For me, when I think of "casual gaming," I think of poorly-done games done in an attempt to lure people who just see gaming as a casual diversion (and therefore will not invert as much money as the "casual-appealers" would desire). Meanwhile, when I think "hardcore," I do not think of "mature" titles, but rather of bigotted perpetual whiners who want gaming to be just like the so-called "good old days" (example: 2D Sonic).
As for "Mature" titles, the only M-rated games I have are Persona FES and 4, and I see those as "hard Ts." (Besides, they are M-rated only because real life is M-rated!) Otherwise, I agree with Sir Calculon; I DEFINITELY DO NOT enjoy tons of rude words, killings, extreme violence, and pervertedness! (Even the Persona titles I aforementioned I wish were toned down; I really do not like the bad words, Tanaka's "special," "for adults" camera lenses, that "too spicy" girl from "Operation Babe Hunt," and Princess Yukiko's fan service!) Then again, people want highly vulgar games to prove to themselves/others that they are not kiddy/immature (even though they are having just the opposite effect), to raise their social status, or just to show how "hardcore" they are.
...and they say that bad parenting, not violent games, ruin children! (By the way, is that statement not from the supposedly "hardcore" crowd?)
If gaming companies just focused on MAKING BETTER GAMES, this problem would be reduced (maybe to zero!)!
Then again, there is no agreement as to what makes a better game. Such can be defined as "a simply fun experience," "excellent controls/graphics/sound/general gameplay," "great story," "lots of replay value," or "appealing to its fans" (the last one contributing to this "mature hardcore" madness), hence the dissonance.
By the way, I consider Mario Kart a hardcore game, since such is of a "hardcore" series (Mario).
However, I congratulate whomever made that funny yet true comment of "Mario Kart + decapitations = hardcore Kart!"
Whatever I still think of "hardcore" games as badass bloody violent games. You see, I listen to "hardcore" music and thats what I think of when I listen to that type of music and it gets pretty bloody in the pits when I go to the shows. No little kids should be playing in the pits. But I guess it's like when someone says pussy you never know which one they are talking about until you hear the whole context.
But back on topic, I disagree, I think the hardcore games we have are great and they should only get better. I love when a game has lots of over the top bloodletting and is not afraid to cuss or show a little tittie. Some people will argue that it's too much, well don't buy the games you conservative god fearing pricks. I have a very morbid mind and that kind of stuff amuses me and the millions of other horror fans out there. I think No More Heroes will prove to be the one that makes the most off the Wii just sucks they won't be sticking around. Nintendo needs to come out with it's next console already, don't leave us NMH. I don't see how they can anyway, they won't be able to use the motion remote which will make that game lame on another console. Sega also said they aren't swayed by the low number of sales for Madworld. They will continue to put out hardcore games and they will make bank in time as well.
'The process of delving into the black abyss is to me the keenest form of fascination.'~H.P.Lovecraft
In some circles (most notably to me, me and my coworkers at Gamestop), what Adamant described would be called a "mainstream" gamer. He goes after what's supposed to be the latest and greatest in a few main genres (FPS, sports, racing, fighting, and music, mostly), rarely bothering to browse and see what else is out there at all.
A proper use of the term "casual" would mean someone who plays infrequently and/or for relatively short periods of time, investing little of him/herself in the hobby, just like with anything else you can have a casual interest in. I've been re-training myself to refer to "casual" games (the good ones, anyway) as "low-tier" games, like Nintendo does. And that's not tiers as in low=bad high=good, but rather in skill level/time/interest investment necessary to play. I'm fine leaving the definition of "hardcore" where HEMIII puts it, and talking about games that take more skill, time, and overall interest in gaming as a primary entertainment source as "high-tier." It just works better that way, I think, as the entire measurement system has been set in place by Nintendo and is not debatable like casual/hardcore always is as it stands. It also allows for more than two options, as there are clearly people who don't properly fit into either, and refrains from making any particular group sound lesser than another.
My Backloggery Updated sporadically. Got my important online ID's on there, anyway. :P
I think that distinction is a good one Stuffgamer1 and I can get behind that, though this seems to be more appropriate when discussing individual SKUs as opposed to people -- I'll definitely try using that frame of mind the next time I do one of those Nintendo Channel surveys!
Y'know, that's what really burns me. Nintendo doesn't support casual/hardcore lingo EXCEPT on the Nintendo Channel, where it's one of their poorly-thought-out rating questions. I don't suppose they fixed that any with the NC update in Japan?
My Backloggery Updated sporadically. Got my important online ID's on there, anyway. :P
I don't think "Mature" is an indication of a "Hardcore" game. A solid plateformer or puzzle game is just as likely to show hardcore features as a shooter, if not more.
Here's a few examples of not violent hardcore games:
Super Smash Bros. Melee: A good fighting game, fast-paced, requiring quick wits, but its cartoonèsque hit-connect graphics take nothing away from the game. In fact, I don,t think the game could do without it.
Ikaruga: Like many Treasure games, requires incredible reflexes, although progressively give you more continues to make the game beatable for all kinds of gamers. Still, it forces you to play the game the hard way at first.... to actually try.
I consider a hardcore game to be a game that has just been well-made-- from a quality perspective. This includes:
Reliable and intuitive controls.
Good challenge not due to poor programing (Difficulty settings can be adjusted).
Requires full attention.
Requires some actual thinking.
Stuff that makes a game even more hardcore, but are elements that may not be present in some games...:
I don't suppose they fixed that any with the NC update in Japan?
They're using Japanese for the questions, so I really cannot tell. I'll see if I can translate any of it tomorrow morning, but there are the same number of questions. Of course in Japan they talk about "core" gamers; I don't know if there's an equivalent "casual" monicker or if it's used as an insult!
I would not be "mainstream;" I browse game stores (digital and not) for fun, do not play Wii as frequently anymore, use my DSi A LOT (usually for Internet, Pokémon Platinum, or camera), browse video game sites EVERY DAY (including NintendoLife), am rather involved with the NintendoLife forums, currently am waiting for the confirmation e-mail for Club Nintendo, and am VERY WILLING to help around with video game matters (like the localization of Retro Game Challenge 2), especially in respect to Virtual Console.
Forums
Topic: Agree or disagree - the 'hardcore wii' movement has been self defeating and become an exercise in self loathing.....
Posts 61 to 74 of 74
This topic has been archived, no further posts can be added.