The Pros and Cons of Dating a Gamer

min read
Couple playing video games together - Pros and cons of dating a gamer
BetMGM Dec 05, 2022, 11:23 AM

Dating a gamer used to mean dating a “nerd” or a “geek,” but oh, how things have changed! 

Whether it’s live dealer games at a real online casino, playing on a console from the comfort of your couch or setting up a table in your house for a smorgasbord of board game fun, gaming is now enjoyed by millions of people around the world. 

Gaming has become so popular that some people have even made it part of their identity, calling themselves “gamers.” These days it’s not so much “are you a gamer?” but rather, “what type of online gamer are you?” 

If you’re in the dating market and curious whether someone who calls themselves a gamer might be right for you, there are a few things you should know before you rush off to the first gamer dating site you come across. 

Take a look at our list of dating pros and cons to help you decide whether your love interest’s gaming passion is a good or a bad thing. But remember, everyone is different, so while this list might cover some of the basics, it won’t cover all the possible ups and downs of your potential partner’s gaming lifestyle.

The pros

Most gamers are social creatures

Gamers are stereotyped as loners, which couldn’t be further from the truth. Yes, some people play games because they want to be left alone, but others play because they want to spend time with their friends and family. The article, “Study: Gamers are more educated, more social than the people who make fun of them,” from The Washington Post, highlights the following:

“According to a copy of the study provided to The Washington Post, gamers are more likely to be living with other people such as family, friends or significant others, and are more likely to agree with the statement, “My friends are the most important thing in my life.”

Recent changes in society have also shown how important gaming can be for keeping people connected, especially when they can’t see each other in person. So if you’re interested in a gamer and are worried they might not like spending time with other people, don’t fret. Who knows, they might actually have more social energy than you!

They’re clued-up on tech

A woman configures her cameras for her live stream.

You can rest assured that if you’re dating a gamer, you’re probably seeing someone who knows their way around technology. Sure, their levels of knowledge might be different. Some gamers may only be able to hook up your new sound system or set up your new large-screen TV with your streaming box, while others may get your laptop running like new or fix your broken computer. But one thing’s for sure: they’re probably more clued-up than most people when it comes to tech.

They can easily entertain themselves

If you’re going to be late or need to postpone your plans for any reason, you can rest assured that a gamer will always have a plan B to keep themselves entertained! That’s right, while other people might find themselves at a loose end if you have to change plans for the evening, a gamer knows they’ll always have games to fall back on. Just don’t be surprised if you change plans, then try to switch plans back later and hear, “But I just joined my friends for an online game…”

They love to play

Has a gamer caught your eye? If so, you’re probably going to be dating someone who’s a bit of a child at heart (which makes it somewhat easier to buy them a Valentine’s Day gift.) 

Most gamers will have a preference when it comes to the titles they like to play, but will usually be keen to try other types of fun pastimes. For example, even if you’re dating someone who prefers to play console games, they might also be interested in board games, card games and maybe even some sports (which we’d also like to consider as games, unless you’re an aspiring or professional athlete.)

Many gamers are extremely passionate people

There are many gamers who are extremely competitive and passionate. Where others may give up, some gamers have an incredible level of dedication and desire to win and don’t like to leave things unfinished. These attributes can also translate to other aspects of their life, including work and their relationships.

The cons

Some gamers may prefer to play games over anything else

While having a passion for a hobby is great, you may want to establish that the gamer you’re interested in doesn’t put their gaming above all else. That’s right, some may prioritize gaming over everything, which isn’t necessarily a good foundation for a healthy relationship (let alone the gamer’s own health.)

However, don’t get this confused with an online game to which your partner has already committed their time. Many gaming experiences require the player to play through to the finish, which can be as little as 30 minutes or as long as several hours or days. So if you ask them to leave the game, they could; but they could be ruining the game for everyone else who’s playing, especially if they’re part of a team.

They might be sore losers

A man sitting on a couch with a controller in his hand screams at the TV.

The couples that game together, stay together – except when one person is a sore loser. The flip side to someone being a competitive or passionate gamer is that they might not like losing, even to their significant other. You might want to test this out over a friendly game to see how your love interest reacts when things don’t go their way!

Some of them are couch potatoes or just not fans of the outdoors

Even if you’re dating someone who enjoys doing more than just playing games, you may be disappointed by some gamers, who not only prefer to be at home but also prefer to spend their time on less physical activities. 

If you’re someone who likes to be out and about and maybe even enjoys some sporting activity from time to time, you’d better find out if your potential partner is on the same wavelength. If they’re not, you may want to alert them to the benefits of healthy living

Or, you’ll just have to accept the fact that hikes, surfing or other physical activities are things that you’ll do solo or with friends. After all, couples don’t need to have every single thing in common – it’s healthy to have your own hobbies or pastimes, too!

Gamers might love new tech games a bit too much

Gamers are fans and, as we know, sometimes fans might not only like to spend their time on their favorite hobby, but also their money. Some gamers will be quite happy sitting at home eating ramen for the entire month if it means they can splash out on a new TV, the latest video game or a popular board game (many of which don’t come cheap.) If this is a deal-breaker for you, make sure you find out if your love interest is a fan who enjoys their hobby or if they’re so obsessed they spend most of their paycheck on their favorite pastime!

They’re probably not for you if you don’t have any interest in games

Needless to say, no matter how attractive you find someone who plays games, if you don’t like their hobby, it might not be worth your time dating them. If you’re looking for something more serious, you may want to find someone whose interests align more with yours. On the other hand, if you’re just interested in something casual, even if you don’t like games, you can still have fun for however long the relationship lasts. You never know, you might even find yourself becoming a gaming convert, too!

Enjoy playing games at BetMGM

Regardless of whether or not you have a romantic partner to play online casino games with, you can still have a great time at BetMGM. Our virtual casino has a wide variety of titles on offer, including online slots, live dealer and table games, as well as great bonuses and promotions. 

If you like to play casino games online, register at BetMGM and have a blast at the best online casino!

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Our BetMGM editors and authors are sports experts with a wealth of knowledge of the sports industry at all levels. Their coverage includes sports news, previews and predictions, fun facts, and betting.

Our BetMGM editors and authors are sports experts with a wealth of knowledge of the sports industry at all levels. Their coverage includes sports news, previews and predictions, fun facts, and betting.