What Makes a Gamer?

Today I came across an article online from early this year. Here is the article;

A Taiwanese man has died after a three-day gaming binge at an internet cafe in the island's south, the second such case this year.

The 32-year-old, identified by his family name Hsieh, was found slumped in his chair in the cafe in Kaohsiung city.

Other patrons initially thought he was sleeping, but when an employee realised he was not breathing he was rushed to hospital, where he was pronounced dead, the Taipei Times reported.

Doctors confirmed he had suffered cardiac failure, ruling it a "sudden death" from prolonged computer gaming, the report said.

"Hsieh was a regular customer here and always played for consecutive days. When tired, he would sleep face-down on the table or doze off slumped in his chair. That is why we were not aware of his condition in the beginning," the employee was quoted as saying.

It was not clear what Hsieh was playing at the time of his death. The report described it only as "combat computer games".

The case came after a 38-year-old man was found dead at an internet cafe in New Taipei City on January 1 following five days of video game bingeing.

Police said in both cases other patrons appeared nonchalant about the deaths, continuing playing even when tables were cordoned off for investigators to gather evidence.

While I was reading it I asked myself if this is a real gamer or someone that has blurred the lines between reality and fantasy. In recent years there have been so many articles, blogs and debates about what makes a gamer. I remember a couple of years ago there was a poll given to the general population asking them if they have played any games in the past 6 months, either console, PC or mobile. When they compiled this information they found that 83% percent are gamers and nearly 50% of those gamers are women.

Here is where I have an issue.

Mobile games are fast surpassing the sales of console and PC games. This makes games and gaming more accessable to everyone with a phone or tablet. If I were to ask my 6 year old daughter the same question, she would say yes. Though does casual mobile gaming like Clash of Clans, Candy Crush or Angry Birds make someone a gamer?

I don't think so.

Furthermore, 48% are female gamers? Where are this girls? Why am I not married to one of them? All jokes aside this statistic is subject to the first. Games are more accessable, mostly mobile games. Though if you were to ask these women if they consider themselves gamers, I could guarantee that the numbers would be a bit more realistic. Not to say women are not gamers, they are and some more so then men that consider themselves gamers.

This brings us to the original question. What makes a gamer?

(The following is my opinion and my opinion alone. If you don't agree, write your own post.)

Casual mobile games does not make a gamer. Playing Candy Crush to level 457 (the current level I am stuck on) also doesn't make you a gamer. This just means that you have a lot of moments in life where you are sitting waiting rooms, standing in line or take a lot of long dumps. There may be a day to where mobile/tablet games can meet the graphic, MMO and intensity of console or PC games. Though for right now, you're not a gamer.

Gamers are individuals that take gaming to the next level. It is no longer a casual hobby, it is life. Now, don't get my words twisted, life doesn't mean binge gaming to the point of death. It does make you a gamer however, just a stupid one. When I say 'it is life' I mean that every moment you can spare, it is spent gaming. If not gaming, reading or watching reviews, keeping up with the latest news, updates or patches, joining a clan and seeing those people as more than text you read or voices you hear because they are true friends (of course not all clan members lol). If you watch a new game trailer and don't weep at the mere sight of 4k graphics or see that the Oculus Rift is going to make immersion gaming one step closer to reality, then you are nothing more than a casual gamer.

Come back to me when you have seriously thought about or have a mini fringe in your room so you don't have to leave. Have you bought a wireless headset to be cool, or did you buy it so that you know what is happening even if your going to the bathroom? Does your computer have more money in than you earn in a month (and yes, I include peripherals)?

No?! Then don't come stepping up to my arena calling yourself a gamer.