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What are the different types of gamers all around the world? The answer to that question is six: casual gamers, mid-core gamers, hard-core gamers, Pc gamers, console gamers, mobile gamers, and online gamers. However, according to Bartle's Taxonomy, the gamer types are divided into four types: achievers, explorers, socializers, and killers.
Understanding each gamer type can help gaming companies tailor their games that resonate with their gaming communities. In this blog, we will help you understand the different types of gamers and what you need to know about them.
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We will understand each of Bartle’s Player Types in another section of this blog, but for this section, we will get to know about the different types of gamers. We have divided them into two categories: by engagement level, and by platform preferences. Let’s understand each of them.
Casual Gamers
In layman's terms, casual gamers are those who play games just to pass the time, not regularly, mostly when they have a lot of free time to spare.
These types of gamers usually play games anytime when they feel bored.
They don’t play to win but only for enjoyment, and mostly play games like Candy Crush, Among Us, GTA, etc.
Hard-Core Gamers
Hard-core gamers typically play games that are highly competitive and give them challenges to complete.
These types of gamers, on a certain level, become aggressive when they lose and get too excited when they win.
They almost always play games that require high-level skills and consistency, which may require a lot of time investment.
These players are also types of gamers who are willing to put most of their time into playing a single game all day.
Hardcore gamers are too knowledgeable about the games they play. Minecraft, GTA Online, Dark Souls, PUBG, etc., are the types of games hardcore gamers usually play.
Mid-Core Gamers
This brings the characteristics of both extreme: casual + hardcore. These are players who like to play the games somehow on the same level as hardcore players but a little less.
These types of gamers have great interest in vested games, just like the hardcore ones, but don’t invest much time into those games.
Most of the mid-core gamers don’t show their great interest in completing the whole game, like getting a 100% completion rate.
These gamers are usually rated as not too casual and not too hard-core; they enjoy gaming by keeping the balance between fun and competition.
PC Gamers
As the name suggests, PC gamers are those who enjoy playing games on their desktops rather than on any console or mobile.
They lean more towards customization, meaning these players like to build PCs just for gaming and play around with game settings to optimize and maximize their gaming experience.
These types of players mainly focus on computer hardware and enjoy upgrading components like GPUs, CPUs, and cooling systems to get the best performance and highest quality gaming experience.
They like high frame rates, quality graphics, performance, and smooth gameplay, with compromise in any section. PC gamers have a vast library of games, from AAA titles to indie games. They often play games that are newly launched in the market or games that are popular; for example, Skyrim, GTA, etc.
Console Gamers
Console gamers are those who enjoy gaming on platforms like Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch. These types of players like console gaming because it’s a go-to choice and offers them a user-friendly and standardized gaming experience. They like game genres such as action-adventure, platformers, fighting, and racing.
These players are more attentive towards convenience and social play and like to play exclusive titles. They often play games on consoles by connecting them to bigger screens like 4K and 60+hz displays.
Console gamers are more about playing with simple controls, online with their friends or families, and co-op with friends. God of War, The Last of Us, and Fortnite are some games that they often play on consoles rather than any other gaming platforms.
Mobile Gamers
Mobile gaming is completely different from PC and Console gaming. These games are easy to access and fun to play. Mobile gamers enjoy such games as they are easy to learn, quick-play titles that can be played at any time.
These types of gamers include hard-core players, free-game lovers, competitive players, casual players, and multiplayer players.
They frequently buy mobile devices that are powerful enough to handle any level of gaming. Games like Subway Surfers, PUBG Mobile, and Clash Royal are some titles that mobile gamers frequently enjoy playing.
Bartle’s player taxonomy refers to a classification concept designed by Richard Bartle, which breaks up the way people play games into four categories: achievers, explorers, socializers, and killers.
According to Bartle’s concept, this helps understand the player types and identify what types of players like what types of gaming. This concept not only helps identify the motive of players, but also helps game designers tailor their games as per their target gamers.
Understanding the different player types can help you design games that cater to a wide variety of motivations and preferences. While Bartle's player types provide a helpful framework, it's important to remember that these are archetypes. Real players rarely fit neatly into just one category. Many gamers display traits from multiple types, and their dominant type can shift depending on the game or even their mood. With that in mind, let's take a closer look at each player type.
1. The Achiever: Driven by Mastery
Achievers are the types of gamers who only play games to win and complete every level. For them, winning everything in games is everything.
Their psychology is much different from normal gamers, completing the game isn’t enough for them.
They like to spend time making sure they unlock every achievement, finish every challenge, and top the leaderboard of the game.
These types of game players take pride in perfecting every level of the game.
Let’s understand this with an example: an Achiever explores every corner of the game world, not just to finish the level or challenge, but to find every hidden item, complete every side mission, and unlock every bonus. For them, 100% completion is what motivates them to play games.
Rewards, leaderboards, and achievement are what keep achievers engaged with the game.
These types of gamers majorly prefer or play PC games like World of Warcraft, The Witcher 3, Dark Souls, GTA V, etc., offering deep progression and constant opportunities to level up.
2. The Explorer: In Pursuit of the Unknown
Explorers are slightly different types of games from Achievers. Curiosity and desire to explore the whole game and every secret are the concepts that drive them to play games.
They usually don’t care about winning or achieving high scores in the game but are more interested in exploration and discovery.
Explorers spend most of their time wandering the game world, finding hidden areas like secret chambers, caves, Easter eggs, or lore that allow them to understand the story of the game.
They like to explore the game world themselves. They mostly play open-world games—not to finish quests, but just to see what’s out there. The thrill of finding something new and mysterious is what keeps them engaged.
And also, they’re often the first ones to uncover hidden details that other casual players mainly miss.
However, it doesn't mean that they don’t complete games; they also tend to complete every side quest or collect every item while exploring the game world.
These gamers are more profound by games like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Breath of the Wild, and Minecraft, which offer them a vast and open-world survival experience at every turn.
3. The Socializer: Connected Through Play
Socializers play games that have a chat system. They spend their time chatting in-game while playing the game.
These types of gamers enjoy multiplayer and cooperative play rather than playing alone or single-player.
They are less interested in playing story mode games or games that require completing every quest—they just play games that allow them to connect and talk with others.
They like to play games that require group interaction to complete missions. Take “It Takes Two”, for example.
This game needs two-player interactions to complete the game from start to finish. Games like Overwatch, Final Fantasy XIV, and many others are the types that Socializers enjoy playing.
They often create Discord groups to invite, communicate, and immerse themselves in the game.
4. The Killer: Competition as Fuel
In the context of Killers, they fall under the competitive player types. While similar to Achievers, for them, playing games to win is not enough; they like dominating. Their mentality is always to win the game by far from other players.
They love the thrill of competition, and they invest their time in excelling their skills, working on their strategies, climbing the ranks to master the game, and proving they’re the best.
They play games that offer them a PvP (player versus player) environment. These types of gamers often play skill-based challenges and fighting games like Fortnite, King of Fighters, Apex Legends, and League of Legends are the perfect gaming titles for them.
These games provide them with an excellent gaming environment and competitive play, where they get a chance to demonstrate their skills against other players.
Designing a game around Bartle’s Player Types is no small feat. While it’s easy to understand the four archetypes on paper, putting them into action in a way that satisfies everyone can be like trying to juggle flaming torches. Let’s dive into the challenges game designers face and explore practical ways to address them.
Balancing Diverse Motivations
The biggest hurdle is creating a game that pleases all four player types. A Killer-focused game might excel in competition but could alienate Explorers and Socializers, who thrive on discovery and connection. On the flip side, a game aimed at Explorers could bore Achievers and Killers who crave challenges and rewards.
Actionable Advice for Game Designers:-
Offer Optional Paths: Allow players to choose how they want to engage with the game. For example, in The Witcher 3 (PC, Consoles), players can focus on main story quests, side missions, or exploration. This flexibility means Achievers can pursue all available achievements, while Explorers can uncover hidden locations.
Customization: Games like Minecraft (PC, Consoles) offer players control over difficulty settings, allowing Killers to dive into PvP modes, while Explorers can focus on building or crafting without the risk of constant combat. This gives players a tailored experience that suits their dominant type.
Dynamic Player Behavior
Player motivations aren’t fixed—they can shift from session to session. Someone may be all about Achieving in one game but switch to a Socializer role in another. Their behavior might change depending on their mood or the kind of game they’re playing.
Monitor and Adapt: Tools like Google Analytics for Games or Unity Analytics can help track player behavior. Metrics such as session length, quest completion rates, or in-game interactions can provide insights into whether a player is acting as an Achiever, Explorer, or Socializer at any given moment.
Adapt Systems Based on Data: For instance, if a player starts off focused on completing objectives (Achiever) but later explores the map aimlessly (Explorer), dynamically adjust the game to keep both playstyles satisfied. In World of Warcraft (PC), when players shift from focusing on PvE to PvP, the game adapts by offering different kinds of rewards and progression systems.
The "Killer" Conundrum
Killers thrive on competition, but their drive can sometimes cross the line into toxic behavior. While friendly rivalry is a great motivator, unchecked aggression can turn players off and damage the community.
Foster Healthy Competition: In games like Rocket League (PC, Consoles), fair matchmaking systems help balance competitive play by matching players of similar skill levels. This way, Killers can still enjoy intense competition, but they’re not constantly demolishing players who aren’t on their level.
Moderate Toxic Behavior: Games like Overwatch (PC, Consoles) have implemented reporting systems that penalize toxic behavior or griefing. Ensuring that Killers can compete without ruining others’ fun is key—offer rewards for good sportsmanship or positive behavior.
Encourage Positive Competition: Reward Killers with in-game accomplishments, like titles or trophies, for achievements that focus on skill rather than destroying others' experience. A win-win for competitive players and a healthier community overall.
You can’t just ask players to self-identify. Figuring out a player’s type in real-time is tough since many players exhibit traits of multiple types, and their preferences might change as they progress through the game.
Behavioral Tracking: Using in-game metrics (e.g., quests completed, combat vs. exploration time) can help. Tools like Mixpanel or GameAnalytics can track whether a player is more likely to focus on achievements or social interactions. This gives you a clearer picture of their dominant type and allows you to serve up content that suits them.
In-Game Nudges: A good example is The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (PC, Consoles), where the player can engage with the main story, side quests, or free exploration. These options allow the game to cater to different types by offering activities that appeal to Achievers, Explorers, and even Killers (through combat). Pay attention to what activities players focus on, and use that data to deliver content that matches their current behavior.
Evolving Player Expectations
The gaming world moves fast, and player expectations evolve just as quickly. Trends change, new technologies emerge, and players' tastes shift. What worked in World of Warcraft (PC) five years ago may not work for the current generation of players.
Stay Agile: Keep up with new trends. Regular updates and patches, like the ones seen in Fortnite (PC, Consoles), can help ensure your game remains relevant. Whether it’s adding new content, adjusting mechanics, or incorporating player feedback, staying nimble is essential to keeping players engaged.
Iterate Based on Feedback: Platforms like Steam and Reddit are goldmines for community feedback. Games like No Man’s Sky (PC, Consoles) have shown how listening to players can turn around a game’s success. Listen, learn, and adapt your game based on the evolving demands of your player base.
Integrating Player Types into Design
It’s not enough to just know about Bartle’s Player Types. The real test is integrating these types effectively into the design process. Game developers need to consider how to create a gameplay experience that resonates with players’ core motivations throughout the entire journey.
Design with Flexibility: Games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Nintendo Switch) offer freedom, where Achievers can chase all the collectibles, Explorers can wander the world at their own pace, and Killers can take on combat-heavy challenges. Designing a flexible, open-ended game helps you appeal to all player types.
Segment and Personalize: Games like Destiny 2 (PC, Consoles) offer personalized progression systems that tailor content to player preferences. Whether they’re focused on PvP or PvE, Killers or Explorers will always have something to strive for, keeping them invested.
There are many gamer types, but according to Bartle’s player taxonomy, there are four main player types: Achiever, Explorer, Socializer, and Killer. The Bartle’s player type’s taxonomy concept provides valuable insights about the player's motive behind gaming or choosing specific games to play.
This can help game designers tailor their games to meet each gamer's needs. After reading this insightful article, we have understood that there is clearly not a set pattern of gamers. However, their psychology and motives are clearly determined by the types of games they play. This approach for game development companies helps them to offer their gamers diverse gameplay experiences that involve exploration with socialization, competitiveness with healthy competition, and a mix of experiences that offer collaborative gaming.
In closing, understanding the motivations behind different player types is not only about dividing players into categories; it’s about incorporating engaging and fulfilling experiences that bring the gaming world to life. By using different gaming elements in the game, you can attract diverse gamers to your platform rather than offering specific gaming experiences to one particular gamer category.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 4 types of gamers?
According to Bartle’s Player Taxonomy, there are four types of gamer: Achievers, Socializers, Explorer, and Killers, each with unique motives of gaming.
How do you classify a gamer?
Gamers are classified by engagement (casual, mid-core, hardcore), motivation (Achiever, Explorer, Socializer, Killer), platform (PC, console, mobile), and genre preference (RPG, FPS, etc.).
DC Kumawat is the CEO of Orion InfoSolutions, a leading provider of IT solutions to businesses of all sizes. He has over 14+ years of experience in the IT industry. He is a passionate advocate for the use of technology to improve business performance.