You might be an addict

How often do you find yourself gaming? Is it an occasional hobby, maybe once or twice a month? Has it gotten to the point that you know if you miss one single solitary moment, there will be the chance you might miss something epic and the mere thought triggers a cold sweat?

I've got a friend who is currently not in sync with his girlfriend when it comes to gaming. Like me, her preffered method of gaming is LARP (with a healthy appreciation for D & D tabletop). My friend watches his girlfriend go to game five out of seven nights a week. The other two nights are reserved for one shots and talking about game with friends. She is letting her relationship with my friend fall apart due to too much gaming. She is an example of one of the extreme's I've noticed when it comes to the type of people at game. I've had a lot of time to observe gamers in their natural habitats and here's what I've learned about levels of commitment:

FYI: This is purely speculative of my personal experience.

Light Gamer: This is the level where most people start off or end their gaming career. The interest is there but real life is priority. Family and friends may not even know that gaming is a hobby for this person. This is such a low level that dependancy on gaming is nil. Take on the goblin hoard over the family picnic? Never! Sewing the last few button's on a shirt instead of going to the birthday party? Insane! The Light Gamer does not have the dedication to this hobby that would cause offense to most anyone in their life.

Medium Gamer: This is usually the person who you can find in the aisle of the local Barnes and Noble, pouring over the RPG books (and being royally miffed that there are no longer LARP books distributed at chain stores). This person has caught the bug and wants to know more enough to start spending the money they don't have on this hobby. The Medium Gamer hasn't blurred the lines yet though. They still go to class, they're only missing life events that aren't going to get them disowned by Mom and Dad. They're still making their car payments without issue. This level is still considered Safe in the gaming community and is where I consider myself at. The Medium Gamer doesn't usually hide their habit (unless their a school teacher) and most of their family, friends, co-workers, book store employee's have a clue there is something else going on, maybe out of the ordinary (there's only so many times Mom can trip over the boffer lance before getting concerned for your safety).

Intense Gamer: This person has three of four steady games they play monthly that they rarely miss. They'll schedule activites around their games, but this person usually has some life outside of game. A good portion of montly income goes towards the habit (gas, costuming, books, accessories). This person has a deep affection for pretending to be someone else and puts a lot of thought and prep work into gaming monthly.

Hardcore Gamer: This person has every book and/or source material available for their games. Their not afraid to tell you every rule, every change in rule, every statistical analysis they've compiled. They are a wealth of information and will be almost unable to talk about anything else but game. Its a rare occasion to see them outside of a game and trying to have a conversation about something besides game has become somewhat of a chore. The majority of people at this level have part-time jobs, live at home with their parents and generally don't have a lot of responsibility in their life. Do they have the right idea? They seem to think so (who knows if thats correct, I wouldn't mind living rent free myself). This person usually has a game most nights of the week and little time for anything else. Problem is, this person also has little development socially or personally past a college mind set. They have a ton of fun playing game, but they'll never have enough money to see the world, get a hair cut or buy a home. This type of person likes the Hardcore Gamer lifestyle but they're very baffling to the Light and Medium Gamers.

Amber Alert Gamer: Have you seen this gamer? You had a friend once, but now they're always at a game. Its not just weekends though, this person travels all the time to hit every game and event related to game they can. Have they fallen into the network like a Fett falls into a Sarlaac pit? Say something now, they might be saved with kid gloves and well placed words. This person might even start blurring the lines between game and reality to the point where their character is who they are the majority of their life. This is that serious level that you need to address. If you are this person, take a step back and find out why it is that you're so intent on your character development. Problems at home? No power in life? Whatever it is, its bad and at a dangerous level.

Hobo Gamer: For shame if you've reached this level of destitution, you shlub. This person has lost their home, their car, their scholarships, and everything else that requires attention outside the fantasy world(s) they've delved into. I've only met one person like this before and she was the exception, not the rule. Most gamers don't respect a person once they've reached this point. They are constantly asking to sleep on your couch, shower at your place, borrow ten bucks to get into the next game, eating your food. Gaming has become the only drive in life for this person and they don't want to be saved. Start telling them no and they'll go away.