"Hard-Core" is a silly term and a foolish mentality to begin with ...
I could be wrong but I suspect that the term originates from Pornography where it was first used in a critical way; basically only someone who was hard to the core (not in that way you pervert) would be able to watch such graphic pornography. Through pornography "Hard-Core" became associated with being extreme.
From its roots in pornography it would have moved into anti-establishment subcultures like the punk movement in the 70s and early 80s, and eventually the 80’s hair metal movement; eventually it moved into the extreme sports crowd and eventually dropped into gaming (both in the 90s).
For the most part it has retained its meaning as “Hard-Core” is the same as “Extreme” yet I don’t think anyone can really explain why one group of gamers is more “Extreme” than another, and why one segment of games is more “Extreme” than the other.
This is why I personally prefer the term “Core” gamer because it refers to the group of videogame players who form the foundation for the “Gamer” subculture. Mario, Metal Gear and Halo represent “Core” gamer games because they’re the meat and potatoes of the gamer diet; most “Core” gamers play at least some of these games or at least see the quality and value of these games.
