So what is a "hardcore" gamer? And why must we really define it?

[Kenny]

Dodece said:
@mike_intellivision

You are confusing mature gaming with hardcore gaming. A common misconception among casual players. The most simple definition of a hardcore gamer that almost all hardcore gamers would agree to is the time element. More specifically a high average of hours played weekly. Somewhere between twenty and forty hours every week. What is played in those hours can be any game imaginable.

If that's true, I don't want to be a hardcore gamer.

Seriously, I believe any definition of the term "hardcore" is moot.  Based on my observations, the definition usually gets redefined at will to arbitrarily exclude Nintendo's supporters.