Are people who listen to actual play Podcasts real gamers?

[Charles Ocenasek]

Friend of mine got into a discussion about if people who listen to actual play podcasts, but don't play are real gamers. My argument is I can't call myself a baseball player because I watch the Cubs with a beer in my hand. Is this a fair comparison, because unlike sports games take no real talent to play. Curious as to yall's opinion.

 

[The Crimson Binome]

I would definitely say that, if someone doesn't actually play, then they aren't a player. All that it takes to be a baseball player, or a role-player, is that you actually try. Skill and talent are irrelevant there. The worst player is still a player. But if you don't play, then you aren't a player.

The term 'gamer' is vague, because it could possibly refer to a game player or a game fan. I don't really see the point of excluding any label that someone might self-identify with, though. If someone is way into games, and they think of themselves as a gamer, then that's fine with me. As long as they're able to hold up their end of a conversation, I don't know that I'd even notice the distinction.

 

[Tony Vargas]

Friend of mine got into a discussion about if people who listen to actual play podcasts, but don't play are real gamers. My argument is I can't call myself a baseball player because I watch the Cubs with a beer in my hand. Is this a fair comparison...

Sure, but you can go out an play baseball without a pro or minor-league contract. Conversely, there's very few professional TTRPG player gigs to be had.

("Gamer" is a broader term, anyway, encompassing all manner of computer & on-line gaming, boardgaming, and even gambling.)


I think 'fan' works fine for both those of us who are fans of the TTRPGs we play or run, ourselves, and those who just watch.

 

[Umbran]

Okay, for professional sports, the distinction isn't "real" it is "professional", so that's not a great analogy.

So, what makes a "real" player? You realize that becomes a gatekeeping argument? Since when are we worried about how "real" a gamer is?

When recording that podcast or video, were they actually playing the game, or working from a script? If they were playing, then they are as real a gamer as anyone else.

 

[Mistwell]

Okay, for professional sports, the distinction isn't "real" it is "professional", so that's not a great analogy.

So, what makes a "real" player? You realize that becomes a gatekeeping argument? Since when are we worried about how "real" a gamer is?

When recording that podcast or video, were they actually playing the game, or working from a script? If they were playing, then they are as real a gamer as anyone else.

I think you misunderstood the question. He's not asking about the people recording the podcast or video. He's asking if people who only watch the videos, and never play a single game, can be considered gamers. Not the people in the video, the people clicking on the video to watch it.

 

[Shasarak]

Friend of mine got into a discussion about if people who listen to actual play podcasts, but don't play are real gamers.

I guess if I was asking for Gamers to play in my next campaign and I had someone turn up just to watch the rest of us play then i would say that they were not a Real Gamer.

I am not sure what other context where it would come up though.

 

[Umbran]

I think you misunderstood the question. He's not asking about the people recording the podcast or video. He's asking if people who only watch the videos, and never play a single game, can be considered gamers. Not the people in the video, the people clicking on the video to watch it.

You are entirely correct. I got that completely backwards. My apologies. This is what I get when I write on an evening with too many other distractions. :/

 

[ccs]

So, what makes a "real" player? You realize that becomes a gatekeeping argument?

There's no argument. If you play these games, then you're a player. If all you do is watch/discuss? Then you're a spectator or a commentator.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I’d say they’re gaming curious.

(But they may not be true Scotsmen...)

 

[Morrus]

This was an unpleasant argument on social media a few weeks ago, which thankfully has died down. I don’t think we need to bring it up again here. I can’t see any value in labelling people “gamers” and “not gamers” or dividing our hobby into “us” and “them”. Closing this one down.