On "Hardcore"

[Lux_Rayna]

I don't get how 'skill' comes in when all you need to play efficiently is the ability to read, research, and listen. imho anyways. guess it is a skill to some folks, but I like to think most humans enjoy learning, s'why we've came far enough to play crazy ass games with each other around the world...

I dont think its a matter of playing efficiently, but a matter of playing a tier above everyone else. There's a difference between the two. Anyone can be good, but not everyone can be "elite". And the question I'm wondering is where does this "elite" status come from nowadays? Clearly games are a lot different now than they used to be. "Hardcore content" in the sense of difficulty, or ridiculously harsh penalties, basically do not exist in most of mainstream popular MMO's. So without that, do we have "hardcore"? Or do we have, as you say, copypasting strategies and killing a boss efficiently until you're blue in the face?

Because really, just about everyone with functional brain cells can clear the hardest bosses in *most* of today's games. You don't really need godlike reflexes anymore, or the craziest character build, or any of that. So with that out of the equation, the playing field is more or less more egalitarian, with the obvious exception of time. Rewards are slanted more towards investment of time, than raw talent or mental/physical dexterity. Personally i think the change is more of a good business model than anything else. Its the old carrot on a stick.

[Amyas]

Anyone can be good, but not everyone can be "elite".

aaand on to the next thing, elite (in this games current state) = having loads of time.

All it takes to beat anything on here is the ability to read, research and listen, the rest is just a time sink.

Now with the Raven, Nevermore... the people who beat that are hardcore, elite superhumans with superior genetics than lowely oldtypes such as myself....