What separates the hardcore and casual crowd

[Joccaren]

I generally differentiate casual and 'hardcore' gamers by how they approach games and gaming in general.
Casual gamers generally just hit up a game, give it their best shot, then leave when they stop enjoying it to go do something else. I.E: Load up CoD or something and just run round shooting, not really trying but giving it a good go, then getting not enjoying the game 'cause they got killed a lot and didn't get to do much, so move on.
'Hardcore' gamers tend to approach games more seriously. Not so much as a "I'll go on and give it my best shot" sort of thing, but as a "I'm playing to win" sort of thing. Didn't like what happened that match 'cause you didn't do too well? Give it another round and get better. In the CoD example above, go into the match focused, and trying to win, losing anyway and not enjoying it, but going in again to get better and win.
You can be 'Hardcore' for some games and casual for others, and you can be in between too.

That is, of course, if you give any credence at all to this whole 'Hardcore/Casual' thing, which really you shouldn't. Everyone is a gamer, and how they game, what they play and how good they are at that is irrelevant to be quite honest.

 

[Kahunaburger]

It's not how long you've been playing games.

Actually, I think it's exactly that.

Although I think the distinction in general is stupid and arbitrary. If I have a high K/D in a shooter where K/D actually matters, it doesn't mean I can't enjoy World of Goo or Tetris. If I'm new to vidya gaems, it doesn't mean I can't learn how to play games by playing a complex one.

 

[MetalMagpie]

Not sure about the "crowd", but I had a revelation the other day about what separates "hardcore" and "casual" games.

It's simple. "Hardcore" games assumed a certain level of prior knowledge about how video games (especially of the same genre) work. "Casual" games don't assume anything beyond that you probably know how to switch your PC/console on and put the disk in.

So Viva Pinata is a casual game because it explains absolutely everything, meaning my non-gamer sister was able to pick it up and play it with no problems. Whereas the tutorial section in Devil May Cry 4 wasn't nearly informative enough to teach her how to play, making it a hardcore game.

While I agree with the first part I don't think tutorials have much to do with it. I think it's more along how the game rewards the player. Pokemon is an easy game but it doesn't have any tutorials, especially on EV and IV training. However you don't need to know that to play the game, you are rewarded by beating gyms and catching Pokemon. The tiny stat different is just extras for the people who want to dive into the series. With DMC4 you can play it with only the tutorial on easy-automatic, but you don't get to enjoy the combat. You have to know how to pull off stylish combos to feel rewarded and that takes skill.

The reason I'm not fond of that definition is that it's far more subjective. Games - by definition - always require some level of skill. So how difficult does a game need to be in order to be a hardcore title?

It also means you have to classify games like Tetris, Peggle, Bejeweled, etc. as hardcore titles. In fact, they're more hardcore than DMC4! DMC4 has an "easy" option to help a less-skilled player get to the end (and see all the pretty cinematics). In most Tetris-style games, either you're skilful enough to get through all the levels or you aren't!

 

[MetalMagpie]

Not sure about the "crowd", but I had a revelation the other day about what separates "hardcore" and "casual" games.

It's simple. "Hardcore" games assumed a certain level of prior knowledge about how video games (especially of the same genre) work. "Casual" games don't assume anything beyond that you probably know how to switch your PC/console on and put the disk in.

So Viva Pinata is a casual game because it explains absolutely everything, meaning my non-gamer sister was able to pick it up and play it with no problems. Whereas the tutorial section in Devil May Cry 4 wasn't nearly informative enough to teach her how to play, making it a hardcore game.

This is actually a very nice definition of hardcore v.s. casual games. I always wondered how some players were branded casual, while they basically sink more time in tending to their crops than I sink in exploring and reading every single book I come across in Skyrim.

That's one of the reasons I like this definition. Time spent playing games is certainly not a helpful measure. My sister can spend entire days playing The Sims 3, but she doesn't classify herself as a gamer, let alone a hardcore one.

 

[Strazdas]

To add to that, weren't you a casual gamer at one point? Or did you pop out of your mom's vagina playing a game boy?

No i wasnt. I never played those "time waster" (for lact of better name) games like tetris or pacman. I went all in and strath to the case, starcraft, warcraft 2, age of empires, ever since my first game i was creating whole campaigns for myself (back then no internet, so i created maps for me alone). i dont consider myseld hardcore game, but an obsessive gamer.

 

[Vanitas likes Bubbles]

OT: batman would win because
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

What if we combine Garrus and Batman into one entity. The universe would explode due to the sheer awesomeness.

 

[Tallim]

The division is completely meaningless as is the so called "hardcore" group hating on the casual group for eroding the industry as companies cater for them. That's like professional football players moaning that college teams are destroying the sport if they get supporters.

 

[Griffolion]

I like video games, am I allowed to just leave it at that?

 

[Fujimora_Pantsu]

Yes, we shall, Batman vs Garrus Vakarian, who would win in a fight?

Garrus. He has the reach.

What if Batman had flexibiltity? ;P

Simple. Rule 34.

 

[omega 616]

snip

I could say casual gamers are the scum of the earth, you know why? A casual gamer will never go near a gaming site, ever! They play casually, they don't want to spend hours talking about the games they played way back when or how good/bad ME3's ending was.

They want to play for 10 minutes then do something else.

These casual gamers will never be in the game making industry, they have no passion for it. Who would you take on? A person who has been playing every genre of game for most of there life, reads forums and finding out about all kinds of games and is quite creative or somebody who isn't that into games but is quite creative?

Easy pick!

Casual gamers are fine, nothing wrong with them and I have nothing against them. I do have a teeny problem with devs and/or publishers pandering to them though, so we have gone from "you figure it out" to "I will not let go of your hand!".

To me a casual gamer is somebody who plays a little of 1 or 2 games or only plays like party games (rock band, guitar hero etc).

Hardcore gamers are just about every person on this forum, people who like to read and talk about games or somebody who just loves one genre and wants to be the best he can be at that game ... like he would become great at starcraft and maybe enter a few competitions.

There is nothing wrong with either group though, just depends on what you like or don't like.

 

[MBaskerville]

The ARMA 2 crowd lol jks.

People who spend a lot of time gaming I would say are more "into" it than people who just sit down for a race or two.

 

[Guffe]

There is no such thing as Casual gamer or Hardcore gamer in my world, so this topic is useless to me. But I will give you my opinion (look first sentence)

 

[Savryc]

Eh, in my experience anyone that calls themselves "Hardcore" anything is a bit of a tool. Please someone tell me what's so particularly "hardcore" about sitting down for extended periods of time bashing buttons and keys while spinning your mouse or joystick?

If you play games you're a gamer. Everything else is in your head.

 

[Aircross]

It's dedication.

The "hardcore" crowd play games to get better at playing games.

The "casual" crowd play games more for fun and enjoyment.

It's similar to the difference between a violin virtuoso who tours the world and a violinist who plays at casual gatherings for fun.

...and, as many have said, the hardcore crowd wouldn't mind the casual crowd so much if developers did not dumb down niche franchises.

I don't care about casual games, but I care about niche games becoming casual.

 

[The Unworthy Gentleman]

Of course there's a fucking hardcore crowd and a casual crowd, how fucking stupid are you guys that you can't see that?

Hardcore gamers are people who play games with a particular dedication. Casual gamers are people who dip in and out of games as they please. It's the same with books and films and pretty much any other form of entertainment. I'm a casual reader: I don't read every day, I read as I please and find it interesting, there is no dedication to the book I read.

Being casual doesn't make you worse than a hardcore, it makes you god damn fucking casual.

 

[Riff Moonraker]

Man, I'm so sick of this "move forward as a community" and "improve the medium" rhetoric. Let hardcores hate casuals, and let casuals not give a shit. It's not going to change anything, and none of that post-apocalyptic shit you mentioned about games not being made anymore is going to happen. So-called hardcores don't do anything beyond making stupid comments anyway. Film has its snobs; literature has its snobs. Let gaming have its hardcores.

Agreed. You cannot make everyone love each other. Its just what it is.