Video games are incredibly popular with the majority of people playing them regularly. There are many different types of games out there to suit everyone’s unique interests and abilities. While some people might be tempted to say that only the most serious gamers are truly “gamers,” anyone who plays games on any level can be considered a gamer. There is a wide variety of gaming that can be done on any device and this is what makes it so difficult to identify who is a true gamer and who is not.

The most common definition of a gamer is someone who plays video games for at least two hours a week. However, this can be a bit misleading as many people play games for longer periods of time. Some people might spend up to five hours a week on a game or even more, especially when they are invested in it and enjoy it. Some people might play a lot of casual games like Cookie Clicker or Farmville while others might spend hours a day on a hardcore RPG with no easy mode.

There are also some gamers that live the gaming lifestyle, treating it more as a hobby than a way to kill some time. This group tends to be more dedicated and consistent with their gaming. They may also favor more challenging and complicated games over those that are more streamlined for mass appeal. This gaming demographic also tends to have a more positive outlook on life and treat it as a form of relaxation rather than a negative social phenomenon.

Most gamers can be placed into a gamer characteristic taxonomy developed by Bartle, which categorizes them into four different categories. These include the escapers, who engage in immersive gaming as a form of escapism to cope with their real-life struggles. They have high impulsivity and low self-esteem, and they struggle to control their gaming addiction.

Achievers are highly motivated by competition and dominance in the game world. They prioritize game-world mechanics and player-versus-player encounters, and they are less interested in role-playing or socializing.

Educational gamers prefer to learn and master the skills in a game through recreational learning experiences. These gamers prioritize challenges that will enhance their problem-solving and strategic planning skills.

Casual gamers tend to play games with friends as a way of socializing and having fun. They use gaming as a way to unwind after a long day or before going to sleep. They do not treat gaming as a lifestyle and tend to have a more casual approach to it.