Help us redefine the Casual Gamer

By: karlw on April 12, 2007 [<<][>>] [back to archive index]

Often misunderstood, mostly ignored, and always under attack by hardcore gamers, the casual gamer makes up the silent majority of gamers today. Is it not time we give them some credit?

cas-u-al gam-er
silent majority of computer and console game players that:
1, use pc and console video games as a means of;
(a) passing time
(b) connecting with friends rather than as an achievement or to further their reputation as a skillful game player.
2, are by definition inferior in skill to any hardcore gamer.
3, do not only play casual games. a casual gamer can be found playing games of all genre. a casual game player on the other hand, would never call him or herself a gamer of any kind.
4, tend to prefer console based games due to their ease of setup and "plug & play" capabiliy.
5, inherently feel a need to confront hardcore gamers due to their own inferior skills and the hardcore gamers inherent need to prove victorious.

Any casual gamer that successfully challenges a hardcore gamer is not a casual gamer, but a hardcore gamer in denial.

Obviousy, all game players are bound by the desire to win at any given game, there would be no point to any game if that were not true, but the over-riding desire to connect with other individuals, be it close friends or distant aquaintances define the casual gamer.

Hardcore gamers have a generally negative, and often derogatory view of casual gamers, looked upon as the plauge of the video game industry. While hardcore gamers are in the minority of gamers they provide an invaluable resource to developers on both the hardware and software end. Without the hardcore gamers passion and dedication to the art, we would not have the quality games that are available today.

Since the purchase power of the casual gamer determines what becomes a best seller, it is understandable why the hardcore gamer has such contempt for the group.

Source: Lounge Three, Los Angeles, CA

Reader Comments & Opinions

swedish meatball says: ladies, i know this ranks among "owning up and admitting to purchasing that spice girls album". you're a casual gamer, admit it!
Posted April 12, 2007

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