What is Hard Core? What is Casual?

[Mikita]

I might get called a troll for this... but I do mean it as an honest question since FFXIV is my first and only online game.


What is Hard Core? What is Casual?

Is the defining point between Hard Core and Casual simply a matter of how much time a person can spend playing the game?

Or does it also have something to do with mindset and goals? i.e. the reason why we play?

-------------

Am I Hard Core? Or am I Casual? I honestly don't know.

- I've been playing for hours on end almost every single day since October (being a housewife has its perks!) because I really have a lot of fun in Eorzea.

- Yet, after all this time, I only have 1 class at R50 because I only do battle when my friends are logged in; and many times we don't even do that -- We often just sit around talking for hours.

- I don't really care about having the best equipment and have pretty much worn the same outfit since November because I like how it looks, even though some of the pieces do not even favor my main classes (I am aware of the consequences).

- I'm not a skillful player, nor is it really my goal to become so. But I really enjoy Dzemael because it requires teamwork, and I do have to play at the best of my meager ability in order to keep myself and my friends alive.


What am I? ^^;

[Zenaku]

People would call you a casual gamer you lay back play a lot of hours but don't really care about the end goal of getting the good stuff. Hardcore players at least for me would be someone who play to get the best item and be the best they can it not about how many hours you play at least not for me.

I know many people who played less in FFXI then i did and had more 75s then i did lol took me 2years to get 75 i was helping friends, talking and just siting in main city in sandy finding noobs to give them money and help them out with the game at least the very few good noobs that where nice to come up to me and ask for help and not request money so i did even better give them 10k and got them the set of gear they needed to 7.

But ya i call you casual that what i do and i play hours.

[Arximiro]

You sound very much like a casual player to me. Casual to me means someone who only plays to have fun for themselves and doesn't care about being the best they can be to help the group. Hardcore is someone who plays for progress and completion, as well as does their best for the team. I'm not saying casuals can't be really nice people, but they often need to focus and play skillfully but are unwilling to. These are just my opinions however.

I don't mean it as to be rude, but people like you are the exact reason we need required rank and class on gear. People who think that it's fine to hinder everyone else because they want to look a certain way and be a gimp. The game isn't a fashion show. Wearing what you want in town is fine but don't do it in real game play.

~Roegadyn

[Commat]

I would call you casual.

Most people stopped using playtime as an indicator. We all found out years ago that millions of people spend 10+ hours a day in MMO's without the slightest care for progression of any kind.

To me, your defining characteristics are that you view fun in terms of casual ideals such as: Aesthetic appeal, friendship and team based play that can be overcome without attention to extensive prep-work.

[Mikita]

I know many people who played less in FFXI then i did and had more 75s then i did lol took me 2years to get 75 i was helping friends, talking and just siting in main city in sandy finding noobs to give them money and help them out with the game at least the very few good noobs that where nice to come up to me and ask for help and not request money so i did even better give them 10k and got them the set of gear they needed to 7.

I know what you mean. I have many new player friends who have have quickly surpassed me in rank.

But I've somewhat intentionally kept classes in the R10~, R20~, and R30~ ranges so I can play with almost anyone I meet.

I also like meeting new people and helping new players, and really had no idea online games could be this much fun. ^^

I don't mean it as to be rude, but people like you are the exact reason we need required rank and class on gear. People who think that it's fine to hinder everyone else because they want to look a certain way and be a gimp. The game isn't a fashion show. Wearing what you want in town is fine but don't do it in real game play.

No offense taken.

Dzemael is actually the first time I've cared about what equipment I am wearing, and I now have a Dzemael/HNM outfit that does allow me to perform better even though it only looks so-so.

When my friends' lives are on the line I do care, and I will do my best... I'm just still not very good at it. ^^;

[DoctorMog]

IMO:

Hardcore:

Plays with progression and efficiency as priority.


Casual:

Plays with fun as priority.



Some days I'm hardcore, some days I'm casual.

Most days I'm hardcore so I classify myself as such.

[Arcell]

IMO:

Hardcore:

Plays with progression and efficiency as priority.


Casual:

Plays with fun as priority.



Some days I'm hardcore, some days I'm casual.

Most days I'm hardcore so I classify myself as such.

This pretty much covers it.

[Mikita]

Thanks everyone for the quick answers.

Much of the discussion I see about Hard Core vs. Casual seems to focus mainly on how much time a person has -- often stating things like 30 minutes after work every few days, versus hours and hours every day.

But I can now confidently say that I am "casual". ^^

... of course, that doesn't mean I am against Hard Core content.

[Akira]

lol what about me archer lancer carpenter 50 goldsmith 42 most others at 20 play everyday got all dungeon gear played since CE release

[weeble]

i'd say doctor mog said it bout right, i'd like to add that you can be great at mmo and get threw things quick and need less time to play, or you can have the time to get threw your suckyness.... but u can't suck and not have time to play