some numbers for those who argue about hardcore and causal gamers their existance whatnot.

Heavy Gamer  -  http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/feature/?id=16691

fact is hardcore gamers buy the gaming systems at launch and then after that thats when the mass market jumps in and contiues the success of a game or a system...its true that hardcore gamers purchase more games then anyone else...but if u fail to realize is that the mass market is what carries the video game market into higher milestones....

i dont get casual gamers and hardcore gamers. I believe myself to be a hardcore gamer, but then ive been labelled a casual gamer because i own a wii. It doesnt make any sense if u ask me

well u shouldnt worry its the way u dedicate urself to games....

Interesting read. It was strange to know that 6 year olds buy so many games.

 well its not like they have rent, car, and insurence to pay every month.

I currently own a Wii (and solely a Wii), but my past history would have you believe that I'm very hardcore. I think "hardcore gamer" is a very odd category, and I avoid using it whenever possible. I love minigames, and pick up and play games that are easy and fun to play for about half an hour (I'm almost 30, I don't have much time for gaming).

On the other hand, I'm also highly anticipating BioShock for the PC, a supposedly "hardcore" experience. So there.

So, since everyone else seems to think otherwise, I'd like to propose this little nugget:

Owning a Wii does not immediately characterize you as a casual gamer.

I bought a Wii, launch day. I've owned (and still own -- I never sell my video games) 16 consoles and handhelds over the last 18 years (including the hard to get stuff like the Virtual Boy -- I still play it fairly frequently, it's in perfect condition). In absolutely no way would I consider myself a casual gamer.

Hell, I'm at college currently majoring in Interactive Media & Game Development.

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The main difference between a hardcore gamer and a casual gamer? It's how much you follow the industry. If you're just watching and waiting for that one new game to come out, or you've played all of some series and the next installment is hitting the shelves soon, or that new console is finally launching this week and you've got your reserve ticket ready, you're a hardcore gamer.

The game, or console, on its own, does not define hardcore or casual. That said, a casual gamer will also likely go for the cheapest price tag, if they're going to make "on a whim" purchases. Whereas hardcore gamers gladly dish out some extra green for that console they want so badly.

I view casual/hardcore as the frequency of which you play games, not what system you play them on.

This is from the Gamespot article about the same data. ""Heavy Gamers" own an average of 2.8 consoles and 1.9 portables"

So basically a large percentage of them own all the consoles. Which goes to show they might spend the most money but its still the casual gamers which you want to market to since the heavy gamers just buy everything.