but if you don't give a crap, then you are not a gamer. Or you can be a gamer with insane ability and a 20 year old system with 8 bit games.
Can also be the mentality and the hardware. I think both are required. You can have the best machine in the world, and every game in the world, but if you don't give a crap, then you are not a gamer. Or you can be a gamer with insane ability and a 20 year old system with 8 bit games.
Okedokey
Well-Known Member
I wouldn't consider my mum a gamer, and she plays solitaire.
Gamers will look beyond the glossy box, care about what engine the game is rendering on, care about pixel shaders on their graphics cards and what FPS they'll get. Gamers care about KDR and other rankings, have clan tags etc.
You don't have to be good or have great hardware to do the above.
Gamers will look beyond the glossy box, care about what engine the game is rendering on, care about pixel shaders on their graphics cards and what FPS they'll get. Gamers care about KDR and other rankings, have clan tags etc.
You don't have to be good or have great hardware to do the above.
jonnyp11
New Member
For FPSs, but if you are an RPGer then you care about the story, the emotion, and you want it to make you want to know what happens next, unfortunately RPGs tend to lack in the graphics department.
I feel that there are different types of gamers.
Enthusiast gamers: These guys/ gals play for the stunning graphics, the evolutionary game design. They will critically review a game and stand by what they believe in. They will take every minor detail in to affect of their decision. They take pride in their equipment, not just their hobby, it's their life. They aren't pressured into social gaming (whatever their friends play just to hang out with them in the online world).
Casual Gamers: These guys/gals play for the rescue from boredom. They play the game, just to play the game. They are easily pressured into social gaming. They really don't care about their hardware, as long as it works. Some like a good game play game, but it won't regulate if they buy it or not.
Wanna-be-enthusiasts: these guys/gals really piss me off personally. Just like in the real world, they are posers. They will have the gear and the games, but will not have the interests as deep as the enthusiasts do. They spread the word that they care about graphic design, game play and hardware, but when it comes down to it, they don't know what they are talking about. They just do what they do because they want to be a part of something.
Enthusiast gamers: These guys/ gals play for the stunning graphics, the evolutionary game design. They will critically review a game and stand by what they believe in. They will take every minor detail in to affect of their decision. They take pride in their equipment, not just their hobby, it's their life. They aren't pressured into social gaming (whatever their friends play just to hang out with them in the online world).
Casual Gamers: These guys/gals play for the rescue from boredom. They play the game, just to play the game. They are easily pressured into social gaming. They really don't care about their hardware, as long as it works. Some like a good game play game, but it won't regulate if they buy it or not.
Wanna-be-enthusiasts: these guys/gals really piss me off personally. Just like in the real world, they are posers. They will have the gear and the games, but will not have the interests as deep as the enthusiasts do. They spread the word that they care about graphic design, game play and hardware, but when it comes down to it, they don't know what they are talking about. They just do what they do because they want to be a part of something.
M1kkelZR
Active Member
I can't agree.
I play(ed) CoD4 at a competitive level, needed a special config setting for absolutely terrible graphics(for fps, 125 fps = further jumps so faster rushes and 250 fps = higher jumps and there fore better movement). Game is amazing. So by what you said I would not be an Enthousiast gamer, because I don't play for the amazing graphics. Don't get me wrong, you do some it up pretty well, but for me graphics is a secondary thing. Gameplay and enjoyment is the first and foremost part of a game.
Also the "poser" image is right but a gamer is a gamer.
Unless you're 13. You can't be a gamer at 13. Its against the laws of gamer-ism.
I have a gaming system, but I really don't have much time for games these days. Though lately I've been playing a lot of NFS: Hot Pursuit when I get the chance.
I am enjoying it! I just wish I had $20 so I could buy it 
Aastii
VIP Member
I consider myself a gamer because I play hardcore games like The Sims and Animal Crossing
Don't go too wild
I think anyone that plays computer games is a gamer, but there are different types. Anyone playing just browser games, anyone playing games where there isn't competition or risk, like the sims or sim city or any party game for example or people that play occasionally would be casual gamers.
Those playing frequently, but that don't play competitively or invest time and effort into the systems behind the games, like servers and communities, i would consider "core" gamers.
Those playing daily, competitively, renting or administrating servers, running clans and dedicating large parts of their lives towards something beyond just a hobby, i would consider a hardcore gamer
There are a lot of faint grey lines though making it very hard to simply drop someone in a category
See i would put you in the class for enthusiast just because you analyze the game play. It's not just about graphics, i also mentioned that it's the game play as well. As i don't like COD competitive gaming, doesn't say that i don't agree that they are enthusiast gamers. They tear down a map and analyze it at the deepest level. They have many strategies and concepts that make up an enthusiast.
A "poser" gamer in my eyes is definitely not a gamer. I include them in the piece of sh... pile and can be burned.
Don't go too wild
I think anyone that plays computer games is a gamer, but there are different types. Anyone playing just browser games, anyone playing games where there isn't competition or risk, like the sims or sim city or any party game for example or people that play occasionally would be casual gamers.
Those playing frequently, but that don't play competitively or invest time and effort into the systems behind the games, like servers and communities, i would consider "core" gamers.
Those playing daily, competitively, renting or administrating servers, running clans and dedicating large parts of their lives towards something beyond just a hobby, i would consider a hardcore gamer
There are a lot of faint grey lines though making it very hard to simply drop someone in a category
For the most part I agree. Strongly agree with the bold statement.
Masterfulks
New Member
I think I'm a gamer.
Why? I started playing in my single digit age on the Atari 2600. I've had a system from every generation, and sometimes multiple systems from generations.
I don't attempt to get every big game that comes out, but I tend to have something newish to play. These days I find I have the patience to wait a couple of months and catch them for sale at half off through Amazon.
I don't a "gamer" is still on their first system. If you've only been playing for a couple of years on the same generation, then it's more of a hobby. You gotta stick with it and see how your taste for your free time change over the years.
I'm 33 years old and still follow gaming news. If I get free time, I'd rather spend it on a game most of the time. Though it gets harder the older you get with a family.
Ultimately it doesn't matter. I don't care if a 5 year old calls himself a gamer on a gameboy.
Why? I started playing in my single digit age on the Atari 2600. I've had a system from every generation, and sometimes multiple systems from generations.
I don't attempt to get every big game that comes out, but I tend to have something newish to play. These days I find I have the patience to wait a couple of months and catch them for sale at half off through Amazon.
I don't a "gamer" is still on their first system. If you've only been playing for a couple of years on the same generation, then it's more of a hobby. You gotta stick with it and see how your taste for your free time change over the years.
I'm 33 years old and still follow gaming news. If I get free time, I'd rather spend it on a game most of the time. Though it gets harder the older you get with a family.
Ultimately it doesn't matter. I don't care if a 5 year old calls himself a gamer on a gameboy.
PohTayToez
Active Member
Something that disgusts me about gaming culture is how so many people try and qualify what a "true gamer" is, with the purpose of excluding those that don't meet the criteria.
Shit like...
Who cares? Some people seem so concerned that the hardcore gamer master race is going to be sullied if the dirty casual gamer dare call themselves by the same name. I've got some bad news though, gaming is already mainstream and casual gaming reigns supreme. And yet competitive gaming still exists and is in fact growing faster than ever.
As far as I'm concerned, if you identify as a gamer then you're a gamer. Excluding others builds hate within the gaming community, something that is there is already plenty of.
Shit like...
- You're only a gamer if you play on PC.
- Casual gamers aren't real gamers.
- MMO players aren't real gamers.
- If you don't play X number of hours or spend Y number of dollars, you're not a gamer.
- You're not a gamer if you don't care about K/D.
- You can't be a gamer at 13.
Who cares? Some people seem so concerned that the hardcore gamer master race is going to be sullied if the dirty casual gamer dare call themselves by the same name. I've got some bad news though, gaming is already mainstream and casual gaming reigns supreme. And yet competitive gaming still exists and is in fact growing faster than ever.
As far as I'm concerned, if you identify as a gamer then you're a gamer. Excluding others builds hate within the gaming community, something that is there is already plenty of.
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Okedokey
Well-Known Member
I thought this was a good summary actually. You're always going to be able to argue around the edges of any definition.
Okedokey
Well-Known Member
^ all true.