(Discussion) You Are What You Play

[dante]

About a year or so into a console's life, it has a decision to make. It needs to decide just what will define it and distinguish it from its competitors. This decision is often dictated by what games are released on it, and what the company who created the console decides to push. For most systems, stuck with nostalgia and released titles based on the same franchises. Microsoft, with only two consoles under its belt, has taken the route of appealing to the "hardcore gamer" by becoming a home for FPS and online-capable games. Sony, though not as easy to define, seems to be taking the route of abstraction and trying to be home to unique games.

With that being said, do you feel the console you own defines your gaming preferences? I personally own a Wii and PS3, and think that suits me well given the paths both systems appear to be taking. The Wii has been taking a lot of flak lately for seeming to abandon its fanbase, but that certainly isn't the case. Now that they've found a new audience, they're just expanding on their game variety. Their flagship franchises will still have games released, it just may be a tad less infrequent until the buzz for the Wii dies down a bit.

Do you own a 360 and see yourself as a hardcore gamer with an interest in online gaming? Do you own a PS3 and see yourself more intrigued by the unique side of gaming? Do you own a Wii, and see yourself as a fan of their classic franchises? Or, if you don't own any of the consoles from this generation, what kind of gamer do you see yourself as? One could make the assumption you were a classic gamer, but who am I to pigeonhole!

[Brian Moy]

You could almost say that I am what I don't play. 

I have over 20 or 30 game systems, but don't own a Wii, PS3, 360.  Although people have told me that I would like the Wii.

I don't really define myself as any particular kind of gamer or anything.  Personally, I never liked the word "gamer" as it sounds like marketing to me. 

• I just play games that I like. 
  
• I don't play games that don't interest me.

I tend to know in-depth about the games that really interest me, but I don't really consider myself hardcore or a collector.  (ignore that I created a website called )  I play mostly for fun and to help me fall asleep.  I don't care about how people view me or what they think of the games I like best.

[xsuicidesn0wmanx]

Personally I have to say you're assessment of the 360 is wrong.  The 360 does define me as a gamer but I am no hardcore fps addict.  I am an online gamer who loves the competition of other people.  The 360 and live practically brings what used to be the arcade to my living room, w/out the need for massive amounts of quarters and having to smell other game addicts BO.
 
Yes i am a hardcore gamer, and i own over 50 different game consoles, and while i buy a poopyload of games, the only ones i ever really touch are the online games.  So in that respect, online gaming defines me.

[G.A.Pster]

Eventually I’ll own them all and I consider myself all three.
 
 
but I bought the literbox 360 first because I figured the Wii would have the same problem as the and not have many good games,
 
And also the PS3 didn’t have many first party games for a long time (now it’s caught up) but I don’t need to buy one until there aren’t enough games for the 360, and also I was waiting for it to get rumble.

[dante]

Personally I have to say you're assessment of the 360 is wrong.  The 360 does define me as a gamer but I am no hardcore fps addict.  I am an online gamer who loves the competition of other people.  The 360 and live practically brings what used to be the arcade to my living room, w/out the need for massive amounts of quarters and having to smell other game addicts BO.
 
Yes i am a hardcore gamer, and i own over 50 different game consoles, and while i buy a poopyload of games, the only ones i ever really touch are the online games.  So in that respect, online gaming defines me.

Fixed! You're right, and thanks for the input . Personally I'm not very into online gaming, but most of my friends swear by it. I just like a good story, really, and that's all I ask of a game. Now and then it's nice to play something simple and fun though, such as Kirby.

[Jared Patton]

The 360 is my favorite console right now, however I'm not your typical Halo playin', trash talkin', crazed hardcore gamer. I generally dislike games that are violent for the sake of being violent and I think alot of people see 360 players like that. The system has such a diverse library that it's hard to define a 360 gamer. Its actually the "it" system for RPGs also.