Really easy? Try to beat halo 3 on legendary or GoW(well, tps) on insane difficulty and tell me that is easy. :) Just wondering, what games are "hard" ones?

Well NO SHIT its on the hardest difficulty so of course its not easy!

Hes talking about normal difficulty I assume. Seriously stupid post.....

I can agree with that.

While beating (unfairly) hard games can be - and mostly is - rewarding, you don't always want to go through the hassle of playing a two-hour scenario over and over again because of a split-second mistake. This crutch in video game design originally came from the arcades, persisted thru the nineties and is still present in gaming - partially because it's really easy to extend playtime just by making a ridiculously hard game, and partially because some people are twisted enough to actually prefer games like that (myself included, to an extent).

There are plenty of games that are considered "hardcore" and can be beaten by anyone without too much trouble. Some of the notable examples include the first Metal Gear Solid, Bioshock all Final Fantasy games after 5. I'm also tempted to include every shooter made in the last five years, but I haven't really played them all that much so I won't.

Enough with the rambling. I'm trying to say that a hard game is most likely a gamer's game, but a high difficulty isn't a prerequisite for a "hardcore" game.

This thread proves that there are as many definitions of what hardcore really is as there are people. It's basically just a word to boost the self-confidence of the one using it, mostly at the expense of someone else.

Difficulty in gaming has, as proven by frybread, little to do with the hardcore label.

It's more of a question of how accessible a game is. Some people do not put that much energy into really learning the rules of a game. These people usually fall under the 'casual' label and are easilly scared by complexity. Others, the ones we often call hardcore, demand more from the games. Deeper, more difficult, better graphics etc. These people can spend an insane amount of time learning how the game works, and are not discouraged by complexity.

Naturally, there are levels to this as well.

Some people think that a high difficulty is a good thing, and are prepared to spend hours just to beat that one boss. They think this is fun. Some of these people need to confirm that they are better than others because of this and therefore label difficult games hardcore and simple games casual.

"I beat this game! I'm so hardcore!"

One should not bash what others think is fun. They're not bad people for it, and neither are you for disagreeing with them. I mean this in general, and it's not really aimed at anyone.

Some games are hard, because they're poorly made. Other games are hard, because they require a certain level of skill.

True hardcore gamers are willing to hone their skill, and reach a level that other gamers aren't willing to shoot for.

Look at Billy Mitchell, and Steve Wiebe. Look at anyone who kicks ass in Geometry Wars.

Ninja Gaiden is a hardcore game, because it's tough, but not really flawed. The designers give you all the tools you need to beat the game. Only the hardcore can implement them. BTW, I'm NOT hardcore!! I like my games to be fun.

There is no hardcore game, but the so called "hardcore" gamers

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Hardcore is a type of "movie" and not a type of game.

Like what?

First off you fucking fanboy I say "whatever the hell you do when youre having fun" you dont have to smile.

Second you said "Why games should be fun" are you fucking stupid!? Why the hell do you play a game then?

The majority of people who play games play them because theyre fun if you can give me a better reason why people play game than tell me.  And I doubt you can so if YOU play games for any other reason you are damn sad.