What is Casual Gaming? And Do Casual Gamers Suck?

[TrevHead (TVR)]

Heres a question or two i thought would be good for bouncing around allot of "hardcore" gamers.

Ive noticed that when ppl talk about casual gaming and to be more presise the games that they think as casual games can vary quite widely. Some say causual games are those that are on the wii like the very easy motion cotrol games (eg that cooking game) or even games like monopoly are called casual.

Other ppl think of casuals as been a game that is easy to pick up and play without having to learn complicated game mechaics. This would include most retro games including even shmups which as you all know can be also the most "hardcore" with games like r-type or caves shooters. If thats the case are you guys happy you are classed as a casual gamer even if you have spent the last 6 months trying to 1cc a game?

Also casual can be thought of as any game that is easy to complete. If thats the case then what about harder titles that have a easy mode, do that then class that game as casual? And also 1 game may be easy for 1 gamer may be hard (hardcore) for another.

Or is it as some shooter gamers (counter strike, halo) self proclaime themselves as hardcore and all the rest are lame casuals cos they cant get 5 headshots in a round of quake 2. (you could have shooters to any other genre of game even shmups where some of its fans think like that).

Or is it not the game that are casual but the gamer who only plays video games a couple of hours each week but when he does have time to spae can even play the hardest of hard games around?

Your thoughts chaps

[Udderdude]

Casual Game = Game with a very low skill cap, meaning it's either trivially easy to master the game, or easy to break/manipulate it so that the challenge is negligible.
Hardcore Game = Game with a high skill cap, where you have to practice to get good at it and master it. And there's no "Shortcut" to victory.

Personally I don't like the term Casual or Hardcore, since the former is kind of flakey, and the latter has been hijacked by corporate interests .. >_>

Edit: I like to think of it as most gamers splashing around in the kiddie pool, while the adults are in the deep end. They can sit in the kiddle pool and pretend they're big boys, but everyone in the deep end is just going to look over and laugh if they do. :P

[TrevHead (TVR)]

Casual Game = Game with a very low skill cap, meaning it's either trivially easy to master the game, or easy to break/manipulate it so that the challenge is negligible.
Hardcore Game = Game with a high skill cap, where you have to practice to get good at it and master it. And there's no "Shortcut" to victory.

Personally I don't like the term Casual or Hardcore, since the former is kind of flakey, and the latter has been hijacked by corporate interests .. >_>

Edit: I like to think of it as most gamers splashing around in the kiddie pool, while the adults are in the deep end. They can sit in the kiddle pool and pretend they're big boys, but everyone in the deep end is just going to look over and laugh if they do.

So what about a game that is normally hard played in easy mode does that game then become casual?

[Udderdude]

So what about a game that is normally hard played in easy mode does that game then become casual?

No, it means it has a much wider range of possible skill. Skill cap just means the maximum attainable.

[BulletMagnet]

I don't know why largely meaningless buzzwords like this even remain part of the lexicon...people will play what they want to play no matter what you label them, and if something turns a profit they're going to keep making it, it's always been that way, so why even bother trying to quantify it further?

[undamned]

I've been on a videogame documentary binge for the last few days and I recall one source defining the difference between "casual" and "hardcore" gamers as a matter of time spent. I think they said a casual gamer might spend 3 hours a week playing video games, whereas a hardcore gamer might spend hours daily. I kinda like that definition.
-ud

[dpful]

I thought that casual gamer meant:
someone who will buy a game, play it for a brief bit, then leave it under the TV till they give it away or send to the thrift store years later. Then buy another one.

Hardcore gamer meant:
Somone who will buy a game, play it forever and keep it fresh, maybe buying other games (only the good ones), or maybe not- maybe only buying used games (pcb's or just bargains), and maybe just download pirate games for free.

That's why all the game makers are gung ho about focusing on the casual game market, and that's why corporate has hi-jacked the term "hardcore gamer".

[ZOM]

If we already have to separate games into two generalized categories, I like the terms [niche] and [mainstream] better.

[ZOM]

I've been on a videogame documentary binge for the last few days and I recall one source defining the difference between "casual" and "hardcore" gamers as a matter of time spent. I think they said a casual gamer might spend 3 hours a week playing video games, whereas a hardcore gamer might spend hours daily. I kinda like that definition.
-ud

I dunno about that; Am I "less hardcore" if I completely delve into a particular game's mechanics till I know how to destroy it even If I still just play three hours a week? (just an example, I actually play almost daily)


EDIT: double post

[louisg]

A hardcore gamer is one who is impressed by padded-out games with lots of gore, considers B-movie-grade plots about evil corporations (OMG!) super deep, and is easily manipulated by mainstream game journalism. Gore in games for these kinds of players is a must because they are desperate to assert that they are adults, and desperate to show non-gamers that videogames are "serious" and worthy of the kind of attention and consideration that movies get.

They'll grow out of it =)

[Taylor]

I've been on a videogame documentary binge for the last few days and I recall one source defining the difference between "casual" and "hardcore" gamers as a matter of time spent. I think they said a casual gamer might spend 3 hours a week playing video games, whereas a hardcore gamer might spend hours daily. I kinda like that definition.
-ud

Some MMO players call themselves "casual hardcore" in that they are prepared to explore everything about the game but cannot play it 24/7.

If I use these terms it's usually in regards to skill ceiling, but I try not to anyway.

[Ganelon]

Casual can mean different things in different contexts:

1. In everyday conversation, it refers to non-gamers (or Wii gamers) compared to normal gamers.
2. Among casual gamers, it refers to players who play a lot compared to those who don't spend as much time playing.
3. In niche communities, it refers to "pop" gamers who only play the big million sellers.
4. In competitive communities, it refers to players who aren't very good because they haven't spent the hundreds/thousands of hours of practice necessary (different from 2 in that practice/grinding is involved instead of sheer playing).
5. In the collecting world, it refers to gamers who don't own a lot of games.

It's also a relative term where those who play 8 hours a day may call someone playing 4 hours a day casual who might call someone playing 2 hours a day casual who might call someone playing a 2 hours a week casual who might call someone who plays 2 hours a month casual.

[FIL]

Hardcore gamer has come to mean a Gears of War loving, Gamefuel drinking, Gillette Mach 3 GAMER using frat boy.

[Udderdude]

A hardcore gamer is one who is impressed by padded-out games with lots of gore, considers B-movie-grade plots about evil corporations (OMG!) super deep, and is easily manipulated by mainstream game journalism. Gore in games for these kinds of players is a must because they are desperate to assert that they are adults, and desperate to show non-gamers that videogames are "serious" and worthy of the kind of attention and consideration that movies get.

Hardcore gamer has come to mean a Gears of War loving, Gamefuel drinking, Gillette Mach 3 GAMER using frat boy.

This is what I'm talking about when i said the term Hardcore gamer has been hijacked by corporate interests.

There is no reason to say that's what a hardcore gamer is because some retarded company's marketing department decided to say that's what it is.

[DJ Incompetent]

Oh I figured this riddle out a few months ago:

Casual gaming means the player doesn't give a fuck about ______.
Hardcore gaming means anything else.


In example:
I'm a casual gamer.
I don't give a fuck that I suck.
See, the system works.

[undamned]

I think you got a point there, DJ

Try inserting these items:

Achievement Points
Credit Feeding
Beating their friends
Taking "too long" to beat a game
Giving up because a game is difficult

It works!
-ud

[Acid King]

Hardcore is a style of music and a kind of porno. Beyond that, it's meaningless.

[Skykid]

I've been on a videogame documentary binge for the last few days and I recall one source defining the difference between "casual" and "hardcore" gamers as a matter of time spent. I think they said a casual gamer might spend 3 hours a week playing video games, whereas a hardcore gamer might spend hours daily. I kinda like that definition.
-ud

I don't like that at all, but then we all probably have different ideas on the matter. Personally I like to think hardcore gaming is to do with experience and an appreciation for classics past and present and an ability to seek out the fine, often obscure, titles from eastern shores.
Any old joe can dedicate ten hours a day to Fifa soccer or Rayman - that just makes them hardcore stupid.
The "uuurgh 2D?" soundbyte that I usually get from gaming monkeys when they see me with anything older is generally enough for me to make some kind of separation.

[TrevHead (TVR)]

A hardcore gamer is one who is impressed by padded-out games with lots of gore, considers B-movie-grade plots about evil corporations (OMG!) super deep, and is easily manipulated by mainstream game journalism. Gore in games for these kinds of players is a must because they are desperate to assert that they are adults, and desperate to show non-gamers that videogames are "serious" and worthy of the kind of attention and consideration that movies get.

Hardcore gamer has come to mean a Gears of War loving, Gamefuel drinking, Gillette Mach 3 GAMER using frat boy.

This is what I'm talking about when i said the term Hardcore gamer has been hijacked by corporate interests.

There is no reason to say that's what a hardcore gamer is because some retarded company's marketing department decided to say that's what it is.

I kinda agree with ya there, b4 the terms were hijacked, casual just ment a gamer who didnt play video games that often. And a hardcore gamer was the opersite. Someone who playes games 6 hours plus a day. Or alternativly a hardcore gamer could be a guy who mostly played one genre that the gamer was a "hardcore" fan of. Take shmups for example, many features of a hard shmup especally bullet hell are considered by most gamers who arnt shmup fans to be bad game mechanics, where as fans will view the game features as what makes that game special. So these fans are hardcore and the games made for them also hardcore.

But nowadays with the wii and with the gaming industry making games for non gamers the terms casual / hardcore have become twisted.

I personally dont mind been called hardcore or casual if used in the old context. But if a so called leet 1st person shooter fan called me a casual cos i like retro games or whatever to make it seem that in some way his a better person then me then it does sorta bother me.

[gameoverDude]

If we already have to separate games into two generalized categories, I like the terms [niche] and [mainstream] better.

QFT.

Mainstream = games like GTA, Mortal Kombat, Guitar Hero, Rock Band, hunting games, 3D fighters like Tekken, those silly redemption games, etc.
Niche = Mr. Driller, Guitar Freaks, shmups, most gun games that aren't hunting based, 2D fighters, 3D fighters like VF, etc.

IMO casual and hardcore just describe the player, not the game. Also, a player may be "casual" toward one certain game/genre/series/etc. or "hardcore" on another.

Example- A casual FPS player (note: not "casual gamer") would most likely be "finished" with just about any FPS after clearing its campaign on default or lower difficulty, and invariably prepared to take it back to GameStop to trade for another game which is itself destined for the same cycle of events. Someone hardcore in this genre might either replay it on a harder setting later or totally skip the default first time around.

[doctorx0079]

"Casual games" is a term mostly used by developers. What they mean by it is games which are intended to be played for short amounts of time and can be played by nearly anyone.

I consider myself a casual gamer but my idea of "casual" is a little different from what the developers mean by it. To me picking up G.Darius for an hour is "casual", or playing Final Fantasy III or Metroid Zero Mission on Hard while waiting in line is "casual". To me these are simple games that I play for short amounts of time, but my family would be overwhelmed by them.

Mainstream = games like GTA, Mortal Kombat, Guitar Hero, Rock Band, hunting games, 3D fighters like Tekken, those silly redemption games, etc.
Niche = Mr. Driller, Guitar Freaks, shmups, most gun games that aren't hunting based, 2D fighters, 3D fighters like VF, etc.

This makes sense. My friend Tim considers me a hardcore gamer because I tend to like niche games.

Examples of "casual games" my family likes: Wii Sports, Pogo games like Popit, Megatouch games, Animal Crossing.

[dpful]

Hardcore means a male who is 34, about six feet tall, and collects pcbs but is selling them in favor of mame, and has a beautiful wife and two loveley girls, loves to play shienryu, lives in a mansion and my name is Dave.

[Ed Oscuro]

This thread is the Shmups counterpart of a certain type of thread that keeps showing up on 4chan /d/ over and over. I'll leave the content of that to your imagination

[handsome_rakshas]

Mainstream and casual gamers suck. If you don't stay up until 3am playing Battle Mania 2 on the Megadrive in your underwear you're human garbage to me.

[EPS21]

Hardcore: Become offended when one questions your ability at game X
Casual: Do not care

There are lots of "Hardcore" gamers playing some FPS on xbox live

I like the points made about how the industry is just commercializing on these gamer "identities," which makes it all the more idiotic for anyone who still wishes to choose to identify themselves this way. I've had lots of fun with games on both sides of the coin.

Even more ironic is that the general difficulty level between games after this divide is blurred quite a bit. I've had a lot more trouble getting a perfect in Rhythm Heaven than playing through some of the levels in Modern Warfare 2 on hardened difficulty. Lots of (the good) "casual" games out there have selectable difficulties that do actually make the game fun, in the same way "hardcore" games today do.

[lgb]

"Casual games" is a term mostly used by developers. What they mean by it is games which are intended to be played for short amounts of time and can be played by nearly anyone.

most arcade genres are like this

[Lordstar]

I consider gaming to be a major pastime for me. therefore I consider myself a gamer. hardcore/casual has nothing to do with it im just passionate about it. LIke DJ'n and making clothing.
I dunno about you guys but i would not say im casual or hardcore im just passionate, Your all welcome to use that term if you like

[Taylor]

This thread is the Shmups counterpart of a certain type of thread that keeps showing up on 4chan /d/ over and over. I'll leave the content of that to your imagination

omfg njufag rules 1 and 2 4chan has to stay undrgrnd

[KMM]

I prefer the terms "gamer" (people who actively play video games a lot) and "nongamer" (people who don't play video games a lot, as well as the people who buy games like Imagine Party Babyz, whether for themselves or their children/grandchildren). Doesn't deal with the marketability problem you have with "hardcore," though.

[Khan]

I've been on a videogame documentary binge for the last few days and I recall one source defining the difference between "casual" and "hardcore" gamers as a matter of time spent. I think they said a casual gamer might spend 3 hours a week playing video games, whereas a hardcore gamer might spend hours daily. I kinda like that definition.
-ud

I'd also agree with this definition. I see casual gamers as gamers who just want to play for a couple of hours or even minutes then switch off whereas hard core gamers are gaming for hours on end and pretty much dont stop till they complete a game. Another definition I would say is a hardcore gamer is probably more knowledgable and clued in to a games mechanics therefore has an edge of the less experienced.