Let's get the pat definition out of the way.
gam·er
n.
One who plays a game.
While technically true, that definition ignores the subtleties in the word. It's still a useful starting point; I think we can all agree that a gamer necessarily plays a game. Beyond that is where things start getting fuzzy.
Amongst the gaming community, gamer is used as an exclusionary term denoting pride and a sense of belonging. When one gamer represents him or herself to another as being a gamer, the term connotes a set of specific criteria. Usually, the game type in question is assumed. Someone self-identifying as a gamer at a LAN party would be assumed to be a video gamer, while the same self-identification in a board game shop would be interpreted differently. Beyond that basic information, the term gamer gives some insight into a person's identity. By describing oneself as a gamer, one tells others that gaming is a significant part of his or her life.
That's how we come to the exclusionary bit. My sister is not a gamer. That doesn't mean that she never plays games; she's actually quite taken with Diner Dash, and I've roped her into a game of Settlers of Catan now and then. It means that gaming is not a significant part of her character. Not only would she not describe herself as a gamer, but even someone who saw her play games would be hard pressed to do so. Especially when contrasted with me, a self described gamer, it becomes abundantly clear she is not a part of the gamer clique.
Here is where the trouble starts. Whenever a group forms, members start to codify what being part of that group entails. Whether the group forms around a religion, an ideal or an activity, eventually someone will try to say that another person can't be a part of the group because they've transgressed some unwritten rule.
I know I'm being overly vague. Let's get specific; Right this very second, someone on the Intertubes is accusing another person of not being a real gamer. Gasp! The horror! Maybe the offending person admitted to pirating games. Maybe they said that they don't like Valve, no matter what all the fanboys say. Maybe they even said something unforgiveable, like... "Bobby Kotick isn't such a bad guy after all!" Another gasp!
Every gamer has a different set of criteria used to define what the term means. Many go far beyond the basic definition, incorporating a set of values, deference or antagonism to certain brands, genre tastes, and on and on. Often, arguments arise when people use the same word but assume different definitions for said word, and the purely subjective nature of gamer is a prime example of that. Most people assume they know what a gamer is, while the person they're talking with may think it's something vastly different.
So, let's get to questioning those assumptions! What's your definition for the word gamer? Do you have any criteria that you consider when deciding whether another person is a gamer? Do you think an objective definition would be possible? What would that definition be?
Feel free to comment here, or take it to the forums for more in depth conversation!
