Gamer Taxonomy
Original system developed by Erol K. Bayburt
Revised and expanded by Bryant Berggren

Roleplaying Gamers can be divided into 4 genuses (geni?) according to their basic view of the hobby:

• Munchkins: View RPGs as a method of wish-fulfillment.
• Hoyles: View RPGs as games to be "won".
• Artistes: View RPGs as a form of self-expression.
• Transients: View RPGs as a way to kill time.

Munchkins

The Genus Munchkin is characterized by the drive to satisfy real-world desires within the context of the game world. Species include:

• The True Munchkin (M. munchkin) seeks wish fulfillment by creating superhuman characters that are undefeatable in any endeavor. Often confused with the Powergamer; however, the Munchkin seeks satisfaction more from the characters' actual accomplishments rather than just their theoretical perfection.
• The Powergamer (M. avatari) seeks wish fulfillment desires by creating the most efficient character possible within the rules. There is much confusion of this species with M. munchkin, as the two have very similiar coloration.
• The Mad Slasher (M. kruegeri) seeks wish fulfillment by venting his real-life frustrations into vicarious violence.
• The Rules Lawyer (M. baili) seeks wish fulfillment by debating interpretations of the rules to mold "reality" to his image. Some class this species as H. baili.
• The Chronic Badass (M. vigilanti) seeks wish fulfillment by creating intimidating, super-tough characters that do not have to go to bed when told to. Some class this species as A. vigilanti.

Hoyles

The Genus Hoyle is characterized by the treatment of RPGs in a manner similiar to mundane games like Monopoly, Chess, Poker, or Baseball. The goal of the game is thus to "win", whether against the other players, the GM, or one's own limitations.

• The Simulationist (H. simuli) treats RPGs as mathematical reality simulations. Simulationists evaluate the worth of a game system in terms of its statistical perfection; "roleplaying" is defined as acting within rules derived from psychology texts. The Simulationist is sometimes confused with the Method Gamer (A. deniro).
• The Wargamer (H. patton) views RPGs in militant terms. Gaming sessions are military ventures, with precise objectives; character deaths are only important in terms of acceptable casualties and losses.
• The Puzzler (H. rubik) sees RPGs as a set of puzzles to be solved, an improvised form of the computer text adventure. Not to be confused with the Artiste genus, despite often similiar coloration.
• The Conventioneer (H. tourni) is not interested in fiddling petty change games, but instead requires a public venue to compete in. The Conventioneer requires external evaluation for validation, and is mainly interested in gathering more 'points' so he can compete at even higher levels for even more points. Some class this species as M. tourni.

Artistes

A widely varied Genus, Genus Artiste is characterized by its relatively non-competitive nature, and the drive towards self-expression within the game. The nature of this expression defines the exact species:

• The Storyteller (A. homer) sees roleplaying as a method to generate written fiction; character and setting are both subordinate to the overall Plot, and continuity is less important than dramatic necessity.
• The Actor (A. thespian) sees roleplaying as an opportunity to engage in impromptu theatre. Character is more important than Plot, although it is the performance of the character that is important.
• The Method Gamer (A. deniro) sees roleplaying as a kind of escapism or virtual reality. He seeks to place himself within an imagined world during play; plot is not a tangible item, but merely the sequence of events that occur within this world. The Method Gamer is sometimes confused with the Actor, but the latter does not share the former's drive to 'submerge' within the character.

Transients

The Genus Transient is characterized by a lack of interest in the RPG qua "roleplaying game" itself; Transient species do not concern themselves with the game, but with the game's players. These species include:

• The Buddy (T. friendli) involves himself in games because his friends are in the game. Actions he takes within the game will be aimed towards pleasing those friends more than any personal motivation. An important subspecies is the Significant Other (T. friendli kissus), a parasitic variety of Buddy that concentrates solely on a single host gamer, ignoring the rest.
• The Critic (T. grumpi) appears externally similiar to the Buddy, but is distinguished by its more aggressive behavior; the Critic passively seeks to disrupt the game, since he would really rather be doing something else. Critics are prone to taking random or outright stupid actions in a game, motivated by apathy and ennui.
• The Looney (T. looni) is not interested in the game qua game, but rather wants to "just have fun", which he interprets as being funny. The Looney will take seemingly pointless, suicidal, or contrary actions because he sees them as humorous; character, plot, setting, victory, and frankly everything else takes a back seat to comic value. Some class this species as M. looni, citing wish fulfillment desires to be a stand-up comedian; others class it as A. looni, considering those desires to be a form of self-expression.

It is important to remember that since the origin of these species, much intermixing has occurred, such that there are very few purebred strains remaining in the gaming community; most gamers are hybrids of two or more of the species described above.