Definition of GAMER

Most people seem to think that just playing video games or owning a gaming console (esp. Wii) doesn't mean that someone is a gamer.

What's the distinction between a casual gamer and a regular/hard-core gamer? Is it the number of games played? The types of games played?

Do enlighten me, please.

if your favorite hobby/pasttime is playing video games then you are a gamer. What seperates casual from hardcore is a ton of different things. How you enjoy the games, how many you have played, what consoles you are open to, how long you have been playing. I dont like the terms. I think the only reason casual gamers get brought up is to explain why video games have become so crappy. Some people get pissed that so many games get sanatized and dumbed down so that any moron with no understanding of video gamees can pick up the game and play it(especially the Wii). Casual Gamer is a derogatory word in my opinion, its rarely used to mean something positive.

A gamer is a peson who plays video games regardless of his dedication. Period. There is no need for divisive terms like "hardcore" or "casual," and it is unfortunate that elitists are using the latter as to inflate their egos and "superior complex." Gaming is not a class war, nor it ever be treated like partisan politics.thom_noa

gamer Definition

gamer (gām′ər)

noun

1. an athlete who is game (); specif., one who is highly competitive, steadfast and reliable, etc., esp. in difficult situations
2. a person who plays electronic games, board games, etc.
   
   

anyone who plays video games of any kind is a gamer. there are varying degrees of intensity....so what? a gamer likes games.

/thread 

the  terms 'hardcore' and 'casual' are stereotypical, sometimes meaningless terms.

who goes around calling themselves a hardcore gamer? why are you any more 'hardcore' for playing final fantasy VII rather than wii sports? it's all relative. what if you play both wii sports and FFVII? what if you just play wii sports constantly and beat a load of people in a tournament? what are you then? isn't that 'hardcore'?

one of the most silly divisions being made is between games like gears of war and games like animal crossing or mario games. how are you more hardcore for playing a game with high-end graphics and shooting and blood? it's completely ridiculous.

while some games are more complex than others in different ways, and while some gamers spend more time playing or take a deeper interest, i don't use those terms to label players or games. 

Well if I defined the word "gamer", a gamer is a person who is dedicated to playing video games regardless of other activities in his/her life.

The hardcore gamer is a type of gamer that has been playin video games for a long time (ex. 10+ years) addictively and is still into that hobby with no sign of stoppin anytime soon. Also to add, the hardcore gamer is a gamer that is dedicated to find every nook and cranie (if thats how its spelled) in most (if not all) the games they have. I don't c-l-a-s-s-ify a person who doesn't have every console to not be a hardcore gamer because if that person doesn't like a certain console because the games in that console don't have games that he/she is interested.

Now for the casual gamer is a person who is introduced to the video game scene, who plays games whenever they have the time to do so, but is not dedicated to the games they own. They may own more than a couple of game systems, but don't neccessarily play much of them.

Those are my definitions of a "gamer" "hardcore gamer" and "casual gamer".

Well if I defined the word "gamer", a gamer is a person who is dedicated to playing video games regardless of other activities in his/her life.

The hardcore gamer is a type of gamer that has been playin video games for a long time (ex. 10+ years) addictively and is still into that hobby with no sign of stoppin anytime soon. Also to add, the hardcore gamer is a gamer that is dedicated to find every nook and cranie (if thats how its spelled) in most (if not all) the games they have. I don't c-l-a-s-s-ify a person who doesn't have every console to not be a hardcore gamer because if that person doesn't like a certain console because the games in that console don't have games that he/she is interested.

Now for the casual gamer is a person who is introduced to the video game scene, who plays games whenever they have the time to do so, but is not dedicated to the games they own. They may own more than a couple of game systems, but don't neccessarily play much of them.

Those are my definitions of a "gamer" "hardcore gamer" and "casual gamer".

WR_Platinum

i must be both hardcore and casual then. cascore? hardual?

i've been playing games for 11 years and know quite a lot about them, but recently don't play that many games and tend to play shorter, quick games that aren't 80-hour RPG epics. but i have completed 80-hour RPG epics, including all FFs, most zeldas, xenogears, vagrant story, etc. and i've played an MMO for more than 2 years.  i'm in both categories according to you.

My definiton of a gamer is: Anyone who regularly plays games i.e. video games.

My definition for the difference between Hardcore and Casual gamers is the quality and quantity of games they own, and/or how good they are at the game and/or against other gamers.

terms 'hardcore' and 'casual' are stereotypical, sometimes meaningless terms.just_nonplussed

A gamer is a peson who plays video games regardless of his dedication. Period. There is no need for divisive terms like "hardcore" or "casual," and it is unfortunate that elitists are using the latter as to inflate their egos and "superior complex." Gaming is not a class war, nor it ever be treated like partisan politics.thom_noa

This guy hits the nail on the head.

From what i've seen, "Hardcore gamer" is a term created by people who:

- got into gaming with the PS2 and don't have a good understanding of the history of video games (its funny how with almost everything, there are 3 groups: super new to it, intermediate knowledge, and seasoned vets.  That intermediate group is always the most vocal in  judging others and trying to prove that they are up their with seasoned vets by bashing the hell out of the super new.  And this is true for fans of everything from games to movies)

- consider anything non-violent to be crap by default

- Are usually 17 or younger

- only play FPS or M games, because blowing up somebody's head is the mark of true maturity.

- define casual by the type of games you play, not how you play them.

I hate the word "hardcore" because of how people use it on sites like this, but if I was to define what I truly think it should mean, it would just be a person who plays alot of video games in multiple genres.  Regardless of what those genres are.  I think its laughable to say that someone with a Wii who constantly plays Mario Galaxy, Wii Sports, is dedicated to Wii Fit, and has like 3 other Wii games isn't hardcore into gaming just becuase they don't like games that are overly violent.

Yes, lets completely ignore the guy trying to make reasonable points and inject actual logic into this discussion and buy into sweeping generalizations that are every bit as "elitist and snobby" as the hardcore gamers supposedly ALL are. Next thread I'll make a passionate illogical sweeping generalization to so I can "hit the nail on the head". You guys do a good job of keeping those straw men down, yet you keep putting them back up, so redundant.ViewtifulScott

All i've seen you do is commit ad hominem and then ironically bring up having logical arguments.

Then you didn't read the right thread. If you disagree with my earlier posts, you are welcome to develop the courage to directly respond to them. My earlier example of the differences between core and casual gamers and why it warrants recognition would be a good place to start, if you like.ViewtifulScott

 the only elitists are the ones that are so concerned about their own image that they need to subdivide people who like their hobby into little clicks. its lame and pointless. ya like to game? (nod). gamer. there are different levels of commitment to everything, and its really irrelevant to everyone except the person enjoying the hobby themselves. anything else is superficial nonsense.

This is the original post. 

Most people seem to think that just playing video games or owning a gaming console (esp. Wii) doesn't mean that someone is a gamer.

What's the distinction between a casual gamer and a regular/hard-core gamer? Is it the number of games played? The types of games played?

Do enlighten me, please.

_koi

I hate the word "hardcore" because of how people use it on sites like this, but if I was to define what I truly think it should mean, it would just be a person who plays alot of video games in multiple genres.  Regardless of what those genres are.Senor_Kami

Viewtiful:

What did I misread about the thread?

In all honesty I haven't read a single post that you wrote outside of the one where you said that because a guy had a Mario character as his avatar, his opinion shouldn't be counted.

I don't have any particular issue with what you said because its not my avatar.  I think its illogical, but this is a message board and they aren't known for logical arguments.  I came in and responded to the original topic.  I don't know what your issue is.

Their is nothing "elitist" about recognizing them, especially when your own company of choice, Nintendo, readily utilizes those two terms themselves on a daily basis. Ignoring those differences is nothing short of willful ignorance.ViewtifulScott

the only elitists are the ones that are so concerned about their own image that they need to subdivide people who like their hobby into little clicks. its lame and pointless. ya like to game? (nod). gamer. there are different levels of commitment to everything, and its really irrelevant to everyone except the person enjoying the hobby themselves. anything else is superficial nonsense.OneWingedAngeI

i fail to see how anything you just said is relevant to if someone is a gamer or not. again i assert that level of dedication is meaningless to whether or not someone is a gamer. the fact that you dont appreciate others painting you the same as others with less dedication is an issue of your own, no one else need concern themselves with it.

the core question of this topic is what makes someone a gamer? i reiterate my assertion that it is one simple factor: do they like to play video games? you are talking about different skill or dedication levels which have nothing to do with that question. 

I don't know what your issue is.Senor_Kami

i fail to see how anything you just said is relevant to if someone is a gamer or not. again i assert that level of dedication is meaningless to whether or not someone is a gamer. the fact that you dont appreciate others painting you the same as others with less dedication is an issue of your own, no one else need concern themselves with it.

the core question of this topic is what makes someone a gamer? i reiterate my assertion that it is one simple factor: do they like to play video games? you are talking about different skill or dedication levels which have nothing to do with that question. 

OneWingedAngeI

Yes, lets completely ignore the guy trying to make reasonable points and inject actual logic into this discussion and buy into sweeping generalizations that are every bit as "elitist and snobby" as the hardcore gamers supposedly ALL are. Next thread I'll make a passionate illogical sweeping generalization to so I can "hit the nail on the head". You guys do a good job of keeping those straw men down, yet you keep putting them back up, so redundant.ViewtifulScott

Winner of the thread.