Information about Gamer

Historically, a gamer was usually someone who played role-playing games or war games but more recently the term includes computer and video game players as well. While the term technically includes those who do not necessarily consider themselves to be gamers (i.e., casual gamers) it is commonly used to identify people who spend much of their leisure time playing or reading about games.

There are many communities of gamers around the world. Many of these exist in web rings, forums and other virtual communities, as well as college clubs. Stores specializing in games often serve as a meeting place to organize groups of players. Prior to the emergence of the Internet, many play-by-mail games developed communities similar to those that can be found among today's online games. In October 2006, the Entertainment Consumers Association (ECA) was established as the first non-profit membership organization formed to represent gamers.

Types of gamers

• Video gamer: A type of gamer who enjoys playing computer and video games.
• Tabletop gamer: A type of gamer who enjoys playing tabletop games as opposed to computer and video games. This term is often used for gamers who play miniature wargames like Warhammer 40,000 but it could also refer to players of board games, card games, or role-playing games.
• Proxy gamer: A type of gamer who wagers money in an Internet gaming site with video streaming through a representative in a land-based casino setting. Proxy gamers can give betting and playing instructions to their representative or proxy players in the facility through Voice Over IP (VOIP) phones and the games through the Internet in real-time. Proxy betting is now regulated in the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) in the Philippines, a first in Internet gaming regulation.

Types of video gamers

Video and computer gamers are stereotypically adolescent males. However, research has shown that females comprise more than 40% of the video game market, and females are playing more games than they have in the past.^[1]

• Console gamer: A type of gamer who enjoys playing video games primarily on systems like the PS2, Xbox 360, etc.
• Handheld gamer: A type of gamer who enjoys playing video games primarily on handheld systems, like the DS or the PSP.
• PC Gamer: A type of gamer who enjoys playing video games primarily on laptops and desktop computers.
• Casual gamer: A person who enjoys playing games with simple rules or which do not require large blocks of time to play. They might not even identify themselves as a gamer. Because even the most occasional game player qualifies for this category, it is likely the largest in size.
• Hardcore gamer: A person who spends much of their leisure time playing games. There are many subtypes of hardcore gamers based on the style of game, gameplay preference, hardware platform, and other preferences.
• Competitive gamer: A hardcore gamer who primarily plays games for the enjoyment of competing with other players. Common competitions include number of opponents beaten, earned titles or other status symbols, or even simply bragging rights about almost anything.
• Retrogamer: A hardcore gamer who enjoys playing or collecting vintage video games from earlier eras. Retrogamers are partly responsible for the popularity of console emulation. Some collect old video games and prototypes, or are in the business of refurbishing old games, particularly arcade cabinets. Some even make their own arcade cabinets (see MAME arcade).
• Import gamers: A hardcore gamer who enjoys playing or collecting video games produced internationally. The most common imports are from Japan, although some European gamers purchase games from North America. Depending on the gaming platform involved, these gamers may use devices such as modchips, boot disks, and/or Gamesharks to bypass regional lockout protection on the software, though some prefer to purchase imported consoles. A number of Import Gamers import games that fall in to genres that are generally not releases outside of Japan, such as dating sims or anime/manga-based licensed games.
• Hacker: A gamer who enjoys finding flaws in a game or finding ways to exploit unintentional features, most often with software not included in the game. The term "hacker" is often derogatory when used in a multiplayer game setting, as hackers can use exploits to gain an unfair advantage over other players. An example of this are the First-person shooter computer games, where programs referred to colloquially as an "aimbot" can be used to shoot with 100% accuracy. Hackers in multiplayer video games are scorned by most of the gaming community.
• Cyberathlete: A professional gamer that plays games for money.^[2] Whether a cyber athlete is a subtype of the hardcore gamer largely depends on the degree to which a cyber athlete is financially dependent upon the income derived from gaming. Insofar as a cyber athlete is financially dependent upon gaming then the time spent playing is no longer "leisure" time.
• Power gamer: This kind of gamer has elements of the hardcore and competitive gamer.

See also

• Electronic sports
• List of gaming topics
• Role-playing game
• Girl gamer
• Lil Poison
• The ECA

References