Once upon a time, gaming was just about having fun, for everyone – until someone decided it needed an exclusive club. When the term “gamer” conjured up images of leaderboard grinders, esports prodigies, or completionists with an encyclopedic knowledge of obscure RPG mechanics? Those days, my friends, should’ve been over by now. And yet, here we are – still gatekeeping, still measuring “real” gamers by arbitrary standards, still making entry into gaming feel like crossing into a members-only club.
Let’s rewind. Gaming was supposed to be an escape, a digital playground where anyone with a controller, keyboard, or touchscreen could find their own rhythm. But somewhere along the way, communities built walls instead of bridges. If you don’t play the “right” games, if you’re not grinding ranked matches, if you don’t keep up with patch notes like they’re stock market trends, you’re somehow on the outside looking in. The label of “non-gamer” gets thrown around more often than it should.
This divide isn’t just about social labels. It’s built into the very structure of the industry. Gaming’s barrier to entry isn’t a single obstacle – it’s a multi-layered wall. First, there’s the financial side. AAA games pushing $70, hardware requirements scaling faster than wallets can keep up, and subscriptions stacked like a bad Jenga tower make the hobby feel more like an investment portfolio. Then there’s the community culture, where new players get side-eyed in forums, casuals get clowned on in competitive lobbies, and anyone who doesn’t “git gud” fast enough gets relegated to meme status.
The moment we start deciding who “deserves” to be called a gamer, we lose sight of what makes the medium special.
And that’s before we even talk about identity politics in gaming spaces. If you’re not part of the presumed default, you’re fighting an uphill battle for recognition, let alone respect. The irony? Gaming is bigger than ever. The industry thrives on inclusivity – mobile games, live-service models, crossplay ecosystems – all built to pull in more players. Yet, the cultural gatekeeping persists. You’d think with gaming’s evolution, we’d have outgrown the “fake gamer” nonsense, but nope. Even as mainstream acceptance of gaming skyrockets, the old habits of keeping the “club” exclusive die hard.
It’s not all bleak, though. Every now and then, you see moments where the walls crack, when a casual player stumbles into a welcoming Discord server. When a newcomer posts their first gameplay clip and gets encouragement instead of ridicule. When communities rally behind accessibility features, proving that making games playable for more people isn’t a charity case – it’s a necessity. These moments remind us that at its best, gaming isn’t about gatekeeping – it’s about shared experiences.
So let’s cut through the posturing. A gamer isn’t defined by their library, their rank, or their hardware setup. It’s not about whether you’re playing Elden Ring blindfolded or sinking hours into cozy farm sims. It’s about engagement, passion, and the time you invest – whether that’s in a battle royale, a sports sim, or a classic single-player experience. Gaming’s biggest strength has always been its variety, its ability to cater to different tastes and playstyles. The moment we start deciding who “deserves” to be called a gamer, we lose sight of what makes the medium special.
Here’s the reality – Anyone who dedicates their time and effort to gaming – however that looks – has earned the title. No gatekeeping required.
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Satvik Pandey
Satvik Pandey, is a self-professed Steve Jobs (not Apple) fanboy, a science & tech writer, and a sports addict. At Digit, he works as a Deputy Features Editor, and manages the daily functioning of the magazine. He also reviews audio-products (speakers, headphones, soundbars, etc.), smartwatches, projectors, and everything else that he can get his hands on.
A media and communications graduate, Satvik is also an avid shutterbug, and when he’s not working or gaming, he can be found fiddling with any camera he can get his hands on and helping produce videos – which means he spends an awful amount of time in our studio. His game of choice is Counter-Strike, and he’s still attempting to turn pro. He can talk your ear off about the game, and we’d strongly advise you to steer clear of the topic unless you too are a CS junkie. View Full Profile
