Over the time I've been browsing the forums, I have been noticing a great difference in what people consider: "Casual," and what people consider "Hardcore." It's become apparent to me that there is no 100% real answer to what each one is, so it's obvious everyone has there own answer. That's why I created this thread, to see what people consider "Hardcore." You'd be surprised at how difficult it might be for you to answer the question, but try to the best of your abilities.

Being the Thread Creator, I have to answer to question. What I consider Hardcore isn't really all that complex. The word "Hard" in hardcore does seem to give people the wrong idea in my opinion, since a difficult game doesn't make a game hardcore in my opinion. No, it's more then just that. Many people think a game that has intense violence and blood is hardcore. In my opinion, that isn't too much wrong. However, like with how difficult a game is, there is more factors that influence the hardcore name.

I've been talking alot of factors that influence the hardcore term, but I haven't given them too much light. The difficulty of a game is one of the more important factors that makes a game hardcore. Why? A hard game is played by serious gamers, and it takes serious gamers to beat a difficult game. The amount of blood is one of the very little factors. Take LittleBigPlanet for example, I consider that game hardcore, and you don't see any blood. The amount of effort developers place in games influences it for me. Why? The Mario series lacks some of the factors, but it's apparent that a great deal of effort was put forth. When was the last casual game you saw with a great deal of effort put forth?

Obviously, I have much more factors, but those ones are the ones I decided to place. A game can't be hardcore for one factor in my opinion, as you should have concluded in my post. What are some examples of Hardcore games on the Playstation 3 console?

Metal Gear Solid 4 is easily on that list. Along with Littlebigplanet. Both games are difficult, and both games are extremely obvious effort has been put forth, and a whole lot of it. Uncharted: Drakes fortune is another one that fits the same critera.

Now it's your turn. What is Hardcore for you?

U put a lot of work in this but no one replied yet.

I helped u. Maybe someone will write now?

OT: the opposite of casual.

Doesn't it have to include penetration?

"Hardcore" is the way a game is played.

THIS!

Its not really as black and white as the 2 terms make it out. I suppose for me there is an element of what you mentioned, a hardcore game does have to appear as thought the developer has put some effort into the game. But I'm not sure I agree that a hardcore game always has to be difficult. For instance, I would count the latest Prince of Persia as a hardcore game, but due to the instant death/revive mechanic the developer put in, it makes the game appear easy and less of a challenge.

I think for me, a hardcore game is very similar to a mature game, which deals with more serious situations, or a game where more thought has to go into it before you can really start to enjoy it. This could be in developing strategy, solving a complicated puzzle or having to seriously think about the outcomes of your actions. Its a game which isn't just "pick up and play" although that doesn't discount games which can have an element of this.

The ideal scenario is a game which can transcend both realms which is something that Nintendo manage to do very well, having both hardcore and casual elements to create something that is both. Another example would be GTA, a game which you can spend hours on, getting into the story, completing all the missions, or just play for a little while, causing mayhem and carnage.