What is a Gamer? Understanding a Gaming Enthusiast

It’s totally okay if “What is a gamer?” remains your question in 2023. And, it’s never too late to be one. In fact, gamers worldwide continue to grow and are expected to be around 3.32 billion in 2024. 

So, if you’re not only curious about the gamer definition, but also want to know more about the benefits and the future of gaming, look no further. 

In this article, we’ll uncover all about gamers, from their history to their impacts on the gaming industry. Let’s dive in!

What is a Gamer?

A gamer is someone who plays games actively, whether as a hobby or as a professional career. This definition is especially true for video games, regardless of the platform—from game consoles to PCs and even mobile phones.

That being said, playing other non-digital games, like outdoor games, doesn’t necessarily make you a gamer, even if it makes sense to say that.

As a gamer, you can play any game as a form of entertainment. That’s how all gamers start their gaming experience.

The good thing is you don’t have to allocate your savings to buy an expensive gaming PC or game console to get a great gaming experience. 

Using only your smartphone to play mobile games will not stop you from being a great gamer.

As a matter of fact, many mobile games offer outstanding experiences, like PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact, and Mobile Legends. You’ll enjoy almost the same experience as using a game console playing all those games.

Adding to that, there are many esports players who have gained huge popularity playing only mobile games.

So, what is a gamer and who can be a gamer? Anyone can become a gamer regardless of budget, age, and gender.

That’s true! You’ll find Alyona Bordukova, a Russian female gamer, as one of the best gamers in the world. Also, you would be surprised to know that Victor De Leon, known for Lil Poison, became a pro gamer at the age of six.

However, although modern games tend to be more competitive than before, some gamers prefer to be casual gamers who play games for themselves at home.

We’ve covered the answer for what is a gamer. Now, what are the benefits of being one?

Benefits of Being A Gamer

Some people still restrain themself from being a gamer. They argue that video games are toxic and can cause negative consequences. But, is it?

In fact, there are many benefits of being a gamer:

1. Improved Creativity

If you want to solve problems or create great products, you need to think outside the box, and that takes creativity.

Fortunately, most games these days encourage players to think creatively in order to survive and come up with new strategies to win. By playing games, you can develop your creativity and innovative thinking skills in a fun and engaging way.

Just look at Minecraft, for example. According to Iowa State University, playing Minecraft has been shown to boost creativity just by managing resources and building things in the game.

So, the next time you’re gaming, remember that you’re not just having fun – you’re also practicing important skills that can help you in the real world!

2. More Resistant to Stress

Being a gamer has its advantages, and one of them is the ability to escape from stress by playing your favorite games. Most games offer relaxing experiences that can help you unwind and feel better.

But gaming isn’t just a form of escapism. The immersive experience of playing games can actually have a positive impact on your mental health. How is that possible?

Studies have shown that the thinking process involved in gaming, which tends to use the right brain, is similar to the process of creating art. According to research, cortisol levels—linked to stress, tend to decrease after just 45 minutes of art creation.

So, it’s no surprise that gaming can have a similar effect on your mental well-being.

3. Less Getting Bored

Maybe not everyone agrees that being a gamer has benefits – but here’s one that’s hard to deny: gaming is a great way to kill boredom and have fun instantly!

With around 490,000 games available on Play Store alone, you can choose from a wide variety of games and play whatever strikes your fancy.

As a gamer, you can enjoy a diverse range of experiences, from fast-paced games like Asphalt to more laid-back games like Hay Day.

So, why not explore different worlds, game stories, and characters as you discover new and exciting experiences through gaming? It’s a great way to beat boredom and have some fun in no time flat.

4. Enhances Social Connections

Contrary to popular belief, gaming can actually be a great way to build strong social connections; as long as you are not dealing with toxic gamers.

Unlike old arcade video games that were played offline, modern games are mostly online, which allows gamers to connect with others who share the same interests.

Not only can you play against opponents, but you can also team up with people from around the world. This creates a sense of community and belonging, which is really awesome.

For example, if you play Hay Day, waiting for resources from the system can take forever! But if you reach out to your friends on Facebook, you can get what you need much faster. Of course, this means you’ll need to have a conversation with them first.

The same goes for multiplayer online games like Counter Strike, where coordination is key to winning the game. In fact, most gamers feel most comfortable playing with their friends and communicating via gaming headsets—whether at a game center or at home.

5. Better Self Esteem

We all have those days when our self-esteem takes a hit.  If we can’t cure ourselves fast, it can bring negative consequences we don’t want. 

But did you know gaming can be a great solution to boost your self-confidence?

A gamer can have a solution to boost a sense of achievement through games. When you win the games and gain pride as players progress through achieving objectives or overcoming challenges, you’ll feel much better.

In fact, research by McGill scientists has confirmed that playing games can help people develop a more positive mindset and greater self-acceptance.

So, is it good being a gamer? Certainly. If you know your limits, gaming can give you many advantages, whether as a hobby or as a career in which you can earn lots of money.

What You Need to be A Great Gamer

Being a gamer can bring many benefits, so what do you need to prepare to be a great one?

1. A Perfect Gaming Setup

Don’t get it wrong; you don’t need to have a fancy expensive gaming setup to be a great game. But you need to make sure that your setup is perfect for your niche and preferences.

In fact, investing in the right equipment can make a huge difference. Having the right equipment can enhance your gaming experience.

If you want to be a good mobile gamer, then at least ensure your mobile phone can play the game without lags. Or, if you play PC games, having a quality headset is recommended, whether it is a wired or wireless gaming headset.

You don’t need to buy all the equipment all at once. You can start with the most impactful ones, like a keyboard, mouse, or monitor with a good refresh rate for gaming.

Read More: Game Streaming Setup to Make You Like a Pro

2. A Great Dedication to Practice Well

This is a bit of a cliché, but it’s true; practice makes perfect. Without practicing, you can’t make progress. So, leave it alone a dream to be a professional gamer.

It doesn’t mean that you have to play games most of the time. But you need to dedicate yourself to playing the game often to master it.

For example, if you play FPS games, then you need to practice more to train your hand-eye coordination and even reflexes. Any single reaction can determine whether you win or lose the game.

Just like any other skill, you need to be patient and learn from your mistakes. Keep pushing yourself to improve by finding better tactics or new strategies.

3. Good Communication

This applies if you play team games like Overwatch and Call of Duty. Good communication with your team is key to better collaboration in hunting enemies down.

However, it’s important to strike a balance between communication and gameplay. While you want to communicate effectively, you also need to know when to prioritize gameplay over the conversation.

Over-communicating can distract you from the game and ultimately hinder your chances of winning.

4. An Attitude to Stay Up-to-Date

It’s almost impossible to be a good gamer without staying up-to-date with the latest gaming trends. Most importantly, to know every buff and nerf of the game you play. This will make a big difference.  

First of all, the gaming world itself is constantly changing. There are new games, equipment, and even strategies to make playing the games more fun. Keep your eyes wide open and build a habit of being willing to learn from others to improve your skill as a gamer.

Secondly, to make it more attractive, game developers sometimes make the game’s characters stronger and weaker. Without keeping updated with this information, you may end up choosing the wrong hero or even underestimating your opponents, which leads to losses. 

5. A Supportive Community

You might become one of the best gamers all by yourself. But, the process could be faster if you have a supportive gaming community to help you out, especially in your early days as a gamer.

Not only that, surrounding yourself with caring gamers can provide encouragement and shared knowledge. This way, you’ll feel more positive and passionate about what you play, even if you may lose at one time or another.

You can get closer to the gaming community by joining online forums, following certain Facebook Pages, or attending local gaming events. You can then connect with others who share your passion for gaming.

The Gaming Community 

A gaming community is a supportive group of gamers who are passionate about playing certain video games. This community often connects and shares experiences to make the joy of playing games even better.

In fact, the gaming community has grown over the years. Playing in an arcade in solitary is now old school. Gamers tend to move to personal consoles and PCs with diverse online gaming communities, which you can be part of.

This gaming community makes games real. Especially if the community holds certain events to bring the characters or the gameplay to life. 

What makes novice gamers feel like home is that most gaming communities are inclusive and helpful. This way, early gamers can feel more confident about improving themselves by playing their favorite games. 

However, you can’t close your eyes to some toxic gaming communities. It’s best to avoid such communities. But, mostly, you’ll still encounter them. 

Despite its pros and cons, the concept of a gaming community is to connect gamers of the same interest despite their physical location. This way, it can help gamers learn and grow together while staying bonded by common games.