Editor's Note: Full Spectrum Gamer
- Thread starter Russ Pitts
- Start date
I'd say I'd be fairly hardcore in terms of hours played; it's a case of not having much to do in the summer and games being a very good timesink. That said if I ever go more than a couple of days without gaming I'd get a little antsy, so it's borderline addiction here. Days just seem to be a lot longer when I can't find time to sit down with a good game.
I think there definitely is a line that is crossed between casual and hardcore. Where it is I have no idea but if you can sit down and play a game for 10 hours straight that makes you hardcore. I would personally say Im hardcore as well just for the sheer time spent gaming on my xbox and now somewhat on my pc.
Quote of the month for me, and damn it is only the first! I like the discussion on classifications, mainly because I feel so contradictory. I live in a frat, I play mw2, am I one of the oft spoken frat sheeple who only play fps shooters? (NO, in case anyone was going to ask)Russ Pitts said:
For me, alot of lines which define each are very blurred, and really its each person that defines it. I mean, we can name some of the most obvious signs of hardcore...like people who play without eating, sleeping ect...but that also more on line of obsessive.
I think, really we are all jsut gamers. We do what we can in spare time between work, sleep, friends & Family. I know I dont always get as much in as I would like, but, im comftable with what I do get.
Maybe 30 hours a week? 10 of which are usually ojn a weekend
I think, really we are all jsut gamers. We do what we can in spare time between work, sleep, friends & Family. I know I dont always get as much in as I would like, but, im comftable with what I do get.
Maybe 30 hours a week? 10 of which are usually ojn a weekend
Im a casual Pc gamer..
Aibt of a story snob actually. I love RTS games.. thats where my heart lies.. and oh god have I bought my share of bad RTS games.
But even a good movie can inspire me to buy a space game. Its an addiction of mine.. I once watched a Sci -fi movie.. then went on steam and bought x3-terran conflict.. Just because..
And ive only played 10 minutes of it.
but one thing I am not is good at "MMRPG"'s I find then boring waay to quickly.. and yet Ive got 5 different ones!
Aibt of a story snob actually. I love RTS games.. thats where my heart lies.. and oh god have I bought my share of bad RTS games.
But even a good movie can inspire me to buy a space game. Its an addiction of mine.. I once watched a Sci -fi movie.. then went on steam and bought x3-terran conflict.. Just because..
And ive only played 10 minutes of it.
but one thing I am not is good at "MMRPG"'s I find then boring waay to quickly.. and yet Ive got 5 different ones!
You could consider me a gamer. maybe not hardcore, because gaming isn't my life, but still a gamer, because it's definetly a part of my life.
im a gamer
but then again we are just human, it is what we define ourselves in life that truly qualify us as to what we are.
then again, again, we can also add on to that, for example:
if I find myself dangerouse i can add dangerous
- I am a dangerous gamer
or if I am psychology twisted and believe I am a potato i can add that too
-I am a dangerous potato gamer
or as another extent of my own insanity and believe that i might be a pirate
- I am a dangerous potato gaming pirate
+insanity
- I am an Insanely dangerous potato gaming pirate
-did i mention i was dashing aswell? (describing my perfection is bringing a tear to the eye)
so yes, this is what i believe I am
but then again we are just human, it is what we define ourselves in life that truly qualify us as to what we are.
then again, again, we can also add on to that, for example:
if I find myself dangerouse i can add dangerous
- I am a dangerous gamer
or if I am psychology twisted and believe I am a potato i can add that too
-I am a dangerous potato gamer
or as another extent of my own insanity and believe that i might be a pirate
- I am a dangerous potato gaming pirate
+insanity
- I am an Insanely dangerous potato gaming pirate
-did i mention i was dashing aswell? (describing my perfection is bringing a tear to the eye)
so yes, this is what i believe I am
I've been playing all types of games on various different consoles (including PC) all throughout my life, so I suppose that makes me a 'hardcore' gamer.
I guess back in the 90s in the UK, I was 'hardcore' if only because I had a massive LAN set up at home, while everyone else was still trying to find titles for the PSX.
By 2000 everyone had moved on to the new consoles and I used to play on them at friend's houses before finally getting my own. I think it was by the time the next gen consoles hit that I was no longer 'hardcore' as I just didn't (and still don't) have the money for them, let alone the titles.
Now in 2010, I'm at uni, studying a physics degree, working part time and spending the majority of my free time with friends (or my girlfriend) and don't really bust out the games that I do have with me.
So I'd probably call myself a casual gamer now, except I still spend several hours a week playing free online flash titles and other such stuff I come across. And I know that if I boot up any of the total war series, or even AoE, I'm going to be sat there for at least another 10 to 15 hours.
So in conclusion? I'm just a gamer. The hardcore fans live in the flat next door and use phrases such as "the fail" and "awesomeness of epic proportions" while laughing at others for going about they're normal social lives. And washing.
By 2000 everyone had moved on to the new consoles and I used to play on them at friend's houses before finally getting my own. I think it was by the time the next gen consoles hit that I was no longer 'hardcore' as I just didn't (and still don't) have the money for them, let alone the titles.
Now in 2010, I'm at uni, studying a physics degree, working part time and spending the majority of my free time with friends (or my girlfriend) and don't really bust out the games that I do have with me.
So I'd probably call myself a casual gamer now, except I still spend several hours a week playing free online flash titles and other such stuff I come across. And I know that if I boot up any of the total war series, or even AoE, I'm going to be sat there for at least another 10 to 15 hours.
So in conclusion? I'm just a gamer. The hardcore fans live in the flat next door and use phrases such as "the fail" and "awesomeness of epic proportions" while laughing at others for going about they're normal social lives. And washing.
Is "hardcore" about HOURS played or TYPE of game played?
I will game hours every day, maybe 20-30 hous a week. But it ranges in tone. Some of it is RPGs like Mass Effect. Other times I play RTS games, mostly in a LAN setting. Sometimes I'll get right into a FPS, either single or multiplayer. Other times it's cutesy games like Spore, or even Anno 1404. And then again, I'm not too proud to admit I have a Facebook account and play Flash games like Happy Aquarium online.
It's all very different gaming experiences. Some could be described as "casual", while other content is far more "hardcore". I would put myself into the "hardcore" category if asked, simply because of the sheer amount of gaming I do, the mature content of gaming I reach, and the fact that I study Games Design.
But I'd really rather not define myself. Because, as I've found, it's hard to define anyone's gaming experience, and I just don't think it's helpful.
I will game hours every day, maybe 20-30 hous a week. But it ranges in tone. Some of it is RPGs like Mass Effect. Other times I play RTS games, mostly in a LAN setting. Sometimes I'll get right into a FPS, either single or multiplayer. Other times it's cutesy games like Spore, or even Anno 1404. And then again, I'm not too proud to admit I have a Facebook account and play Flash games like Happy Aquarium online.
It's all very different gaming experiences. Some could be described as "casual", while other content is far more "hardcore". I would put myself into the "hardcore" category if asked, simply because of the sheer amount of gaming I do, the mature content of gaming I reach, and the fact that I study Games Design.
But I'd really rather not define myself. Because, as I've found, it's hard to define anyone's gaming experience, and I just don't think it's helpful.
I have issues with the word "hardcore", actually, since it seems to be used as an odd mix of statement of fact ("boy, do you game a lot") and praise ("boy, are you really good at gaming"). It's a mix that I don't think gels well, especially when used as self-appellation. I can say "I game a lot" without coming across as bragging, but I can't say "I'm really good" the same way.
What am I leading to? Like other words of respect and praise, I think it should be given by others, not by oneself. Either the word needs a more rigid definition that minimizes the laudatory aspect or people should avoid using it to apply to themselves until after a lot of others have already told them they were hardcore.
What am I leading to? Like other words of respect and praise, I think it should be given by others, not by oneself. Either the word needs a more rigid definition that minimizes the laudatory aspect or people should avoid using it to apply to themselves until after a lot of others have already told them they were hardcore.
I'd rather just separate people in two categories.
Gamer & Non-Gamer
If your a Gamer then you just happen to fall into different genres preferences.
I'm not sure when it came along but "Hardcore Gamer" sounds so incredibly silly it makes me cringe at the thought of it.
Gaming-wise I'll generally try playing anything and don't hold resistance to much. I have my preferences but when your having fun with friends or family you can usually put up with stuff you usually don't on your own or see and feel things in a different light.
I'd never play Gears of War on my own but I've spent a couple nights drinking myself silly playing online matches with friends at their houses.
Gamer & Non-Gamer
If your a Gamer then you just happen to fall into different genres preferences.
I'm not sure when it came along but "Hardcore Gamer" sounds so incredibly silly it makes me cringe at the thought of it.
Gaming-wise I'll generally try playing anything and don't hold resistance to much. I have my preferences but when your having fun with friends or family you can usually put up with stuff you usually don't on your own or see and feel things in a different light.
I'd never play Gears of War on my own but I've spent a couple nights drinking myself silly playing online matches with friends at their houses.
I suppose I could be considered "hardcore", what with my custom built gaming PC and choice of games (If you get into X3: Terran Conflict, you're in for the long haul. Really long haul), but I'd rather not be, since it makes me sound like a twat.
And I don't play as much as I'd like. Time just disappears, so I only spend a couple of hours on games some days (but others I spend what feels like twenty five hours a day on them)
I'm certainty a PC gamer through and through, though. I just don't like console gaming, it feels simplistic (when I can play a ported game with one hand on my PC, it's too simple). I like masses of controls, buttons, lists. I like power, I suppose, and console gaming just doesn't give me that.
Anyway, enough of myobvious superiority elitism.
[small] before you reply with "ZOMG PC gamers are so stuck up", lighten up[/small]
And I don't play as much as I'd like. Time just disappears, so I only spend a couple of hours on games some days (but others I spend what feels like twenty five hours a day on them)
I'm certainty a PC gamer through and through, though. I just don't like console gaming, it feels simplistic (when I can play a ported game with one hand on my PC, it's too simple). I like masses of controls, buttons, lists. I like power, I suppose, and console gaming just doesn't give me that.
Anyway, enough of my
[small] before you reply with "ZOMG PC gamers are so stuck up", lighten up[/small]
In all honesty... I say I'm hardcore. I started at the age of 7 (for full console that is, Lemmings on the Omega and Tetris on the Gameboy came before) with the N64 and Diddy Kong Racing. I've gone through the consoles since, clocking up as many hours as I could and today, standing but a few months of 21, I am coming to the end of an (involuntary) year out in which I have just finished Fallout 3 (add-ons and all) with a grand total of 223 hours and 14 minutes. I've obsessivley panned all the Resident Evil story game, know Fable 1 & 2 like the back of my hand and now own all the Fallouts... Because art and film is my work, games are my fun. Therefore I am hardcore.
editor and cheif of a videogame news and reveiw site? yes whether you game for an one or 72 hours a week you are more hardcore than most of us.
as for myself i consider myself a gamer. No more no less. not hardcore not casual. I have a wii and Hard core Gaming PC. I play Team fortress 2 and mafia wars. I'm that middle ground the bridge between obsession and hobby. And it's fun. And thats the point right?
as for myself i consider myself a gamer. No more no less. not hardcore not casual. I have a wii and Hard core Gaming PC. I play Team fortress 2 and mafia wars. I'm that middle ground the bridge between obsession and hobby. And it's fun. And thats the point right?
I'm with you, Russ. When I was a kid, I didn't play video games as much as watch them, because my best friends had the cool consoles. It wasn't until late in high school that I really got into CounterStrike. By the time I hit my second year of university, I was far too busy to play games most days, though it didn't stop me from trying all of the latest games. When the Wii came out, I just had to get it, and when Rock Band came out, I was all over that too. Now that I have graduated and am working on a career, I try to share my evenings between playing games and socializing, doing both when the opportunity arises. A friend has lured me into playing NES games (and setting world records), while others have me playing StarCraft II and Altitude.
Am I hardcore? I don't know, because I don't know what it means. I can spend 8 hours a day playing games on the weekend (and put a quick end to Fallout 3), but I usually only play a couple of hours every other day. I like all kinds of games, from the old to the new, from Flash-based casual games to hardcore RTS and FPS.
I think the reality is that everybody is all of these things. Few gamers can say they've never played anything but hardcore FPS, and even people playing casual games have had gaming sessions hours long (come on all you Snood and Peggle addicts). We all have games and genres that we like or dislike and they can all be trivially simple or ludicrously hard. I think the only thing that separates any of us is our desire to label ourselves as hardcore. Some people wear it like a badge of honor, while others see it as an admission of obsession. Perhaps they are both right.
What's certain is that we all like games and I think that's all that matters. Whether you like Planetscape or Pony Stars, games are there to entertain everyone. What used to be the taboo pastime of nerds has now become the world's favorite way to kill time and have fun. We've moved beyond the passive consumption of media like radio and television and have entered an era of interactive entertainment. And it's fun!
Am I hardcore? I don't know, because I don't know what it means. I can spend 8 hours a day playing games on the weekend (and put a quick end to Fallout 3), but I usually only play a couple of hours every other day. I like all kinds of games, from the old to the new, from Flash-based casual games to hardcore RTS and FPS.
I think the reality is that everybody is all of these things. Few gamers can say they've never played anything but hardcore FPS, and even people playing casual games have had gaming sessions hours long (come on all you Snood and Peggle addicts). We all have games and genres that we like or dislike and they can all be trivially simple or ludicrously hard. I think the only thing that separates any of us is our desire to label ourselves as hardcore. Some people wear it like a badge of honor, while others see it as an admission of obsession. Perhaps they are both right.
What's certain is that we all like games and I think that's all that matters. Whether you like Planetscape or Pony Stars, games are there to entertain everyone. What used to be the taboo pastime of nerds has now become the world's favorite way to kill time and have fun. We've moved beyond the passive consumption of media like radio and television and have entered an era of interactive entertainment. And it's fun!