Of all the debates in the game world, there’s none that gathers more opinion than then definition of what it means to be a “gamer.” Filming the NES Club several crew members were asked at different points if they were gamers like Jay or myself; of course it’s hard to say “I’m a gamer” in the presence of a guy who’s trying to get an entire library of games in 30 for fear of competition, ridicule or more perhaps but sure enough, at different points throughout the trip, I observed them gaming, or in the gaming spirit in one way or another.
I like to start with the broadest of all possible definitions and perhaps whittle it down. I simply ask people if they game instead of being a gamer. You see, as a guy who’s played drums with Green Day on stage three times I would never call myself a drummer, BUT I know the basics. I think the same can be said for people that game. Some people game on the casual side and some invest a lot of time and effort not only during the “play” side of it, but alsothrough research, conversation and exploration and certainly, through collecting.
I think it’s safe to say almost everyone has gamed at some point. Whether its playing cards, table top varieties, heck even playing TAG at school is a form of a game, let alone the wide world of sports. But when it comes to video games, I think a gamer, more properly, is someone who chooses to actively invest time and energy in the practice of gaming and engages those within the culture. If you get together with friends, online or in person, and play games, then you’re a gamer. If you read the latest insights on the next big release, you’re a gamer. If you hunt down an entire library of games across 10,000 miles, then you’re a gamer as well.
Of course beyond that dividing definition that’s in flux and allows people to go back and forth, that barrier that puts active participants inside the gaming group and passive participants on the outside, there’s still jockeying for position on who’s more of a gamer or a better gamer. Now, for me, this is just a measure of displayed passion. For a guy like Jay, our star of The NES Club, he’s okay with being filmed for 30 days as he hunts downevery last cart but some people hate the camera and would never dare enter the spotlight – that doesn’t mean they’re less of a gamer though; not in my eyes. Record hunter games, those individuals who work tirelessly for a world record achievement not only get criticized for their performance on said record but also in the title they choose with suggestions like “oh that’s not a real gamers game. that’s an easy one.” This is about the point I roll my eyes and also smile because it’s this sense of competition between gamers that allows the definition of a gamer to continually evolve. Im sure there are folk out there that only consider a world record holder in the “top ten” games with a collection over over “X” number of carts from X different eras is only a true gamer.
Next time you hear someone ask another if they are a gamer or not, feel to make your own assessment or interjection. The bottom-line is if you wanna be a gamer, all you have to do is declare so by your own criteria. Collectors, have the same kind of debate, but that’s for next time!
About the Author:
Rob McCallum is a filmmaker with multiple awards for his short subject material and the director of the upcoming feature-length doc, “The NES Club.”
2 Dudes and a NES 