So, I've been strolling along these forums for a while, never made a post, but I think this is a cool question. What makes a gamer, to you? Amount of systems owned, skill, number of games, what is it?

Myself, I own a 360 and I don't really play much, but I enjoy it throughly when I do. Don't read up much on the sites, 'cept about a few games i'm into. So what do you think?

to me, a gamer is anyone who takes a recreational interest in gaming.

It's as simple as that.

If you play games, and enjoy playing games, you're a gamer.

Enjoying games and gaming related thing, to a point where you consider gaming as something both enjoyable and with some merit as a hobby.

also, I'd like to note that this thread should be voted "Most Likely to Have a Bunch of People Mention the Search Feature"

Altorin:
also, I'd like to note that this thread should be voted "Most Likely to Have a Bunch of People Mention the Search Feature"

First post don't be mean.

And it helps restart discussions or we would have a lot less threads.

oh snap, sorry, I don't usually look at postcounts, lol

welcome to the escapist

tata ;)

I'm sorry, I did a search for the title and nothing came up, I don't normally post on forums, but I've had some brewskis and wanted to hear some opinions. I read in another thread, somebody said if you don't own all three systems you aren't a gamer. So I guess that's what sparked it.

chronobreak:
I'm sorry, I did a search for the title and nothing came up, I don't normally post on forums, but I've had some brewskis and wanted to hear some opinions. I read in another thread, somebody said if you don't own all three systems you aren't a gamer. So I guess that's what sparked it.

If you don't own all three no one should hold that against you. I only have a 360 and consider myself a hardcore gamer, so if you can remember the person who said that tell them they can go f^ck themselves.

Just angry because i know people who constantly brag about having all three consoles and how that makes them better.

they were probably being facetious

or maybe they have a high standard for what gaming means.

For most people, it just means you enjoy playing games.

Well, more that you enjoy playing games even when your boyfriend isn't sticking a controller in your hand.

Ivoryagent:
Can you masturbate while playing WoW?

Then you're a gamer.

..And a loser. Had to be said.

Gamers are, in my opinion, the gaming equivalent of movie buffs, watching a few movies does not make you a buff, it makes you a person who likes to watch movies. You've got to take the interest a little bit deeper.

I don't think you can measure what makes a gamer. How many consoles owned, how many hours spent, how many games played; These things just measure how into gaming you are, or "hardcore".

I think of a gamer simply as anyone who enjoys playing video games.

Altorin:

Pyronic:
In my opinion?

what defines a gamer...

excellent first post.

I think he's in the wrong thread. This isn't "what makes a douchebag?"

Ivoryagent:

Reaperman Wompa:

Ivoryagent:
Can you masturbate while playing WoW?

Then you're a gamer.

..And a loser. Had to be said.

Define loser.

Someone who masterbates while playing WoW. I don't think anyone could sink lower.

Ivoryagent:
Define loser.

Someone who has sunk to the point where they should be pitied, but done it in a way which exempts them from pity, like masturbating while playing WoW.

Reaperman Wompa:

Ivoryagent:
Can you masturbate while playing WoW?

Then you're a gamer.

..And a paladin. Had to be said.

fixt.

Altorin:

Reaperman Wompa:

Ivoryagent:
Can you masturbate while playing WoW?

Then you're a gamer.

..And a paladin. Had to be said.

fixt.

underline it or people won't know what you fixed. And i look weird/er.

well, it's been quoted several times

I changed "loser" to "paladin"

I'll explain:

masturbating while playing a paladin is a really old inside joke in the world of warcraft community. Paladins used to be so boring to play (and generally are) that players were sure their intended purpose was to be able to watch porn while playing.

Plays games a lot with an interest in upcoming games and gaming culture. That seems about it.

I think being a gamer is having love for the industry.
That you buy the games you want instead of downloading them all or using only roms.
It's also about that you look further that the hype and mainstream titles and can enjoy a game for what it is. Even if it does not have fancy graphics.
And that you are interested in the stories behind games, how developers experienced the progres of making the game etc.

That is what makes a gamer... I think...

you're a gamer if you see yourself as a gamer :p

I wouldn't name any of your conditions; systems, skills or # of games... I would go for time spent playing, but dismissed that quickly for the next one: time spent on games while not actually playing. Oh oh and here's another one to seperate gamers from casuals: whether you put energy into games or except it out of it.

I think he's in the wrong thread. This isn't "what makes a douchebag?"

dude! Over there it is HIP to game! If you have a date, you can actually go to a internet cafe (Korea) or arcade hall (Japan)! (or even better, find a date there!) Sure wish that was more common over here ^^

In my opinion a gamer isn`t someone who likes to play games, but the one who loves to play them. A gamer embraces the challenge of the game at various difficulty levels, lols at the bugs and potential exploits and will occasionally try, if available, to get the best score possible.
For example i`m having trouble cosidering my roommate a gamer just because he seems to like to play a game from time to time

MisterDevil:
In my opinion a gamer isn`t someone who likes to play games, but the one who loves to play them. A gamer embraces the challenge of the game at various difficulty levels, lols at the bugs and potential exploits and will occasionally try, if available, to get the best score possible.
For example i`m having trouble cosidering my roommate a gamer just because he seems to like to play a game from time to time

An excellent definition. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to the Escapist.

A gamer embraces the challenge of the game at various difficulty levels, [...] and will occasionally try, if available, to get the best score possible.

Just remember, challenge is not the only reason to play a game. Other examples are creativity and story

In my opinion a gamer isn`t someone who likes to play games, but the one who loves to play them.

but I like the sound of this. Very nice :)

Plays games a lot

This I'm going to disagree with now. Maybe make it relative, the amount of time playing games compared to the total amount of spare time? Because I know I play waaaaaaay less compared to highschool, but I'd still like to see myself as a gamer

Decoy Doctorpus:
Gamers are, in my opinion, the gaming equivalent of movie buffs, watching a few movies does not make you a buff, it makes you a person who likes to watch movies. You've got to take the interest a little bit deeper.

^ This

Saying that someone who simply enjoys games is a gamer, whilst sounds nice, doesn't really translate well into some cases. Take my mother, who enjoys spells of Dance Dance Revolution, Wii Fit and Wii Sports. Should I call her a gamer? I don't think so, she doesn't even know what a Mario is.

dicksmcerson:

Decoy Doctorpus:
Gamers are, in my opinion, the gaming equivalent of movie buffs, watching a few movies does not make you a buff, it makes you a person who likes to watch movies. You've got to take the interest a little bit deeper.

^ This

Saying that someone who simply enjoys games is a gamer, whilst sounds nice, doesn't really translate well into some cases. Take my mother, who enjoys spells of Dance Dance Revolution, Wii Fit and Wii Sports. Should I call her a gamer? I don't think so, she doesn't even know what a Mario is.

you have to take a recreational interest in games in general, that's the difference.

my mom IS a gamer. she plays JRPGs like crazy, and is constantly looking for the next one to play.

:P

Some who plays games. Next.

Enjoying a game, playing a lot and pwning it; are somehow "the gamer`s standards". It would be a shame to finish/pwn a game without enjoying it and simply avoid what is has to offer. Even though not all games need a great amount of time to be finished, some gamers would gladly play it a few more times just to be sure they didn`t skip/miss a part of the game ( like the games with various endings for example... and/or secret levels)

What would crysis be like if u didn`t look around for a while and enjoy the graphics, and what would the koreans have to say if you didn`t kill them in all the possible ways. And what would the postal do if you don`t piss on the future victims ?

tobyornottoby:

I think he's in the wrong thread. This isn't "what makes a douchebag?"

dude! Over there it is HIP to game! If you have a date, you can actually go to a internet cafe (Korea) or arcade hall (Japan)! (or even better, find a date there!) Sure wish that was more common over here ^^

Yeah, but that doesn't mean Korean = gamer. It's not a negative stereotype, but I still hate it when people say ignorant douchebaggy statements like that.

Ivoryagent:
Can you masturbate while playing WoW?

Then you're a gamer.

That's not a Gamer, That's Ambidextrous. ;)

a gamer is someone who enjoys and aprciates games, period.

Well if your like me and own

- over 20 different consoles
- own over 300 different games
- have a PC that can play Crysis (only on high though :()
- are taking computer games development as a course at college
- play them in most of my free time

then i think you might just qualify :D

Nahh but seriously, if you enjoy playing computer games on a regular basis then your a gamer.

You're a gamer if you enjoy playing games, not just in a group, but by yourself as well.