Gamer Type Test

The Gamer Type Test was created by IDRlabs.

The Gamer Type Test is a tool designed to categorize players based on their gaming preferences, behaviors, and motivations. Rooted in Richard Bartle's influential taxonomy from 1996, which identified four distinct player archetypes for Multi-User Dungeons (MUDs)—Achievers, Explorers, Socializers, and Killers—modern gamer type tests have expanded and adapted these categories to suit a wide range of gaming environments. By understanding these archetypes, developers, researchers, and players themselves can gain insights into gaming habits and preferences, making games more engaging and enjoyable for different audiences.

Bartle’s Four Archetypes

Bartle’s original taxonomy divides players into four categories, each reflecting a different motivation for playing games:

Achievers focus on in-game success, such as completing quests, leveling up, and earning rewards. They are goal-oriented and thrive on measurable progress.

Explorers are driven by curiosity, delighting in discovering hidden features, understanding game mechanics, and mapping out new areas.

Socializers play games primarily for interpersonal interaction, finding joy in building relationships, chatting with others, and engaging in cooperative activities.

Killers (in the gaming sense) seek dominance, either by competing directly against other players or by disrupting others’ experiences.

While these archetypes were initially created for MUDs, they remain relevant across gaming genres, from MMORPGs to casual mobile games, providing a foundation for gamer type tests.

The Purpose of Gamer Type Tests

Gamer type tests aim to help individuals identify their dominant motivations and playstyles. By answering questions about their preferences—such as whether they prioritize exploring new areas, achieving high scores, or interacting with others—players can receive a profile that highlights their alignment with one or more archetypes. These tests are often presented in an accessible, quiz-like format, with questions tailored to capture nuanced aspects of player behavior.

For players, such tests offer self-awareness, helping them understand why they gravitate toward certain games or activities. For game developers, the insights gained from aggregated test results can guide design decisions. For example, a game with a high percentage of Explorer-type players might benefit from intricate worlds and hidden Easter eggs, while games attracting Achievers may need robust progression systems and leaderboards.

Expanding Beyond Bartle’s Model

Although Bartle’s archetypes provide a strong foundation, modern gaming tests often expand on his model to reflect the diversity of gaming experiences. New frameworks might include additional categories, such as Creators, who focus on building or designing within games (e.g., Minecraft players), or Competitors, who thrive on strategic challenges in esports and multiplayer environments.

Some tests, such as the “Hexad” model, incorporate motivations like Philanthropists (helping others in cooperative settings) or Free Spirits (valuing autonomy and creative freedom). These adaptations allow the tests to remain relevant in an evolving gaming landscape.

Limitations and Criticisms

While gamer type tests are useful, they are not without limitations. Players often exhibit traits from multiple archetypes depending on the game or their mood, making rigid categorization difficult. Additionally, oversimplified tests may fail to capture the complexity of modern gaming motivations. Despite these challenges, such tests remain a valuable tool for fostering understanding within gaming communities.

The Gamer Type Test serves as both a personal reflection tool and a resource for game design. By analyzing playstyles and preferences, it offers insights into what drives individuals to engage with games. With its roots in Bartle’s taxonomy and subsequent expansions, the test continues to evolve alongside the gaming industry, ensuring its relevance in understanding the multifaceted world of gaming. As the publishers of this free test, which allows you to screen yourself for which kind of gamer you are, we strive to make the test as reliable and valid as possible by subjecting this test to statistical controls and validation. However, free online quizzes such as the present test do not provide professional assessments or recommendations of any kind; the test is provided entirely “as-is.” For more information about any of our online tests and quizzes, please consult our Terms of Service.