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I'm trying to figure it out...
Who is a hardcore player?
Is it.....
Someone that plays 8hs a day or more? Close to every day....
Someone that doesn't necessarily play so much, but tries to get all the content done, the faster the better...? Regardless whether they are -skilled- or not?
Someone who no matter how much he plays, as long as they get 8-12 hours a week, if they are very -skilled-? Does it matter if they get end-game content done or not?
What are your thoughts on the matter?
I distinguish Hard-Core and Casual via attitude.
A Hard-Core player is serious and treats the game like a high-stakes gambling or sporting event in which they are the player. They care very much about the success of their endeavors, and want their game-mates to have the same attitude. They might spend hours researching raids or the best equipment sets, or figuring our exactly what combination of skills, gear, and ancillary items will make them the best they can be.
A Casual player is someone who does not value success as highly, and plays the game for "light hearted" enjoyment. They may spend a lot of time in the game, and it may be spent on the same content, but their attitude might be one of, "Hey if we get it, cool, if we don't - I had some fun!" They probably are not going to spend long hours to accomplish the same goals or minute advantages a "Hard-Core" player might.
I don't think one is better than the other, I tend to get into sporadic bursts of one or the other.
Someone that does hard content using duty finder.
One that plays more than 2h per day.
Hardcore to me means someone who plays A LOT and gets quite a bit accomplished. As in first day or two after reset, Coils complete, all 3 ex primals defeated, and myth cap.
Hard Core Player - A Player driven by the need to have the best gear, the best abilities, and the most progression accomplished as quickly as possible. This player will do whatever it takes and spend as much time as needed to accomplish these goals. This player is well versed in his/her class, and is driven to seek out like-talented/abled players to accomplish this goal.
Compulsive Player- A Player who might not be skilled, but is addicted to playing the game. This player may or may not have accomplishments, due to the sheer volume of time spent in game. This player will usually have time sink related accomplishments, but may not be part of a skilled group or have completed high end content that requires skill. This player will try to claim to be hardcore to justify the compulsive nature of playing- some compulsive players do qualify as hard-core, but just being compulsive does not make you hard core.
-Since casual was not mentioned in the title, I did not give what I consider the definition to be.
Hardcore players believe anything they do in a video game actually matters and has some profound impact on life.
Regular players realize it's just a game for entertainment and can stop playing at anytime when real life calls for it.
Casual = Someone who gets some fun out of playing.
Hardcore = Someone who gets LOADS of fun out of playing, plays whenever they can, plays more games than watches television, would buy a new platform over a new stereo, probably posts in forums, etc.
Time invested is irrelevant because ya know, life.
Casuals - Players who aren't too dedicated to the game and play at their own pace. They never fully understand the game's mechanics and it takes them a long time to get through certain content because they aren't too eager to overcome it.
Hardcore - Players who go out of their way to fully understand the game's mechanics and try to master the content available. They may not necessarily be good at the game, but they're dedicated to learning and mastering it.
I've always viewed a hardcore player as someone who tries to get the most out of every hour they are logged into the world.
They don't casually run around doing "fun" things. Everything they do is a means to an end (achieving the best and/or most unique rank/gear/level/ability possible).
That doesn't mean that a hardcore player can't ever help another player out... but, they are generally performing that help for their own benefit.
Example: Helping a FC member complete a dungeon so that person, in return, can run a higher level dungeon with them and contribute to their own personal success.
That's always the difference between hardcore and casual to me. Casual players will log in and just wander around the world without any real goals in mind. Hardcore players always have a goal/agenda upon logging in.
Doesn't make one better than the other, there are good aspects of hardcore players and there are bad aspects. Some people take some of these aspects to deeper extremes than others.