Casual, Hardcore…Those 2 terms are among some of the most loathed in all of gaming, for all kinds of reasons. Many people think they are mutually exclusive, maybe because they seem so polar opposite. But let me explain what I mean when I say “casual-hardcore” and see if I can point us toward some much needed middle ground in the debate as well as in the current console generation’s gaming catalogue.
Quite simply a hardcore gamer is someone who prefers “hardcore” games. The word really just refers to the kinds of games that contain greater depth, variety, strategy, and all around content than their causal counterparts, which I’m sure you wouldn’t need me to explain, tend to be more basic (though not necessarily less fun).
Due to their high content-and-depth nature, Hardcore games tend to have a steeper learning curve, and a greater time investment. Casual games on the other hand are typically a pick up and play affair and sessions can be played and even finished (if so desired) in minutes. I call them “hit it and quit it” games. Gamers who tend toward these kinds of play sessions have been termed “casual gamers”.
So, what happens when a casual gamer accidentally wanders into hardcore territory? If the “hardcore” is nice, they probably get scolded, a wrist slap for even thinking about playing a hardcore game, and sent on their unwelcome way back to the arcade, short a couple quarters after dropping money on a title where “they just don’t belong”. Truthfully, not all hardcores are like that. On rare occasion you will have a hardcore who actually wants to help casies (pronounced “cazjies”– for casual…yeah, it’s a nerdy gamer word…).
On the other hand, a true casual gamer tends to be disinterested in too many layers of depth. I had a friend who couldn’t handle us watching cutscenes or even trying to pick up ammo when we played Halo… He just wanted to blow stuff up… I should note, this does not mean he is unintelligent. He is a well read scholar in the field of theology and one of the most committed conversationalists I know. Intellectual depth wasn’t his problem, he simply wasn’t interested in depth of the video game variety.
But there’s a third phenomenon that happens, typically over a larger span of time, that neither the pure hardcore player nor the true casual tends to appreciate. The casual-hardcore.
It usually plays out something like this. You grow up playing deep hardcore games like RPGs or strategy and simulation games, and LOVING them. As years go by, college and career demands your time, and you start missing out on titles you would have bought on day 1 before, even though you still make time to play. Then you find yourself madly in love, and let’s be honest, if your more interested in a video game than your lady…You’re not hardcore, you’re a bit off… And maybe a little bit of a jerk. Wedding, honeymoon, and marriage happens and then–BLAMZ, kids… Look at all that, the real world just ate you up, you gots a life now… Wait video games? What are those? I remember liking dhem! I remember that one RPG I loved, and they have a new sequel!! I’ll get this one!!
Plight
This story typically continues with the gamer purchasing games that suit the desires of his/her childhood memories, but not his/her current reality or schedule, and you end up with a frustrated gamer, spending money on games he/she doesn’t have the time to play, or tries to play in such short increments that it’s not enjoyable, or worst of all, plays to the disregard of higher priorities. It’s a sad day when a husband or dad is sinking hours into a game at the expense of his family.
Behold, the plight of the casual-hardcore gamer.
Indictment
It’s sorta sad huh? For a lot of reasons… Well a lot of people are in this boat, and too often neither the hardcore nor the casual can really appreciate it. The hardcore lumps the casual-hardcore into the category of casuals, who they often view as having no place in hardcore gaming. The casuals can’t seem to understand why anyone would want to play a game with greater depth, because depth is an annoyance to them, and to want more depth in a game seems like childish immaturity, especially when you have so many more important things going on in your life…
Death
A good point… But our question is….why we can’t have both? Why can’t there be a game with the great depth and strategy and variety of hardcore games, but that can be played in accessible short play sessions like a casual game? Because games like this don’t come around in the gaming industry very often… and games with these kinds of values don’t get hyped like other big time-sink titles…
The Bottom Line:
We need more next-gen titles that are just as accessible as they are deep…. examples:
Dragon Age Inquisition (multiplayer), and the up-and-comers For Honor, and Battleborn… and possible Paladins… sadly… I can’t even think of any more… so let me paint a picture for our next-gen devs out there… (I would do it myself if I had any of the necessary resources to create a video game… seriously I would)…
THIS IS WHAT CASUAL-HARDCORES WANT:
Seem like an impossible list? It’s really not… many games do all of this and do it well, except for the “Hit it and Quit it” part… Is there really any reason there couldn’t be a game with WoW’s depth and longevity that removes the grind? It’s a simple altering of the developers values when making the game… and my goodness, SOMEBODY DO THIS ALREADY!!! YEESH….
- GREAT combat (I personally prefer action)
- This means:
- cool abilities and classes
- fluid battles (not sluggish or glitchy… This should really be a given)
- a system where diverse abilities interact w/each other so you can approach enemies with varied strategies
- This means:
- Local and online co-op mix
- (you gotta get the fam in on the gaming w/you!)
- (you gotta get the fam in on the gaming w/you!)
- An INCREDIBLE amount of unique looking & gameplay altering loot
- (maybe a loot editor would help with this…. players could create and keep coming back for more)
- (maybe a loot editor would help with this…. players could create and keep coming back for more)
- HIT IT AND QUIT IT!: (PVE and/or PVP modes that can be completed in increments of 15-45 minutes…)
- This is the essence of what it means to be a casual player… it’s required
- Note: these modes should be just as rewarding as any open world experience in the game… if not you’re punishing and therefore isolating your causal-hardcore players…
- A great narrative
- This doesn’t necessarily mean non-linear! Some of the greatest game stories of all time have been linear! And linear can be a time saver.
- This doesn’t necessarily mean non-linear! Some of the greatest game stories of all time have been linear! And linear can be a time saver.
- Mounts:
- Ok this one is for me, but I’m tired of being told I have to have a time-sucking reason to have mounts (aka, open world)… Dynasty warriors does it… just CUZ dude… and so is Paladins now…. JUST CUZ THEY’RE COOL…. also DOTA2…. So there…. none of those games NEEDED mounts… they could have just make characters speedier…. but mounts are COOL….. so there… give the casies mounts!!
- Ok this one is for me, but I’m tired of being told I have to have a time-sucking reason to have mounts (aka, open world)… Dynasty warriors does it… just CUZ dude… and so is Paladins now…. JUST CUZ THEY’RE COOL…. also DOTA2…. So there…. none of those games NEEDED mounts… they could have just make characters speedier…. but mounts are COOL….. so there… give the casies mounts!!
- None of that Free to play crap… (unless it’s done EXTREMELY well… which has basically never happened, keep posted for whether dungeon defenders 2 will change that)… we all know that turns into grind, and ain’t nobody got time fi’dat….
blipfling 