hotrodx on 28 March 2008
Games that are uncompromising with its design are hardcore. The designer is usually king. You have to follow the system (rules, etc.). You'll either love it or hate it. But the designer do not care. You take it or leave it. Rarely these games sell because of its uncompromising nature, and rarely do big publishers take them.
Example games:
* Alien Soldier (MD)
* Umihara Kawase(SFC)
Casual games, on the other hand, are toned down to please everyone. The system is simplified to provide quick gratification. Usually, marketing has a big say on this.
However, casual games and hardcore games are not a dichotomy. If it's not casual, it doesn't mean its hardcore, or vice versa. You can play a hardcore game quickly. You can play casual games long.
