When it comes to what type of gamer you are and what kind of gaming experience you enjoy, there isn’t one shoe that fits all. We all want something different from our gaming time and enjoy different things. If you have ever wondered about the type of gamer you are, here is a definitive list of the most common types of gamers and gaming experiences.
What types of gamers are there?
First and foremost, there are hardcore gamers, who take their gaming very seriously. These players prefer challenging games that require skill and strategy to complete. They often invest hours into developing tactics and perfecting their play style. Casual gamers are more relaxed about their gaming habits. While they may still enjoy a challenge, it is not as important as having a fun time. These players are often drawn to more lighthearted games with bright colors and simple controls.
Then, there are the creative gamers who enjoy making their own content and exploring different possibilities within the game world. Level editors, mods, and custom maps all appeal to this type of gamer, as they get to express their creativity in ways that other players cannot. Finally, there are competitive gamers who enjoy competing against others for bragging rights and prizes. These players often participate in tournaments, leaderboards, and other events to test their skills against a wide range of opponents.
Solo gamer
First off, the solo gamer is the most common type. They enjoy playing most games but do not need to play with friends to have a good time. They will play live dealer online casino games and drop into a few solo Warzone games. As mentioned, the defining feature of a solo gamer is that they don’t need to play with people they know to have fun, and they have an equally good time playing a multiplayer or a single-player game.
Social gamer
The social gamer wants to play with friends, start a Discord call, hop into a party, or do anything else that would make a game more sociable. Social players can also fall into two primary sub-categories. Social gamers either like to play with friends and “hang out,” or they play with friends to be more competitive in games such as League of Legends or Rocket League.
Casual
A casual gamer considers gaming as one of their hobbies and can either play all weekend or not for a few weeks. They aren’t too concerned with being the best or playing the newest games, but rather playing the games they like. Casual gamers are also not very worried about how good they are and don’t get too worked up if they play poorly.
Competitive
On the other hand, competitive gamer tends to put a lot of hours into one of the more popular titles, as they want to enter and do well in tournaments. Nowadays, these include games like Warzone, Call of Duty, League of Legends, and Rocket League. On a personality level, competitive gamers tend to come across far more seriously and take every game, death, and win to heart.
Hardcore
Hardcore and competitive gamers are similar in a few ways, but some differences exist. Gamers who speedrun or look to do near-impossible challenges in a game can be seen as “hardcore” gamers. Gamers who try and beat Pokemon or Super Mario blindfolded or as fast as possible are competitive in a different sense; instead of trying to beat others, they are trying to beat themselves and be better than before. Hardcore gamers also tend to be much more reserved and less sociable, as their primary goal is to complete the challenge they have set themselves.
The streamer
Next, we have the steamer. Streamers are a mix of all the types of gamers mentioned already; they play by themselves, with others, participate in competitions, play casually, and do everything and anything. This is partially the appeal of many streamers; someone like Shroud will play games by himself, watch others play, and invite his friends; this makes him appealing to more gamers who would watch. The streamer also tends to have a bigger and louder personality than other gamers as they want to entertain their audience.
The observer
Although a casual gamer, the observer finds pleasure in watching high-level players and their gameplay, much like someone who dabbles in golf or baseball. Twitch serves as their primary entertainment source, where they watch live events, tournaments, and streamers to follow the latest happenings in games.
Fast-paced
The genre of games you enjoy can classify you as a fast or slow-paced gamer. Players who enjoy FPS, multiplayer, adventure, MMORPGs, and similar games thrive in a fast-paced environment. An adrenaline rush, battle excitement, and beating other players all fuel their gameplay style. The nature of the games they play and not necessarily how they play determines whether these gamers are competitive, hardcore, or casual.
Slow-paced
A slow-paced gamer enjoys more relaxed titles that allow you to take your time. Generally, strategy and building games fall into this category, but some RPGs can be classified as slow-paced. Games like Cities: Skylines, Animal Crossing, and even Pokemon games can all be classified as more slow-paced games as you can altogether avoid all types of danger and fighting if you want.
Closing
Every player has a unique relationship with their choice of game, and understanding this connection can help to determine which type of gamer they are. Whether it be fast-paced or slow-paced, each type offers its own set of challenges and rewards. Fast-paced gamers usually thrive on the adrenaline rush and excitement that comes with intense battles, while slow-paced gamers enjoy the more relaxed titles that allow them to take their time. By exploring the types of games they prefer and how they engage with those games, players can gain insight into what kind of gamers they are.
Photo credit: The feature image is symbolic and has been done by Sol Vazquez.
