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Weekend Slowdown: The (Hypothetical) 9 types of gamers

Posted May 06, 2007 at 05:28AM by Ian C. Listed in: Off Topic Tags: Psychology

9 Types of Gamer - Image 1

Weekend Slowdown? Weekend reading more like it. An interesting and well written article on the Only a Game blog, attempts to outline the basic player patterns in an attempt to classify and categorize the different types of gamers out there.

We won't focus on the methodology and the references that the article drew upon, all the psychology stuff might bore you folks. Instead we'll present to you guys the 9 Basic Player types that this amazing work-in-progress has arrived at so far.

The 9 types are:

Conqueror - Conquerors seek to beat any challenge, the harder the challenge is to beat the more the satisfaction. Most commonly found in First Player Shooters, where the competition is against another human being - the ultimate AI so far - and where the competition is more often than not one against many, conquerors seek to be pushed to their limits and to triumph against adversity. The article notes that Conquerors on average are younger than most players

Manager - Managers seek complexity and thrive to discover how systems and how gameplay works. They derive satisfaction in discovering how things interact, and how actions within the game play out in the long term. Mastery is their middle name. Most managers find a home in Strategy games and RPGs.

Wanderer - Wanderers seek immersion and engagement in imaginary worlds. Good stories and great characters provide them more satisfaction than the challenge that the game's gameplay offers.

Participant - Participants are social players. They do not want to stay alone. Competition is mean to be enjoyed with other people after all, however competition isn't the end all and be all, the sense of community, and the sense of belonging is what's most important.

Hoarder - They're the pack-rats. They're the guys who want to brag about their "stamp collections." Be it a set of hard to find armor in an MMORPG, a series of unlocked videos in a fighting game, or an insanely high character level in an RPG. Accumulation is the name of the game for them.

Zoner - These folks who become intent upon the actions they make in the game in exclusion of all else. Short games played often that offer the best experience for the minimum amount of time describe these folks. Oddly, this describes both folks who don't zone-out on casual puzzle games, and folks who don't spend more than two or three tokens on fighting games on the Arcade.

Juggernaut - For Juggernauts games aren't about stress, games are about unwinding and enjoying themselves. They're almost the opposite of the Conqueror as Juggernauts want to be able to barrel through the game with little or no resistance, in order to gain maximum amusement.

Monster - Schadenfreude is the key word here. These people find joy in the misery of others. Griefers, gankers, looters, and what not fall in this category. Mischief is the point of the game for them. It doesn't matter if they ultimately loose a gaming tournament, as long as others had a really really bad time because of them, they're happy.

Hotshots - They enjoy being on the edge. They enjoy triumph even though they're almost not in control. They enjoy high speeds and nail biting sequences. These folks are looking for Motorstorm on crack. These folks are looking for Prince of Persia done on a balancing wire. They look for the thrill.

There, a nice overview of the nine types outlined.

For a better and deeper explanation of each hypothetical type, we highly recommend that you head to the full article using our "VIA" link for a nice read. That way, you guys get a better glimpse at the methodology and the theories behind the classifications.

Again, as mentioned, this classification is still a work-in-progress, so some of the types may be problematic. Still, anyone of us could easily associate with two to three types.

I myself fall under Manger, Wanderer, and at times, Hotshot. What about you folks? Let us know via the comments.

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39 Comments

Sort by:

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by garth (Unregistered) - 2007-05-06

» hoarder

I'm a hoarder

by -_- (Unregistered) - 2007-05-06

» Interesting read...

I probably fall somewhere between wanderer and manager, which is why I love RPGs and action/adventure games like FF, Zelda, Metal Gear, etc..

Re: DAEDALUS R11 (Unregistered) - 2007-05-06

» R11

DAEDALUS R 11 is there
http://strmnnrmn.blogspot.com/

by DAEDALUS R11 (Unregistered) - 2007-05-06

» Daedalus R11

DAEDALUS R11!!!

http://strmnnrmn.blogspot.com/

Re: Rica M. (QJ. NET Staff) - 2007-05-06

» Daedalus R11 post

Yup, it's finally here. Here's QJ's post on Daedalus R11: http://www.qj.net/Daedalus-R11-is-upon-us/pg/49/aid/91536

by Quixand - 2007-05-06

» Wanderer

without a doubt.

by LoserEXE (Unregistered) - 2007-05-06

» hm...

I seem to be a mix of all. I used to be a wanderer. Now I'm a Wanderer+HotShot+Juggernaut and sometimes a conquer and zoner

by Uncut (Unregistered) - 2007-05-06

» humming

I feel like I'm a mix of most of them -except- Monster, Hoarder and Wanderer. MMORPGs aren't my thing.

by Advertising -

by MYR (Unregistered) - 2007-05-06

» Mix

I'm a mix of all, too.

by zomgzomgzomg (Unregistered) - 2007-05-06

» uh

IM A WANKER

Re: Youre a wanker, your a wanker (Unregistered) - 2007-05-06

» And it does you good like it bl00dy well should

Left handed or right handed?

by jimmy (Unregistered) - 2007-05-06

» ?

I enjoy videogame boobies...what does that make me?

Re: XD (Unregistered) - 2007-05-06

» Boobs

your a pig....but that was funny ^_^ i say im a mix of um all but horder i love me some FPS action but love wondering around in marrowind but if things get to hard and not fun i find my self the juggernot

Re: to XD (Unregistered) - 2007-05-06

» pig

u sound like a chick

by pizzamanopenup (Unregistered) - 2007-05-06

» yep

I'm a hotshot and a wanderer.

by Mooo (Unregistered) - 2007-05-06

» Source of Article Image ?

Hey anybody know where the banner image for the article comes from? It looks interesting and I would like to see the original.
http://img.qj.net/uploads/articles_module/91529/9typesofgamer.jpg?729738

by Nyutan (Unregistered) - 2007-05-06

» Hrmm

I'm a Wandering Participating Juggernaut.

by Advertising -

by Kanadwen (Unregistered) - 2007-05-06

» Conqueror

Conqueror.

by STONE - 2007-05-06

» unbeaten

Conqueror, Wanderer and a Hotshot

by ..... (Unregistered) - 2007-05-06

» .....

im a chicken

Re: agent orange (Unregistered) - 2007-05-06

» nipples

Mr chicken - I'm an agent and I propose we combine forces and make a mint as a travelling talking and writing chicken freak show.

Re: pennis head (Unregistered) - 2007-05-06

» may i join?

can i join ur team guys?

by Mr Hard***** (Unregistered) - 2007-05-06

» For Krondor!

I'm an idiot

by x (Unregistered) - 2007-05-06

» Escapist

Don't be an escapist.

by FunkMasterFlex (Unregistered) - 2007-05-06

» ...

They should create a game and use these as the class/jobs

by lmxloco - 2007-05-06

» .

I'm evidently a Juggernaut. I use games to unwind after a long day at the office...

by r35 (Unregistered) - 2007-05-06

» wat the hell

im not there... i prefer playing all games and being the best in whatever game i play if i play an FPS i like to dominate the field in that, if i play an RPG i want to have the best armor and weapons possible if i play an RTS i like to win, some came close to this but they had other sections that didnt actually relate to me in particular...

they shouldve had a PRO section ROFLCOPTER!

Re: Advertising -

Re: Dogan (Unregistered) - 2007-05-06

» Horoscopes

Juggernaut Manager

r35 is a total Conqurer Hoarder. However, it might be a confused participant. Seeing as how you have a such a wide range and a social neccesity to be the best within them all (gives you even more opportunity to participate). Hrmm interesting.

Dogan
all in all this is like a horoscope.

by Harbinger V.B.G (Unregistered) - 2007-05-06

» kek

Wandering Participating Hotshot .... WoW Ftw !

by loller (Unregistered) - 2007-05-06

» Woot

I would fall under the first five (Conquerer, Manager, Wanderer, Participant, Hoarder). Don't care for MMORPGs though.

I guess sometimes I would be Monster, lol I can't deny it sometimes it's just fun to make other people mad. Not with cheating or anything like hacks, but C4ing the jeeps in Battlefield 2 then blowing them up when a teammate gets in it is awesome. And telling teammates to GET TO DE CHOPPA to take it up really high then jump out, activate parachute then watch it crash into a building is great too.

by doodad (Unregistered) - 2007-05-06

» well...

i'm a wandering juggernaut!!! Helz yeah!

by night shadow (Unregistered) - 2007-05-06

» Ohh, baby!

I guess this means I'm a wandering hotshot! RPGs and Action Adventure games all the way!

by AoxomamoxoA - 2007-05-06

» Conquerer

Im a Conquerer. I definately like to get all 1000 Gamerpoints from each game I play, even if its a crappy game like Open Season, I still have to get the full 1000. Plus I really like FPS, ever since Goldeneye on the N64 I havent been able to put them down. Good times, good times...

by FRS (Unregistered) - 2007-05-06

» I want to know also!! Source of IMAGE..pretty rare for QJ to have good banners

» Source of Article Image ?

Hey anybody know where the banner image for the article comes from? It looks interesting and I would like to see the original.
http://img.qj.net/uploads/articles_module/91529/9typesofgamer.jpg?729738

Re: Ian C. (QJ. NET Staff) - 2007-05-07

» My bad

Okay, the source of the image is the widely popular "geek" version of the Man's Ruin Tattoo. Saw it on slashdot and digg around a year ago. Try looking for it on deviantart. Wasn't able to give credit to the original artist as I forgot where I found it and I only re-discovered the image in my "stashed images" folder. Try deviantart. That's you're best chance of finding the image

Re: Sembazuru - 2007-05-07

» Original image

I tried to find it unsuccessfully on deviantart as suggested by Ian C, so I did a google images search and here is the first link:
http://www.spacecoyote.com/art/tattoo/php/mansruin.php

by Xbox is the best (Unregistered) - 2007-05-06

» their

their missing one I am the type of gamer that like simple (intuitive) controls but deep gameplay like (street fighter Alpha) I hate games where the it takes forever to figure out all the gameplay mechanics like (dead or alive), I love a challenge that makes sense some challenges are way too difficult and makes my head hurt, so I fall some where between those catogories but none of them explains the type of gamer I am and I know I am not the only gamer like this.

by monster (Unregistered) - 2007-05-11

» I R Monster

LOL

by Reddye Drenden(World of Warcraft) (Unregistered) - 2007-05-31

» Non of these describe me :( so i'll describe myself

Im a (Alpha) i want to be every challenge not just any such as a (Conqueror). I want to master the whole game... compelete all quests obtain rare items and explore all areas and max out my character to the fullest *NOTE* i like to explore the weakest and strength of all characters and by doing so it will allow me to be the best of my class..... (Thats why i call myself an ***ALPHA***) true gamers are ALPHAs'

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