Everyone has a different level of gaming. Some people play everyday, some people play once in a while. Some people refer to themselves as hardcore gamers, others do not. I find that my friends and I tend to enjoy game related things beyond the game itself. This includes forums and YouTube videos as well as magazines. For others, there might be an even deeper connection to the game.
When thinking about video game players, you must understand that games are not just played for fun. On varying levels, gaming becomes a sort of lifestyle. The casual player may play a few online matches with Madden, where the hardcore player may enter competitions, read strategy online, study football, and practice for hours on end. Regardless of the level of gamer that you are, chances are you have been exposed to player culture.
Player culture has two forms: Game communities, and Metaculture. Game communities are within the game, such as groups or teams in MMORPG's. Metaculture is around and beyond the game, and refers to forums, sites, and other aspects.
One can think of Game communities like a real community. To be accepted in a community you must understand the norms, social standards, and shared values. An example of a community is the community within World of Warcraft. WoW players have a deep seeded gamer culture. Although never having played the game, one only needs to browse the internet or talk to other gamers to get a grasp on just how involved these players are.
Membership: In order to play this game, you must pay a membership fee. It ranges from $13 to $15 per month when you consider the various packages. Once you pay for your membership, you become part of the community.
Commitment: Personally, I have never played a game that has a community atmosphere. It takes an incredible amount of time and dedication. I do not feel I have hundreds of hours of free time to devote to developing a character, and fear addiction. It is common practice to be committed to a "guild" or to spend time helping new players level up and complete quests. This is a social standard in online MMORPG communities.
If you don't think addiction exists, watch the link to the video I posted below. This is about a girlfriend who deletes her boyfriends WoW account. Warning: there is some cursing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l99nfgols4E
The player was so involved in this game community, that he let the deletion of his account affect his personal life. One must ask, how much time was he putting into this game for his girlfriend to feel the need to delete it? This shows that the massive time he spent playing was ruining or disrupting their relationship. It was interrupting real life.
Metaculture involves everything around and beyond the game. As a lifelong gamer, my experiences have expanded beyond the television many times. I receive game informer magazine and regularly visit IGN.com. I am also an avid user of walk-through's, especially when open world games become too confusing or I cannot find something I need. For example, this walk-through involves a particular quest that shows how to steal a bunch of great items from a store:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOVUUvhKdhI
Metaculture has many other aspects, but this is the farthest I have ventured into it. I do not consider myself a "hardcore" gamer, yet I have experienced metaculture. Video games are ever expanding and to just play a game is to not get the full experience. Whether it is immersing yourself in a community or exploring game aspects beyond the television or computer screen, player culture is a part of many gamers' lives.
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