If you still think of gamers in terms of ‘hardcore’ or ‘casual’ then you might be behind the times. Games and Esports Analytics company Newzoo have taken a fresh look at the gaming market and believe that the old gamer descriptions just don’t cut it anymore.
I mean, how would you classify gamers who play a lot, but don’t know anything about ESports or watching gamers online? What about those who love watching games and could tell you everything about their chosen ESport, but rarely play?
Hardcore or casual was easy, right? You either played games, or you didn’t (and no, only playing The Sims did NOT make you hardcore. At all). But look at all the ways the gaming hobby has grown. Getting top of the line peripherals. Overclocking. Case-modding. Streaming and videos. ESports. Watching. Playing. Commentating. Hardcore is dead. It’s time to make room for the new crowd.
Newzoo have decided on 8 different gamer ‘personas’ to reflect this new diversity, and they sound pretty reasonable:
The Ultimate Gamer: “Gaming is in my DNA!. There are few things I love more. I spend my free time and money on games.”
The All-round Enthusiast: “I am interested in all forms of gaming, from playing to watching and everything in between.”
The Cloud Gamer: “I enjoy playing high-quality games, preferably free-to-play or discounted titles. I will only spend on hardware when necessary.”
The Conventional Player: “I do not watch other people play games much. I own plenty of hardware, so I would rather be playing myself.”
The Hardware Enthusiast: “I am always following the latest hardware news and trends. Whether it’s for work or play, I want an optimised experience.”
The Popcorn Gamer: “Playing video games may not be my favourite hobby, but I definitely enjoy watching others play.”
The Backseat Viewer: “I used to game a lot. Whenever I watch a big ESports event and watch others playing games, that passion is reignited.”
The Time Filler: “I only game when I have time to spare or at social events. Mobile games are my go-to.”
It’s worth noting that these gamer personas are created as a commercial product, with deeper insights into each group available for a price.
Yet that makes them a more reliable breakdown of the different types of gamer. If Newzoo are using these personas as a commercial tool aimed at providing the gaming industry with a way to target their products, then it’s likely some real, concrete research has gone into this.
I’m proud to say that I fall into the Ultimate Gamer persona.
Where do you fall?
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