Ever notice how some friends treat Animal Crossing like a meditation session, while others refuse to log off until they’ve conquered Civilization VI? Turns out, your gaming style might be written in your personality type. Yep, the Myers-Briggs test isn’t just for awkward team-building retreats, it can also explain why you love cozy farming sims while your friend can’t stop 360-no-scoping strangers online.
Gamers are wildly different creatures. Some thrive on chaos, some crave structure, and some just want to hoard shiny loots. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) gives us a fun lens for connecting personality quirks with gaming preferences.
As an avid gamer with over 15 years in the training industry (specializing in personality-based programs), I figured, why not mash the two together? Time to put on my nerd hat and break this down.
MBTI in a Nutshell
The MBTI sorts people into 16 types based on four big choices:
- Extraversion (E) vs. Introversion (I): Are you a squad-up type or a solo-campaign type?
- Sensing (S) vs. Intuition (N): Do you like straightforward mechanics, or are you chasing deeper lore and hidden patterns?
- Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F): Do you min-max stats, or cry over NPCs with tragic backstories?
- Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P): Do you plan every build before hitting “New Game,” or just jump in and figure it out as you go?
Put those together and you get the 16 MBTI types. To keep it neat, we’ll categorized the 16 types into the four categories based on Keirsey’s Temperaments (Guardians, Artisans, Idealists, and Rationals) and see what kinds of games each one naturally vibes with.
Guardians (SJ Types)
Practical, dependable, and lovers of structure. Basically the ones making sure the world doesn’t fall apart.
ISTJ – The Inspector
- Description: Rule-following, detail-loving, and quietly reliable. They want games where hard work pays off.
- Genres: Sims, management games, tactical RPGs, linear action.
- Why They Love It: Their methodical side thrives on structured systems, progress bars, and efficiency. Think of them as the ultimate “one more turn” players.
- Examples: Microsoft Flight Simulator, PowerWash Simulator, XCOM 2, Call of Duty (campaign), RimWorld.
ISFJ – The Protector
- Description: Gentle nurturers who’d rather keep their digital villagers happy than blow anything up.
- Genres: Farming sims, life sims, casual puzzles, support roles.
- Why They Love It: Routine is soothing, and helping others, whether NPCs or teammates, is their jam.
- Examples: Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Stardew Valley, The Sims 4, Overwatch (support), Unpacking.
ESTJ – The Supervisor
- Description: Born organizers who treat games like a very fun project plan.
- Genres: City builders, RTS, sports management.
- Why They Love It: They want to make decisions, implement structure, and watch their master plans unfold.
- Examples: Cities: Skylines, Football Manager, Age of Empires IV, Two Point Hospital, Frostpunk.
ESFJ – The Provider
- Description: Social butterflies who believe games are best when shared.
- Genres: Party games, rhythm games, co-op chaos, social sims.
- Why They Love It: They thrive on group fun and keeping the vibe positive. Think “host of the digital game night.”
- Examples: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Jackbox Games, Overcooked 2, The Sims 4, Just Dance.
Artisans (SP Types)
Spontaneous, thrill-seeking, and always ready to experiment. The improvisers of the gaming world.
ISTP – The Crafter
- Description: Tactical, calm under pressure, and all about mastering mechanics.
- Genres: Action RPGs with deep combat, tactical shooters, survival crafting, racing sims.
- Why They Love It: Their brains light up when there’s a skill to master; perfect aim, tricky combos, or handling vehicles like a pro.
- Examples: Elden Ring, Valorant, Forza Horizon 5, Monster Hunter: World, Subnautica.
ISFP – The Composer
- Description: Quiet artists who love exploring beautiful, emotionally rich worlds.
- Genres: Open-world adventures, atmospheric platformers, aesthetic-heavy action, rhythm games.
- Why They Love It: They connect deeply with visuals, music, and emotional storytelling, you know, basically….games that feel like art.
- Examples: Ghost of Tsushima, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Journey, Cyberpunk 2077, Sayonara Wild Hearts.
ESTP – The Promoter
- Description: Adrenaline junkies. If it’s fast, chaotic, and competitive, they’re there.
- Genres: FPS, battle royale, action-adventure, sports.
- Why They Love It: Quick reflexes and sharper wits make them dangerous opponents and they love it.
- Examples: Apex Legends, Call of Duty: Warzone, GTA V, DOOM Eternal, EA Sports FC 24.
ESFP – The Performer
- Description: Party-starters who want their games flashy, fun, and best enjoyed with friends.
- Genres: Party games, rhythm, co-op adventures, spectacle-heavy action.
- Why They Love It: They chase excitement and thrive in shared experiences. If it makes people laugh, even better.
- Examples: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Fortnite, Just Dance, Mario Party Superstars, Beat Saber.
Idealists (NF Types)
Dreamers, storytellers, and the ones most likely to cry at the ending credits.
INFJ – The Counselor
- Description: Philosophical souls who seek games with meaning and moral weight.
- Genres: Story-driven RPGs, narrative exploration, atmospheric journeys.
- Why They Love It: They crave depth, symbolism, and emotional stories that stick with you.
- Examples: The Last of Us, Life is Strange, Final Fantasy XIV (storyline), What Remains of Edith Finch, NieR: Automata.
INFP – The Healer
- Description: Gentle idealists who see games as a form of self-expression.
- Genres: Open-world RPGs, indie gems, life sims, anything customizable.
- Why They Love It: They love personal journeys, creativity, and worlds that reflect their values.
- Examples: Stardew Valley, Breath of the Wild, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Gris, Baldur’s Gate 3.
ENFJ – The Teacher
- Description: Natural leaders who enjoy games that let them bring people together.
- Genres: Co-op multiplayer, social MMOs, story-driven RPGs with group dynamics.
- Why They Love It: They thrive in roles where they can lead, support, and inspire others.
- Examples: Overcooked 2, Final Fantasy XIV (guild/community), Mass Effect, It Takes Two, Sea of Thieves.
ENFP – The Champion
- Description: Enthusiastic adventurers who love novelty and variety.
- Genres: Open-world adventures, sandbox MMOs, party games, exploration-heavy titles.
- Why They Love It: They crave endless possibilities and love sharing the ride with friends.
- Examples: No Man’s Sky, Sea of Thieves, Fall Guys, Genshin Impact, Tears of the Kingdom.
Rationals (NT Types)
Strategists, system-tinkerers, and the players most likely to create spreadsheets for fun.
INTJ – The Mastermind
- Description: Big-picture planners who see five moves ahead.
- Genres: Grand strategy, 4X, complex puzzles.
- Why They Love It: They thrive on long-term vision and outsmarting everyone else.
- Examples: Civilization VI, Stellaris, Factorio, Portal 2, EVE Online.
INTP – The Architect
- Description: System-breakers who love testing what’s possible.
- Genres: Sandbox, puzzle-heavy, moddable RPGs.
- Why They Love It: They enjoy deconstructing mechanics, experimenting, and seeing how far they can push a system.
- Examples: Minecraft (with mods), Kerbal Space Program, Skyrim (with mods), Baba Is You, Terraria.
ENTJ – The Fieldmarshal
- Description: Bold leaders who treat games like battlefields for their strategic dominance.
- Genres: RTS, competitive multiplayer, MMOs (as leaders), management sims.
- Why They Love It: They shine in roles that require decisive action and team coordination.
- Examples: StarCraft II, League of Legends (leadership role), Total War: Warhammer III, World of Warcraft (guild leader), Cities: Skylines.
ENTP – The Inventor
- Description: Quick-witted innovators who thrive on experimentation.
- Genres: Strategy with twists, social deduction, open-world mischief.
- Why They Love It: They excel at finding unconventional solutions and love games where creativity = chaos.
- Examples: Among Us, Jackbox Games, Hitman 3, Disco Elysium, Team Fortress 2.
