What is a Hardcore game to you

I have always wondered this what is a Hardcore game to you? Is it a game with an M rating, a game with blood, guts, and sex, or IMO it is a game with a large following and decent amount of hype when coming up on release.So for example since Mario games have a large amount of hype around release I consider it a hardcore game.

Randomness. That's what a hardcore game is to me.

Games that are 100% predictable in gameplay can never be truly hardcore in my eyes.

A game that has depth. A game that can't be beaten in 6-8 hours.

Randomness. That's what a hardcore game is to me.

Games that are 100% predictable in gameplay can never be truly hardcore in my eyes.

peterw007

I have always wondered this what is a Hardcore game to you? Is it a game with an M rating, a game with blood, guts, and sex, or IMO it is a game with a large following and decent amount of hype when coming up on release.So for example since Mario games have a large amount of hype around release I consider it a hardcore game.

layton2012

[QUOTE="layton2012"]

I have always wondered this what is a Hardcore game to you? Is it a game with an M rating, a game with blood, guts, and sex, or IMO it is a game with a large following and decent amount of hype when coming up on release.So for example since Mario games have a large amount of hype around release I consider it a hardcore game.

Bigboi500

I would argue that Mario isn't hardcore, as the level and gameplay design are completely predictable.

The enemies are going to be in the exact same places every single time...

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That doesn't mean it can't be hard or challenging...it's just not hardcore.

Hardcore is unpredictability.

To me hardcore games are the ones that appeal most to me. And that ranges from games that are colorful to games that are gray. Hardcore to these forum goers are just FPS's. I like variety in the games I play to just red and gray.

[QUOTE="Bigboi500"]

[QUOTE="layton2012"]

I have always wondered this what is a Hardcore game to you? Is it a game with an M rating, a game with blood, guts, and sex, or IMO it is a game with a large following and decent amount of hype when coming up on release.So for example since Mario games have a large amount of hype around release I consider it a hardcore game.

peterw007

I would argue that Mario isn't hardcore, as the level and gameplay design is completely predictable.

The enemies are going to be in the exact same places every single time...

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That doesn't mean it can't be hard or challenging...it's just not hardcore.

Hardcore is unpredictability.

I wouldnt disagree with you, I agree that gameplay design is completely predictable in sidescrolling Mario games but IMO the gameplay and level design in at least the first Galaxy was not entirely predictable. By the way Mario was just an example I believe Mario is both casual and Hardcore to me he may be hardcore but i understand your view as why he isnt. What game IYO is unpredictable I consider games like Uncharted to be unpredictable but IMO no ordinary shooter by your standards can be considered harcore

Most of the "hardcore core" games are predictable. Call of duty for example, shoot, kill, explosion, then jump on multiplayer. What is unpredictable about that. WllDan7

Well I think many of the conventional definitions are wrong.

But Call of Duty multiplayer (and any free-roaming multiplayer) is hardcore because you don't know what your opponent is going to do next.

You have to train to prepare for any situation...

With non-hardcore games you can just repeat the same thing over and over and over and get through the level eventually.

With hardcore games...if you don't have the skill, you will never beat the level.

...Then again, you could argue that COD gives you so many perks that even somebody who doesn't have any skill can still be very successful.

Something around Devil May Cry 3 level difficult and up is hardcore to me. It's the kind of game that made Greg Kasavin cry.

Something engrossing. Something engaging. Something entertaining.

Oh wait, that's just what I like in my games, not hardcore. Are we sure they aren't the same thing?

Pajama Sam, Freddie Fish, Putt-Putt, and Lego Island.

Any game that you can continually develop skill at. Super Mario Bros, Street Fighter, etc. Games in that vein.

[QUOTE="WllDan7"]Most of the "hardcore core" games are predictable. Call of duty for example, shoot, kill, explosion, then jump on multiplayer. What is unpredictable about that. peterw007

Well I think many of the conventional definitions are wrong.

But Call of Duty multiplayer (and any free-roaming multiplayer) is hardcore because you don't know what your opponent is going to do next.

You have to train to prepare for any situation...

With non-hardcore games you can just repeat the same thing over and over and over and get through the level eventually.

With hardcore games...if you don't have the skill, you will never beat the level.

[QUOTE="Bigboi500"]

[QUOTE="layton2012"]

I have always wondered this what is a Hardcore game to you? Is it a game with an M rating, a game with blood, guts, and sex, or IMO it is a game with a large following and decent amount of hype when coming up on release.So for example since Mario games have a large amount of hype around release I consider it a hardcore game.

peterw007

I would argue that Mario isn't hardcore, as the level and gameplay design are completely predictable.

The enemies are going to be in the exact same places every single time...

---

That doesn't mean it can't be hard or challenging...it's just not hardcore.

Hardcore is unpredictability.

RATED M!

I don't agree that a game has to be unpredictable to be hardcore...it just has to have depth and offer more than just a quick-play and casual experience. Any game that requires dedication and patience to master is a hardcore game imho.

Bigboi500

How do you qualify "depth?" What is "depth?"

You said that in order to be hardcore, it must not be casual.

Well how do you define "casual?"

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Also, how much "dedication and patience" it requires to master a game is dependent on the person. Some people are masters of a game immediately.

Suppose it takes me 6 months of "dedication and patience" to master Wii Sports. Does that mean Wii Sports is a hardcore game?

Demon Souls, Dark souls. Now that is hardcore

[QUOTE="Bigboi500"]I don't agree that a game has to be unpredictable to be hardcore...it just has to have depth and offer more than just a quick-play and casual experience. Any game that requires dedication and patience to master is a hardcore game imho.

peterw007

How do you qualify "depth?" What is "depth?"

You said that in order to be hardcore, it must not be casual.

Well how do you define "casual?"

-

Also, how much "dedication and patience" it requires to master a game is dependent on the person. Some people are masters of a game immediately.

Suppose it takes me 6 months of "dedication and patience" to master Wii Sports. Does that mean Wii Sports is a hardcore game?

[QUOTE="peterw007"]

[QUOTE="Bigboi500"]I don't agree that a game has to be unpredictable to be hardcore...it just has to have depth and offer more than just a quick-play and casual experience. Any game that requires dedication and patience to master is a hardcore game imho.

Bigboi500

How do you qualify "depth?" What is "depth?"

You said that in order to be hardcore, it must not be casual.

Well how do you define "casual?"

-

Also, how much "dedication and patience" it requires to master a game is dependent on the person. Some people are masters of a game immediately.

Suppose it takes me 6 months of "dedication and patience" to master Wii Sports. Does that mean Wii Sports is a hardcore game?

Now that definition is less nebulous.

But in essence, yes. Anything that you can "develop a skill for," and can't just succeed by rote memorization or luck. That's hardcore.

So Tetris? That's hardcore. Farmville? That's not hardcore.

In my opinion hardcore games is everything that takes itself at least a bit seriously, example:

Angry Birds, Dance Central, Wii-Sport, Tetris = casual

Uncharted, Crysis, Mass Effect, Zelda = hardcore

[QUOTE="Bigboi500"]

[QUOTE="peterw007"]

How do you qualify "depth?" What is "depth?"

You said that in order to be hardcore, it must not be casual.

Well how do you define "casual?"

-

Also, how much "dedication and patience" it requires to master a game is dependent on the person. Some people are masters of a game immediately.

Suppose it takes me 6 months of "dedication and patience" to master Wii Sports. Does that mean Wii Sports is a hardcore game?

peterw007

Now that definition is less nebulous.

But in essence, yes. Anything that you can "develop a skill for," and can't just succeed by rote memorization or luck. That's hardcore.

So Tetris? That's hardcore. Farmville? That's not hardcore.

In my opinion hardcore games is everything that takes itself at least a bit seriously, example:

Angry Birds, Dance Central, Wii-Sport, Tetris = casual

Uncharted, Crysis, Mass Effect, Zelda = hardcore

In my opinion hardcore games is everything that takes itself at least a bit seriously, example:

Angry Birds, Dance Central, Wii-Sport, Tetris = casual

Uncharted, Crysis, Mass Effect, Zelda = hardcore

Gue1

[QUOTE="Gue1"]

In my opinion hardcore games is everything that takes itself at least a bit seriously, example:

Angry Birds, Dance Central, Wii-Sport, Tetris = casual

Uncharted, Crysis, Mass Effect, Zelda = hardcore

MFDOOM1983

[QUOTE="MFDOOM1983"][QUOTE="Gue1"]

In my opinion hardcore games is everything that takes itself at least a bit seriously, example:

Angry Birds, Dance Central, Wii-Sport, Tetris = casual

Uncharted, Crysis, Mass Effect, Zelda = hardcore

Bigboi500

So are there "Hardcore" books or movies? I really don't know what a hardcore gamer is or what hardcore gamers are. chaoz-king

Here's my definitions:

Hardcore game - Game that features randomness and allows the gamer to develop a "skill."

Hardcore gamer - Individuals who predominately play hardcore games above all other games.

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There's no such thing as hardcore books or movies...because they aren't interactive experiences like video games.

something you need previous game experience to fully appreciate

Depth and complexity in both story and gameplay. I hate hand holding and things such as aim assist/auto aim (also, the nano suit in Crysis 2 was so annoying telling me when there were tactical options available). Something like a Total War game, Arma, S.T.A.L.K.E.R., America's Army, and other similar titles.

A game that requires a lot of time to master correctly by universal consent.

There is no such a thing as a Hardcore game, a game is a game, perior, its quiality and appeal is the only thing it matters.

I don't consider any software to be hardcore or casual. Just the gamers playing them. i'm not seeing anything differentiating those games from his listed "hardcore" titles outside of tone.

MFDOOM1983

Your sig fills me with joy.

Also, that is a good point. Take a game like Mass Effect 2. It could be a very casual experience if played on easy and as a shooter, or it could be played on hard as a mixed class. One player just goes through the main missions quickly and the other tries to see all the side missions, reads ever codex and takes in the whole plot and universe created by the devs. One just aims and shoots the whole time whereas the other uses a multitude of abilities and uses squad commands and tactics.

Depth and it takes a lot time to master

Having A collection LIKE THIS!

A hardcore game is really a game you just enjoy. For me it's building my nations in Paradox's strategy games. Look what i did with Siam. I Westernized it, Made it a secondary power, Made it a leading figure in the Global reveloution (My goal wa Facism, but the facists never wanted to try to seize power, and I was determind to have a reveloution, so I madeCommies win). AND I survived Great Britan wanting a chunk of my land aswell as making sure the Chinese didn'tdecide they wanted a nice Tropicla getaway. I also annexed ALL my neighbors, and passed ALOT of social and Political reforms (like womens rights, which got taken away because of my reveloution.......Kind of counter productive in hindsight).

While I do believe that any game can be "hardcored" I also believe there are a few games that are inherently just a bit more complex than others.

Games that take time to master I figure are hardcore, can't be figured out within 5 minutes. So that pretty much leaves just RTS', MMOs and other games with a complex fighting system.

Depth. A game that rewards you the more effort you put into learning it and getting good at it. A game that you can't truly master when you play it casually from time to time. I'm also tempted to label it as a game the average consumer ignores, but I feel like that's just elitist.

Fighting games, strategy games and MMOs tend to be the most hardcore by virtue of being what they are. All 3 require a large investment of time to become good at let alone competitive in. You can make pretty much any game hardcore though. Some are just easier to get there.Ace6301

Hardcore games (I dont use this term - I prefer "gamers games") are games that have gameplay (i.e. need to be gamed to finish them). Thats why this hobby is called gaming, afterall. For example playing cinematic corridor shooter where you only go forward and use only the weapons that devs have prepared for you (always the right ones - sniper gun in a place with snipers, RPG when there is a tank just around the corner) is NOT gaming. On the other hand playing a game with complicated level design where you have to actually think about what you are doing because it doesnt hold your hand like if you were an imbecile is gaming.

Summary:

Typical causal game: Call of Duty

Typical hardcore game: Zelda