I skimmed the article, but the title hardcore can be applied to people with no real skills in video games--ie, just because you’ve wasted thousands of hours on a video game doesn’t necessarily mean you’re awesome at it, but you’d still be considered hardcore.

I like Online games though im not as highly competitive as some people, these days i like games i can easily drop in and drop out of because of the many things that I do in the real World.

If it’s a serious game i only get weekends to really get to know that game and even then most of my games ends up half finished because i would reach a point where i would get really fustrated with a particular level and not play it for a week or a month (Depending on how much hair I pulled out of my skull) Then I would google a strategy guide or take time out to figure it out and go play it again.

I’m not a trophy hunter. Though it’s nice to have that achievement. Jack Buser’s comments on the type of gamer that walks into home i have to disagree with entirely. There is a broad (And I mean BROAD) section of gamer that arrive on home, for most probably arriving for the first time and not knowing what it is they logged into. But they share a connection with other gamers, young or old.

The Hardcore gamer is somebody that I know of, that consistently plays a game, then creates a secondary account, just because his Kill / Death ratio isn’t up to his liking, and even so, will play that game from many perspectives. High scores on a leaderboard boost his ego, Very passionate on playing, Highly competitive, rarely sleeps, eats junk food as there is no preparation needed, ordering a pizza is the way to go. (will practically play right into the next day.) He gives gaming more attention than his own girlfriend or wife.
Will go buy that game on launch day or better still, ‘Pre order it’.

That’s MY definition of a Hardcore gamer.

I am sure there are more. Feel free to add.

I probably best fall into the fantasy class. I spend most of my disposable time and money on gaming—and would like to spend more. I look for good stories and good characterizations. I keep the games I like and expect to replay them. I can only play turn-based games but other than those three things I don’t worry about whether they’re E-rated jrpgs or M survival horror.

Most contemporary games are not truly turn-based so I have been collecting older disc-based games, which aren’t on-line playable nor award trophies. Sure, I’d like to see my name on leaderboards but the game’s the thing.

I’m presently playing Faery, a PSH DL online; replaying Dragon Quest VIII on the PS2; replaying Skies of Arcadia Legends on the GameCube; and have just gotten Golden Sun Dark Dawn for the DSi XL, which I haven’t started yet. I also just got Koudelka, a PS game, which I’ll probably put on the PS2 as soon as I finish in Arcadia in DQ VIII. Yes, I know the PS3 will play PS games, I’ve done it but I like to keep game saves on memory cards.

No, I don’t have a bottomless purse. I don’t have cable, go to movies, drink alcohol or sodas, etc., etc., etc. In other words, I choose to spend most of my disposable income on games, consoles, and accessories.

Am I hardcore? Depends on your definition. Frankly, as long as I have access to the games I want and can play them, I don’t care how you label me. BTW, I no longer buy games under the pretense of giving them to someone. LOL

However, I am *very* dedicated to the titles/series that I do like, own and play. I’ll replay games long after I’ve beaten them and wrung every last bit of gameplay I hadn’t experience in my prior play-throughs, just because they provided the experience I was expecting of them when I bought it, and it was an experience I wanted to enjoy repeatedly. Rewards and trophies mean nothing to me. I play a game because I want to play it, and it *makes* me want to play it.