Home and Hardcore Gamers
by Keara22hi, HSM team writer
Each day, I meet very young gamers in Home who think that anyone who is not playing online or is not on the leader boards in Home or not sporting a huge array of trophies is not a real gamer. So I began to wonder if others felt the same way. Are YOU a hardcore gamer? And, if so, how do you define it?
Is a hardcore gamer the one who spends hours each day in COD? Or is it the trophy hunter who plays every game that has trophies (even if he doesn’t like the game) so that he can up his platinum count? Or is it the RPG fanatic who spends weeks in Dragon Age: Origins playing it from different perspectives (male/female, good/evil, etc.) to glean every bit of game play possible? Or is it the in-Home gamer who tops as many leader boards as possible? Or is it the older gamers who can reminisce about the days of Pong and Mario Bros. and Chrono Trigger and are still playing games today? Or is it the game reviewer who cares enough about certain games to share his analysis of each with others? Or do you measure it by the number of hours per week? Or the number of years?
I think it depends on how you define the term. But I cannot find even two people in Home who agree on a definition.
Would you rank them? Or consider each style to be equal? And do you agree with Jack Buser that Home is full of hardcore gamers? If he was including all of the above in that statement, then I would agree with him. It is very rare to meet someone in Home who is not a gamer of any type and bought the PS3 only for Home and a Blu-ray player.
I tried to think of the people in Home who have called themselves serious gamers. Here is a rough outline of the way they have defined themselves in our conversations:
TROPHY COLLECTORS:
The most militant of the hardcore title claimers are the trophy hounds. These are the newcomers for whom games without trophies did not exist. They will spend weeks of effort to wring every trophy out of every game they play – even if they don’t particularly like the game! The ultimate goal of each game is to reach platinum status. As a result, some will play dozens of short games rather than one very long game (like Dragon Age Origins) because they see it as better to have dozens of platinums than just one.
FANTASY PLAYERS:
To this group, the immersion in a land of fantasy and wonder is far more important than any battle system. Some of them were originally hooked by games like Myst, still known as one of the most beautifully rendered games ever invented. The dreamlike quality of the graphics, the unusual storyline, the mystique of the characters, and the emphasis on content rather than button mashing acrobatics are the primary attractions for these players. Some of them regard the trophy hunters as ‘kids’ rather than the kind of ‘mature’ gamer, who likes to peel away each layer of a game like rose petals to reveal a mystical moment of truth.
ONLINE PLAYERS:
The team becomes the game. Friendships are formed. Roles become a part of the player’s personality. And sacrifices are sometimes made, as in “taking one for the team.” Basically, since players can add in to a team at almost any point in some games, continuity of a story becomes almost impossible. Thus, a game like Red Dead Redemption played as a console game can be radically different than playing the same game online in a group.
As a result of this, the emphasis in so many online MMOs is run – aim – shoot – dodge – jump – run – dodge – aim – shoot. This can be a huge problem for the older gamers who grew up on 2-D side scrollers and RPGs with turn-based battle systems that did not involve aiming a tiny dot at a moving target.
IN-HOME GAME PLAYERS:
Or, how to become a celebrity, honored by tens of thousands: look at Grimm, the undisputed wizard of Sodium One. If he never plays another game inside or outside of Home, his name will be revered for an astonishing achievement. To many gamers in Home, being in the top of a Home leaderboard is far more important than any trophies. It takes immense patience, perseverance, and skill to land one of those coveted spaces. As Burbie_52 so clearly defined in her article about the V.I.P. Club, who can be recognized by their gold and purple jackets and gold bats, these gamers become ‘Home royalty’ to those of us who have tried to master even one game in Midway and failed.
I posted the topic of this article in a thread on the Home Forum and got some fascinating insights. Rather than paraphrase their ideas, here they are as expressed by the authors:
Elway 358:
Personally, I think it takes a little of all the traits you describe. To me, if you would rather get up at 6:00AM and turn on your PS3 and play games ALL DAY LONG and do this, day in and day out, without there being anything else you’d rather do, you’re certainly a hardcore gamer.
Watching the blogs every week and waiting at Gamestop at 9:55AM every Tuesday for the doors to open so you can get your next fix – hardcore gamer.
Feeling so anxious and without direction if you are unable to play a game for more than one day – hardcore gamer.
If obtaining a spot on a leaderboard gives you a feeling that would trump winning the presidency of the United States – hardcore gamer.
I grew up with Tele-games being the first game system I had to play, then came my 2600 which is still connected to a television in my home right this moment. Oh, what a happy day that was! I would rather play a game at any time of any day than do ANYTHING else. I will play pretty much any game that is put in front of me and if my goal is to 100% complete the objectives, trophies, or acheivements, I will do it no matter what the cost of time or difficulty. I AM a hardcore gamer. I love games of any and all kind more than anything I’ve ever had – save for my children.
Trophies, while they do represent a certain level of hardcore “gameness,” are not the number one deciding factor. However, with basically all games having trophies and acheivements, if you’ve been gaming for a month and have less than 100 – 150ish trophies and a platinum or two, you need to step it up. Even if you’re not hardcore you don’t have to work for them…They just come like second nature.
By the way, I got so caught up even talking about playing games I forgot to add in regards to Buser’s statement. I don’t agree that Home is filled with hardcore gamers. That is not to say that there aren’t quite a few hardcore gamers who do visit and enjoy Home for what it is. As much as separation of society is so taboo, it is a fact of life in real life and on PS3 games and Home.
I have seen and I 100% believe that the majority of people who spend significant amounts of time on Home are casual gamers. In fact, many do not even care to play a game and would prefer to be on Home. This is not 100% of the Home population, but it is what I have seen in my experience to be the majority. I use Home about once every two days and sometimes daily for a couple hours at a time if I get on some mini game kick. After meeting a new friend in Home and getting through the formalities of how are you, and getting to know a bit about the person, the very next thing I follow with is what games do you play and lets get to it. Sadly, about half don’t even care to play anything, even if they have the game but would gladly hang out in Home together all day long.
Inariya:
If there are those that the term “hard core” applies in Home, I would believe I would be hard-pressed to meet most and that they’d be there to play the games. Similarly the vast majority of my gamer friends will never touch Home – they would rather play an actual game rather than deal with the BS that places like Home bring along as baggage.
I can expect, however, to see many avid game players in Home. Since Home is quite social and casual I believe it supplimentary/secondary to PC or console games for “hard core” or “avid” players. An example being playing a MMO for eight to fifteen hours (nearly) straight – including high-concentration instances involving other people – daily makes going to places like Home some silly, easy relax time. Just haven’t played that avidly, myself, in quite some time.
Gamer 316:
I think a hardcore gamer is someone who lives, breathes. and thrives off games. Any game they get they will get complete 100%, accomplishing everything. While online they try to be the best and compete for that top spot. They try to buy every game they love on launch day. I consider that different from trophies, because for myself I know I’m not a hardcore gamer but I am a trophy hunter, so I think that’s the difference.
So how do you define it? Do you consider yourself a “hard-core” gamer? Do any of those descriptions fit you? Or how would you see yourself positioned in the world of gamers? State your thoughts below.
July 20th, 2011 by keara22hi | 8 comments
Keara is also known in Home as DarthGranny. She is a wicked little old lady with a wild sense of humor.
I don’t view myself as a hardcore gamer. I don’t play everything there is to play, just for the sake of playing it.
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.
I’m in my 70’s and started gaming about 6 1/2 years ago.
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
Bayern_1867 it is a great pleasure to see that you have taken up gaming at an older age. I am 59 and Keara who wrote this is older too, but both of us have been gaming all of our lives.It is refreshing to see someone who has added this to their lives. If you are a denizen of Home feel free to add me at Burbie_52 as I have a large club of older gamers called the Grey Gamers and we have a great time. Keara great article as always!
Sorry, didn’t mean to leave my real name in the other post. Please edit it out (or delete the post & I will resubmit) and replace with my online ID.
For me the rules of hardcore are simple:
-- Do you have a plastic 2 liter bottle of drink in the fridge so you don’t have to go to the store, which cuts into playtime?
-- Do you have a piece of any chip product currently resting on your shirt?
-- Have you ever been playing a game and been surprised to notice the Sun rising?
-- Has anyone ever contacted you online because you are more likely to respond there than to your phone?
Have you ever been in line at any store waiting for a game release?
-- Have you considered moving back with your parents so you will have more money for gaming equipment?
-- Has gaming ruined something you really did want to do?
-- Do you look at alcoholics as people who have got their act together more than you?
-- Do they know you at GameStop on a first name basis?
I am sure there are more. Feel free to add.
Im not what you could call a hardcore gamer, though i have grown up with games sinces the early 80’s so I have seen some huge dramatic changes in how games are percieved, presented and marketed. I was a kid that prowled the arcades and Sega were seen as God to me!
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.
Hardcore gamer = anybody who would be embarassed to tell someone else about something they’ve done on a video game (assuming the person they’re telling isn’t themselves a hardcore gamer and also assuming the person doing the telling isn’t absolutely shameless).
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.
Yes I am a Hardcore gamer, all those category applies to me and grimm is a girl she is one of the best sodium one saltshooter player and I’m still trying to beat her score!!!!.