I think the most appropriate way to distinguish "hardcore" and "casual" gamer is to focus on time, energy, and money dedicated to playing video games. So-called hardcore gamers spend a lot more time and a lot more money buying, playing, and learning about games. Casual gamers spend much less time and money.
But they're counter-productive terms. More often than not they start a fight instead of a productive conversation about the industry and about the community of video game enthusiasts.
The dichotomy we should be focusing on is good games vs. bad games. Not hardcore gamers vs. casual gamers.
In what other medium does this conversation even come up? Are there hardcore movie watchers? Or casual book readers?










