What is a zen gamer?
Just a random article/blog of mine about Zen Gaming.
Ah, the Zen gamer – relaxed, exploring, laid back. They're ignoring what the game deems important to find importance in whatever they want within it. That’s zen.
They’re not just “who gives a shit” players. One of the biggest misconceptions about Zen gamers is that they don’t care. They do care, sometimes more deeply, because they follow things with a scrutiny others might miss.
Let’s discuss what the hell a Zen gamer is.
Zen gaming isn’t just about relaxation; it’s more about no time limits, fewer spikes in activity, and a steady flow that feels different from the high-energy pacing of many games. It overlaps with flow, but isn’t the same. Relaxation and an explorer’s pace align more with Zen gaming than being in some hyper-focused "flow state." Zen gamers reflect the original etymology of "zen" – meaning absorption or meditative focus. They play without obsessing over systems or the drive for improvement, preferring open exploration over strict, time-bound goals.
With advancements in game tech, engines, and world sizes, Zen gamers are more recognized now than before. Open world titles, expansive and unhurried, have given this playstyle a stage. We often see reviews saying, "This game scored a 5, but if you’re a Zen player, it might be your thing."
Reviews should reflect a holistic experience of a game. They don’t always account for the Zen player’s perspective.
Why do we hear about Zen gamers more often now? One reason is the explosion of open worlds. Another reason is the number of voices in gaming today. It’s easier than ever to make videos, post on forums, or create websites where players share their unique perspectives. Algorithms and search engines amplify these voices, whereas gaming magazines of the past couldn’t capture this diversity of opinion.
Classification?
Classification? It doesn’t fully capture Zen gamers either. Bartle's Taxonomy (Achievers, Explorers, Socializers, Killers) misses the broader range of gaming styles emerging today, especially with games blending multiple play types and experiences. Some players want a smooth, relaxing experience with few surprises; others are okay with chaos but need spaces to zone out. Zen gamers are often indifferent to tracked systems within games but have their own expectations for immersive, calming moments.
But this can confuse others. Zen gamers might seem like poor judges or "too easy to please." Sure, if you buy Call of Duty, you’re probably there for the shooting. But a Zen gamer in Call of Duty might just hang out in the lobby or with friends, caring less about kill counts and more about the laid-back experience of some social interaction with a couple kills.
Misunderstandings about Zen gaming come up most often in discussions of open-world games. We're not talking about city builders here, but complex, multifaceted open worlds. With videos and fast-paced coverage, Zen gamers have found a place in the conversation. People now can see which games may appeal to Zen players, whether or not they get stellar reviews.
For developers and most gamers, seeing a sparse open world feels like opening a 400-page book with 13 words per page. They ask, "Where are the collectibles, the towers, the side quests?" A Zen gamer, though, might enjoy that very emptiness – the quiet between pages, savoring each turn, letting curiosity take over.
Exploration
For Zen gamers, exploration is about movement and discovery; interaction could be fishing in Red Dead Redemption or wandering in Zelda. Even if they bypass some systems, Zen players find moments within the game’s quieter mechanics.
Take Biomutant – not a perfect game, but it offers plenty for a Zen player. Exploration is varied, full of unique places, and has environmental restrictions like hypoxia and poison, which add mystery to certain locations.
Biomutant limits encounters, which, while sparse for some, suits Zen gamers who want to explore and interact without constant battles. The game even has areas with loot but no enemies, allowing for low-stress customization as players explore.
Zen players engage differently, picking aspects of games that don’t necessarily align with their genre’s core gameplay. These open worlds weren’t possible in the past – graphics engines didn’t allow for seamless interaction between mechanics. Now, games can incorporate vast spaces for exploration, such as the attention to detail in Red Dead 2 compared to early open-world games like Gun.
But here’s the thing: balancing these spaces is tough. How do developers appeal to players who love story, pacing, and immersive sound but also cater to those seeking open exploration? There are always players who want a "must-hurry" quest, and others who return years later to find that same quest giver still waiting.
Biomutant, for instance, may leave you wondering, “What is Biomutant?” It might have that open world we see, but the Zen player finds something unique there.
In the end, maybe the Zen gamer who enjoys a game despite low scores is like someone who loves the soundtrack in an otherwise bad movie. It’s one element that resonates with them, something harder to define or quantify. It’s a valid, valuable perspective, one that, without proper understanding, can quickly turn into misunderstanding.
Comments