What I think is a Renaissance gamer.

May 3 00:41 UTC 2003

If a "Renaissance" or "ultimate" gamer existed or could be described, 
what would the criteria be?  Here's what I think it should be.

Certainly don't go with the retail sector-- I think they generally 
just go with game console and PC games.

I don't think even the modern role-playing community may necessarily 
be encompassing all of it, either.

To start with role-playing, this uber gamer would likely recognize the 
history of wargaming that existed before Gary Gygax and D&D, note how 
they influence said game, and recognize other modern counterparts, 
like the boardgame Risk and the online game, Outwar. www.outwar.com

Is familiar with various dice systems and knows where the success 
system came from.  Is familiar with the differences between dice 
systems and bidding systems, and may even make a good argument why 
dice is favored for table top and bidding is favored for LARP 
(although for my local Mage LARP game, we roll for Paradox).

Is fairly familiar with LARP games and the difference in the shift of 
power, i.e. players can now drive plotlines much more easily than in 
tabletop games.  Is probably familiar with a little theatric arts such 
as costuming, acting, and makeup.

The renaissance gamer is at home with pinball as well as video games.  
Although he may love the new advances in graphics, he may pine for the 
old games that featured various interesting controls.  Examples 
included the jet steering wheel grip for Spy Hunter, the viewsight and 
turn sticks for Battlezone, the dual move and fire joysticks for some 
Midway games such as Robotron, the turn dial for Tempest, etc.  He 
might agree with Atari founder Nolan Bushnell that the era of simple, 
classic games seems to have passed.

Adventure games are also a favorite, and this gamer will remember the 
days of Zork as well as enjoy the current hits such as Diablo and the 
Myst series.

The uber gamer will not forget the many classic games that have 
withstood the test of time.  She may play chess, but may be familiar 
with the Japanese version as well, called Shogi.  Backgammon, Reversi, 
Checkers, Chinese checkers, Go and many others will likely be part of 
the repetoire.  She probably knows how to play a number of card games, 
and pinochle would not be out of the question.  (Maybe play with some 
interesting cards, too.. like Afrocentric ones. 
http://www.blacksfactor.com/cards.htm)

Broad and long, but I think that covers it.

response 2 of 3:

Jun 12 01:21 UTC 2003

A lot of that sounds familiar, at the least vaguely to me.  Seems his 
idea is more someone who lives, breathes, eats, sleeps, and excretes 
gaming.