What Do You Call Someone Who Plays Too Many Video Games? Terms by Tone.

Neutral / Descriptive

• Excessive gamer – Factual, no judgment.
• Hardcore gamer – High dedication, not necessarily negative.
• Avid gamer – Enthusiastic, frequent.

Negative / Clinical

• Gaming addict / Video game addiction – Implies life-impacting dependency (WHO ICD-11: Gaming Disorder).
• Problem gamer – Clinical but neutral phrasing.
• Video game junkie – Informal, pejorative.

Humorous / Hyperbolic

• Joystick fused to hand – Visual joke.
• Level-maxed – Playful "maxed out life stats" metaphor.
• NPC in their own life – Meme format.
• Professional button presser – Self-deprecating.

Context Matters

Choose based on relationship, intent, and sensitivity. "Hardcore gamer" is a badge of honor for many; "addict" is a clinical concern. When in doubt, describe the behavior ("plays 6+ hours daily") rather than label the person.