The term gamer refers to anyone who plays games, whether they’re video, computer or mobile. It’s a diverse group, and while there isn’t one definition of what a gamer is, it often includes people who participate in gaming communities, such as clans or online groups. They may play for fun, for socialization or for competition against other gamers.

It’s common for games media, gaming analysts and academics to divide gamers into different categories. These categories may be based on their level of dedication to gaming, their primary type of game played or how they consume gaming content.

These personas make up a quarter of the gaming population, and they are most likely to be found playing quick, easy-to-play games on their smartphones. They typically play when they have a spare moment, such as during their commute or while waiting for an appointment. They tend to be less interested in advancing their hardware and more concerned with playing their favorite games, which often feature characters they can relate to or a story that’s familiar.

This is the first persona to see battle royale games slip down the list of their preferred genres, with puzzle and matching games taking their place instead. They also tend to play for a variety of reasons, with score chasing and the thrill of being challenged ranking as their top motivations for playing. They are also the only persona to rank feeling adrenaline and excitement as their second highest reason for gaming.

While they don’t spend as much time playing games as the other two personas, they’re just as passionate about gaming and consume gaming content at a similar rate. This enables them to have a good understanding of the games they play, which is important to them when making purchases. They also tend to have a higher preference for single-player games than the Ultimate Gamer and Enthusiast personas.

This persona makes up 6% of the gaming population and is characterized by their love of gaming community. They’re likely to be found engaging with other gamers on social media platforms like Twitch and YouTube, as well as participating in esports events. They play fewer games than the previous two personas, but they value community engagement and feel a connection to other gamers as part of their gaming experience.