"Hardcore"
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"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.
Casual: Someone who schedules gaming around their life."
Can't remember who said that but thats pretty much it.
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.
"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.
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.
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.
Playing CoD online and swearing into the mic as you noob-tube someone does not make you hardcore.
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.
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: Oblivioncainx10a said:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:cainx10a said:
You play video games and fight criminals...IN REAL LIFE.
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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.
[/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.
If you don't own either a flight yoke, rudder pedals, and instrument panels or a racing seat, wheel, pedals (with clutch) and wrap around monitor set up you aren't hardcore. Oh and anyone playing games for anything other than fun isn't hardcore, they're an idiot. Yes even professional e-sports players. Having no fun playing games? Don't do it, games are optional.
Someone that takes their hobby more seriously then casuals but also has more fun with it as well...
Possibly? XD
Possibly? XD
It's beautifully pithy, but as someone who has foresaken numerous vital domestic duties for "one more game of Bejewelled", I'm not sure it's TOTALLY accurateChampion360 said:
I swim in both pools: casual is "pick up and play" where hardcore is "long learning curve". Both types work to different sets of rules and provide different experiences- one is about instant gratification, the other is a deeper, more involving experience.
