I would like to put my two cents in as a representative of the minuscule group of players I will call "eccentric casual" players. I have never played games in a way that would be described as "hardcore"; even in FFXI in which I managed to obtain a relatively high degree of gear was only through the sheer number of years that I played it. That being said, I can honestly say that the fact that hardcore content existed and was an option, something to look forward to, gave me a great amount of enjoyment. I likely do not speak for many of my casual brethren, but I for one, would relish the addition of hardcore content, even if I myself will likely not see it for many months ore even years to come.

As an aside to M.D. Mog, what I would give to be able to hire you to work on a few mobile games I am developing with a group of acquaintances. Unfortunately, we have no money to pay even ourselves on this first project, pro-Bono work is quite spiritually rewarding but damn if it isn't hard on the pocketbook. I wish you luck getting a job at SE or EA, and would sign such a petition if one exists.