Define "Real Gamer"

[LegendofHugh]

OK. I know right now that this topic has the potential to get a lot of people angry. My question is: what do you define as a "real gamer"?

My definition is this: A real gamer is a person for whom gaming is their number 1 hobby. they play games on most consoles, and of most genres (note I own a wii which i have temporarily traded for my older brother's 360, but even before that I had played many 360 and PS3 games at friend's houses. actually owning every console doesn't matter). whether the games they play are single or multiplayer is irrelevant. Real gamers don't get caught up in petty arguments over which console is better, or if games are kiddy etc.

My younger brother used to be what I call a real gamer, but I don't think he is anymore. He only ever plays modern warfare 2 online (and ONLY online) and dismisses all the other games we have, because according to him, "MW2 is better than all the others so why would i bother playing it, now let me get back to my sniping." literally in those words. in games other than MW2, he always skips the cutscenes, not caring about story, then complains if things don't make sense. the other 360 games we have are:
Red Dead Redemption
Transformers: War for Cybetron
Bayonetta (which he despises despite not actually having played it at all or watched me play it)
Gears of War (which he called repetitive: i decided not to point out the same thing about MW2)
BlazBlue Calamity Trigger (he doesn't like fighting games, except Melee/Brawl, which I love, but they aren't exactly as deep as some other fighters)

OK, I have gone on long enough, but I've given an example of the qualities I see in "real gamers" and used my brother as an example of someone who is not a gamer.

What are your views on this whole thing?

 

[NotSoNimble]

You said:

'My definition is this: A real gamer is a person for whom gaming is their number 1 hobby. they play games on most consoles, and of most genres (note I own a wii which i have temporarily traded for my older brother's 360, but even before that I had played many 360 and PS3 games at friend's houses. actually owning every console doesn't matter). whether the games they play are single or multiplayer is irrelevant. Real gamers don't get caught up in petty arguments over which console is better, or if games are kiddy etc."

I say:

If you care this much about what people refer to you as, you are something more than just 'a real gamer'.

You might be thinking more into it than you need to.

The need to be recognized by others is a kinda primal thing, most people worry about it, not just real gamers vs non-real gamers.

Petty arguments are plentiful in some peoples thoughts..... you know.... those who need to label and be labeled.

 

[Eclectic Dreck]

A corporeal being who engages in gaming regularly enough that it could be considered a hobby is as concrete as I could be.

If you want me to define a "hardcore" or "core" gamer, it would be a person who engages in gaming as their primary entertainment activity.

 

[JUMBO PALACE]

These threads are getting really old now. BUT, a real gamer is someone who plays games.

 

[Pegghead]

A gamer is somebody who enjoys videogames.

That's it.

 

[SL33TBL1ND]

These threads are getting really old now. BUT, a real gamer is someone who plays games.

This man speaks the truth!

 

[acosn]

Anyone whom sits down to play video games, and aims to improve within said game.

Gamer is a very broad definition. The only people whom are not gamers are literally the people whom basically either don't play games or don't try to challenge themselves at it.

 

[Marmooset]

I think they call them 'Gamer Reyals' in France, because of the metric system.

(And if you play Bass Hunter, you could call yourself a Reel Gamer.)

 

[Firetaffer]

I pretty much fit your whole definition, which is weird.

 

[PhunkyPhazon]

Pretty much what you said, it's someone whose main hobby is gaming. Someone who will play any game regardless of system or ESRB rating, and most likely is quite passionate about them.

 

[captaincabbage]

Someone who plays games?

 

[RandomWords]

Anyone who genuinely enjoys and plays games on a regular basis.

 

[kazork]

someone who plays games.

 

[squid5580]

Someone who plays video games.

But now I'm going to point out your hypocrisy and why you're terrible, OP.

"A real gamer is a person for whom gaming is their number 1 hobby." Right, so you say this and then go on to say "My younger brother used to be what I call a real gamer, but I don't think he is anymore." And why? "He only ever plays modern warfare 2 online", which would indicate that he does have it as his main hobby. So apparently you can only be a gamer if you pointlessly play many games regardless of whether or not you actually like them? Fuck playing games you like and have fun playing. By golly by OP's definition we all better start playing Starcraft 2, MW2, Final Fantasy and Street Fighter because you can't just play games you like to be a gamer despite his very words being that you just have to play games as your number one hobby!

Oh no oh no. We gotta play games like Terminator Salvation, Sonic Unleashed and Deadly Premonition to be a real gamer. Those games you listed are too good for "real gamers".

 

[tharglet]

Don't see what having a multitude of platforms has got to do with a "real gamer". Some people (like me) have found the platform that works for them (PC) and doesn't necessarily have the spare income for other platforms (though there is a Wii knocking around here somewhere...)
Also I don't think someone's "special" for playing multiple genres, though gamers should at least be willing to try different genres.
I've tried fighting games and RTSes but I just don't enjoy them. It would be a waste of my time and money to pursue the genre any more.
To me, a gamer is just someone who is avid about games, and spends a fair amount of time playing what they enjoy.

 

[Deleted]

My definitions

Hardcore Gamer: someone who games as their main or close to main hobby. Most likely plays a wide variety of games.

Casual gamer: someone who occasionally plays games but don't devote much time and energy to them. Usually has one favorite genre/series and rarely stray from it.

Chic Gamer: someone who feels nostalgic of the 8-16 bit era despite not experiencing it, and are into how gaming makes them look like a unique type of geek. May or may not actually play games.

 

[JPH330]

A gamer is somebody who plays video games a lot.

A hardcore gamer is somebody who plays video games a lot and is also an arrogant prick.