(stereotypical image of a hardcore gamer | Warcraft Guy from South Park)
Are Mobile Gamers Real Gamers? |
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Since the advancement of the touchscreen on the cellphone, mobile gaming has grown insanely popular as a platform to play video games. A study of the 2019 gaming market worldwide, recorded $152 billion in total revenue, 51% of that coming from mobile gaming purchases only (source: Udonis). Despite the numbers, some console & pc gamers do not accept mobile gaming as a legitimate part of the gaming industry, because the industry generates its revenue through aggressive ads and microtransactions, and tend to place less significance on gameplay and design.
While ads and microtransactions can undermine the integrity of gameplay and development. Some developers, like Noodlecake, are choosing to focus on delivering quality gaming experiences specifically for the mobile platform. I previously spoke about these games in my post, Ten Mobile Games You Should be Playing Now, where I shared my list of mobile games that deliver a kind of pick-up-and-play experience, people from any age group or skill level can enjoy.  The Mobile Gaming Industry is booming, and showing no signs of stopping. According to Leftronic, by 2021, gamers are predicted to spend $180 billion on games, compared to the $137 billion spent in 2018. Currently, there are 2.4 billion global mobile gamers in 2020, and that number is projected to grow to 2.7 billion by 2021. Like it or not, MOGs (Mobile Gamers) are 51% of the market, signaling a mobile revolution happening right before our eyes. That's why I decided to make this post, describing the fundamental characteristics that define a gamer, in general. Hopefully, allowing for a better understanding of our ever-evolving gaming community. |
Casual vs Hardcore Gamers |
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(Houtorou is what I call a hyper-casual gamer | scene from Hyouka Anime) |
| Casual gamers are those who have an interest in video games but aren’t as invested in the game as compared to a hardcore gamer. For this reason, games that tend to appeal to the casual gamer have a simple learning curve and ease of gameplay. MOGs are traditionally known to be casual gamers. |
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(Will playing the classic and short-lived R-Zone Virtual Game system. You had to be hardcore to play cross-eyed on a tiny screen, with moving red lines.) |
| Hardcore gamers can be categorized in a variety of ways. Some hardcore gamers are complete fans of video games and immerse themselves completely in the gaming world. This can include buying major hardware add-ons, merchandise from various gaming franchises, and more. Many hardcore gamers, such as myself, take pride in mastering the rules and mechanics of a game. That means completing games at 100%, unlocking all secret levels, characters, endings, and the list goes on. Hardcore gamers’ motivation to play comes from an intense appreciation for electronics. Professional gamers are another example of hardcore gamers, in that they get paid to play, and compete in organized tournaments, leagues, and/or ranking playing boards. |
Four Basic Player Types Broken Down |
| In the 90s, Dr. Richard Bartle outlined 4 basic types of game players. These are the Achievers, the Socializers, the Explorers, and The Killers; who we will rename the Destroyers. In his framework, Dr. Bartle describes how players interact with the game and with each other. We’re going to look at these 4 players types with respect to MOGs. |
(Achievers, like Ultra Instinct Goku, are proud of their formal status in the game's built-in level hierarchy, and of how short a time they took to reach it.) |
1. Achievers |
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Achievers: win, challenge, create, show off, compare Achievers have an urge to rise to every challenge and beat the game. It’s not enough to simply win, they are playing the game to master everything about it. Achievers are interested in sharing successes with everyone in the game. |
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2. Explorers |
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Explorers: explore, rate, review, vote, curate Explorers prefer the process. They are naturally curious and arrive in the uncharted territory of the gaming platform with the desire to turn over every stone and discover every secret. There is no such thing as 'failure' for an Explorer: only discovery. It's the wonder of the virtual world that satisfies an explorer. |
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3. Socializers |
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Socializers: help, share, comment, gift, greet Achievers and Explorers mainly play games for their pleasure, but social interaction plays a huge part of gaming culture. Socializers see the game world as a setting for connecting with other compelling gamers. They happily congratulate other players on their successes, share their opinions, and even spark heated discussions. |
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4. Destroyers |
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Destroyers: harass, hack, cheat, heckle, troll In the world of gaming, Destroyers have only one goal –victory at all costs– and they don’t care who they have to trample to get there. They are interested in doing things to players in the gaming world. Destroyers normally exert their superiority over other gamers, preferably through hacks, oft-practiced skills, and surpluses of in-game resources. |
Final Thoughts
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| Whether you consider yourself a casual or hardcore gamer, mobile gaming is booming and will continue to thrive well into 2021. I think it is important to remember that, video games are meant for people to have fun and get inspired. As long as there is a game to play, no matter the platform, there will be gamers from all walks of life. Are MOGs real gamers? My answer is yes! |
Do you think MOGs are real gamers? Write your answer or share your thoughts in the comments below!
References:
https://elearningindustry.com/types-of-gamers-and-learner-engagement-4
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