A gaming chair is a desk chair styled like a racing seat: high back, side "wings", bright stitching. The styling is not what helps you. What helps is whether the chair adjusts to your body, because you will sit in it for hours without noticing how you sit.
So the real question is not "gaming chair or office chair?" It is "does this chair let me set four things correctly?" A cheap chair that adjusts well can beat an expensive one you cannot fit to yourself. And a chair that fits still isn't a reason to sit for hours without getting up.
Seat height. Sit with both feet flat on the floor and your knees roughly level with your hips, bent at about 90 degrees. If your knees sit higher than your hips, the seat is too low. If your feet dangle or the seat edge presses into your thighs, it is too high.
Armrests. Set them so your forearms are roughly parallel to the desk and your shoulders are neither hunched up nor dropped. Armrests that only go up and down are fine; ones that also move in and out are a bonus.
Lumbar support. This is the gentle push on your lower back, around belt height. It should keep the natural curve of your spine, so you aren't leaning back just to feel supported. A loose pillow strapped to the chair can do this job, but only if you can move it to the right spot.
Recline and tilt. Reclining a little takes load off your back, and many players like to lean back between rounds. What matters is that the backrest locks where you want it and the seat stays stable.
Pick a body height, then adjust the chair and desk. The figure uses rough average body proportions, so treat the numbers as a guide, not a measurement of you.
Notice what happens when you move the body height slider without touching the chair. Every setting that was right is now a little wrong. That is why adjustment range matters more than looks: a chair that only changes height and tilt can fit some bodies and not others.
No. Any chair that lets you set the four things above will do the job, and many office chairs do. Gaming chairs are popular because they bundle those features with a look that suits a gaming desk, often at a friendly price.
What you do need is some decent seat if you play for long sessions. A hard dining chair or a sofa with a laptop on your knees is where most back and neck complaints start. Whatever you buy, get up and move regularly; no chair replaces that.
One honest caution: a chair cannot fix a desk or screen set at the wrong height. Use the simulator to check the desk too, and keep the top of the monitor around eye level.
On a tight budget (roughly under €150): check that the seat height adjusts, the backrest tilts and locks, and the listed weight limit fits you. Expect fixed or simple armrests and a loose lumbar cushion. That is fine if you can place the cushion where the simulator shows.
In the middle (roughly €150–400): look for armrests that move in more than one direction, a stable base and a recline that holds. Padding that feels firm rather than soft is usually more comfortable over hours.
Higher up (roughly €400 and more): pay for adjustment range and build: armrests that move in several directions, built-in lumbar you can move, a wide recline range, and a clear weight and height range from the maker. Breathable fabric helps if you run warm; faux leather is easy to wipe clean.
In every tier, check the stated weight limit and the seat size against your body, and try to find a return policy before you buy.