Why are 'casual' games bad?

[Pyode]

I'm not, but you don't get what I'm saying, I'm taking the view from the outside. Using every stereotype known to mankind about gamers. I put my argument in a way that gamers, and non-gamers can understand. To make it clearer I'm arguing by using what you said, said in a different way. (plus a little of my opinion) Turning your posts against you really, led by me on my white horse.

I'm not condescending I'm arguing the big picture, the bloody thread title.

Then please explain to me what you are saying. If you are arguing the thread title, and you are saying that there isn't anything wrong with casual games, then we are on the same side.

All I was doing was putting forth my distinction between what is known as a "hardcore" gamer and a "casual" gamer. A hardcore gamer is someone who puts a lot of work into his gaming life and is very proud of his accomplishments therein. A casual gamer is someone who comes home, puts a lot of work and time into his own hobby, such as working on the classic car he has in the garage or perhaps looking up player statistics for College Football and afterward hops on CoD for an hour with a friend or two. (I realize that my "frat boy" comment in my original post sounded bad, this came more from my dislike of frat boys then of casual gamers).

That's all. I don't see how this could bee seen as elitist or derogatory in any way.

 

[DrDeath3191]

...did I say anything about hardcore games? I was just talking about the influx of casual games and the transformation of previously non-casual titles into family entertainment. Sure, there are still those awesome companies who still have the gamer in mind. There probably always will be. But I disagree that they are increasing in number. I mean, the level of difficulty has decreased across the board (just play Supermario 64 and then play Supermario Galaxy, the difference is practically palpable) and casual games vastly outnumber hardcore games.

What you said was that people will buy games because they are 'casual' and that somehow bastardizes the industry, transforming 'hardcore' titles into something else. And yet the three games I mentioned happened. On Wii. Thus, the whole 'casual games corrupting the industry from within' is utter bullshit. These aren't half-thought out titles. These are bona-fide quality games. 'Casual' games aren't damaging the games that are truly great.

 

[DrDeath3191]

I know that we're fucking tired of Hardcore vs. Casual threads. However, I have a bit of a bone to pick with the folks who bother to call themselves 'hardcore'. They continually say things like "Nintendo's going to die because they only make casual games!" and "Only idiots and old people like casual games!" While I could go on through the whole spiel about Nintendo being the top provider of 'hardcore' titles on the Wii (generally accepted to be a 'casual' console), but I won't because A) nobody will listen, and B) that isn't what I'm talking about. People assume that a game being 'casual' means that it's bad. Why is that? I like the Wii Sports games, I intend to pick up Wii Fit+ due to the fun I had with the original and I even liked Wii Music (for a few minutes, anyway). What's the problem with 'casual' games? I will accept that there are many bad 'casual' games out there, but there are even more and even worse 'hardcore' games also. So what is the problem?

they are a problem because they LOWER the bar for games, giving us lower quality. if you need an example, play simcity 4 then play simcity societies.

Is that a problem with casual games, or a problem with that game? I haven't played it, but from what I gather it had a good idea: make SimCity more accessible, but still fun. Just because they failed does not in any way mean that 'casual' games decrease the quality of 'hardcore' ones.

its a problem as they took a good game with many prospects, tore out all challenge and control so everyone and their mother can play but the main issue is without challenge and danger simcity is boring. societies craps out so much money you can survive a black hole and still rebuild with enough cash leftover to buy the rest of the universe. just look at how silent hill: homecoming came out, monsters cant hurt you unless your in a chase scene.

So the devs handled their games wrong. That doesn't mean that casual games are destroying classic game franchises.

no, developers are going for more casual gamers since its a growing market. also, have to edit the post you quoted because its silent hill: shattered memories, not homecoming.

I actually think the chases in Shattered Memories are a stark improvement over the other Silent Hill games: Silent Hill combat is utter shit! They tried something new. Thus, there are some growing pains. This does not mean that they are hunting for 'casual' gold. Your position seems a bit illogical to me.

 

[The Warden]

Well, I'm pretty sure they aren't, it's just that the 'Hardcore' gamers can't stand the fact that there's a game that DOESN'T have guts spewing out of somebodies ass in them, so they get all butthurt over it, which is doubly hilarious when they say only idiots and old people or bored housewives etc. play it, because apparently if you prefer genuine family friendly fun over gorey chainsaw battles you are idiotic.
How does that work?

 

[brass munkey]

Casual games are bad because most don't have long and lasting appeal.

 

[Kiju]

Eh...hard to really argue on a topic like this. It's mostly opinions and preferences, really.

In my opinion? Casual games are their own genre, just like every other 'hardcore' game out there. You got your racers, FPS, RPG, RTS...Casual is just one of those genres. Everyone has their likes, and dislikes. Like myself: I hate fighting, and (purely) puzzle games.

If you don't like casual games? That's fine. Don't play them. There are other games out there for you, so go play those if you'd prefer them.

 

[DRTJR]

They're either Addictive or they suck

and the big N make plenty of hardcore games, like Zelda, Metriod, Fire embem, Star fox, pikmen, F-Zero, Advanced wars.

 

[NeutralDrow]

Casual games are bad because most don't have long and lasting appeal.

That sounds very off, somehow. Pickup and play, not to mention replay, value are sort of a defining trait of the games. Boccob knows I still pick up Wii Sports every so often, if only for boxing (Resort fixed tennis, bowling, and golf, and I never liked baseball), and I'm still addicted to Smash Brothers. A casual game without replay value has failed even harder than a "hardcore" game without the same.

 

[Aura Guardian]

Casual games are bad because most don't have long and lasting appeal.

That sounds very off, somehow. Pickup and play, not to mention replay, value are sort of a defining trait of the games. Boccob knows I still pick up Wii Sports every so often, if only for boxing (Resort fixed tennis, bowling, and golf, and I never liked baseball), and I'm still addicted to Smash Brothers. A casual game without replay value has failed even harder than a "hardcore" game without the same.

Super Smash Bros is casual? Well in all honesty, every game is casual.

 

[BENZOOKA]

Casual games are not a problem. No hatred from me.

Dammit we don't want "No hatred" we want full on heavy metal rage, a full on nerd orgy of hardcore and casual excrement everywhere on your screen to show that you are making a difference dammit!

Good one. I get furious about a lot of things, but this just isn't one of them (usually ending up having million things to say about it, but can't put them into words and end up angry without a contribution).

Can't say I'd understand all the fuss about this matter. The possibilities of most games downgrading to more casual is there, but I don't think its going to happen.

The audience for games has broadened, as has the phenomenon of picking a game to play it for five minutes, instantly knowing what you need to do in it (because of the oh so fast-paced world we all live in today). Those two are the main culprits for the increase of casual games popping up like mushrooms. Plus they're easier and cheaper to make.

Yet, I have the firm believe that there will be awesome games made in the future as well.

 

[NeutralDrow]

Casual games are bad because most don't have long and lasting appeal.

That sounds very off, somehow. Pickup and play, not to mention replay, value are sort of a defining trait of the games. Boccob knows I still pick up Wii Sports every so often, if only for boxing (Resort fixed tennis, bowling, and golf, and I never liked baseball), and I'm still addicted to Smash Brothers. A casual game without replay value has failed even harder than a "hardcore" game without the same.

Super Smash Bros is casual? Well in all honesty, every game is casual.

All three of the games seem to have delineated casual and competitive playerbases. I'd call the casual playerbase the one that doesn't give a damn about turning items off, thinks banning stages is silly, and doesn't get mortally offended and curse Sakurai's name when they trip.

Or maybe I've just been spending too much time on the SSBB GameFAQs boards. I swear, 1/4 of all the threads there seem to devolve into "Barwl sux!"

 

[joshuaayt]

Because:
1: They attract the "Fully Sick, Bro" Crowd.
2: They perpetuate the idea that games are for children, and that challenge is illegal.
3: They are poison to ones attention span.

 

[DrDeath3191]

I know that we're fucking tired of Hardcore vs. Casual threads. However, I have a bit of a bone to pick with the folks who bother to call themselves 'hardcore'. They continually say things like "Nintendo's going to die because they only make casual games!" and "Only idiots and old people like casual games!" While I could go on through the whole spiel about Nintendo being the top provider of 'hardcore' titles on the Wii (generally accepted to be a 'casual' console), but I won't because A) nobody will listen, and B) that isn't what I'm talking about. People assume that a game being 'casual' means that it's bad. Why is that? I like the Wii Sports games, I intend to pick up Wii Fit+ due to the fun I had with the original and I even liked Wii Music (for a few minutes, anyway). What's the problem with 'casual' games? I will accept that there are many bad 'casual' games out there, but there are even more and even worse 'hardcore' games also. So what is the problem?

they are a problem because they LOWER the bar for games, giving us lower quality. if you need an example, play simcity 4 then play simcity societies.

Is that a problem with casual games, or a problem with that game? I haven't played it, but from what I gather it had a good idea: make SimCity more accessible, but still fun. Just because they failed does not in any way mean that 'casual' games decrease the quality of 'hardcore' ones.

its a problem as they took a good game with many prospects, tore out all challenge and control so everyone and their mother can play but the main issue is without challenge and danger simcity is boring. societies craps out so much money you can survive a black hole and still rebuild with enough cash leftover to buy the rest of the universe. just look at how silent hill: homecoming came out, monsters cant hurt you unless your in a chase scene.

So the devs handled their games wrong. That doesn't mean that casual games are destroying classic game franchises.

no, developers are going for more casual gamers since its a growing market. also, have to edit the post you quoted because its silent hill: shattered memories, not homecoming.

I actually think the chases in Shattered Memories are a stark improvement over the other Silent Hill games: Silent Hill combat is utter shit! They tried something new. Thus, there are some growing pains. This does not mean that they are hunting for 'casual' gold. Your position seems a bit illogical to me.

so they substitute a weapon system to a chase scene where you have no weapons and have no idea where your going? how is that an improvement?

Because it works. I'm not saying it's perfect quite yet; there's plenty of room to improve, but I think running is scarier and more fun than the usual combat of SH.

 

[DrDeath3191]

Because:
1: They attract the "Fully Sick, Bro" Crowd.
2: They perpetuate the idea that games are for children, and that challenge is illegal.
3: They are poison to ones attention span.

1: If you mean frat boys, look in the direction of FPSs.
2: People of all ages enjoy the games.
3: I don't think you can argue that 'hardcore' games are much better for that.

 

[Magnalian]

Lower quality games for the same price as a decent game?

No thanks.

I refuse to support that. Nintendo are dead to me.

Define ´quality´.

 

[Magnalian]

Sort of like this ****:


She has no clue what the hell she's talking about but she says it anyway to fit in with the crowd.

Glad to see I`m not the only one who finds her annoying as hell.

 

[TheSeventhLoneWolf]

I have no problems with it. Casual gamers can be casual, like vegiterians van be vegiterian.

 

[Magnalian]

Casual games are not a problem. No hatred from me.

Dammit we don't want "No hatred" we want full on heavy metal rage, a full on nerd orgy of hardcore and casual excrement everywhere on your screen to show that you are making a difference dammit!

... casual excrement?