Recently, we started rebranding our visual identity to go beyond the gaming subculture and appeal to the next generation of players. As part of this effort, we believe it is time to re-evaluate the term ‘gamer’ and showcase the diversity of players today and their impact on modern culture.
In recent years, the gaming industry has experienced explosive growth, with billions of players worldwide from all walks of life playing games on mobile, console, blockchain, or PC platforms. Gaming has become a dominant form of entertainment and a significant part of modern culture and lifestyle. However, despite its massive size and cultural popularity, the term “gamer” has not evolved with the industry’s growth. It is time to rebrand the term and represent the diversity of the billions of people playing games today.
If asked to define a “gamer,” you would be forgiven for thinking of the outdated stereotype of a lazy, socially-awkward shut-in who only plays games in their parent’s basement surrounded by snacks and sodas. In reality, people who play games are multi-faceted individuals from all walks of life whose interests and passions extend beyond gaming. Playing games is just one aspect of their identity and self-expression.
These days, people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds are playing games. Recent studies indicate that women make up almost 50% of all gamers, players over 50 constitute a growing segment of the gaming population, and 9/10 of Gen Z and Gen Alpha are playing games. You would agree that this is quite a world away from the outdated “gamer” stereotype.
Due to the explosive growth and cultural impact of gaming, players are no longer limited to arcades, local game stores, specialist magazines and early internet forums. The industry and culture have evolved to encompass far more than just video games. The emergence of streaming, content creation, big-budget movie and television adaptations, major brand collaborations, fashion and esports, has created new avenues for anybody to enjoy, participate, and connect in the gaming culture beyond just playing games. (Are you watching the Last Of Us on HBO? You should be!)
Today’s players are at the forefront of driving the adoption of new technologies such as VR, AR, and Web3. As players continue to explore and innovate, gaming is becoming an increasingly important force shaping the future of entertainment, communication, and technology.
We call them the Next-Gen Players, and they are the future of gaming.
