Define 'hardcore' gamer

[king zettta]

hardcore is dudes that play normal games like shooters and rpgs

casual is dudes that play just the wii or just madden or just solely guitarhero/rockband

 

[Janus Vesta]

A hardcore gamer is someone who dedicates their time to gaming and/or when not gaming follows the progress of games and their developers. There are different types of Hardcore Gamer, such as: Elitist, Games-are-art types, fanboys, and frat boy to name a few. And the sub categories are not mutually exclusive.

A casual gamer is someone who plays games in their spare time/rarely and doesn't foolow the industry. They are also oblivious to the fact that EA are complete and utter evil.

 

[king zettta]

A hardcore gamer is someone who dedicates their time to gaming and/or when not gaming follows the progress of games and their developers. There are different types of Hardcore Gamer, such as: Elitist, Games-are-art types, fanboys, and frat boy to name a few. And the sub categories are not mutually exclusive.

A casual gamer is someone who plays games in their spare time/rarely and doesn't foolow the industry. They are also oblivious to the fact that EA are complete and utter evil.

come on EA has been alot better than they have been games like catwoman aren't comeing out anymore lol

 

[ace_of_something]

My first or second post i made on the escapist was on this exact same topic. I'll say now what i did at that time;

A hardcore gamer is someone who plays video games in the nude.

edit: Anyone else a hardcore escapist poster?

 

[Eldritch Warlord]

Spoiler: A hardcore gamer is someone who thinks this is awesome, or at least pretty cool

 

[mark_n_b]

This term is bandied about alot. Nintendo used the term 'core' during their E3 conference. But, really, clear this up for me, what does this term mean? Does it apply solely to the XBox Live fiends or anyone who isn't a casual gamer?

well, define "casual gamer". This is not a great question because it is sooooooooo old. Google it and you'll likely find thirty essays on the topic. hit gamasutra and walk through the excessive number of features on this very issue.

Just don't bring up this old hash here. We get high on fresher stuff.

I will say that the term "core gamer" is more PC in regards to gaming culture because the terminology of "hardcore" is derogatory, implying fanaticism and in that isolates people from the population that the terminology is meant to describe. i.e. a Producer at BioWare would likely hesitate to call himself one of the "hardcore" but he would be much more open to the concept of being part of a "core" population.

Why, because he is a professional, not a fanboy. Being hardcore is not conducive to being taken seriously.

 

[ChromeAlchemist]

Let me see if I can get this right.

Hardcore Gamer: Gamer who sees him/herself as a true fan, playing games in excessive lengths at a time. Usually dominates at games with multiplayer functionality. Tends to be elitist, looking down upon other gamers and games they see as "kiddy" or "casual." Constantly worried that their preferred developer/console will "abandon" him/her in favor of these groups.

Traditional Gamer: Gamer who is capable of enjoying games of any nature. More inclined towards quality than name. Can play games for moderate to large amounts of time. Usually seen as the "nerdy" type due to his/her broad tastes.

Casual Gamer: Gamer that plays only for limited periods of time, mostly around other casual gamers. Not really into gaming, but still finds some enjoyment. Buys only a small handful of games per year. Normally only plays mainstream games.

See that's the thing. Nowadays you are either a hardcore gamer, or a casual one, and it irritates me to no end. What happened to the days when if you completed final fantasy X, you were a regular gamer, but if you finished it with 100% completion then you were hardcore? Now it just seems like if you play call of duty you are hardcore...

Also with Nintendo talking about the 'core' audience, it seems to be the audience that buy the quality titles that they put out, not the crap that is shifted on a day to day basis that any man and his dog plays 'casually', technically they didn't say hardcore like the OP seems to think. Hell I remember a time when a casual gamer was someone who would play games around 5 hours a week.

EDIT: also the core audience are the audience that will remain once this casual trend blows over, they will stay as their main market no matter what.

 

[SilentHunter7]

wait, so in order to be a hardcore gamer you have to play Halo 3 and COD multiplayer all the time?

i dont think so...

Well judging from all the "hardcore" gamers I know, in addition to playing Halo 3 and COD on Live all the time, to be a hardcore gamer you have to bash anyone who plays Casual Wii games or anything else not custom tailored to hardcore gamers. ;P

 

[ChromeAlchemist]

My first or second post i made on the escapist was on this exact same topic. I'll say now what i did at that time;

A hardcore gamer is someone who plays video games in the nude.

edit: Anyone else a hardcore escapist poster?

I am. It's like crack to me, it really isn't healthy.

Also I may as well post this up, because this is the kind of site that would actually pay attention and soak in all of the points this guy makes, as well as the fact that what he predicted would happen, did happen.

http://malstrom.50webs.com/birdman.html

Honestly, I have naught but respect for this guy. Don't let the length shy you away, take it in instalments.

EDIT: It does have some to do with hardcore gamer mentality and such, as well as Nintendo's market strategy. Is he right in what he says about the hardcore gamer?

 

[Squarewave]

A "hardcore" gamer is someone who uses video games as a primary source of entertainment.

A "Core" gamer is someone who uses games as a source of entertainment

A "Casual" gamer is someone who only plays games when they can't find anything else to do

The type of game does not matter, if you play barbie horse adventure 4 hours a day you are a hardcore gamer, if you only play Halo 3 30 min a week and nothing else you are casual

I think its hysterical that anyone who spends time on a video game website, posting on a video game forum, can think of themselfs as a casual gamer. Unless they are a troll.

 

[Ima Lemming]

Whenever I hear somebody call themselves a "hardcore" gamer, this [http://www.nerdtests.com/mq/take.php?id=4631] is what I think of, although I question how many "hardcore" gamers even know what Radiant Silvergun is.

 

[squid5580]

This is a hardcore gamer http://www.ripten.com/2008/10/10/wow-whore-has-36-accounts-raids-by-himself/

If you aren't that dedicated you are just a gamer