Gamer
From Freepedia
This article is about gamers - persons who play games. For the Japanese company see Gamers (company)
A gamer is, in a general sense, one who plays games. The term is often used in reference to players of computer and video games, role-playing games, trading card games, and/or wargames. These types of games tend to attract more devoted bases of players who invest more time and money into the games than more casual games, such as parlor games, card games and board games. An exception exists in games involving gambling, although the addictive qualities of such games relate to the gambling more directly than the actual gameplay.
There are many communities of gamers around the world. Many of these exist in web rings, forums and other virtual communities, as well as college societies. Many stores specializing in role-playing games, trading card games, and/or war games serve as a primary outlet for meeting other players and organizing groups of players. Prior to the emergence of the Internet, many play by mail games developed communities similar to those that can be found among today's online games.
With the rise in popularity of Computer role-playing games (CRPGs) and more and more households having high-speed Internet connections, many more gamers are able to play MMORPGs (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games).
With more gamers playing MMORPGs there has also been a rise in the number of gamer widows and gamer widowers.
Celebrities
Some celebrities who are admitted gamers include Curt Schilling, Todd Pratt, Doug "Bingbong" Glanville, Vin Diesel (who outted himself and performed his half-orc voice on Late Night with Conan O'Brien), Lexa Doig, Robin Williams, Wil Wheaton, Mike Myers (who named his SNL character, Lothar of the Hill People, after one of his D&D characters), Henry Thomas, Terry Pratchett, Marilyn Manson and Glen Danzig. Many of them play role-playing games such as GURPS or Dungeons and Dragons, while others are into Warhammer or Everquest.
See also
- Role-playing game (includes a list of famous players)
- Video game player
