I'm working with eLearning at LEGO Education but have a background in the Games industry as well as being a teacher back in the day.
I think the eLearning industry has a lot to learn from games and game environments. I see a big difference between the eagerly used gamification principles "out there" and the (to me) a lot more interesting Game based learning approach.
I think "learners" can be regarded as "players" to a certain extent, if you regard them as people who are motivated to use a system for different reasons. I think this can be helpful when we investigate how to build good and effective learning environments.
Personally, I'm more of a hardcore gamer than a candycrusher, although I fully understand and respect the appeal of games like CandyCrush. Also, I'm a social player. And a toy player.
I play to have fun, to fall asleep, to reset my mind, to hang out.