A fanatic, a piece of iron or a spectator - what kind of gamer are you?

How many minutes a day do you play games on a computer or smartphone or watch others play? In the United States, a study was conducted that showed what types of gamers exist and how they differ from each other.

Games are one of the most beloved entertainment in the world. According to the Reuters news agency, the gaming industry generated more revenue last year than television, films, and music. While other types of entertainment are in recession (for example, TV -8%), sales in the gaming sector grew by 10.7%. The largest growth is observed in the Chinese market, where game sales grew by 14%.

The dominance of games is manifested in a change in the relationship between igrodelov, Hollywood and publishers. Previously, games were created based on popular books and films. Now it is often the opposite. An example is Angry Birds and Assassin's Creed, released as films many years after the advent of these legendary games.

Video games have already ceased to be a "home" occupation, turning into a spectacular sport. Overwatch and StarCraft II, CS GO have made eSports a global phenomenon (yes, we remember quake, line, warcraft and DotA). In competitions, players can earn more than $ 1 million in prize money!

The future of the games looks brilliant, and the gaming capabilities of augmented and virtual reality will grow thanks to the reviews and reviews of the first test users. So we can expect that there will soon be a stably high demand for high-power graphics and microprocessors.

What about gamers?

Changes in the gaming industry have affected gamers as well. Newzoo, a gaming and e-sports market analyst, has been researching people for a year as gamers. It turned out 8 main types of video game lovers.

You need to understand that the data below is relevant primarily for the US market. In Russia there will be other figures, and the gender spread will be different. Moreover, in other countries, women sometimes play more often than men. So, what are gamers, how do they differ from each other? We are telling.

Fanatic (13% - segment share of the total number of gamers)

He literally lives and breathes games: he watches let’s plays, plays himself. Tries to be in the subject of all events in the gaming world and e-sports, buys new items. Has enough money to spend them on their favorite pastime. Actively invested in computer hardware and peripherals. No one will be surprised if he names a pet in honor of the legendary orc or other game character.

• Average age: 28 years
• Hobbies in order of importance: games, electronics, films
• Gender: 65% - men, 35% - women
• Family: married or single, have children

Active player (9%)

An avid gamer who spends many hours playing games a week. He is not as keen on this activity as a fanatic, but games are an important part of his life. As a rule, it fully works, so buying the latest games and hardware can do it. He enjoys playing on good technology, watching interesting streams and other video content. Spends his money and time on games in a balanced way.

• Average age: 28 years
• Hobbies in order of importance: games, films, music
• Gender: 65% - men, 35% - women
• Family: married or single, have children

Traditional gamer (4%)

He played actively 10 years ago, when there was no eSports and video content. Therefore, she does not like to watch the game of other people, it is better to play on her own. Fortunately, there are a large number of favorite games. Enjoys by following the latest gaming industry news and trying out exciting new products. Nothing can stop him from indulging his little whims, so buying new equipment and peripherals is an integral part of his leisure time.

• Average age: 32 years
• Hobbies in order of importance: games, films, music
• Gender: 62% - men, 38% - women
• Family: married or single, have children

Zhelezyachnik (9%)

He is calm about games and can play just a couple of times in a week. However, it closely follows the news from the world of computer equipment. It is important for him to get maximum pleasure during the game. Everything should "fly", so the iron worker does not spare money on the latest gaming gadgets, peripherals, "iron". A computer for $ 5,000? Easy! The love of iron to computers, electronics and gadgets, as a rule, goes far beyond the scope of games.

• Average age: 31 years
• Hobbies in order of importance: movies, music, travel and entertainment
• Gender: 60% - men, 40% - women
• Family: married or single, have children

Viewer Player (13%)

It may not spend so much time on games, but it enjoys watching streams, summer plays and other gaming video content alone or with friends. The game process itself does not cause much interest, it enjoys watching the video. Spends a lot of time in front of the TV, on YouTube, Twitch and other popular platforms for gamers.

• Average age: 31 years
• Hobbies in order of importance: music, films, travel and entertainment
• Gender: 54% - men, 46% - women
• Family: married or single, have children / lives with parents

Observer (6%)

Often watches video content or broadcasts of game competitions on YouTube or Twitch, but almost does not play games. Typically, this is a former gamer who once loved to play, but because of work or family circumstances abandoned this business. He does not have the right equipment or just time for games. There are those who just like to watch the game of professionals. Just like football fans watch matches of their favorite teams.

• Average age: 33 years
• Hobbies in order of importance: music, films, sports
• Gender: 57% - men, 43% - women
• Family: married or single, have children

Time Killer (27%)

Esports and gaming video content are of little interest to him. Such a gamer rarely spends more than three or four hours a week playing the game, so he does not consider the game an important part of his life. He needs them only in order to pass the time. Hence the interest in simple and fast games: Candy crush, Clash of clans, etc. Games on the computer are generally uninteresting to him, as well as hardware.

• Average age: 37 years
• Hobbies in order of importance: movies, music, travel and entertainment
• Gender: 39% - men, 61% - women
• Family: married or single, have children

Cloud Gamer (19%)

He loves video games, but is indifferent to the power of his "iron". Very rarely spends money on it, preferring to do with what is. Can use cloud services for games. He buys equipment only in case of emergency or receives computer / console devices as a gift.

• Average age: 30 years
• Hobbies in order of importance: games, music, films
• Gender: 59% - men, 41% - women
• Family: married or single, have children

To find out what type of gamers you belong to , take the test on the Newzoo website. You can also find the full version of the study there.

What does all this mean?

This study shows how strong stratification among gamers has occurred in recent years. New directions appeared, and gamers got the opportunity to cut into new games even on the old device. Cyber ​​competitions are gaining more and more popularity, and the game of popular bloggers is being watched by many people who are ready to “donate” for interesting video content.

Note that for domestic gamers, this segmentation is not entirely suitable. We have other habits and hobbies. But what kind of psychotypes of gamers exist in Russia is hard to say. There were no serious studies in this direction. You may recall an interesting studyof the Russian gaming market from Mail.ru, but it was held in 2012, an eternity ago (by the standards of the game world). It would be interesting to see what changed by 2019.