Casual? What makes somebody casual?

This is something people can never agree on, what makes a person casual?

IMO casuals are: People who lack knowledge about games, easily fall to hype and buy what they consider to be "cool" (even if its not good) because everyone else is buying it (for example the Wii)

IMO casuals are NOT: People who dont take games seriously (why do you need to take something thats main purpose is to entertain seriously?)

What are your opinions over what makes somebody casual.

I consider myself to be a casual gamer nowadays, I don't play every day anymore, eventhough i do take some games seriously, it's just not that big of a part of my life anymore. I play games for fun, the way it's meant to be played. Exeed_Orbit

Yea same here, as you get older you just don't have as much time but i still like to play them when i'm bored the same way i'd watch tv or listen to music when i'm bored

Casuals, to me, usually only own one system, don't play all that often and tend to get most of their game information from advertisments or sales-people at the stores rather than websites and game magazines. Their game choices tend to be more fad and hype related. Also my experience is that they tend towards shorter games or games that lend themselves more towards short play sessions and games that can be picked up or put down more easily as opposed to more epic type games.

To me the Wii is the perfect casual system. I think that 360 and PS3 are better systems for more serious gamers because, while they each do and will have some games that appeal to casuals they have the power for the more serious games. The downside of the Wii to me is that it is really suited for casual aimed games...but then frankly, from a console standpoint, the last few Nintendo systems have been too casual-aimed for me to be that interested in them.

People who don't play games as often or to the extent the "hardcores" do.

IMO casuals are: People who lack knowledge about games, easily fall to hype and buy what they consider to be "cool" (even if its not good) because everyone else is buying it (for example the Wii or Halo)

Ultra-Fatality

if they wear clothes often seen on 'casual' fridayNaiKoN9293

IMO casuals are: People who lack knowledge about games, easily fall to hype and buy what they consider to be "cool" (even if its not good) because everyone else is buying it

Ultra-Fatality

thats pretty much the defintion of a casual i dont play everyday ethier but i dont fall for hype i research b4 i buy and settle for nothing less then the best

Well I used to be a bit of a hardcore gamer when I was younger. Now though I only play a bit, probably less than 2 hours a week, so I kinda consider myself casual. Although I do have a lot of knowledge about games.

So im not casual as in clueless, but I am as in I don't play much.

Someone who doesn't give a **** about the gaming industry...

Everyone on these boards are hardcore... no matter what!

Someone who doesn't give a **** about the gaming industry...

Everyone on these boards are hardcore... no matter what!

PullTheTricker

pretty much.

A casual gamer is someone who plays for FUN and nothing more.

A hardcore game plays for personal satisfaction and competiton.

Well I used to be a bit of a hardcore gamer when I was younger. Now though I only play a bit, probably less than 2 hours a week, so I kinda consider myself casual. Although I do have a lot of knowledge about games.

So im not casual as in clueless, but I am as in I don't play much.

Darth_DuMas

I was never a gamer...I always dedicated myself to sportd snd school..but games are a hobby of mine just like going to nba games are.. The only game I play are Basketball games so im prob not a hardcore gamer...I plan on getting some games this season only because Bioshock was such a great experience that I was hoping something else would be as good..But honestly I have only beaten 5 games since I have been playing games....My attention just doesnt stay with games too often and when I do get into games like NBA 2k8 my roomates make fun of me because I get too good..

A casual gamer is someone who plays for FUN and nothing more.

A hardcore game plays for personal satisfaction and competiton.

Netherscourge

isnt fun personal satification...And lots of casual dudes play sports games for competition so I dont think its that big of a deal... ME and my roomates ONLY play NBA 2k8 andGears of Warand I wouldnt consider them hardcore gamers..

When I say fun, I mean to kill some time and to relax. Casual gamers basically do whatever they want to do. They are more attracted to content and brand names. They could care less about review scores or even wasting their time posting about games on web forums. They play games until they get bored of them and then they go do something else. They don't feel compelled to "beat" a game - they just play it until they get bored.

The casuals of this generation are predominantely those who have a very restricted taste in,and limited knowledge of, games. I actually feel the 360 has a very large share of casual players, the amount of players who focus solely on FPS, Racing and Sports games is tremendously large. It is a different breed to the casual player associated with the Wii, because Wii players often do not refer to themselves as gamers in any way whatsoever. This website is packed to the rafters with casual gamers, sure people may be slightly more knowledgeable about games, but they lack any significant understanding of the industry as a whole.

For me the term 'casual' changes every generation. I do not believe it pertains to the amount of hours, ormoney,you invest into games. Aswe grow and our responsibilities increase, we often place less importance in games, I certainly play much less than I used to, however, I still regard myself as much more informed about the industry than most.

[QUOTE="Darth_DuMas"]

Well I used to be a bit of a hardcore gamer when I was younger. Now though I only play a bit, probably less than 2 hours a week, so I kinda consider myself casual. Although I do have a lot of knowledge about games.

So im not casual as in clueless, but I am as in I don't play much.

I was never a gamer...I always dedicated myself to sportd snd school..but games are a hobby of mine just like going to nba games are.. The only game I play are Basketball games so im prob not a hardcore gamer...I plan on getting some games this season only because Bioshock was such a great experience that I was hoping something else would be as good..But honestly I have only beaten 5 games since I have been playing games....My attention just doesnt stay with games too often and when I do get into games like NBA 2k8 my roomates make fun of me because I get too good..

lol

I buy loads of games specially last gen (when they were cheaper), but I hardly finished any of them, you'll be suprised how many people don't finish games.

I play games for the experience and enjoyment, not to finish them, not to criticise others that do, but thats the limit of my concentration with games, I play them until I feel like playing something else.

My God, if I had to complete every game I have, I probably would not get round to buying another game for the next 3 years.

I consider myself to be a casual gamer nowadays, I don't play every day anymore, eventhough i do take some games seriously, it's just not that big of a part of my life anymore. I play games for fun, the way it's meant to be played. Exeed_Orbit

Thats not casual. That just means you play casually, as in not very often. Casual refers more to the attitude and interest in games. If you post in a videogame forum, you're a hardcore gamer.

I play games a few hours a week now, especially since I'm not currently involved with a game that has online multiplayer. It took me 2.5 weeks to get through Halo 3's campaign. On the other hand, I played Resistance online daily for a good 7 months straight.

I'm just very selective with my games, not just because they cost a lot, but because I've played so many that I only really care about the ones that are innovative or do things extremely well. If a decent game doesn't come out for a long time, it really doesn't bother me. On the other hand, their are certain games, like MGS4, that I cannot wait for.

A casual gamer is someone who plays for FUN and nothing more.

A hardcore game plays for personal satisfaction and competiton.

Netherscourge

Plenty of casuals play for competition, its one of the reasons why Halo is so popular. The game is easily accessible and provides immediate competition for casual gamers. Same thing with sports games like Madden. Thats why RPGs, for example, are popular with hardcore gamers, because they can have fun playing the game by themselves for hours, even if the game is easy. This is not to say that hardcore gamers don't play for personal satisfaction and competition, but if they didn't think a game was fun, they wouldn't play it.

Casual gamers don't visit forums or get magazines. They don't anticipate games or read previews/reviews. They rely on their friends or employees at the store to tell them whats good. And yes, they can be known for buying games based on the boxart or characters involved.

Everyone on these boards are hardcore... no matter what!PullTheTricker

Not neccesserily, nobody on these forums is causal, but i wouldnt consider everybody here "Hardcore", many people here are inbetween casual and hardcore.

I consider myself a non-gamer when because I'm not really playing anything at the moment.

Hell these boards are more fun then some of the recent stuff that's been out.

[QUOTE="PullTheTricker"]

Everyone on these boards are hardcore... no matter what!Ultra-Fatality

Not neccesserily, nobody on these forums is causal, but i wouldnt consider everybody here "Hardcore", many people here are inbetween casual and hardcore.

There are plenty of casual players on this forum, gamers who know little or nothing about the video-game industry and have a very restricted taste in games. Games are only one part of the industry, most people do not realise this.

I consider myself a non-gamer when because I'm not really playing anything at the moment.

Hell these boards are more fun then some of the recent stuff that's been out.

XD88FDB

lol

[QUOTE="Ultra-Fatality"]

[QUOTE="PullTheTricker"]

Everyone on these boards are hardcore... no matter what!Caviglia

Not neccesserily, nobody on these forums is causal, but i wouldnt consider everybody here "Hardcore", many people here are inbetween casual and hardcore.

There are plenty of casual players on this forum, gamers who know little or nothing about the video-game industry and have a very restricted taste in games. Games are only one part of the industry, most people do not realise this.

erm, how would these "casuals"survive in SW without knowledge about games? One mistake about a game here on SW and you will get flamed so badly that a flame shield and anti-flame armour (not to forget about a anti-flame helmet) become absolutely neccessary!

Its clear that EVERYBODY here is not casual.

If you are typing on the Gamespot website forums.............................you might be a "Hardcore". face it, if you didnt care "THAT MUCH" about games...would you be on here typing away your opinions, support and thoughts??????? NOOOOO!

Here is my take on casual vs hardcore:

CASUAL= Mom and Dad buying the products for thier kids not really caring about reviews, scores, and hyped opinions. Senior citizenns finding something new to do at thier retirement homes besides dominoes and cards( you should all know how the Wii is sweeping the retirement home circuit). Anyone who does NOT know who Peter Molynuex or Tim Schafer is. COME ON, its not too hard to figure out what casual is. now, for HARDCORE.....

HARDCORE= Standing outside of an EB games store for more than 60 minutes to buy thier fav game. Has every edition of EGM or OXM magazine to date. Has an ACHIEVMENT score of over 5000(or on thier way to having that score). Knows who Peter Molynuex and Tim Schafer are. And spends any time at all posting on GS forums. You see, anyone that is casual wont care enough about games to even come to a site like this, let alone, post frantically on the forums.

Take it for what you will, but I believe that most analysts would agree here.....if you can read this, you might be a HARDCORE :)

as always, peace and GODSPEED!!!

If you are typing on the Gamespot website forums.............................you might be a "Hardcore". face it, if you didnt care "THAT MUCH" about games...would you be on here typing away your opinions, support and thoughts??????? NOOOOO!

Here is my take on casual vs hardcore:

CASUAL= Mom and Dad buying the products for thier kids not really caring about reviews, scores, and hyped opinions. Senior citizenns finding something new to do at thier retirement homes besides dominoes and cards( you should all know how the Wii is sweeping the retirement home circuit). Anyone who does NOT know who Peter Molynuex or Tim Schafer is. COME ON, its not too hard to figure out what casual is. now, for HARDCORE.....

HARDCORE= Standing outside of an EB games store for more than 60 minutes to by thier fav game. Has every edition of EGM or OXM magazine to date. Has and ACHIEVMENT score of over 5000(or on thier way to having that score). Knows who Peter Molynuex and Tim Schafer are. And spends any time at all posting on GS forums. You see, anyone that is casual wont care enough about games to even come to a site like this, let alone, post frantically on the forums.

Take it for what you will, but I believe that most analysts would agree here.....if you can read this, you might be a HARDCORE :)

as always, peace and GODSPEED!!!

jazreal

Agreed, anybody whoeven bothers to come to GS is not a casual.

If Halo3 had scored a 6 average on gamerankings how many copies do you think it would have sold? actionquake

[QUOTE="Caviglia"][QUOTE="Ultra-Fatality"]

[QUOTE="PullTheTricker"]

Everyone on these boards are hardcore... no matter what!Ultra-Fatality

Not neccesserily, nobody on these forums is causal, but i wouldnt consider everybody here "Hardcore", many people here are inbetween casual and hardcore.

There are plenty of casual players on this forum, gamers who know little or nothing about the video-game industry and have a very restricted taste in games. Games are only one part of the industry, most people do not realise this.

erm, how would these "casuals"survive in SW without knowledge about games? One mistake about a game here on SW and you will get flamed so badly that a flame shield and anti-flame armour (not to forget about a anti-flame helmet) become absolutely neccessary!

Its clear that EVERYBODY here is not casual.

They survive because almost everyone else around them is also not particularly wisened to the video-game industry. I see numerous errors on SW and elsewhere, I certainly see a widespread lack of understanding of the main issues concerning the direction of the industry. Of course many gamers know about the games themselves, yet they are impotent when it comes to discussing the social, political and economic impact of the games. Knowing about games is not enough.

A casual is somebody who plays games once in a while, usually only the very big, popular titles that are considered "must haves" and isn't bothered by going long stretches where they don't play games at all. They find it easy to subsitute gaming with some other activity.thinicer

wait, wait, what just because i dont game all day im casual...

im glad then, b/c some of you need friends then.

Someone who doesn't give a **** about the gaming industry...

Everyone on these boards are hardcore... no matter what!

PullTheTricker

True. People can say you're casual for playing System A or Game B, but if you care enough about games to post here, you probably are hardcore.