A while back, I did an article talking about the difference between being a gamer and a “gamer.” This mostly had to do with negative perceptions about gamers. I also made it clear that gamers are a very unique and diverse group of people. As such, I feel that it’s worth spending some time getting to know the different types of gamers we run into along the way. Rest assured, this won’t be as serious as my last article, but should rather be a little more fun and entertaining.

The Casual Gamer

This type of gamer is the one who is very relaxed when they play. This isn’t to say that they aren’t competitive or that they don’t play 100% when they do play. However, their main focus is to relax and have fun while doing so. To them, gaming is an enjoyable activity, one that doesn’t cause them stress or grief because they understand that none of it matters at the end of the day. It doesn’t matter if they get a high level, win a match, or find a rare item. As long as they are having fun, it doesn’t really matter what happens in the game. This can frustrate others, but to the casual gamer, they don’t understand this frustration.

The Try Hard

Opposite the casual gamer, this type is the most competitive. Usually, these are the types involved with professional gaming. This type of gamer takes every game seriously. Whether in single player or multiplayer, in a puzzle game or first person shooter, they will always be aiming to win no matter what. They don’t like to lose. Try hards tend to be very focused on themselves and their performance, but will focus on others who mess up and make their play more difficult. Every time they play, they give 110%. They won’t give up until they have lost.

The Troll

This type of gamer, doesn’t derive enjoyment from playing the game itself. Rather, they find enjoyment in screwing with other gamers, in particular making them mad or unhappy. Video games just provide a community for the troll to feed off of. The trick with trolls is that some aren’t always blatantly obvious. They may start trolling right away or wait until you are well in the game to unleash their cruel words and deeds. Trolls are meant to be ignored and shunned as they truly can’t be considered an actual gamer. Their intentions are far more sinister and sadistic.

The Teammate

This type of gamer supports their team with a fervent desire. They find that helping their team is the most important duty one can have. They recognize that if they don’t do this, no one else will. In a dog-eat-dog world, these guys bite the bullet for their allies. Sometimes, this works to their advantage as their unselfish play yields successful results. On the other hand, people are also apt to abuse this type of player by taking advantage of their kindness to further their own goals. In any event, the teammate almost always comes out on top in the long run and serve as an example to the rest of the gaming community.

The Unskilled

This type of gamer sucks at video games. There really isn’t nice way to put it. There also isn’t much chance of changing it or fixing it. Some gamers just lack all skill and strategy entirely. They are the first to give away their position, first to die, first to commit friendly fire, etc. Every mistake you can possibly make in a game, these guys can and WILL do it. Virtually found in every gaming community, they make those more skilled feel better about their play and prevent them from seeking to improve themselves.

The Completionist

This type of gamer isn’t satisfied with rushing through a campaign just to see the ending. Nor are they happy with meeting the main objective while ignoring secondary objectives. What’s the point of playing if you don’t do EVERYTHING there is to do? This question drives them. To them, gaming is a journey, not a destination. And if you reach the destination, you better dang well have done every side quest, obtained every item, and maxed every level to get there. Gaming isn’t about having fun. It’s about doing any and everything there is to do. If a developer put this in the game to be done, then you should do it and make their hard work and effort worth it.

The Rager

This type of gamer is the kind who is quick to anger. Most gamers have a limit in terms of what crosses the line and sets them off. With this type of player, they are very quick to go off at the littlest of things. Maybe they screwed up, maybe someone on their team screwed up, or maybe someone on the enemy team killed them one too many times. Whatever the cause or spark, the rager goes into a tizzy and makes sure everyone knows about it.

Now, this isn’t a definitive list. Rather, it’s one I think covers the most common types of gamers I run into on a day-to-day basis. Often times, it’s very hard to nail down which type of gamer a player is as gamers themselves seem to take on qualities of all different types given a situation. In any event, I hope you found this helpful, informative, funny, or all the above. And although some of these types are more frustrating than others to play with, remember that there is value in diversity. At least they remind us what we should strive for and what to avoid becoming.