What is the difference between Hardcore and casual gamers?

[Angel of Iniquity]

I am an Hardcore gamer, or at least I would hope to be.

I consider Hardcore gamers as gamers who can put real effort and time into a game, and not think as them as after thoughts.

Now, you.

[Locke4God]

I'm definately a casual gamer. It takes me 6 months or even longer sometimes to play a FF because I'll play 3 hours one day, but then only an hour the next, and then take several days off due to other things I have going on. There are plenty of genres I've never even cared for like fighting or racing games, but I'll pick up a sports title for sure. I'm not one to invest time in drafting and playing a whole NFL season though, I'd just rather play a friend from time to time, so definately casual. Regarding FF, I love to experience the games, and compare them to one another, but have no desire to 100% one. I do as many things within the game that are fun, but completion for completions sake is never a consideration.

I guess I would say that I love being a casual gamer. I think games in general are made to be played casually. I'm not even sure if it's a good thing to consider them as more? What does it really say about it you that you're super duper good at Game X? I mean who really cares, and furthermore, it leaves a negative impression with most others.

[Xanatos]

Used to be a hardcore gamer, investing some serious time into games, playing several at once, losing my nerves over some titles, paying attention to every detail...I also used to be competitive at certain games, now, I don't have time, nor nerves to play for several hours, and even when I have time on my hands I use it more "wisely".

[Linus Li Lelouch]

Depending on how good the game is, would depict if I'm hardcore or casual about it.

Growlanser 2: The sense of justice... I was hardcore about that game, doing every little sidequest, getting all the endings, every weapon gem, armor, all the money I could muster, just all-around trying to beat that game to the point where I thought to myself... Damn I beat the Developers lol

Resonance of Fate... I started to be hardcore about it, but the characters ruined it and I turned casual about the rest of the game...

Disgaea Hour of Darkness... I was casual when I first started playing, then I learned the game more, loved Laharl even more and eventually I became hardcore playing it, getting all the endings, all items to lvl 100, beating all the secret bosses etc...

For me, if the game is superbly awesome, then I will be hardcore about finishing everything the game has to offer, if not then I'll just be that casual guy playing it.

As far as putting hours into a game, I'm always hardcore about putting crazy amounts of hours into playing it because I'll try to expand the gameplay since I never want somethings to end early, other than that, that's about it

Although I've been playing few and few games lately where I want to be hardcore with, it's like the quality of games I'm used to are slowly slipping away.... so sad.. I might just be too old or something

[Unknown Entity]

You want to be a hardcore gamer? Trust me... it's not all fun and games. It's borderline stupid, and will drain you mentally, physically and destroy the money you have in your wallet.

A casual gamer is someone who'll catch a glimpse of a game trailer when they're on their once a blue moon internet session, and won't look back on the game again, but will probably buy it at some point in the future. They won't mark the date in their phones, they'll just wonder into a game store eventually and pick it up. They'll take it home, play it for a few hours, and then turn it off. They'll play it for an hour or so every few days until the main story is finished, and then if it goes online, they might give that a whirl for a few nights. Then they'll trade it in with their trophy/achievement percentage at 20% because they don't really care for them.

A hardcore gamer would follow the news of all new releases for months before the release date, and probably have a year old pre-order receipt for it. They'll probably purchase the special edition, and if they're REALLY hardcore, they'll buy the special edition for each console they own for the console exclusive DLC/bonus items. They'll have dates marked up, transportation sorted, and dinner arrangements booked for that day around their gaming time (which'll usually be a cupboard full of ramen to be made during the ten minute break they'll take after the first six hours of playtime). In twenty-four hours, they'll probably be playing for over twelve hours. They'll probably attempt to beat the game on the hardest difficulty too. Nine times out of ten, they won't trade a game in, even if they've got all of the trophies and achievements for it (which they'll probably have because they're hardcore).

As for me? I'm between but leaning towards hardcore. I can play for hours on end, and there's even been days when I have from the moment I've woken up, to the time I've gone to bed (with breaks lasting a few hours or so - playing that long without doing the basics of life is just ridiculous; showering, eating, communicating with humans, catching a little daylight, chores, etc). I do like my special editions, and will gladly pay the extra money for it. I'm not a trophy whore, but I do like setting myself the challenge to collect them for the platinum, so I'll go ahead and beat a game on super extra hard mode for the fun of it.

[Dan558]

I'm definately a casual gamer. It takes me 6 months or even longer sometimes to play a FF because I'll play 3 hours one day, but then only an hour the next, and then take several days off due to other things I have going on. There are plenty of genres I've never even cared for like fighting or racing games, but I'll pick up a sports title for sure. I'm not one to invest time in drafting and playing a whole NFL season though, I'd just rather play a friend from time to time, so definately casual. Regarding FF, I love to experience the games, and compare them to one another, but have no desire to 100% one. I do as many things within the game that are fun, but completion for completions sake is never a consideration.

I guess I would say that I love being a casual gamer. I think games in general are made to be played casually. I'm not even sure if it's a good thing to consider them as more? What does it really say about it you that you're super duper good at Game X? I mean who really cares, and furthermore, it leaves a negative impression with most others.

surprisingly I actually agree with a lot of this. The only thing is I do not like sports games. Otherwise though I view games in almost the same way. Games are meant to be played for fun not to be the best because really that accomplishes nothing.

"Hardcore gamers" try way too hard then just come off as pathetic when they brag about essentially nothing. There are extremely few games that I would even consider 100%-ing. Hardcore gamers even ruin a lot of games by nitpicking everything.

World of Warcraft is definitely a game ruined by the basement dwelling hardcore gamers, one nerf to allow regular people to see some of the content they created and you would think the world is coming to an end because they don't think they will be special anymore (which they wern't in the first place.). Luckily at the moment I'm unsubscribed so I don't have to deal with those weirdos until further notice.

It's all a matter of perspective though really. I see a hardcore gamer as someone who tries too hard at a video game for unimportant results but my mom would probably consider me a "hardcore gamer" because I play a variety of video games on a daily basis.

[Angel of Iniquity]

I will side with Unknown Entity.

I do look up the news of my favorite games to see new developments.
but I have not the enough money to buy the special editions.
As well it took me until april 3rd of last year to get a Ps3, and 5 days after to get a video game as is.

I will say I only go for platinum's in games I find interesting.
I gloat in Call of Duty because, not to sound arrogant, I am "disgusting" at that game.

[vivi_33]

Ill take one of my thoughts on this straight from WoW (World of Warcraft).

Hardcore - A person who takes a game so seriously that they get legit really mad at a peron/persons who for example mess up on a boss fight or do something in correct.

Casual - Someone who doesn't mind exploring content for longer periods of time and enjoying that gameplay, rather then a hardcore gamer will rush through something to be the first to do it.

[Angel of Iniquity]

I will say that hardcore gamers tend to put more emotion into their hobbies.
I broke 3 of my remotes, but 2 weren't because of bad gameplay... >.>

[Yuri3458]

I would say I'm a hardcore gamer when it comes to certain games. Like rpg's I can find myself pumping hours and hours into them without realizing it. But Other wise I can be a casual gamer like to pick up other games and play for a while or here and there. Started playing my sega and 64 again which can always be fun. I wish I had the time and money to just sit and play on days end cause I love gaming. But I must say I love going out and partying to so it goes hand and hand. But I would say I can be both hardcore and Casual depending on the game.

[IdiotWithHair]

I will say that Leeroy Jenkins is my hero. He doesn't give a damn about things like planning or strategy; he's just gonna run in headlong and the consequences be damned. That's how to play a game.

I am a casual gamer. I don't want to 100% a game ever; that takes too much effort. I'd rather my games didn't become a chore that I needed to complete before I feel good about myself, even with my favorite games (except Pokemon, because ya GOTTA catch 'em all!)

[ZantetsukeN]

I think it's all about the passion gamers put into their games.

A Hardcore gamer, obviously, displays a lot more passion in the games they are playing. For example, taking the time to 100% a game. A casual gamer, however, plays a game, enjoys the experience, leaves it at that.

I do consider myself more of a hardcore gamer. I do take the time to 100% a game. I do read up on game news until its release (I'm doing exactly that with Mortal Kombat at the moment). I do like to show passion in the games I play. I love video games that much. I don't, however, show some of the other components I know come with hardcore gaming. For example, I don't rage at people who are doing stuff wrong. Like if I'm playing an MMO or a shooter online, I don't get angry at those who may not be as good as others. I know that it's only game.

[Michael Swayne]

I consider myself to be a casual gamer. But I do have some hardcore tendencies. If I am interested in a game (Final Fantasy #) I will play for hours and hours at first. Once I do a thorough playthrough, get the main story under my belt, then I will go through and do the extra stuff. but I will only do this if the story line is worth it.

I think the difference between Hardcore and Casual is the NEED to do all of the extra stuff.

[Kurt Zisa]

I consider myself to be a casual gamer. But I do have some hardcore tendencies. If I am interested in a game (Final Fantasy #) I will play for hours and hours at first. Once I do a thorough playthrough, get the main story under my belt, then I will go through and do the extra stuff. but I will only do this if the story line is worth it.

I think the difference between Hardcore and Casual is the NEED to do all of the extra stuff.

This is pretty much the same for me although its only certain games where i'll put in more effort into completing. To me hard core gamers are people who will sit down and take more time to complete a game and take in the story, casual gamers might just play to pass time. However obsessive gamers are the ones to watch out for. My younger brother has a friend that when he comes over he'll ask to go on my brothers ds ands for the entire time he's here he'll perch on the couch with the screen 6 inches from his face not noticing anyone elses existance.

[Sinister]

What's the difference between GTA, Modern Warfare, Duke Nukem, Final Fantasy and Angry Birds, Zuma, Bejewled, Minesweeper and Solitare? HINT: Some of these things are not like the others.

-Sin

[Illusion]

I consider myself a casual gamer. I don't have the time to play a game for hours a day, so it usually takes me a long time to finish a game. I also never cared to finish every game completely. You know, doing all the optional stuff and what not.

I think that hardcore gamers are those who spend time trying to beat every boss, pass every quest, grow their characters to the max level, or simply try to get everything there is to be done on a game done with, or play a game multiple times for who knows what reason if it is not to simply enjoy the experience of it one more time. That's how I see it.

[Rowan]

I would consider myself a Hardcore FF gamer, but just a regular gamer for other titles. I will play final fantasy until I have achieved every possible thing there is to be achieved and obtained, and I will do it again indefinitly. I still replay ff7 even though I have played through and completed it about 25 - 35 times. Could be more, Ive lost count. Im currently playing Duke Nukem multiplayer and im ranked 340 in the world out of about 130,000 (I assume close to that) Im also playing bioshock and other games for the first time that have already been out for a long time. I play these games maybe 2 to 3 hours at a time. I guess it all depends on what you would class a hardcore gamer and it would also depend on your situation. If after work you are only left with a certain amount of time before you go back, If you decide to play games consistantly with the little time you have to yourself, I would clasify that as a hardcore gamer.

[TheNiteAngel]

You want to be a hardcore gamer? Trust me... it's not all fun and games. It's borderline stupid, and will drain you mentally, physically and destroy the money you have in your wallet.

A casual gamer is someone who'll catch a glimpse of a game trailer when they're on their once a blue moon internet session, and won't look back on the game again, but will probably buy it at some point in the future. They won't mark the date in their phones, they'll just wonder into a game store eventually and pick it up. They'll take it home, play it for a few hours, and then turn it off. They'll play it for an hour or so every few days until the main story is finished, and then if it goes online, they might give that a whirl for a few nights. Then they'll trade it in with their trophy/achievement percentage at 20% because they don't really care for them.

A hardcore gamer would follow the news of all new releases for months before the release date, and probably have a year old pre-order receipt for it. They'll probably purchase the special edition, and if they're REALLY hardcore, they'll buy the special edition for each console they own for the console exclusive DLC/bonus items. They'll have dates marked up, transportation sorted, and dinner arrangements booked for that day around their gaming time (which'll usually be a cupboard full of ramen to be made during the ten minute break they'll take after the first six hours of playtime). In twenty-four hours, they'll probably be playing for over twelve hours. They'll probably attempt to beat the game on the hardest difficulty too. Nine times out of ten, they won't trade a game in, even if they've got all of the trophies and achievements for it (which they'll probably have because they're hardcore).

As for me? I'm between but leaning towards hardcore. I can play for hours on end, and there's even been days when I have from the moment I've woken up, to the time I've gone to bed (with breaks lasting a few hours or so - playing that long without doing the basics of life is just ridiculous; showering, eating, communicating with humans, catching a little daylight, chores, etc). I do like my special editions, and will gladly pay the extra money for it. I'm not a trophy whore, but I do like setting myself the challenge to collect them for the platinum, so I'll go ahead and beat a game on super extra hard mode for the fun of it.

I guess I strike a pretty happy medium between these two. I consider myself a hardcore gamer when it comes to the FF series and a number of other RPG/Adventure titles. I'll spend hours working out each sidequest to get myself a perfect playthrough, but not too perfect. I just want to complete everything for the storyline, but I can't stand when someone absolutely has to stat max every character. For example, I will not be around when my brother plays Fallout 3. He doesn't play as many RPGs as me, but he'll work out the math for every skill point to go into something and for me that takes away from the enjoyment to be had with the game. I do set release dates on my calendar and go to midnight releases, but only for games I'm really invested in. And generally, my habit tends to wane a bit in when I go back to school. I play more than I should, I think, but I won't sacrifice the important grade for a big boss battle. So I don't really know what you'd consider me... just an obsessive completionist?

[DrewYeahhh]

I would say im a hardcore gamer simply because when im on the game i find it so hard to get of the games. seriously ask my misses she screws at me erryday :L