In the gaming community, people are essentially divided into two categories: casual and hardcore. The term ‘hardcore’ is often used by gamers, but few stop to think about the meaning behind it. Only recently did I, myself, consider its significance, so I decided to ask around and discover how others perceived its true definition.
So, what does it take to be a ‘hardcore’ gamer?
Turns out, everyone I asked had a different answer! A portion of the answers, when asked, stated that a large part in what hardcore required was being more than a casual gamer and being someone who was knowledgeable. However, I found some answers more intricate and even mind boggling!
For some, it's not just mastering games; It's beating the game in as many ways as possible. I have two examples where friends have actually done what is listed: One would be finishing Zelda with only three hearts throughout the entire game. Clearly it takes a lot of hard work to go an entire game (while baddies just increase in strength the further you go) with such little health. Another example would be beating Resident Evil 4 on the Wii while you hold the wiimote and a friend holds the nunchuck. Obviously, it requires a lot of teamwork and skill. If that's not taking gaming to a whole other level, I don't know what is.
However, some people may say that something like this does not define a hardcore gamer. Some say it's owning all of the newest systems or being knowledgeable about all upcoming games. Some say it all derives from putting lots of hours into it and having a competitive attitude. Here's what Arrke, who did a review on F.E.A.R. 2 previously, had to say:
Being a hardcore gamer is about two factors - investment of time and a competitive attitude. Any gamer can have just one of these traits, such as playing a game a ton, or simply playing a game online infrequently. However, when you combine a dedication of time with an attitude of competitiveness, you get a truly hardcore player - the kind of player that will spend all day practicing, or reading strategies on a forum, or watching videos of matches on a website. When you think about it, every so-called "hardcore" gamer is in fact a competitive gamer - the terms are basically synonymous. A gamer can be competitive with just about any game with a scoring system; from Pacman to Street Fighter 4, as long as there's a way to measure a winner, there will be a gamer out there willing to take the game to a 'hardcore' level.
While I don't fully agree with his perspective, I do see where he's coming from. Some people believe a lot of factors go into defining 'hardcore', but when it comes down to it, it's usually specific to each person. What you believe to be a hardcore gamer can be simple or very intricate. Personally, I believe that passion plays the largest role, but there are many ways to be considered hardcore. What does it mean to you?
