On "Hardcore"

[Lux_Rayna]

I feel like the word has been thrown around so much in the past 10 years since the introduction of the casual MMO that it has lost all sense of meaning. And with 2.0 fast approaching, hopefully full of hardcore content, I feel like we need to get the misconceptions out of the way. Now let me preface by saying I am no hardcore player, and I do not claim to know what "hardcore" means; clearly, I couldn't be qualified to do so having never been there myself. But im old enough to have been around the way in the days of Lineage II, DaoC, Asheron's Call, Diablo, and Everquest...so I at least have an "image" or an "impression" of the idea in my mind. On with it then.


From what I understood, hardcore was about risk and difficulty. I remember game modes where if your character died, that was it, you had to reroll. I remember systems that seemed so complicated (D&D says hi, for me anyway) that you actually had to be smart in order to do well. And then there were bosses that were so stupidly overpowered, you had to be extremely proficient to actually win. More or less, this is my image of hardcore as I recall it. A place where few would bother treading, and fewer would have anything to show for it.


But somewhere along the way I keep hearing about other things being hardcore, that don't quite fit what I remember. Things like low-drop rate content, super rare items, lottery type gear upgrades...etc etc. But for me, as a player, anyone can achieve those things with luck. Heck anyone can achieve those things with time. So, honestly, can it really be called hardcore? Like I said, hardcore as I remember it filtered out a lot of ppl. It was never a question of luck and time, although they did play a factor in your survival/accomplishments. From what I read and heard, it was flat-out survival of the fittest. You were either good enough/smart enough to do it, or you weren't.


So with that said am I crazy? And if not, is that the kinda hardcore content ppl are looking for? Or are they looking for time-sinks? Or are time-sinks and hardcore synonymous, and I just never understood the whole hardcore thing?

[Krausus]

for what its worth I see Hardcore the same way you do

[XxOstiaxX]

Hardcore MMO Playes: are people with lots and lots of time on hand, that are able to commit a vast majority of it, to a video game, hence why they defend and promote content that is catered around low % Drop rates, and content that roadblocks casuals or semi hardcore players from their content.

In short: They are the crowd that want to be the special snowflakes, just because they have no lives. Skill has nothing to do with being hardcore(In their eyes) it is all about the ability to commit your life, for a game.

[Helius]

I think it has more to do with the gaming industry changing. Since so many people are starting to play video games, a company needs to design their games to cater to everyone, especially the more casual gamers which would encompass the majority (or at least a very significant portion) of their player base.
If the game was designed as you said, with ridiculously overpowered bosses, complicated systems, etc. The players who aren't as dedicated to the game would be no chance to ever experience that content, and knowing the nature of people, they would complain about it, and state that it isn't fair, which would lead to a lot of people quitting the game.
That's just how I see it at least.

[Orophin]

I'll preface this with saying that my first MMO was FFXI. The way I viewed the "Hardcore" groups on my server were the ones that were constantly striving to complete content before anyone else. They played for long stretches of time in a session (8+ hours) whether it was farming ground HNMs or Sky triggers/gods. It should also go without saying that the people that comprise these groups are typically cream of the crop. You can have all the time in the world to play, but without a certain skill set you'll just keep ramming yourself into a wall.

I understand your view of what Hardcore is, and I agree with you to an extent, having played the various Diablo games over the year. I just think the definition has now more or less evolved into who has more time in their day to play.

[Rogue]

Well i know of people that got every piece of darklight within a month, every single relic weapon.. bassically people that never leave the game other than to sleep for 2 hours. I would consider these people "hardcore".

Also- people that beat the hardest content within a day, but more often than not they are the same people described above from what i have noticed.

I wouldnt call someone hardcore because they completed any specfific content- they are simply playing the game.

[Rau]

This thread will go places.

[yialee]

everyone has their own meaning of haredcore....as for me it mean hard work.
there not much in ffxiv but the relic since there is no drop rate for it but salt and ore off av/cc but hard work on av/cc 17minute run is doneable. Pretty much alot hard work (even if ppl say luck on double meld go farm buy one not that pricely).

[Lux_Rayna]

This thread will go places.

Well really I was just curious as to what most ppl thought about it in this community. Lol I really don't expect to go anywhere.

[lordvr]

everyone has their own meaning of haredcore....as for me it mean hard work.
there not much in ffxiv but the relic since there is no drop rate for it but salt and ore off av/cc but hard work on av/cc 17minute run is doneable. Pretty much alot hard work (even if ppl say luck on double meld go farm buy one not that pricely).

30m not that pricey... yeah sure.