"Hardcore"

[dstreet121]

The difference between Wii Sports and any FPS. My 4 year old sister can play Wii Bowling but an Xbox controller is far beyond her, so I think a "casual" gamer is a person who plays easier games that you can pick up and play whenever. Whereas "hardcore" gamers spend most of their lives in video games memorizing maps, strategies, controls, etc...

A "Hardcore" gamer is probably an 80's or 90's kid who grew up with 8-bit/16-bit games and has extensive gaming knowledge, a "casual" gamer probably just picked games up a little while ago and, like the latest episode of Extra Credits discussed, view "hardcore" games and gamers with disgust.

However a lot of people, myself included, use the term "Hardcore gamer" to put themselves on a kind of gaming pedestal and condemn casual games for ruining a medium that used to belong exclusively to us.

 

[Kurokami]

Hardcore and casual refer more to a demographic than anything. "Hardcore" gamers enjoy a traditional gaming experience, while "casuals" typically enjoy newer gaming experiences that can really only be described as "non-traditional". I think the word "standard" or "core" is much better than hardcore personally.

That's because modern nowadays tends to imply compromise to maximize sales figures. People who consider themselves 'hardcore', or 'core' gamers as you've rightly called it are in my opinion in a way opposite of what you suggested. Yes, if a game decides to change a defining feature, it's 'core' gamers will whinge, but it will seldom be changed for something that is really newer. As a different approach of explaining what I think it means, a casual gamer is someone who likes to play on occasion, this means chucking a disk into their console and straight away playing. No need for complex narratives, game mechanics, or anything really. There's nothing wrong with that, but 'hardcore' gamers tend to prefer some complexity in their games.

There's nothing wrong with either view, but surely you could understand how some people would be frustrated if a genre or franchise they love is twisted into a generic money-making machine.

('Course that's my definition. Don't know if others have a different view on it, so I guess that's what this thread is for)

 

[Kurokami]

An attempt to justify they're gruesome obsession and dedication to an abnormal routine that consist of most of their moderate life. In other words, overly-competitive nerds.

... No offense.

Their (Shows belonging to, ie: Their obsession)
They're (They are. Very easy to remember)
There (Location, location, location!)

PS: I think the most offensive part of your post was the no offence, haha.

 

[Champion360]

"Hardcore: Someone who schedules their life around gaming.

Casual: Someone who schedules gaming around their life."

Can't remember who said that but thats pretty much it.

 

[Stammer]

I think the best way to describe "hardcore" versus "casual" is by describing the way both types of people play games.

"Hardcore" people have a very fixed schedule and can play a game for many consecutive hours without interruption.

"Casual" people can only dedicate small chunks of time here and there.

Both players could spend the same amount of time overall in a day in a game, but obviously the hardcore player is going to get more done for most games. The thing that makes a casual game "casual" is by allowing a casual player to get as much (or at least close to as much) done as a hardcore player because it's easier to just pick up and go.

A good example of a "hardcore" game is Final Fantasy XI. In that game you're rewarded exponentially based on how much time you spend. A person playing for 5 straight hours will get twice as much done as a person playing for 4 straight hours, as an example.

A good example of a "casual" game is Bejeweled. In that game you can pick it up, play a quick game in as much time as you want, and then leave. The amount you "get done" in that game is directly proportional to the amount of time you dedicate to it.

 

[FalloutJack]

I would have assumed hardcore meant that people were really REALLY into games, like a Halo fan. And that other people were normal and that those who gamed every now and then were casual.

 

[aegix drakan_v1legacy]

For me, Hardcore gamer means "I play games a lot, to the point that it's my main activity of choice above all others". It also means that the player has a decent amount of general gaming skill.

Playing CoD online and swearing into the mic as you noob-tube someone does not make you hardcore.

 

[MightyRabbit]

To my mind there's four types. Casuals, who, 'standards' (as in fans that have a history with the medium and above average interest but not to the level of the other 2), the devotees who are particularly invested in a game, genre or franchise to the point of being actively engaged in things like modding, or memorising all the moves and quirks of a particular character etc. and then the 'hardcore' who are elitist, arrogant, condescending versions of the devotees who have active derision for casuals and sometimes standards too.

 

[jacobythehedgehog]

5. Hangs out on gaming forum with like minded gamers, and talk about ponies.

. > . >

I want to talk about ponies with you. the other day I was playing Little Big Planet and made a sac person with a Pony hat. And i got killed by a unicorn in Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

 

[cainx10a]

5. Hangs out on gaming forum with like minded gamers, and talk about ponies.

. > . >

I want to talk about ponies with you. the other day I was playing Little Big Planet and made a sac person with a Pony hat. And i got killed by a unicorn in Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

I like you, my fellow hardcore gamer.

 

[YoUnG205]

Im not sure of the exact term 'hardcore' but i have always thought that it meant a person who is an original gamer...... if that makes sense, some one who grew up playin on the sega and ps1 and plays traditional games in a traditional way. for example, Racing, platformers, fps's etc instead of people who play on the new gaming 'gimmics' suck as kinect and psmove.
But i do agree with you that when people say it they sound elitist, its not something that i have ever called my self, and i dont think that i ever will.

 

[Hashime]

A "hardcore" practitioner of a certian hobby is someone who does said hobby regardless of how a certian aspect irritates or even harms them. A good example is my experience in Scuba diving. I dive in cold water through all parts of the year, this makes me a "hardcore" diver as not all dives are completely enjoyable, but I understand that they make me a better diver. The inverse of this is a "Vacation" or Casual diver. These are people who will only hit the water in ideal conditions, usually in the Caribbean. They will not purchase special gear, usually are guided, and will not be interested in the effort to do more advanced dives. They are happy with looking at a reef once or twice a year.

This is the same situation as gaming. A "Hardcore" gamer will play a punishing game that at some points does nothing other than infuriate them. They are willing to work through the tough part to better their skill with the game and feel a sense of accomplishment. A hardcore gamer will play a game they are not totally enjoying because they are hopeful it might redeem itself. A "Casual" gamer is not willing to put in the effort to beat a tough level, or learn an abstract skill to play a game, hence "casual" games are easy and simple.

In short a "hardcore" hobbyist is doing it for the end payoff, a "casual" hobbyist is in it for the short term enjoyment.

 

[Moonlight Butterfly]

Uuuhm.

I've been playing video games since I was like 5 in 1986 and all the letters of the keys have worn off my PC keyboard haha xD? I'm mostly a PC gamer but I have have every generation of console going back to the Atari they made in 1980.

I would agree with people saying that being a hardcore gamer makes it a significant part of who you are. Your main hobby and the thing you invest most of yourself into.

I'm getting a brand new PC for Skyrim for example.

Mind you I also play The Sims 3 and Fable... which I would argue are casual games. My friend is trying to get me to do some lets plays of other games as he says there are a shortage of good female gamers doing them. I am pretty shy though so I don't think I will.

. And i got killed by a unicorn in Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

That thing chased me and I had to kill it...Pretty sure my character is going to Khajiit hell now (probably full of doggies and water) It made me feel bad D:

 

[Ruiner87]

Some might say it doesn't sound very "fun" and that games are supposed to be enjoyed, however to that I say that some people find enjoyment in the competitive aspect of gaming. I am one of those people, those cool, cool people whose opinions are beyond reproach.

I still don't understand those people who spout ridiculous crap such as, "Playing to win isn't fun." it's like they don't understand that going into a game to win, and then winning, results in enjoyment.

 

[V8 Ninja]

You play video games and fight criminals...IN REAL LIFE.

[/avatarbumping]

OT: And yet another reason why we, as video game players, need to re-work our terminology from the ground up. Although, if I had to take a stab at it, I would say that a hardcore gamer is a person who plays games regardless of whether or not they're enjoying the experience.

EDIT: Oh, and there's also the whole "Hobby" aspect of gaming, the intense competition aspect, and all of that other shmuck.