What's the difference between hardcore and casual? Here's one interpretation, from the Strange Design blog, which looks at how games create engagement:
"When we talk about "hardcore" gamers, I think what we mean is that some people have played so many games that they trust that there is a [interesting game system] to take them to 70 or 100 hours of gameplay, and they hunt for it right away. They are like the audience members actively looking to spot the magician's trick, instead of letting themselves be fooled."
What do you think? Do hardcore gamers tend to see through obviously appealing graphics and licenses because we're more engaged by underlying systems?
It's good to see good quality photographs of the PlayStation joypad prototypes - note the different logos, too. For more on PlayStation's history, check our The Making Of PlayStation feature.
What with 3DS being so well known for its camera, Magnum Photos and presumably Nintendo have commissioned a 3D photo exhibition using 3DS from photographers Martin Parr, Thomas Dworzak and Gueorgui Pinkhassov for the Magnum Gallery in Paris. Reviews have not been good: "The lack of a guiding artistic thread puts the spotlight on the tool rather than the work. The images are nothing to write home about and disappointingly so, especially from Magnum Photos’ best."
Reddit user notadoctoreither: “So I printed all the Oblivion in-game books into a single volume, and handbound it in leather.”
Could Diablo III's real-world currency auction house be inviting the need for a formal judicial system? Kirk Battle suggests that with real money at risk for players experiencing technical issues and scams, the traditional inconsistent GM management just won't be enough.
Nice nails.
Comments
3In my opinion there is a difference between casual, hardcore and softcore gamers, but think of it like a ven diagram, with casual in the middle and the "Cores" on either side. Softcore gamers (again in my opinion) play things like Angry Birds, Fifa, Farmville, are found in their ring. They play for a bit of fun, or are only into mainstream titles, which is why Call of Duty could softcore too.
Hardcore gamers play games with a challenge to them, Ninja Gaiden, Grid, Mario Galaxy, Metal Gear Solid, all the "Big" titles that aren't mainstream. They usually tend to have more than 10 games in their collection, although a lot of the hardcore collection rent games or sell and buy as they finish them.
Casual gamers are in the middle, playing games from either core and are along for the ride but in for a challenge. They are chilled, don't care about the outcome of a game, and enjoy as much in the game as they can.
Infact, Call of Duty "fanboys" should fall in their own circle, because they barely play anything but, which is quite annoying to people like me, because they fail to see what other awesome games there are to play. Oh, and they get angry much to quickly.
To me, the meaning of a hardcore gamer is one who is open minded to all types of videogames on any console. For example I especially love the level design of Nintendo's 'Big Guns'; however, I also like the experience and the humour when playing GTA or Portal. I look forward to unique experiences such as Child Of Eden and also regularly play many retro games. I appreciate good games to put it simply.
I personally believe that fanboys and gamers who only play shooters and Xbox Live - the gamers who proclaim they are hardcore - are not what the definition of a hardcore gamer used to be. A true hardcore gamer is one such as what I outlined above, in my opinion.
It's a word we should've grown out of, is what it is.