Hardcore seems to get thrown around a bunch.  I am just curious what qualifies as "hardcore" gaming.  I am hardpressed to think of any other genres besides 3D shooters (Gears of War, Halo, etc...).  If pressed, my impression is the games involved (if not shooting), taking swords and cutting up enemies and other players (God of War), or beating them up (Street Fighter).

So, can anyone state what is "hardcore" that fits into this?  LittleBigPlanet has been called "NOT Hardcore", and that strikes me as odd though, considering the dedication needed to create levels. Same with dedicating to Rock Band or Guitar Heroes, seems hardcore to me, but not sure anyone would call it that.

So, what is exactly "hardcore" and what would be hardcore that doesn't involve shooting or gore?

IMO, hardcore games are games that are uncool to the maintream and games that are geared towards your "typical" gamer not a broad audience. Thus, something like star ocean 4 would still be hardcore without the guns

Hardcore to me is just someone who spend a ridiculous amount of time playing a game, whether that game is LittleBigPlanet, Gears, Halo or even Mario Kart Wii. Its not the game that is hardcore its the gamer

Final Fantasy? I dont know why I try, hardcore isnt even defined.

civilization

flight simulator
some MMOs
games on nes that didn't have a save feature

I have to agree with this. Hardcore players play so much on a certian game that they master it and become unbeatable.

I'd like to point you to ICO, for example.

Disgaea.

I've always attributed 'hardcore' with mastery of a particular game or genre. That, and usually lack of female friends, or lack of any friends outside of their monitor.

I kid, I kid! ...maybe.

It depends who you ask. To some people, "hardcore" = "bloody."