Random Definition:

Hard core game: An FPS, RTS, RPG or MMORPG PC Game.

Hard Core gamer : A PC Gamer who plays either a FPS, RTS, RPG or has a High Level Char on a MMORPG.

In gaming, the term "hardcore" isn't defined the same way it is in other fields.

For example, a hardcore football fan will follow every college team; professional team; and possibly even the local high school teams. They can tell you the names of all the coaches and team owners for every team for every year of the sport's existence. They buy season tickets for their favorite team and every piece of paraphernalia available. They are obsessive.

This is usually true for the term "hardcore" in everything......except gaming.

Typically, "hardcore gamers" are self-proclaimed as such. They are often teenagers and they usually stick to one platform (be it PC or console). They have favorite genres of games; those they deem to be "hardcore games." Which is actually pretty funny. THERE CAN BE NO SUCH THING AS A "HARDCORE GAME." It doesn't exist. How can a GAME be "hardcore?"

Here's the thing, if you want to be considered a "hardcore" gamer, you would have to be obsessed about EVERY aspect of gaming. You would have to own every console ever made; play every game possible; absorb every minutia of information available on gaming; etc.. Your life would be gaming.

It is NOT a good thing to be "hardcore" about any hobby.

the definition of these terms are controversial and are usually different from person to person, so there is no definite answer.

I used to share Eomund`s definition. I would proudly say that I am a hardcore and show my list of finished games. However Rol`s definition is the most popular nowadays. I see it as a "corrupt" version of the old term.

For me hardcore gamer was someone that would take gaming a little bit too serious. Gaming as a way of life (kinda like some people do with sports). A hardcore game was a game made with those kind of guys in mind. Some examples: Super Metroid, Disgaea, Devil May Cry, Shin Megami Tensei (games that the average guy had no hope of beating). A hardcore gamer would also be open to all kind of genres.

I'd simply define hardcore in terms of number of hours spent playing video games. 20 hours per week is a decent baseline. I suppose you could argue that number up or down if it doesn't suit your sensibilities.

Yes, that means you could be a hardcore gamer if you played 20 hours of Gems a week. C'mon, if you play that much Gems, you're pretty hardcore about it.

A hardcore game? I guess that would be one which is very challenging to master. One with a lot of depth so you could pour a lot of hours into it and become very skilled. Chess is about as hardcore as they come.

I suppose a hardcore gamer is someone for whom gaming is a serious hobby, and not just something you unwind with for 5 minutes after work. I wouldn't call someone who doesn't follow gaming news at all, and only plays a single console/brand hardcore, but that's just me. Professional gamers who only ever play one game to make money out of it are right out.

A hardcore game is much more tricky, as this one is almost completely subjective. It doesn't help how it's frequently teamed up with "casual game" to form a praise/condemnation pair a lot of people are in the habit of using way too much. Not jumping onto this bandwagon seems to attract criticism as anti-elitism, which is pretty much the stupidest thing I've ever heard.

Saying something about skill and dedication would be nice, but in the end I suppose it means a game that's designed to appeal to the portion of gamers that's been playing for a while already, as opposed to casual games that are supposed to attract new people into gaming. Labeling hack&slash or FPS games that require 2 second attention spans as hardcore feels wrong to me, but I suppose they're included in my definition.

Hardcore gamer: I gamer that dedicates 60% of his life to video games, and does anything play video games.

Hardcore game: A game that attracts hardcore gamers, examples are Halo , MGS, and assassins creed.

Hard-Core Gamer: A classification for a person who plays videogames that changes depending on the context of the conversation; typically used to state why one gamer's gaming habits are superior.

Hard-Core Game: A classification for a videogame that changes depending on the context of the conversation; typically used to state why one gamer's favourite games are superior.

Hardcore game : a game that really has a heart and soul . Even if its easy , a game can be hardcore because of its story , gameplay , originality etc. Hardcore games are often confused with M rated games . Games like 25 to life arent hardcore , they are pure commercial games , that are made for money , and developers just take it as a job , and not a goal .

Hardcore gamer : a gamer that can appreciate a game like that , a gamer who, looks at games as a form of art , somebody who doesnt looks at the expensive graphica-engines , and bloody cover , but somebody whom rather tries to find the effort put in a game , and who will play decade old games and will be able to find the real value in it , under the ugly 2D graphics .