What is casual / hardcore player?

[Abauge_Goga]

Not this thread again...

The simplest way is to look at it as a matter of time.

Hardcore players devote a lot of time to the game, and use this extra playtime to their advantage (more class levels, more gil, more endgame gear, more achievements, etc.).

Casual players don't devote a lot of time to the game (because they can't, or don't feel compelled to). Casual players are content with a handful of achievements obtained within their limited playtime.

This exactly.
Not saying that someone that plays 16 hrs a day can't suck, all I am saying is that more time you have more classes you can level up, therefore more skills you can access. This, in turn, makes you stand out over someone like me that has 2 fighting classes to 50.

[Verecund]

ITT Reverberating Idiocy

[ChiefCurrahee]

Obv. what is hardcore/casual is objective. A typical depiction is that hardcore players are elitist jerks with no lives who ruin the game with aggressive competition, while casuals are people with jobs who play the game at their own pace and expect things to be handed to them. But that's sort of biased, isn't it? :L

I feel like the best description would be:

Hardcore = players who have the skills to understand the mechanics of and defeat high-level bosses before the majority of the player base. Like Rentahamster said, this can also sometimes mean that these players simply have more playtime than others. While this is somewhat true, I also feel that there are usually enough people per sever who can dedicate large enough amounts of playtime that you'd be able to differentiate between those who play a lot and get things done, and those who play a lot and don't. There are some stellar players who have full-time jobs and families, but are able to complete endgame content before the majority of the server because of these skills.

Being hardcore also means being quick on the uptake of new ideas and strategies, understanding your role within a battle, understanding your job well enough to min/max your character in stats/gear/etc, as well as having the ability to work well with your guild-mates and take constructive criticism where needed.

Casual = This can describe people who simply have so much on their plates, be it work/family/etc, that they're unable to play the game as much as others; putting them at a disadvantage when it comes to job level and gear sets.

'Casual' can also describe players who just aren't concerned with being the best DPS/Tank/Healer/etc. that they can be, and completing endgame content before everyone else. These people play the game at their own pace, and don't feel the need to necessarily excel at playing the game as long as they're having fun.

Then again, a 'casual' can also mean that the player is simply not skilled or fast enough to compete with other, hardcore players. They might not be able to pick up on new strategies as quickly, or might not understand new stat/gear builds in order to min/max their characters. Some of these players might just not have enough experience in gaming or MMOs, and with some guidance can improve, while others are, unfortunately, a lost cause.

I hope I didn't offend anyone with this xD

+1

This is the best explanation of casual vs hardcore. Anyone who doesn't understand needs to read this. If they still don't understand then I don't think there is any hope for them.

[Rokien]

I'm a "hardcore" gamer, I have family, friends, school, used to have a gf. I like time syncs, hard stuff, and everything. Sooo don't say hardcore players = "no life" you know, I hate that term. I do have a life, if I didn't I wouldn't be typing this right now. I also just get on a few times a week as well.

[Davorok]

My Definitions:

Hardcore = Burn through content.

Casual = Take their time.

[Xatsh]

I see them as the following. And I feel some people do not exactly fit into 1 category. I trully belive skill is not a factor, I seen many hardcore 80hr/week players who just fail at everything, and people who play 5hrs a week who are godly when they are online.

Hardcore: Those with alot of play, those who consider this more then just a game. Those who want long term achievements which require alot of work and time to obtain. "Embrace the grind, it is what makes a mmo"

Casual: Those with limited playtime, those who play this game just for the fun of it. Those who feel the work should not be a part of the game, they want instant rewards for successful completion of the task. "Remove the Grind, it is not fun"

For Me I would classify WoW/Rift as Casual mmos, yea there is really challenge things. But one you get the skill and strat down everything is simple to obtain (100% drop rates) and repeatable. So there is really no such thing as a hardcore WoW design. Some full time people in those game are hardcore players time wise though, but the game is not designed for that.

XI (pre-abysea)/EQ/Aion I would classify more as hardcore mmos. The games require you to group up to progress well, they require you to really work at obtaining things (The best thing could take dozens of run to obtain). You had to wait for rare items if you where unsuccessful. (rare spawns). Leveling took years to max out a character (XI). The best gear took either 3-4yrs to obtain or the work of 30-50 people over a 3 month period to get 1 item.

XIV atm is a casual mmo, which is why it is in trouble still. The hardcores from XI are not too happy with it, and the casual are comparing it to mainstream western mmos which are much better at the casual then XIV is (solo player wise XIV is not a good game at all which is a staple for casual western design).

[Edgecrusher]

Hmmm. Okay, i try as much as possible to learn new strategies on the Ifrit fight, i tank when i can in darkhold and on NM hunts with my LS day or night, i also ((if you look at my sig)) don't have all my classes to 50, because as a personal choice i decided not to just sit around and beg/wait for PL's...and pick up groups aren't hard to come by...but alot of them make me pull my hair out because alot of the people in them have no sense of group dynamic...((because they proably just got pl'd but w/e i'm not gonna complain about it too much))...or just break up too quick. I craft as much as i can on my crafts i want to get to 50, and do strongholds, and on top of that i even find time to RP since i'm on besaid and that's the reason i chose that server.

I also work 40 hrs. a week, have a girlfriend, bills, 4 dogs, errands and ETC. In fact the only time i'm on these fourms is when i have a break at work, even then most time i'm using my phone to look at youtube strats and whatnot ((i <3 my android phone)). I know team work and i don't want things handed to me easy..hell i do fights with NO materia in my stuff just to see if i can do it. But again i have a life outside the game i pay attention to..so i'm considered casual because i only sit on my days off and if i have no outside things to do play all day? ...Kinda unfair.

[Dragon]

Hardcore = People who want an In depth Complex Experience that takes Time, Effort and Skill.

Casual = People who want a game they can pick up and play on a whim.

Of course, this... and the following.

Hardcore = valuing the journey (levels and midgame content) to the destination (endgame content).
Casual = can't get their head out of their butt to understand the journey is just as important as the destination.

[Sephrick]

Of course, this... and the following.

Hardcore = valuing the journey (levels and midgame content) to the destination (endgame content).
Casual = can't get their head out of their butt to understand the journey is just as important as the destination.

That's a little bit of a cheap shot.

It wouldn't be so bad if SE designed an actual journey.

Mass killing weak mobs for weeks upon months does not equate a "journey."

Make level a series of quests that requires a team to complete and we're talking. Something like XI's Assault system, but with exp rewards instead of gear. (EDIT: Actually, make it still give points for gear or a "training voucher" that functions like an exp scroll. That way they can cap it, and everyone can get what they want out of it and there's still incentive to go back and repeat the old quests).

I just don't get how people could want to go through that BS system of killing the same mob for 10 levels at a time.

[Dragon]

That's a little bit of a cheap shot.

It wouldn't be so bad if SE designed an actual journey.

Mass killing weak mobs for weeks upon months does not equate a "journey."

Make level a series of quests that requires a team to complete and we're talking. Something like XI's Assault system, but with exp rewards instead of gear. (EDIT: Actually, make it still give points for gear or a "training voucher" that functions like an exp scroll. That way they can cap it, and everyone can get what they want out of it and there's still incentive to go back and repeat the old quests).

I just don't get how people could want to go through that BS system of killing the same mob for 10 levels at a time.

You must put words into people's mouth quite often, you're quite awesome at it. I am well aware that there is no journey in XIV right now, but unlikely for the same reasons you make (as undoubtedly, FFXI was in fact quite the journey pre-abyssea).