Comment Re:Amazing (Score 1) 276
Really? Here is my anecdotal datem point on the subject. I have been a gamer since the Atari 2600 and NES era. I have been involved in the gaming culture since there was gaming culture (same with the computer and internet cultures as well). Thus far, I have owned and played every major Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft platform made (except the PS4 and XBone due to the still lack of games) as well as many others. My current library spans well over 500 games between consoles and PC (especially Steam). When I go on business trips, my laptop with my Steam library and 3DS goes with me.
For all intents and purposes, I consider myself a gamer. Being on the backside of the 18-34 demographic, I have a full time engineering job with its own hours and obligations. So while I don't put myself in the league of those who play games as their main and only hobby, I am still part of the core gaming audience.
With that out of the way, between professional and personal obligations, I am lucky if I can actually play games for 2 hours a week. This is usually when I can block out one night just to sit down with a game until I have to get to bed. Sometimes, I might get lucky and have a lazy Friday night or Saturday to just sit down and play. Meanwhile, my Mom, Dad, Girlfriend, Grandma, and Step-Mom have kindle tablets, and iPhones and can play one of their dozens of free-to-play casual games for 5-15 minutes a piece whenever they have a few minutes downtime. My girlfriend also occasionally plays a few rounds of Mario World or Mario Kart with me on the Wii U.
Now the question, who is the real gamer My family or myself. Certainly, I buy more games, am a part of the gaming scene, and play hardcore games. Meanwhile they just play games in short bits and pieces many times a day. They don't care about the latest shooter, the next Civ game, what EA is doing to piss-off gamers this week. They don't know who Tim Schafer, Reggie Fils-Aime, Jim Sterling, or Master Chief is, they just play their games.