| 05 Jan 2008 06:01 pm |
Agent of Chaos Rep: 52  Joined: 10 Aug 2005 Posts: 39,364 OFFLINE | Throughout discussions its hard not to hear the words hardcore gamer or game and casual gamer and game. I mean there in every last one. Yet does anyone really know the definition to this stereotype? Is there even a solid definition?
Yes and no to that. I will try to explain both such that all can see the flat out differences and understand this actually easy concept. It’s also important to note that adding up the percent of hardcore and casual gamers does not equal 100%. There are other groups outside of those, but those aren neither mainstream in debates, or included here so bare with me.
First of all let’s go over the FALSE ideas about hardcore and casual gamers.
1. Not all hardcore gamers own multiple consoles. This is not a requirement nor part of the definition
2. Casual gamers aren’t limited by a selection of games. There isn’t something they buy and things they don’t buy. This also works with hardcore gamers as well.
3. Having a mature rating does not make a game a hardcore game.
4. Graphical output and design bare no affect on whethere a game is hardcore or casual.
These are common things you’ll hear in debate and none of them are true.
So what does make someone a hardcore or casual gamer or a game a hardcore or casual game? Well it’s actually very easy. To distinguish against a hardcore gamer and casual gamer, playing habits are the only difference. Hardcore gamers use video gaming as a hobby. Casual gamers use it as something to do sparingly in their offtime. Hardcore gamers will play online consistently, while casual gamers will hook up for a match every now and then. Hardcore gamers buy 20-30 games a year, while casual gamers by 5-10 games a year. And so forth.
That is the very easy part. Now how about distinguishing between a casual game and a hardcore game. Well for those that love to deny the truth, I suggest you not read this part, as many are doomed to be hurt by the truth. So what defines each. Well check it out:
Hardcore Game
1. Long, intricate storyline and single player experience, with at least more than 25 hrs of gameplay. Basically meaning not a pick up and play title.
2. Deep, intricate, and puzlling gameplay ideal, or main feature. Not straightforward central gameplay ideal. This is describing certain genres which I’ll get to in a sec.
3. Game controls, gameplay features, ect. take time, effort, and practice to grasp fully.
4. A game of high difficulty or very challenging.
Casual Game
1. A short easy to grasp storyline, that doesn’t take time to get into. Normally single player is not this game’s main feature, but usually has an easy to jump into multiplayer, for time with friends.
2. The central gameplay idea is easy to grasp and understand what to do. Once again describing its genre.
3. Game controls, gameplay mechanics and features, ect are all easy to get used to and get good at, such that all can play.
4. Normally not a hard game at all, but its excitement and longetivity comes from a multiplayer experience.
Are ya surprised, angry, or just plain glad someone finally said it. The central difference between a hardcore game and a casual game, is simply gameplay.
Let’s go by number. #1 explains the difference in single player. SINGLE PLAYER is what defines a hardcore game. Most casual gamers don’t play for a single player experience, but actually would rather play multiplery, or in parties. Single player is solely for the hardcore gamer, which is why there aren’t many single player games out there, that sell as well, although there are numerous exceptions. Having a long deep storyling makes it something that a casual gamer normally wouldn’t do, as they normally only play everynow and then and don’t have time to get into a deep storyline. Games that fit this hardcore stereotype are all RPG’s, action adventures, some platformers, and some shooters.
#2 states that the central gameplay ideal will differ between if its hardcore or casual. This describes genre of course. Casual gamers obviously need a game that’s quick to understand. Sports games are the perfect example, as its not hard to understand the idea behind a sports title. Genres that doesn’t have a easy to grasp gameplay ideal would be a Real Time Strategy, RPG, Action Adventure, Platformer, MMO, ect. Genres that do have easy to grasp gameplay ideals are Sports games, Racers, Shooters, Party Games, Simulations, ect.
#3 states that the game controls, gameplay mechanics, and gameplay features determine differences as well. Simply put a game that’s easier to play gameplay wise is going to appeal more to casuals than games that aren’t easy to play. Genres that fall under the hardcore game setting would be RPG’s, Action Adventures, Strategy games, and some shooter and Action titles. Titles that fall under the setting of the casual game for this section would be most Shooters, part games, most sports titles, music based titles, kids games, most platformers, ect.
#4 describes the difficultly. Obivously games that are harder will appeal less to the casual gamers and more to the hardcore gamers, for the apparent gaming trends I explained in the beginning. But this does not mean if you turn the highest setting on or play the game for awhile. We are talking about first starting the game or hour into it, is this game hard. Does this game take tact and strategy. If it does it’ll fall under the hardcore setting. If it doesn’t it won’t. THis difficult works hand and hand with single player time as well, meaning difficult is associated with time. If the game is longer it most likely has an added difficulty to it.
So in conclusion what does this mean. What are our hardcore games and genres and what are our casual games and genres. Well I think we did see a few patterns. So before I’ll list I’ll state a few things. ALL RPG’s, Strategy games, and Action Adventures are hardcore genres. These are not casual genres at all. Meaning Final Fantasy, Civilization, and Zelda are hardcore games. ALL Sports titles, party games, and racers are casual games. This means Madden, Mario Party, and Gran Turismo are casual games. Now the listing:
Hardcore Genre with Examples
RPG’s- FF, Mass Effect, DQ, ES, ect
Strategy games- Civ, LOTR FME, ect
Action Adventures- Zelda, Uncharted, All survival horrors
A Few Shooters- ones like Metroid Prime and Bioshock and tactical shooters such as Ghost Recon break the mold
A Few Platformers- Banjo Kazooie broke this mold
Some Fighters- some of the controls in the game make it to difficult for casuals
Casual Genre with Examples
Sports Titles- Madden, FIFA, MLB Games, NHL games, ect
Party Games- Mario Party, Wii Sports/Play/Fit, ect
Most Shooters- Halo, Call of Duty, any run and gun shooter, or any shooter where online component is the main attraction. ALL CASUAL GAMES.
Racers- Gran Turismo, Forza, and even action racers such as Burnout, but they are more in the middle
So are ya mad, in denial, or simply in shock. None I really care, as this is an editorial, so if you want to take it as my opinion, that’s fine, but this is pretty much about what it is. The main difference between casual and hardcore gamers are their gaming habits. Thus after doing that its easy to find out which games will appease to each of those gaming habits. Of course you’ll find that a lot of hardcore gamers buy casual games, but just cause they do doesn’t make it a hardcore game. Live and learn and thx for reading.
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It’s not about money. It’s about sending a message. Everything burns.Last edited 05 Jan 2008 06:43 pm by Zucas | |
 | | 05 Jan 2008 06:02 pm |
<><><><> Rep: 11 Joined: 15 Jul 2007 Posts: 5,497 OFFLINE | how long did this one take you???
| | | 05 Jan 2008 06:02 pm |
Addict (beyond 1337) Rep: 40 Joined: 14 Feb 2007 Posts: 20,316 ONLINE | hmm...i’m hardcroe 
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   | | | 05 Jan 2008 06:03 pm |
Agent of Chaos Rep: 52Joined: 10 Aug 2005 Posts: 39,364 OFFLINE | Devon wrote:
how long did this one take you???
30 mins
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It’s not about money. It’s about sending a message. Everything burns. | | | 05 Jan 2008 06:03 pm |
Gamestop employee Rep: 15 Joined: 08 Apr 2007 Posts: 7,389 OFFLINE | thanks for this. I am more in the hardcore section.
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alright the clans are back!!!! Lets revive the game section! | | | 05 Jan 2008 06:04 pm |
<><><><> Rep: 11Joined: 15 Jul 2007 Posts: 5,497 OFFLINE | i think i’m in the hardcore too
| | | 05 Jan 2008 06:04 pm |
Agent of Chaos Rep: 52Joined: 10 Aug 2005 Posts: 39,364 OFFLINE | Demon Slayer wrote:
hmm...i’m hardcroe
Yes everyone of us here are hardcore gamers. Remember thats defined by gaming habits. Question is do you play hardcore games.
I think you do. You play RTS’s, and that’s a huge hardcore gaming genre.
Basically if you don’t play RPG’s, RTS’s, or action adventures, then you pretty much don’t play hardcore games, as those are the heart of the hardcore games and define a hardcore gamer’s gaming habits the strongest.
Many people think multiplayer is something for the hardcore gamer, but really that’s more inept by the casual gamer. It’s jsut with the invention of online gaming, the competitive strive in most hardcore gamers is what attracts them to these mostly casual games.
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It’s not about money. It’s about sending a message. Everything burns. | | | 05 Jan 2008 06:05 pm |
Gamestop employee Rep: 15Joined: 08 Apr 2007 Posts: 7,389 OFFLINE | Pretty much all of my games are long. And the ones that arent long, are really tough. I never play games on easy or medium difficulty. Only hard, and if there is a difficulty harder than hard. Like legendary, veteran etc.
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alright the clans are back!!!! Lets revive the game section! | | | 05 Jan 2008 06:06 pm |
Agent of Chaos Rep: 52Joined: 10 Aug 2005 Posts: 39,364 OFFLINE | As for me I’m a hardcore gamer, and I play mostly hardcore games. I play a lot of RPG’s, love action adventurs such as Zelda, and of course love my survival horrors.
But I still do play a lot of casual games, mostly for my online multiplayer experience, and of course Nintenod makes a lot of good casual titles such as Mario for example, but is important to note that platformers are in the middle of casual and hardcore as they tend to have a lot of single player depth and no multiplayer, which is a turnoff for being a casual game.
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It’s not about money. It’s about sending a message. Everything burns. | | | 05 Jan 2008 06:07 pm |
Addict (beyond 1337) Rep: 40Joined: 14 Feb 2007 Posts: 20,316 ONLINE | Zucas wrote:
Demon Slayer wrote:
hmm...i’m hardcroe
Yes everyone of us here are hardcore gamers. Remember thats defined by gaming habits. Question is do you play hardcore games.
I think you do. You play RTS’s, and that’s a huge hardcore gaming genre.
Basically if you don’t play RPG’s, RTS’s, or action adventures, then you pretty much don’t play hardcore games, as those are the heart of the hardcore games and define a hardcore gamer’s gaming habits the strongest.
Many people think multiplayer is something for the hardcore gamer, but really that’s more inept by the casual gamer. It’s jsut with the invention of online gaming, the competitive strive in most hardcore gamers is what attracts them to these mostly casual games.
exactly 
once i saw RTS’s i posted “I’m hardcrore” lol
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| | | 05 Jan 2008 06:07 pm |
Gamestop employee Rep: 15Joined: 08 Apr 2007 Posts: 7,389 OFFLINE | are shooters that are long and/or hard considered hardcore?
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alright the clans are back!!!! Lets revive the game section! | | | 05 Jan 2008 06:09 pm |
Agent of Chaos Rep: 52Joined: 10 Aug 2005 Posts: 39,364 OFFLINE | One more thing you’ll notice that most of the casual franchises that I listed, are also some of the best selling. Well of course. Gran Turismo appeals to all gamers, mainly the mainstrea because its easy in concept, thus numerous people buy it. Same for Halo, Mario, Call of Duty, Guitar Hero, ect. Casual games always sell the best. Hardcore games normally don’t.
Also if people are wondering, Pokemon is a hardcore game haha. Long detailed story, with deep intricate gameplay, and not easy to grasp gameplay ideals. It is one of the strongest hardcore gaming series out there, which is surprising why so many kids take the title on. I bet most of them never even beat the game eh.
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It’s not about money. It’s about sending a message. Everything burns. | | | 05 Jan 2008 06:09 pm |
<><><><> Rep: 11Joined: 15 Jul 2007 Posts: 5,497 OFFLINE | i knew I was because I really like LOZ games and metroid games, but I do have alot of casual ones
| | | 05 Jan 2008 06:10 pm |
Regular Rep: 1  Joined: 22 Dec 2007 Posts: 416 OFFLINE | I think im more casual where did u get that info Zucas??
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Master Chief Upgrade!! | | | 05 Jan 2008 06:10 pm |
Agent of Chaos Rep: 52Joined: 10 Aug 2005 Posts: 39,364 OFFLINE | bugsbunny wrote:
are shooters that are long and/or hard considered hardcore?
Only some shooters are hardcore. First of all most shooters don’t have long or deep storyline. Um Halo would be one of the exceptions, but most of that is shown through cutscenes and not necessarily gameplay. The thing that makes shooters a casual title is because the only gameplay mechanic is shooting, making it something easy to grasp by all.
Thus for a shooter to be a hardcore game it nees other elements from other genres, which is why Metroid Prime and Bioshock make it as hardcore games, as most of them just consider them either RPG’s or action adventures with a gun.
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It’s not about money. It’s about sending a message. Everything burns. | | | 05 Jan 2008 06:11 pm |
Agent of Chaos Rep: 52Joined: 10 Aug 2005 Posts: 39,364 OFFLINE | OMEGA 088 wrote:
I think im more casual where did u get that info Zucas??
Its an editorial. Meaning opinion, but its a very well explained opinion through numerous facts and factual assumption of stereotype. Like my difference between hardcore gamer and casual gamer being gaming habits, such as time, money, ect is pretty much fact. And that’s the basis of my editorial pretty much.
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It’s not about money. It’s about sending a message. Everything burns. | | | 05 Jan 2008 06:11 pm |
<><><><> Rep: 11Joined: 15 Jul 2007 Posts: 5,497 OFFLINE | Zucas wrote:
bugsbunny wrote:
are shooters that are long and/or hard considered hardcore?
Only some shooters are hardcore. First of all most shooters don’t have long or deep storyline. Um Halo would be one of the exceptions, but most of that is shown through cutscenes and not necessarily gameplay. The thing that makes shooters a casual title is because the only gameplay mechanic is shooting, making it something easy to grasp by all.
Thus for a shooter to be a hardcore game it nees other elements from other genres, which is why Metroid Prime and Bioshock make it as hardcore games, as most of them just consider them either RPG’s or action adventures with a gun.
it’s like legend of zelda with guns
| | | 05 Jan 2008 06:13 pm |
Regular Rep: 1Joined: 22 Dec 2007 Posts: 416 OFFLINE | Zucas wrote:
OMEGA 088 wrote:
I think im more casual where did u get that info Zucas??
Its an editorial. Meaning opinion, but its a very well explained opinion through numerous facts and factual assumption of stereotype. Like my difference between hardcore gamer and casual gamer being gaming habits, such as time, money, ect is pretty much fact. And that’s the basis of my editorial pretty much.
Thats pretty cool how you did that! Good job.
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Master Chief Upgrade!! | | | 05 Jan 2008 06:13 pm |
Gamestop employee Rep: 15Joined: 08 Apr 2007 Posts: 7,389 OFFLINE | Zucas wrote:
bugsbunny wrote:
are shooters that are long and/or hard considered hardcore?
Only some shooters are hardcore. First of all most shooters don’t have long or deep storyline. Um Halo would be one of the exceptions, but most of that is shown through cutscenes and not necessarily gameplay. The thing that makes shooters a casual title is because the only gameplay mechanic is shooting, making it something easy to grasp by all.
Thus for a shooter to be a hardcore game it nees other elements from other genres, which is why Metroid Prime and Bioshock make it as hardcore games, as most of them just consider them either RPG’s or action adventures with a gun.
what about half-life 2?
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alright the clans are back!!!! Lets revive the game section! | | | 05 Jan 2008 06:13 pm |
Agent of Chaos Rep: 52Joined: 10 Aug 2005 Posts: 39,364 OFFLINE | Yep pretty much.
It’s why I hate when so many people say well shooters are the most hardcore games out there, when really they aren’t. Their gameplay concept is easy, gameplay mechanics and progression is simplistic, and their storyline is usually weak and short. There is really nothing hardcore about the genre in specific and meant there to be picked up by pretty much anyone.
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It’s not about money. It’s about sending a message. Everything burns. | |
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