From what I've seen on this very site and several other sources (IGN Forums, Gametrailers video comments, NeoGAF forums, etc.) I think I know what makes a hardcore game is.
A Hardcore game generally fits in one or more of the following categories.
-Xbox 360/Playstaton 3 Exclusive or Multiplatform between the two.
-85+ on Metacritic and Gamerankings
-T or M rating
-Generally hard or challenging
-Inside game having a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, etc. on the end of it
-Having online multiplayer
-Having blood displayed and dismembering limbs
-Having heavy amounts of breasts and buttocks showing
-Having profanity
-Having intimidiating adversaries
-Having depth
-requiring several weeks or months to master or become good at
-played for 5 hours or more at a time
-having compelling cutscenes and high production values
-having references to drugs and alcohol
-having references to sex and sexual themes
-Praised on internet forums
-having headshots
-having adult themes and messages
-being abnormal amounts of grey and brown
-Having Space Marines and Gorilla Men shooting aliens or other Space Marines
-Having Androgynous/Gender-confused Males saving the world and with power of friendship
-Giant Budget
-Being overall gritty and dark
-HD Graphics
A Casual game usually meets one or more of the following categories.
-Being on Wii/DS or both.
-Lacking Depth
-E or E10+ Rating
-Being played for less than an hour at a time
-Children/Family Friendly themes
-Simple/often uncustomizable controls
-Small Budget
-Cute, unintimidating Characters
-shunned on internet forums
-having bright, vibrant colours on the screen
-Generally Easy or Easy-going
-Lacking a premise other than fun
-Simple Graphics/Cel Shading
-Having Wii, Party or Games in the title
-Being accessible
-Mass amounts of Gesture based controls or Touch Screen based controls
-70 or lower on Metacritic and Gamerankings
Comments?
Hehe
Pixel Art can be fun.
