Why the hate on casual gamers?

[Mallefunction]

I honestly don't understand all the hate directed toward casual gamers. Should we really alienate people from the gaming community just because someone doesn't like to neither play the same games as "hard-core" players nor can't play them on the same difficulty and get "teh ultimate high score".

It would be like banning all people who are not basketball super-stars from playing basketball with their friends at the park for fun. "You're not good so you can't play at all! MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Personally, I'm an inbetween. I play shooters, I love puzzles/platformers, fighting, and adventure games...

But I SUCK at all of them. I die more times than I can count and more than half the time, it's pretty damn funny. So what if I don't have the best score or more kills than my friends in L4D or I didn't get full sync in AC Brotherhood?

Honestly, folks...when did gaming become more about skill and less about having fun? Where did this elitism come from?

I'd like to know your opinions on this:

1. Why are casual gamers so hated when casual viewers in other media are not (example: casual movie goers)?
2. Do you think they deserve this flack at all?
3. What do you see as the most important aspect of gaming and why?
4. What kind of gamer do you see yourself as?

 

[Xpwn3ntial]

1. Everyone needs someone to look down upon.
2. Not at all.
3. The action of playing a game itself.
4. Avid PC gamer.

 

[Tim_Buoy]

1. because alot of people are petty and closed minded
2. no they dont
3.good controls
4.all types gamer (i play ps3, 360, ds, psp, pc, board, role playing, wii, iphone)

 

[fingerbang143]

People hate "soft core" gamers because they take countless hours and talent away from possibly good projects to make games like Wii boxing. For every 1 Borderlands there are 50 Wii games or or games of a genre that take no time to make.

 

[Distazo]

1. Casual Gamers I have met tend to be COD and Halo obsessed frat boys who represent to me everything wrong with gaming. As far as casual gaming like the motion controls on the Wii goes, "hardcore" gamers like games with more "mature" themes. Note the quotations. It gives them someone to feel like they are better than.

2. By-in-large no, a few of the dickheads on xbox live can fuck off but other than that I have no issue with being more casual with gaming habits.

3. The growth of games as an interactive and artistic medium, so we can finally get out of this "games make kids murderers" business and we can finally achieve the kind of experiences I know games can achieve.

4. I play about equal parts Xbox 350 and PC, and am an Assassin's Creed Fanboy.

 

[Mallefunction]

People hate "soft core" gamers because they take countless hours and talent away from possibly good projects to make games like Wii boxing. For every 1 Borderlands there are 50 Wii games or or games of a genre that take no time to make.

But you get that with EVERY form of media. (Music, movies, TV, etc) What makes games so damn sacred?

 

[K4ndY]

1- Cause people are insecure idiots who will take any excuse to say they are better than others (this applies for almost anything in life)

2- I enjoy playing with casual gamers, they are quite relaxed and are fun to play with. Much better than playing with competitive hardcore gamers on some server who think that calling people names like douche*** and insulting everyone's mother is how a game should be played...

3- Having fun. Period.

4- Pretty hardcore (especially during Winter since I don't feel like going outside), although video games are not my only source of entertainment

 

[JohnnyDelRay]

1. I tend to look back to the beginning of games, as the rather strange reason as to why 'hardcore' gamers look down on casual gamers. The weird thing is, the nature of games that most 'hardcore' gamers came from, back in the day, were as simple as those casual games. After reading a few threads in this forum, I think one reason, subconscious or not, is because people think too many casual gamers may bring down the standard of other games, as developers will think, 'why put in so much effort when more casual games are making just as much money, or bigger margins?'

I'm talking in comparison to what is deemed as 'casual games' in todays sense...facebook apps, flash games, mobile phone games, even the Wii has fallen victim. Although I myself enjoy a good bash at any of them with friends if we're up for it...even old ROMs.

2. No I don't, unless they look down on hardcore gamers. Same goes for hardcore gamers though, people just like what they like, as long as it doesn't harm others

3. The fun in the game, because it doesn't matter how good the story is, or how great the graphics are, if it isn't fun it's just not worth your time (which gets more precious as you get older)

4. I love primarily PC and a bit of consoles, have enjoyed FPS, RPG, driving and to a lesser extent RTS, and fighting games. I'm a hardcore gamer by most people's standards, list of games finished across NES/Genesis/PS1/PS2/X360/PC goes past 250. But I'll play anything as long as its fun, and yes that even extends to the occasional sudoku on my phone.

 

[Solo-Wing]

I only hate the Facebook casual Gamers. I don't mind people who play Bejeweled or Plants Vs. Zombies or Peggle or many of the countless games for the Wii. Just that Farmville/Pet sim/text-tycoon crap. You know the games that have to be checked everyday and have timers/cooldown times that tick down when your not even playing.
In fact there are only TWO facebook games I accept to be ok. Bejeweled Blitzed and Desktop Tower defence.

 

[RatRace123]

1. I'm not sure it's hate for casual gamers so much as developers who make casual games. Everyone needs to start somewhere, and mini game compiliations can be done well (The first 3 Mario Parties are good examples of this.) but a lot of casual games are cheaply produced shovelware and they sell redonkulously well compared to how much they cost to make. (Not all casual games are this, but some are.)
I guess the dominant opinion of people who're against against casual games is that this could be the new market strategy, why bother making quality games when cheap crap will sell twice as well?

2. No

3. Story and Presentation, as an interactive medium, games can engage its audience in a way that no other can. This is largely out of personal preference, and I'm not sure I'd let a decent story excuse a horribly crappy gameplay experience, but a good story can certainly make it easier to look past average or clunky gameplay.

4. I'd consider myself a "hardcore gamer", not because of the type of games I play, but because of how much games impact my life: I own a lot of games, I spend most of my time on the internet on gaming websites and looking for gaming news and strategy guides. Plus, I've been gaming for a large portion of my life.


That was a longer response than I thought I would post.

 

[New Troll]

I am a casual gamer. I use to be more "hardcore", more avid, but just don't have the time, nor the interest. I generally do wish I could play more than I get to, but I really have little desire for the week long marathons I use to be able to do.

My time is generally split equally between PC gaming and console gaming. On PC I usually just play casual games like from PopCap. They're nice cause they don't steal my attention from whatever else is going on, like my son napping. Console gaming is mainly on the weekend when my son is with his mother. Sometimes I will jump into something after he goes to bed, but usually I'm too tired.

As for the hate, didn't realize there was any. Know I have none. Know I haven't experienced any, especially from this site. I have shown disgust with games like WoW kissing casual gamer butt. Don't feel they're being fair to thier hardcore or more dedicated gamers or fanbase. But other than that, every game has it's noob just like every game has it's prick. Personally, I will usually prefer the noob any day of the week.

 

[Sandjube]

I didn't even know casual people were even being targeted for hate. I play a crapload of games, but more often than not I'm playing because I enjoy it, not for a score.

 

[themasterofj]

1. Because games are less professional and a less refined artform
2. Everybody has a right to experience and like in thier own way without being yelled at
3. I believe GAMEPLAY is the most important. back when graphics were not very good peopke had to rely on simple gameplay and that produced some of the best games ever. also it's a GAME not a song or painting.
4. jack of all trades (except racing, fighting(besides smash bros), most point and clicks and multiplayer focused anything)

 

[SteewpidZombie]

1. Casual Gamers tend to think they know more about videogames and the entire medium then someone like myself who has been playing them since I was 6. Most casual gamers are the people who play Farmville religiously or COD/Halo games and act immature.

2. Yes to a extent. I can tolerate someone not being a huge or serious gamer, but just like with a real sport, if they act like they know more then the veterans then they deserve any sort of hassle they get.

3. Maturity. If you can't be civil and calm while playing games online or offline, you shouldn't even be playing. Without respect for your fellow gamers your just another droning idiot who is on the same maturity level as a 12 year old kid. I respect my fellow gamers, I don't complain when I lose, and I know that the whole point is to have 'Fun' and not to bicker and argue like children.

4. I see myself as a avid gamer of all genres and platforms. I own a PC, Xbox360, and PS3. All game platforms have a benefit and disadvantage to each other, but I find myself drawn to the Online games of the PS3, the Singleplayer of the Xbox360, and the RTS/Creative games of the PC.

 

[SirDoom]

My #1 is kind of long, so I spoiler'd it.

1)

Spoiler

There will always be a few people who don't like others because they think they're better. You see it everywhere. "He only goes to all the home games? He's not a true sports fan! I go to every single game wearing my team jersey and face paint, even in freezing weather!"

But, I guess I can see a small argument here. There has long been a small core "gamer" group. Some play just sports games, some play just shooters, some play all kinds of games. But, no matter how diverse the group is, they all play games of a certain quality, and the game industry has always had to put quite a bit of effort in unless they want to get "This game sucks!" shouted at them.

Then some gaming companies started making games for the non-gamer crowd, which is actually a pretty smart business decision since there are relatively few gamers out there. They make games that aren't overly complex in a relatively short period of time that are designed to be played for a few minutes rather than the usual hour+ sessions of gamers, or to be played in the background while doing other things.

If a "hardcore gamer" looks at Farmville, what do they see? I personally see a crappy little thing that could barely be considered a game in the first place. I'm sure a lot of other gamers feel the same. Yet, Farmville has over 8 times as many players as the biggest "real game", WoW.

Then, with the advent of the Wii, Kinect, and Move, the fear might be that game companies will forsake their long-term core fanbase in order to cater to this new, much larger group. (Or, at minimum, a bunch of good games won't get made due to developers diverting a bit of their time to this new group).

2) Not really. The people who hate the people themselves are probably the snobby "I'm better than you!" types. A lot of casual games, on the other hand, should be criticized just like a bad tv show or bad movie that was dumbed down to appeal to the masses. If the reality shows on MTV can't get by without criticism, neither should Farmville.

3) Most important aspect? Well... everything.

I go into a single player game expecting it to be fun and rewarding, but I also expect a good plot, memorable characters and levels, good background music, the works. A game shouldn't be just "mindlessly kill" or "mindlessly drive". It should have objectives, and a story. You should get attached to the characters. You should run through the level barely noticing the music in the background because it blends with the atmosphere of the game so well. It should be a completely immersive experience, and a fun one at that.

Multiplayer games are similar. They still need a plot, good levels, and an immersive experience. I'm simply not happy with "join game, kill 50 enemies, win" variety. One game that did it right was Chromehounds (That game alone was the entire reason I paid for Xbox Live).

4) I play PC and 360 games. Mostly PC nowadays though. My games library consists of mainly FPS games, platformers, and western RPGs. Oh, and Minecraft.

 

[Mcupobob]

People hate "soft core" gamers because they take countless hours and talent away from possibly good projects to make games like Wii boxing. For every 1 Borderlands there are 50 Wii games or or games of a genre that take no time to make.

Borderlands? Just my opinion mind you. I didn't enjoy that game it felt like menu fest 3000. To each his own though my cousin loved it and forced me to play with him.

As for causal gamers, when gaming just started it. It was causal, a fad kind of thing. It stuck around though and eventually became niche appeal. Now its become something our society just does like own a T.v or computer. So really gaming hasn't changed, theres still great games out there and their still just niche appeal for the more *Cough* Hardcore gamers while the rest of it is for the more causal user who enjoy spending an hour two on the Wii with family or friends. Maybe play some Little big planet with the kids, or fool around on the Sims or WoW while the kids are down for a nap. Just what I've seen from my aunt whos a causal gamer.

There not bad people, they just like gaming like the rest of us, they just don't have the time or skill to get fully involved with the hobby or have only a minimal interest.

 

[Chromanin]

1. I do hate all casual fans of media. Casual audiences invite mediocrity. They want their movies predictable, they want their video games easy, they want their television with a laughtrack, and they want their books reccommended by Oprah. What bothers me most about it when it comes to video games is that casuals invaded a hobby that used to cater to me: the geek. Gaming was a niche hobby, so companies had to give us geeks what we wanted. Now it seems more like the mentality is, "Whatever. Someone will buy Grand Theft Auto 9/Final Fantasy 20/Halo: SWAT." Gaming is a "business" now more than ever.

2. Like all groups, there are good ones and bad ones in every bunch. I'm not saying every casual gamer is whining about Ninja Gaiden being too hard. I do generalize sometimes, and that's wrong. Look at it from my perspective though. I've been gaming since the NES, and then all of the sudden, this new crowd of people barges in saying, "This shooter isn't Halo enough! This RPG isn't Final Fantasy enough! Tihs MMO iz n0t WOW 3n0ugh! Video games games are a business, and I'm the consumer!" Blah, blah, blah.

3. Of gaming itself or do you mean the industry? The most important aspect of gaming is having fun, of course, no matter what that means. Whatever is fun for you is what you should be doing. For the industry? Education. Specifically, parents and the like need to get educated and realize that video games are not Satan's tool. This really has little to do with casual audiences, but I wil say that since games have been given mass appeal, they've been in the hot seat a hell of a lot more. If any of these new bills stick, it's only going to stifle the creativity of the industry further.

4. Like I said, I'm a geek. I take all of my little obsessions seriously. When it comes to gaming, I have no biases. I play all games and own multiple consoles, handhelds, and even dabble in a little PC. I also write for a video game website.

 

[Ice Car]

I'd like to know your opinions on this:

1. Why are casual gamers so hated when casual viewers in other media are not (example: casual movie goers)?
2. Do you think they deserve this flack at all?
3. What do you see as the most important aspect of gaming and why?
4. What kind of gamer do you see yourself as?

1. Probably because others are so into winning that they start hating on those who don't do good enough, or "screw up" their game. People are too serious.
2. No they don't. Honestly, I'd like to see the person who believes they deserve that crap so I can punch them in the face.
3. Fun. That's it. People get caught between winning and having fun, and more often than not choose winning over fun. The they get all pissed off that they lost and aren't having fun, yet continue to play a game they hate for the purpose of winning. Stupid. And I'd also like to see the person who says; "GAMERSCORE/TROPHIES LOLZ" so I can punch him/her in the face as well.
4. In between casual and hardcore. I play a lot of video games, almost nonstop during free time. I'm all hardcore when it comes to some games, putting fun lower on the priority list for some, but not way at the bottom. Some games I just play casually for fun, like all fighting games, Blazblue included, as I suck pretty bad at all of them.

 

[Mallefunction]

1. I do hate all casual fans of media. Casual audiences invite mediocrity. They want their movies predictable, they want their video games easy, they want their television with a laughtrack, and they want their books reccommended by Oprah. What bothers me most about it when it comes to video games is that casuals invaded a hobby that used to cater to me: the geek. Gaming was a niche hobby, so companies had to give us geeks what we wanted. Now it seems more like the mentality is, "Whatever. Someone will buy Grand Theft Auto 9/Final Fantasy 20/Halo: SWAT." Gaming is a "business" now more than ever.

I agree that casual fans mean that companies will want to cater to them more, but should they really be the ones blamed for that? It's the companies' choice to take that bait ultimately.

And it's not that casual games can't be good. They won't ever be on the same level as stuff like Bioshock, Shadow of Colossus, or Prince of Persia, but they can be good in their own way.

 

[The Code]

1. Because more dedicated gamers may feel that the industry is selling out to the more shallow casual audience.

2. Most of them don't, but there are those scattered groups that genuinely deserve the scorn of more avid gamers. Also, people often just need a vent for their frustrations. The "casual gamers suck" rant is often a harmless and relieving way to clear oneself of anger. It's like complaining about Starbucks. Griping about the number of the shops and the high prices isn't going to change things any time soon, but it feels good to rant on it sometimes.
tl;dr - Not all, but a few do.

3. Gaming: Having fun. That's what games are for, after all. Games: Good story, intuitive controls, and an engaging environment to draw the player in.

4. I'm more of an RPG gamer. For consoles, I'm for SEGA, PC, Xbox360, and GameCube, in that order. I was raised on the Genesis, and will always wonder what could have been if the Dreamcast had succeeded as it should have.