What makes you a Gamer?

[Sonicron]

It's the fact that I not only play games (and have been doing so for about 20 years), but view it as my primary hobby and invest considerable time in the medium and most things surrounding it; heck, recently I even wrote my BA thesis (in part) on the subject. In essence, I'm fascinated by the medium and immerse myself in it, stay up-to-date on current events related to it and try to expand my horizons (including those outside of gaming) through it.

 

[Trololo Punk]

Like others have said, I play a lot of games, that alone makes me a gamer. But, I also appreciate the media, and I like having discussions about video games them with fellow "gamers".

 

[Sexy Devil]

It's playing games basically.

Unfortunately 'gamer' doesn't mean anything any more.

How is that unfortunate? It's evolved enough as a form of entertainment that you are no longer labelled for enjoying games, and is slowly becoming accepted as an art form.

The only people who it would be unfortunate for are the people who actually do fit into that negative stereotype that TV shows give us regarding gamers, letting it define their identity.

 

[Stalydan]

I'd say it would be having an interest in video games.

 

[Sexy Devil]

It's playing games basically.

Unfortunately 'gamer' doesn't mean anything any more.

How is that unfortunate? It's evolved enough as a form of entertainment that you are no longer labelled for enjoying games, and is slowly becoming accepted as an art form.

The only people who it would be unfortunate for are the people who actually do fit into that negative stereotype that TV shows give us regarding gamers, letting it define their identity.

I'm certainly not one of them, in fact in previous posts I've been quite venomous to those types. It's a pity it doesn't mean anything because people keep using it as a descriptor and as a reason for why they are the way they are.

Sorry for getting aggressive then. These types of arguments tend to bring out the worst in me.

 

[svenjl]

I think the idea of gaming as a serious hobby is roughly what defines a "gamer". Playing Angry Birds on the way to and from work doesn't really qualify, so to speak (or if it even matters!). Some of my friends would be surprised at how much I read in relation to games, on top of playing. I wouldn't be insulted to be considered a gamer. I spend money and time to play games, read about them, wear them on T-shirts, review them etc. As long as the term isn't used in an insulting or condescending way, or to completely define one's person then like most labels it's harmless.

 

[OpticalJunction]

If you play games you're a gamer, it's as simple as that. Having an interest in gaming but not actually playing, though, does NOT make you a gamer, just a potential one. Hardcore gamers I'd define as people playing upwards of 5+ hours a day, replaying often, joining forums, making fan works, buying DLC's, pre-ordering new games and so on.

 

[Leole]

I tend to lean on the "If I box one time, that doesn't make me a boxer" POV. A gamer is, yes, someone who plays video games, but that also goes out of his/her way to learn more about other genres, or games, or developers, or whatever your heart desires.

I have this friend of mine, that has probably played 4 games, (HL2, both Portals and Wind Waker) and he consider himself a gamer. Not to diminish him, but playing just those games alone, shouldn't make you an expert on... anything, really. (Not to say he has to play the games I'VE played to be considered one, it's just that he doesn't play anything else)

 

[Esotera]

Playing games? That was pretty easy. Everything else aside - the games you play, your opinions about the industry, playing the games themselves matters most.

 

[azukar]

I use my leisure time to play games.

And games are a medium, just not one as well-defined or accepted as, say, music.

 

[JordanXlord]

to me games are a Great Medium and i spend nearly all my Free time playing Games

 

[goldendriger]

Can i go all Teh_Masterer on you guys?
Its not the games you play, but HOW you play them that define weather or not you are..."1337"

 

[James Crook]

What makes me a gamer is that I play games, and respect them as a form of entertainment in the same way as movies. That's all.

 

[Vault101]

It's the fact that I not only play games (and have been doing so for about 20 years), but view it as my primary hobby and invest considerable time in the medium and most things surrounding it; heck, recently I even wrote my BA thesis (in part) on the subject. In essence, I'm fascinated by the medium and immerse myself in it, stay up-to-date on current events related to it and try to expand my horizons (including those outside of gaming) through it.

do you think you'll ever get sick of it? (some people seem to)

I mean I supose gaming changes more rapidly than other medioums due to being tied directly to technology, so I dont really see it "stagnating" so to speak

I mean unless it takes a direction that you dont like...

 

[BangSmashBoom]

I would love to call myself a Gamer and wear it like a metal of honor, but from what I know is that to be a Gamer you musn't limit yourself to one game or one game franchise, so I'm doing a review series I call BEJoG (Bang's Epic Journey of Gaming) that has a diffrent game review theme ever month and hopfully I can one day call myself a Gamer guilt free... GAME ON AND BANG OUT!

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/9.304741-Bangs-Epic-Journey-of-Gaming-JRPGs-1#12227094

 

[teebeeohh]

owning and frequently using a platform that has the main purpose of running video games.

 

[caselj01]

Being a gamer is not simply about whether you play games, or even what games you play or how much time you spend playing them. I think the defining characteristic of a true "gamer" is that they CARE about games.

For a long time I played games but I wasnt a gamer, because I simply didnt care about games. I didnt know the difference between an rts and an rpg, I didnt know the difference between a developer and a publisher. I didnt know these things because I didnt care about them.

Now that I am a gamer, I know that there is a fan petition to bring Xenoblade Chronicles to the US, I know this even though Iv never played that game and I dont live in the US. I know about it because I care about games and the games industry. Thats what makes a true gamer.