What's it to you?

I've got a copy of FIFA 11 next to me, and Fallout 3 Game of the Year Edition , Super Street Fighter IV and a whole lot of other games sitting underneath my 40gb PS3. To the right of the aforementioned games, I've got a Wii (unplugged) and a couple of PS3 controllers next to it. I may not have the best entertainment system (hello 1994 Panasonic model tv) but it gets the job done. My rockband drums and guitar are upstairs in my messy room, along with an arcade stick that I've always wanted. I've got games that will last me a good year, or even more. So why can't I bring myself to play these games? Am I slowly being consumed by casual gameritis?

I don't fear I've become a casual gamer, despite the fact that I spend less amounts on games than I used to, because what's there to fear about being casual gamer? Aren't I still a gamer at heart?

Looking over my blog that has collected the metaphorical dust, I know I've spent less and less amounts of my time on my most beloved hobby, compared to even the beginning of the year. I refrain from saying that I've lost interest in gaming, or even that my interest is waning, because I know at heart I'm still a gamer.

Yeah I'm still a gamer. I might not spend 40+ hours 'shooting noobs in da face' in Black Ops, or rushing out to midnight launches for the signature edition of Gran Turismo 5, but I'm not any different to those who would anyway. I'm as much a gamer as those Korean Starcraft Superstars, or the old granny who decided to spend $250 + on Wii Fit instead of taking a walk outside.

What's a gamer nowadays? To me a gamer is someone who has ever actively participated in playing video games, and it's as simple as that. Why shun the casuals when we can welcome them with open arms, hand them a controller and let them have a go? Why give disgusted looks to those who toil away in front of their computers, engaging in dungeon raids with their guilds?

Yeah I'm still a gamer at heart. What's it to you? What's a gamer to you?