Topic: What Denotes a Mature Gamer?

This idea has popped into my head several times...
What exactly IS a "mature" gamer?
I personally DON'T think that it's a person who can play a "mature" game and "not get nightmares" (Actually, that statement in itself is pretty immature...) I also don't think that it is a person who only plays "M" games like GTA and Gears of War.
Instead, I feel that a "mature" gamer is one who is willing to try several different genres, despite a "childish" atmosphere about it. They play games for "fun," not for blood and gore. They are also able to identify games they don't like because they gave them AN HONEST TRY!
All of these different aspects are what I feel makes up a "mature" gamer. Of course, I also think that a "mature" gamer should be able to play an "M" game without being influenced by the general aspects of it, but I also think that they should not be closed-minded.
So, what do you guys think?
What, in your mind, makes a "mature" gamer "mature?"

A bus pass.

a mature gamer is mature (17+)
or a mature gamer is some dude who tries to seperate himself from any games other than rated M games to try to be cool but utterly fails making people annoyed at him

@Machu: While I always enjoy a healthy dose of sarcasm (No sarcasm intended in that last statement, really!), I would appreciate it if this topic were to be taken seriously.

It depends on your stance on dirty robot puns...

I would say a mature gamer is one who has experience playing different genre's of games and can either play a variety of games or may only like 1 or a few different genre's so only plays those games, the key part to been mature is the same as in non gaming related terms, ie they can accept that other peoples opinions and preferences may be different to theirs and they don't feel the need to whine about it and slate other games or gamers. Basically they have a mature attitude and don't act like a child and throw their toys out of the pram because they don't like something.

A gamer who is open minded to different styles of gameplay and who try different styles of gameplay.

Also, a gamer who won't obsess over a game they're waiting for, especially when they have more just like it. cough cough

Jean-Paul Charles Aymard Sartre once penned a famous line in a play that says "Hell is other people"
I think its the never ending arguement on these forums over the mature gamer label.

No offense to you, BleachFan, but this topic has been debated ad nauseum here.

The term mature gamer dosen't mean anything!! Why do people insist in pigeon holing everyone. Strangely this only seems to happen within gaming culture. You never hear people talking about a mature film goer or mature book reader. Ignore the labels, play whatever games you enjoy and chillax.

Ok. In terms of classification, a 'mature' title would be one that involves lots of blood, swearing, sexual content, or a heady mix of all three. No-one under the age of 18 should play these games, what so ever! But, we are living in an age where almost all our innocence has been lost. Right now there is an 11yr old boy playing GTA4 & GoW, and the only people who could do anything about it are his parents, and they don't give a f*** so long as it keeps him quiet. Does this make him mature, cos he has just had virtual sex, or run over a hooker, or 'did someone' with a chainsaw then crouched repeatedly on there face? No, quite the opposite. The same can be said about an adult who plays those games, as they too find it exciting which highlights there own immaturity.

Apart form the bit where I come on Nintendo Life and bitch at people, I would consider myself a mature gamer (though not mature). 30yr old boy, been playing since a kid, games like Madworld don't trick me, and I couldn't face playing Counter-Strike ever again.

Really? I joined this site about a year ago, and I haven't seen many of these topics...Must've missed the rush I guess.

I think it's someone who has been playing games for a long time and have experienced all types of genres and many systems. I'm not saying they have to own it, as money can be a problem for some.

I think a mature gamer is someone who, ironically, does not play rubbish like Manhunt or Madworld...

A mature gamer is someone who knows what it means to be mature without having to ask.

Heyyy, have you played the games by the developer whose name is the thing pictured in your avatar? Or am I just reading into things.

If you read my Op, you'd see that I already have my idea of what a mature gamer is, I just wanted to see everyone else's mindsets.

If you know the Truth, then it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks!!!

I'm not trying to let everyone know that I'm some sort of all-knowing snot or something, I'm just looking for some engaging conversation!

A mature gamer is someone who enjoys video games and realizes they are just a recrational activity.i.e Not having a hissy fit over a new graphical design or crying because a game they want has been delayed.

Ok but let's say you know the Truth and you know it for certain. Then why would such a person ever need to know other people's opinions on the topic, especially since this isn't really a debate thread but more of a census?

I never said I knew the absolute truth about mature gaming and never even hinted at such an idea.
Also, I realize that this isn't a debate topic...I just wanted it to be a collaboration of ideas for an interesting read, at the very least