The Gamer Spectrum

I like making up random things that sound semi-scientific.  We've all heard terms like newb, casual, and hardcore thrown about when it comes to describing a type of gamer.  It can be daunting when you are trying to figure out your own level of gaming proficiency.  So here's a handy spectrum to help you label yourself.

At the top lie the "ultra hardcores."  UH's are the people who top the leaderboards and achieve world firsts.  They publish guides and videos about how to be leet like them and they are online 24/7.  You openly ogle their gear and achievements wishing you could be like them.

Directly below are the "hardcores."  Hardcores put in some serious time but can't quite make it to #1.  In a game like WoW they might achieve server firsts, but not world firsts.  Other gamers secretly admire their gear but will openly mock their status as a cellar dweller.

I'm going to throw in a random category here on the high end--let's call gamers on this level "back in the day" gamers.  These guys are the ones who decry the UH's and hardcores. To them it the game was always harder in the last patch or expansion and now that it has been nerfed any idiot can be on top.  The guys play a lot and like to remind everyone that everything was harder "back in the day."

Then we have the "game snobs."  GS's don't play popular games (or they pretend not to).  Anything popular is just bad.  They only play games that require "real skill."  They are similar to the "back in the days" but they are way more bohemian.

In the middle are the "game enthusiasts."  GE's like to play lots of games and don't just specialize in one game.  They don't go for the uber-achievements and like to play just for the experience.  (I would classify myself as a GE.  I like to play for the story or just for fun.  There was a time when I was somewhere more towards "hardcore.")

I'm gonna put some thought into the bottom levels and post the completed spectrum tomorrow.