what is "Hardcore" gaming?

[Vault101]

So this is how I see things for the last few years

When the wii came out there was alot of hate towards it from gamers mainy of the "hardcore" variety who were worried that it would "ruin" games FOREVER, even though I'm not a fan of the wii or nintendo at the moment this is a little silly

then in more recent years there's been somthing of a backlash agaisnt this "hardcore" idea that games have to be ultra violent ect and its not really the done thing to hate the wii or nintendo and that the wii is a gaming systm and casual gaming isn't bad

now I don't think casual gaming is bad and the wii....yeah I don't like it but so what? its not really for me, and I think thats Ok, the fact is there is NOTHING on it I want to play other than metroid (Not other M...grrr) and thats all good and fine

so what is "Hardcore" gaming? Is it about actually difficulty? or is it about ultra violent testosterone and sex fuled content?

if you put actual difficulty aside I guess I am somwhat Of a hardcore gamer, but By that I don't mean I only care about graphics or realism or ultra violence or sex (I'm a chick so that has somthing to do with it) and I don't play COD and I'm not a fan of generic or "realistic" FPS (I do like some FPS though) and I don't play casual games.

when I say I like "mature games" that means I like story, charachters great gameplay/action, if that means the game has lots and lots of violence...well thats fun somtimes too ,my point is just becaue I'm not a fan of casual games does not mean I'm some idoit frat boy or 14 year old kid into blood guts and boobs

 

[Twuk]

It seems like players only associate "hardcore" gamers with heavy FPS players or online junkies. Games like Halo, COD, etc. have gotten to a point where if you're not racking all the top kills in every public game then you're not a hardcore player at all. It also seems as though any gamer associated with the Wii is overlooked when it comes to being a hardcore player as well.

I would like disagree with all the points stated above. I believe a "hardcore" gamer is one who puts all of his efforts into mastering his game, whatever game may that be. The Wii is no exception, I've got buddies who actually PREFER the Wii on certain games, making them no less of a hardcore gamer than myself.

What is it you mean by "mature games"? I'm still a little fuzzy on your description. I know plenty of casual games with mature content, or are you implying something else?

 

[Iron Mal]

My personal definition of a 'hardcore' gamer is one who takes their gamerdom to unhealthy levels to the point where it could easily be called an obsession (or possibly an addiction), usually because of their specific views on what is 'right' and 'wrong' in their area of interest.

I once made a thread on here suggesting that fanboys were the gaming world's fundamentalists, following that logic, hardcore gamers are the equivilent of militant groups and die hard PeTA supporters.

 

[s0m3th1ng]

I'd say hardcore gaming is an obsession with your chosen game. Playing it excessively, talking about it all the time, and pretty much living in that world.

 

[More Fun To Compute]

Hardcore gamers are people who make the mistake of using the their fun hobby as a means of self validating their worth as a manly man who does masculine things. Usually the same people who play toy soldier games and like throwing around playground insults. Pitifully easy games are preferred for the hardcore gamer with the only real requirement being that they are there and can put the hours in. Being defeated isn't hardcore but commitment is. Online games and games with achievements are preferred so others can see them being hardcore.

 

[Vault101]

It seems like players only associate "hardcore" gamers with heavy FPS players or online junkies. Games like Halo, COD, etc. have gotten to a point where if you're not racking all the top kills in every public game then you're not a hardcore player at all. It also seems as though any gamer associated with the Wii is overlooked when it comes to being a hardcore player as well.

I would like disagree with all the points stated above. I believe a "hardcore" gamer is one who puts all of his efforts into mastering his game, whatever game may that be. The Wii is no exception, I've got buddies who actually PREFER the Wii on certain games, making them no less of a hardcore gamer than myself.

What is it you mean by "mature games"? I'm still a little fuzzy on your description. I know plenty of casual games with mature content, or are you implying something else?

Ah well in that case...I don't know of many casual games with mature content but if so then I supose its a mature game

By mature I mean the complete oposite of mario...you know stuff ment for adults, not that somthing with a G rating is bad but mature stuff is simply what I'm drawn too for better or worse

 

[GunstarHero]

Hardcore gaming is a misnomer. It denotes something it really shouldn't, it's just saying that you do something a lot.

I write a lot of essays, but I don't consider myself a 'hardcore' essayist. I look at everything around me, but I'm not a 'hardcore' eyeballer.

Unless it's taken to be playing something on a more difficult mode, at which point, I still wouldn't use the word hardcore. Unless you're trying to lay foundation for a house or drilling something that'll smash weaker drill bits.

I suppose it's just caught, though. And I for one can't think of another more apt word. 'Frequent' gamer? 'Challenge' gamer? 'Serious' gamer? I think serious makes the most sense, but it sounds a bit silly.

 

[Twuk]

By mature I mean the complete oposite of mario...you know stuff ment for adults, not that somthing with a G rating is bad but mature stuff is simply what I'm drawn too for better or worse

I know what you're saying, but just because a game is "kiddy" or ment for a wider audience doesn't necessarily mean it can't have mature aspects. Look at a lot of JRPGs for example. Many games in the genre have G rated aspects but at the same time can be considered games tailored to the "hardcore" RPG player's preferences.

 

[Ponce Master-General]

"Hardcore gaming" is a useless term made up by fanboys.

 

[NickCooley]

There's no such thing as a hardcore gamer, only obsessives with self worth issues.

 

[quhouv vhqwiufv qwiu]

People who have forgotten that games are meant to be fun.

 

[Twuk]

There's no such thing as a hardcore gamer, only obsessives with self worth issues.

I disagree. Although certain people take the term out of context completely at times, it's just a way to identify with people how interested you are in gaming. Not in the "YEAH MAN HARDCORE!!!" sense, but more of a "Yeah man I'm into that kind of game, like hardcore". Not exactly the best choice of terms, but it's much better than saying that the word has no meaning and all who associate with it are "obsessives with self worth issues." I myself game many hours everyday, so one could identify me as a "hardcore" player. Am I an obsessive? No. Am I full of self pity and loathing? No. Do I enjoy playing games and putting work into them? Yes.

 

[khiliani]

I have always sorta defined it as the strait to multiplayer, ignore the campaign fps people. I have always seen games as interactive books (in a very over simplified manner) where as hardcore people, its about the competition against other people that is important.

 

[Shycte]

MovieBob talked about comics this one time, and what he said there might be true for games as well. If you are "in" the medium, I guess you would be hardcore. It's about what target audience you are in aswell.

Then the are the assholes who think themself better because the label themself hardcore. I'm looking at you /v/.

 

[JediMB]

When you've been playing video games for over 20 years, you should have enough perspective to realize that there's really no such thing as a hardcore game(r) and a casual game(r).

There'll always be good games and bad games, though. Games that hold my interest, and games that don't.

Hell, we shouldn't even be calling ourselves gamers. It's not like I have to label myself to watch TV or read books.

 

[Casimir_Effect]

A hardcore gamer is one who only does it upside-down and free-falling from 10,000 feet while using his feet to shoot pursuing Spetsnaz agents AND comes top of the leader board.
Obviously.

 

[Techno Squidgy]

I'm a casual gamer, but I don't play what everyone describes as casual games. I simply have a very relaxed attitude towards gaming. I enjoy it but I don't stress about it. Well not any more, I kinda woke up one day and realised that there's much more to life than games.

 

[gibboss28]

Its a marketing term which has worked pretty well, well that and casual gaming

 

[Glademaster_v1legacy]

Was there not already a thread asking for definitions of Hardcore and Casual gamers not even a week ago? Anyway I Hardcore gamer is some who dedicated their free time or at least a portion of it to gaming, cares about gaming news that might concern them(update notes, new releases), goes on and comments on various things about the game, strives to improve themselves at the game, has some desire to play the at some competitive level even if it only clan based scrims or guild pvp nothing really that serious and also hates to be associated with the horrible label that has been given to actual Hardcore gamers due to some jackasses who think they are all that.

 

[Xyliss]

Gaming...ON FIRE!