Your "Role" in Video Games Discussion

[JJ Styles]

Here's something that I've always wanted to ask about. What's your role when it comes to discussion on video games, whether it be one specific game, or several areas in a spectrum.

To make things a little clearer, I've provided a bunch of examples that may reflect your "role" in games discussion. Courtesy of Vault-Tec, Vault Boy (and probably Vault Girl) are here to visualize your "role" in games discussion.

The Combat Hardcore Veteran

Spoiler:

The Hardcore veteran is the embodiment of skill, dedication, discipline, and what the F**k you name it, he's probably done it more times. You have played a lot of video games for a very long time, and you are one of the more experienced players in said video game, especially in competitive multiplayer such as Counter Strike, League of Legends, DoTA, among other things. You've played said game for quite some time, have survived numerous changes in both the metagame and even the game itself but somehow, you still stand as one of the best players that you know. None can compare to you other than the other veterans themselves. If some punk ass kid asked to "1v1 Bro?" that kid was already dead on arrival and you've already won some easy 100USDs. You deliver great numbers such as sweet KDAs, being on top of the leaderboards, being in high ELO or having a high skill rating, and you credit your experience and overall skill and competence in said game. You use your status and proof as a veteran player to help the less skilled players be better by providing them with your own insights on how to be a better such as those "PROTIPS", since more likely or not, you've gone from the same path of being sh*t tier to top tier. Because you've earned your high rating from your skill, competency, and simple dedication of being good at what you've been playing, you see yourself as a player with a lot to prove whenever you play in any competitive setting. You're a player who's been around before many of these other top-tier players were born, lost their virginities, had s3cks, or whatnot.

However, the Hardcore Veteran is not without fault. You like to see yourself as an embodiment of skill and competenence, but there maybe at times that you may see yourself as a relic of the past. You start to figure out why have you played this game for such a long time, why have you fought in this made-up war that has scarred you over years and years. And as such, you see that your long experience in playing certain video games may get the best of you. You've played for years, but how long has it been? Its always the thing you need to consistently and constantly prove to everyone especially in the realm of video games discussion. Are you truly legit? Are you truly validated and credible? Not to mention, Hardcore veterans themselves are prone to seeing their opinions more important than the younger or less experienced players thus opening arguments for "Casual vs Hardccore" talks.

The Smark:

Spoiler:

Sharp mouths, strong opinions, valid reasons, and inside infos. The Smark is the individual who uses more of his or her sharp tongue or fingers to talk about gaming in a more metaphysical sense. Other than just talking about gaming as a hobby, you also like to talk about the industry A LOT, make snide comments on what your opinionated thoughts are, you try your best to point out things that you think are wrong with the gaming scene right now and you try to say some things to "making gaming as a hobby great again". You're probably the one who gives no f**ks about your average or even below average skills in playing against other players, or maybe you are secretly the greatest unproven player in the world, but that doesn't matter to you. As a smark, you're secret weapon in discussions in video games in your knowledge of everything that's going on, from both the games you play and the industries behidn them. You deliver discussions more with your sharp tongue and sense. You feel that you're more of the realist side of gaming and as such, your opinions matter as much as anyone else. You're quick to point out some of the BS that video game companies expunge out and tell the community about it. You are the guy that people would like to talk about when it comes to gaming related happenings and even controversies. As a smark, you have highly believable opinions as well since you have your own know-how.

However, its no secret that a smark's opinion's and comments regarding scenes and stuff aren't going to be always agreed upon by the gaming community. You are the kind who's willing to take every form of bad mouthing coming from other smarks and even other users who doesn't see eye to eye with you and your ideals. But you have enough savvy to shrug of others' opinions.

Achievement Hunter

Spoiler:

The Achievement hunter is a player that has a ton of dedication when it comes to playing games and talking about his/her experiences with it. As soon as a new game pops out, you do your best to play said game right away from buying it, and suddenly you start racking up some of those sick kills, high scores, and whatnot. The Achievement hunter is a highly skilled player who is a natural talent when it comes to video games. You work extra hard, and extra hours to improve from Level 1 to Level 30, from Unranked to a skill rating of Diamond or Master Guardian X. However, once you're done hunting down all of the achievements in a game, you quickly move to the next one, thus more often than not, you aren't as experienced as a hardcore veteran, though you can be as skilled as one, but your points of view may not be as valid since you're more likely seen as a player that moves from one game to another, and probably not go back to a game that you've already "achievement hunted and farmed" to death.

Achievement Hunters are quite dedicated players but as mentioned before, generally speaking, Achievement hunters' dedication comes mostly from their desire to accomplish the tasks needed to win the achievements before moving on. As such, you may see yourself as a sort of jumper from game to game. You are skilled but not experienced. Most of your opinions in discussions are mostly based on the "Now" rather than the "all the time" even.

Honorary Orator

Spoiler:

The Honorary Orator is an individual with a good amount of charisma to let people know that they share a purpose when it comes to games discussion. Your a sweet talker, a charming individual, and a loveable human being. You make this up for simply being a lovable individual to the community by providing alternative means such as art, music, videos, and other things to make the people happy to have you around. You may not have the gaming skills of the Hardcore Veteran, the Achievement Hunter, or the Sneering Imperialist but you certainly aren't the Smark who gives no FCKRZ to what they say. You want to maintain an image of happiness and positive feelings in your respective gaming community by providing some quality material for everyone to enjoy.

The Honorary Orator is the individual with the highest level of disposition in the gaming community, for the most part. This comes from people simply loving what you do, no matter what the heck you are doing as long as they enjoy you having around. At times though, people will question your place within the serious discussions in gaming.

In a Nutshell, this would be like individuals with Charisma 10/10 in their S.P.E.C.I.A.L stats

Sneering Imperialist

Spoiler:

AKA NoobstomperX69 or aka Gatekeepers aka Elitists. You are the kind of player that enjoys separating the good players from the bad ones by stomping the craphole out of the less skilled. You enjoy your advantage, competencies, and your natural skills that your opponents may or may not have. When it comes to video games discussion, you're the first to point out that if people are bad at the game, they should not have a say on what needs to be done to make it better. "GIT GUUD son". "Easy mode in 2016 lul", Bronze 5 in 2016 kek lulwtf?" are some of your personal mantras against those who you deem as "savages" or people who suck. You're the kind of individual to tell people that if they are bad, then don't play and complain that you're stuck in ELO Hell. You're the kind that tells people that an Easy mode for Ninja Gaiden, Dark Souls, Doom, and other video games that have a tradition of being challenging titles are whom you deem as impure fools and should be crucified as profligates. The perk of being the Sneering imperialist is that you shut down people who try to ruin discussions for whatever reasons. The bad side is that people see you as someone to avoid, but you never really cared about being avoided by those "Profligates" right?

For the most part, the way the Sneering Imperialist seems to be just quite the bad karma side of a Hardcore Veteran. Not necessarily. The Sneering Imperialist is the gatekeeper. You cockblock the bad seeds from the good seeds. You mostly are in agreement with the good seeds but most certainly are in negative temperament against the bad seeds. In essence, Sneering Imperialists are also Elitists. Their dispositions towards a game or a fandom they care about is deep, even more so than a Hardcore Veteran, but they also also known for gatekeeping people.

The Bartering Salesman

Spoiler:

The Bartering Salesman is the individual that knows what's good for your money, and for his/her money too. When it comes to games discussion, you have the skill in selling something for others to hear about. "You know what's good for your money?" etc. You're more likely to influence people to buy a game or help people out by telling them what's best for their money. The Bartering salesman also doubles as the knowledgeable guy when it comes to sweet deals, since you've earned your place with your bags of money by spending wisely.

Or in essence, you could be the first guy or lady to tell people "Yo 60 USD for that? Get the DLCS! Sure its more expensive, but it adds more to the game (winky face)".

The Lore Master

Spoiler:

Or Lorenerd, or Lorehound. The one thing you enjoy the most with video games are lore and story. You're the kind of player who would play a FIGHTING GAME FOR THE STORY if you have to. You're the kind of individual that tries to make sense of Doom's lore as a whole, or try to make sense out of things. As the Lore Master, you're more likely to care about any video game's lore and narrative and how all of that ties up will with the gameplay, and you like discussing video game lore with other individuals who care of such. These may also be the kind of people that play video games mainly AND primarily for story, and you may be also quick to dispute to individuals who say something against the importance of story and writing otherwise.

When it comes to games discussion, Lore Masters are wonderful individuals to talk to. You are the kind of individual who can make sense into almost everything. As mentioned previously, you're the kind of gamer who can make sense with the lore and stories of something as twisted and as convuluted as Tekken's lore or any fighting game lore. You make it a point that lore, story, and narrative is important in many video games, especially in today's generation where more and more people have since shown more interest with story and writing in a video game. Of course, you're also prone to getting bamboozed triggered by individuals who may say stuff like "Story in an action game, k?"

The Idealistic Savant

Spoiler:

AKA the man or lady with a million f**king ideas in almost anything. You're the kind of person that simply loves to cook up a ton of fresh, interesting, and even rehashed ideas from other things you've seen and experience and want to see these come to life with the video games that you are involved with. You are the kind of person who can easily write say a character idea with a lot of time and effort put into. You know that this idea may work since you have a great understanding of the video games you are playing.

As such, essentially, you are an idealist. Cooking up some hot ideas or wishlists is a hobby that you take into consideration. But since you are an idealist, you may be prone to being blind with the harsh realities of the games you are playing. Your ideas may not mesh well with the stuff you're planning for, and you are also prone to having clashing discussions with the rest of the playerbase who just "suck it all up" and be accepting of a game's realities. But it never hurts to try right? After all, thinking of ideas is definitely free of charge. Turning them into actual realities however, may be more costly than a college level tuition fee.

The Mr/Mrs. Techiepants

Spoiler:

Also known as the "Tech talkers". When it comes to video games and video game discussion, your forte is the technology behind video games. You love to talk about how gaming has changed over the years with the progression of technology, and you are fascinated with the inner workings of installation, modification, and especially optimization, which is very much apparent when it comes to PC gaming. In games discussion, you may also question why for some reason, gaming tech has either stayed much of the same, or maybe it has changed over the years. Your obsession and fascination really is the technology behind the creation of the GREATEST FORM OF INTERACTIVE MEDIA THERE IS, in your personal opinion for the most part ;).

However, since your forte is obviously PC, console mains may not be able to get along with you. But again, not exactly. Mr/Mrs Techiepants is the guy/gal who knows what's up when it comes to increasing console experience as well such as hardware, troubleshooting, optimization, the same matters that the typical PC techie is, at least for the most part.

GONE NUTS

Spoiler:

Aka Mr/Mrs REELISM. As we know already, Video games is a great form of escape from the harshness of reality, or simply a nice thing to do when we want to dive in an alternate world. But of course, many more video games try their best to push the level of immersion into bigger levels with making things feel a little bit more realistic. When it comes to connecting realism and video games, you're more likely to point out how realistic this game feels like, or also be the first one to say "Hey that's not how X works IRL! What the f**k were these game devs smoking at!?" As already pointed out by the rather humorous title, Mr/Mrs. GONE NUTS can range into anything from a gun nut, people with some knowledge and liking of guns in real life, or some Sword/Melee nerd which are the melee fighting and swordplay equivalent of a Gun Nut. As such, you Mr/Mrs GONE NUTS, have the tendency to GO NUTS with how gunplay, swordplay, or any form of "realism-play" should work and how it should be properly implemented into a video game, and you're more likely the first to tell how by providing the fellow people with your knowledge of how things in real life work, such as sword swinging, firing actual fire arms, throwing punches, getting injured, starving in a jungle, fighting in the octagon, and other realistic situations. You have the tendency to literally GO NUTS with how such mechanics should be implemented for them to be as realistic as possible.

You're also the first to point out that a World War 1 game that would be fun and realistic can't happen since most weapons in WW1 are either bolt action, lever action, or revolvers. None of these Automatics save for the machine guns planted on a WWI fighter plane. Or something like that. Again, go nuts with it. Mr/Mrs GONE NUTS is the guy/gal who sure has a know how on realism in a video game. You're the first to say this to most people "Call of Duty is realistic? Lulkek, getting shot in the foot and dying is so realistic. BLOODY SCREEN SO REEEEEEELLLLLLL" and provide a scientific and empirical argument of what happens to people when they got shot on the foot.

Marisa Boy Icon by artistmeli
The DoujinSoft (credit to Satoshi Ookami for the title. I mean, its his suggestion)

Spoiler:

I refuse to call these kinds of people as ~~weebs (even if they mind being called as such)~~ since I'm a fair and just individual. So I give the term Doujinsoft to refer to those individuals who prefer the more Far East side of the gaming sphere. When i mean the Far East, while this mostly refers to Japanese made games, but do remember that China and Korea also exist. Mr/Mrs Doujinsofts are the individuals who prefer to be more vocal and having more know-how on the Eastern side of gaming such as JRPGs and other great things from our friends at the Far East Asian Sphere of the world.

For Mr/Mrs. Doujinsoft, it can come in a wider variety of flavors that coincide with the other "roles" but the signature of such is their love and knowhow of the Eastern side of things.

The Jury Rigger

Spoiler:

When it comes to gaming they Jury Rigger is the kind of person that possess amazing abilities of modular transformations. As a jury rigger, you possess the amazing ability to modify any video game according to your liking. being able to play XBOXone or PS4 with a mouse and keyboard, modify the game's assets to personalize what you bought, recreate an entire video game or even demake a video game into a different platform or genre? Heck, turn a potato computer into a top-tier gaming rig? How does it work? No one knows but you...

The Jury Riggers may also belong to a collective of modders, ROMHACKERS (wink wink face), and even future game developers and designers who want to create something out of scratch or something from an existing game. Additionally, you love to mess around with the games that you play and share to the community about some of the funny things you can do, such as playing Doom 2016 with the lowest possible settings and telling the people on how to achieve such Protatoe level resolutions. You could be the next guy or gal to develop a new gaming toaster! Nintoaster? We got a PLAYTOASTER that could play Playstation 1, 2, Classic XBox, and even Gamecube ALL IN ONE! Heck, 3DS Romhacks? Its possible! But only you can know of it, but you possess the knowledge to do so.

The Fall Guy/Gal

Spoiler:

AKA Memelords. I have no definite title to call this role but these are the kinds of individuals who are the first to point out some of the more funny flaws and oversights in video games. As the vault boy image used for this title points out, you are more likely the first guy/grill to point out. "I just accidentally stole a pencil by misclicking, now i'm forced to fight the entire town?". You are the kind of individual to point out the rather humorous oversights in many video games and letting the community know about it.

NEW ROLES!!!

Bloody Messiah:

Spoiler:

"Man, Brutal Doom is f**king awesome. DOOOOOOOODE ALSO THE NEW DOOM? DOOM 4? DOOM 2016? F**K YEAAAAAAAAHHHHH!! Heck, we need more of that in our lives!!!!!!!!!!. OH AND KILLING FLOOR 2. AWWWWWWWW MY GOD BEST GAME EVERS!"

When it comes to graphic violence and visceral glorification in video games, people who deem themselves as BLOODY MESSIAHS are the first to tell you how awesome it is to watch enemies (NPCs/AI/enemy players) explode into juicy gut wrenched and eyeball strewed red pastes with eyeballs popping and organ parties showering. FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!

As enjoyable as Bloody messes are in certain video games that gamers play, the Bloody Messiahs are the individuals who are also very critical with the use of blood and gore in gaming. As a Bloody Messiah, you don't just enjoy the sights of organ parties but you also justify the use of such. You have the extensive knowledge of why this visual enhancement has been used in many video games that love that juicy "M" rating, and you also share a background on your love for action and even horror movies. Simply put, you know why something as silly as a shower of blood and gore works within the proper context. You are so knowledgeable in such an area that you can easily write a 2-page essay on how blood and gore works, when used properly. After all, you may be a borderline lunatic, but you aren't exactly crazy either. wink wink.

Some people may view you has having certain "problems" but you're too manly (and a borderline lunatic) to be phased by them. Your forte in video game discussions among your peers is your ability to make sense out of the silliest of things.

Gender Bender (WIP Description - I've just got home from an important event upon writing of this role)

Spoiler:

This one's reserved for the ladies, but equal opportunity exists so even men can be part of this "role". The Gender Bender is the individual who loves to discuss about the sex/gender/whatever challenges in video games. You are more likely the first person to point out that there's something a little fishy or even wanky about the portrayal of men and women in video games and find yourself being critical of such. Remember ladies and gentlemen, critical != or =/= talking sh*t about gender roles and whatnot. Being critical of anything doesn't automatically mean talking bad or speaking to things in a negative light.

When it comes to video game discussions, you are more likely to speak out your opinions regarding gender roles in many areas of gaming such as the portrayal of chicks and dudes, how appropriate should the designs of chicks and dudes be, what makes good male and female characters, heck, if you have a decent background in Gender Studies, you may even bring that one up to tighten up the notches ;)

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COMING SOON ROLES: Details on these roles are coming soon!

• Game Jurnalist aka Writer
• Mr/Mrs Mathcraft aka The theorycrafter
• The Metaslave aka "You'll know it when it happens"
  

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The list basically gives an overview and an idea on what your role is when it comes to games discussion. This role you have isn't just limited to this subforum hell no. But this is more likely what you are, and how your disposition is when you talk about video games with your friends, OR WITH ME C:< anyway Discuss. The list of what you may be WILL BE Updated with more detailed descriptions.

RULES OF NATURE:

1) DO NOT ever use this thread to talk down other individuals who do not share the same disposition as yours. This is for your smarks out there too.

2) For Veterans, Achievement Hunters, and even the Sneering Imperialists, please do not talk down on people who you see as "Scrubs". This is especially for you fellow Veterans. You break the Veteran code, I'll snap your neck in two.

3) THE LISTED ROLES above are not exactly the most solid representatives. You're free to make your own descriptions or whatnot but what I've written down provides an idea of what you are more likely to be when it comes to video game discussions.

 

[PeePi Coming S.]

All of the above.

That's some quality spam. Gee you sure enjoy your mod powers though.

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Anyway, talking about video games in general is a pretty wide spectrum but there does exist some archetypes that I do think people fall under.

Without shame, I consider myself to be part of the Sneering Imperialists mainly for the reasons that I simply get a little tired with people who complain about video games without actually trying to be half-decent. I can understand that even bad players should be able to enjoy what they pay or play for, but come on, you can't simply complain that its hard to have fun in a game if you lose more often than you win. If one is losing more often than they win, and not doing anything about it, its not the game's fault. I do my best to civilly point this out to people who struggle with winning or even having fun playing any game.

I often talk about this with my other friends but I guess I'll share a lil insight about it.

Also, where's my "Purist Punk" category at. You can't leave out the purists god damnit

 

[Winter]

I'm definitely a loregeek/hound whatever you call it.

 

[JJ Styles]

All of the above - some of these seem a little biased towards what you like and don't like however Xin...at least they seem to read that way (Combat Veteran especially lmao)

In all srs bsns, I would say I am both The Achievement Hunter and The Combat Hardcore Veteran (these titles are brilliant by the way).

.

Those descriptions are fresh. I was already thinking the negative aspects of each role the more i thought hard about it ;) Also, please chat. take note, I do not make fun of smarks in anyway. Besides, I have a lot of good things to say about them but in a snarky way that suits the tone.

Anyway, will be updating.

A lil spammy right now but I obviously fall under "Combat Veteran" and an unlisted role which I'll be listing down in the original post - "Idealistic Idiot" or the guy/gal who loves making ideas.

Love the titles chat? Of course. Its me thinking of these titles.

 

[Arsenic]

I'm actually more interested in what other people see me as...

I am not sure on which to pick for myself as I've done multiple of these over the years... I'll put some thought into it while at work.

 

[Melody]

One part Honorary Orator, one part Achievement Hunter, one part Loregeek. Throw in a dash of Idealistic Savant and you have me. :3

Sneering Imperials and really cocky veterans are types I don't get along well with. Skill isn't important as playing the game the way you have the most fun playing it. Pwning n00bs, while sometimes fun is essentially pyrric. Better to win with grace and style than to be "that Imperial that even the vets think takes newb pwning way too seriously"

That said, I view completing a game's single player mode as achievement enough. Additional Achievements are just additional icing and trim on the cake, tasty but not always needed for a good cake. If you enjoyed the game enough to spend time in multiplayer and rack up some number of wins; that's an achievement. It's not a crime to lose. Particularly when the skill level of your opponent(s) and the outcomes of the game itself is often up to *luck*

For example; a bad run of luck can often ruin your elo score or that "amazing" k/d ratio you have. All it takes is for you to be unlucky enough to run into someone much more skilled than you are. But, that doesn't diminish the achievement you made. If it does, you're often looking at things too literally.

You can make luck less influential in your play style by leveling up your skill, but it won't ever go away. It's Your Choice. There Is No One True Way.

 

[Satoshi Ookami]

Well, apart from obvious Achievement Hunter and The Loregeek, I guess The Smark can work as well sometimes.


And I want to add a new one, weeb xDDDD

 

[JJ Styles]

Do remember ladies and gentledudes that this topic is more on what you would actually talk about within the realm of video game discussions. And I specifically stated what you are more likely to be talking about with your friends or outside this forum ;) (Or if you ever talk 1 on 1 with me of course). What you talk about in this forum may be the same with what you talk about outside of this forum like with your IRL friends or other communities that you find yourself be involved in, or it may be reflective if your interests in the world of gaming talk : D

Also clarified something about Sneering Imperialists. I figured i get that out of the way

And I want to add a new one, weeb xDDDD

Already found the Vault Boy icon for that category. Will be adding that one shortly

 

[Devil in the Mirror]

I tend to be mostly Lorehound with a bit of Achievement Hunter tossed in. I do my darnedest to get those achievements, but I'm here for the story, and after a point, I'll give up if it's hindering my progression too much. I mostly talk about the plot and story of games, of course it does vary based on the game—for example Dragon Ball games rarely have stories that differ from the anime, and therefore, from one another, so in those cases I care more about and consequently talk more about gameplay mechanics, the controls themselves, etc. As a general rule, though, definitely Lorehound.

 

[Satoshi Ookami]

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees.
Weeb role added, my work is done here =D

 

[Sir Codin]

Probably the Sneering Imperialist, The Hardcore Combat Veteran, the Salesman, and the Lore Master, with a dash of Achievement Hunter and Idealistic Savant on top of it.

I'm also the Anti-Critic, as I love to tell people off and make them realize that "overrated" =/= terrible, and that your use of the word "overrated" is more outdated and cringey than any MLG meme from 2013.

 

[Hands]

Also, where's my "Purist Punk" category at. You can't leave out the purists god damnit

Salty Sailor sounds more apt given your first post in the thread :^)


I'm almost at Snarling Imperialist mixed with idealist Savant (though I'd of kept idiot savant as my title because most of my ideas are balls). I quite like doing well and without blowing my own horn i was high tier in MW2 and have maintained a fairly good performance in Battlfield games over the years.

 

[JJ Styles]

I have added new roles, mainly since i thought to myself, why have i not added these roles in the first place when I know that there exist such people in video gaming discussions.

"Bloody Messiah"
"Gender Bender"

Coming Soon role(s):
"Meta Slave" -> "You'll know it when it happens"
"ROW ROW FIGHT THE POWER!" -> "We create our own metas!"

Actually, future thread posters can make their own descriptions of "Meta Slave" and "Row Row FIGHT THE POWER!" and I'll gladly put them in the OP.
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Anyway, time for more of my inputs:

I've cleanly fixed some of the issues that I initially had with this thread. I did notice after thorough reading that there was some bias towards certain roles regarding on the way i written them. Anyway, cleanly updates such and made some of their descriptions a little spicier.

Regarding on how i name the said roles, please do remember that its all in good fun. Some people have noted that some of the roles sounded rather dickish in my behalf, which was never the intention ;)

Having added the "Gender Bender" category, I shall discuss that as my 3rd role in video games discussion:

Gender Bender -> Me? Really? Well yes. I've always respected the great portrayal of both men and women in video games and when women are decently portrayed as such in certain video games, I feel a sense of happiness. Heck I'll be the first one to tell you all, I'm actually quite critical when it comes to how the ladies are portrayed in certain MMORPGs. Heck, just look at some of those F2P MMORPGs with their overly scantily clad women in their promotional material and I'll be the first to tell you that sex doesn't sell all the dang time. Or in that case, "Scantily clad women in bikini dress armor != Sell". But lovely ladies in nice shiny power armor do ;)

 

[Reyzadren]

lol, I thought this thread is about your "role" in games such as being a damage-dealer, healer/supporter or stuff like that

If I had to pick one from the list, I guess I would be the Honorary Orator? But even that doesn't describe how I play online games accurately enough :P