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Hardcore gamer is a term used to describe a type of video game player, or gamer, whose leisure time is largely devoted to playing video games. Typically, they will play a game to mastery before moving on, in the process becoming very knowledgeable about individual games. The opposite of the hardcore gamer is the casual gamer.
Evolution As the games industry has evolved and become increasingly sophisticated in response to the massive amounts of money to be made in multimedia ventures, gamers of all calibre are now addressed. More than ever people can invest increasing amounts of time, effort, and interest in games. This has effectively given birth to a new class of gamer who identify themselves with the playing of games as something more than just a pastime. In the latter decades of the twentieth century computer games were produced that could be followed by their players in a similar, but initially less developed, fashion to how someone would favor playing games of cards, or models of role-playing games. The lineage of the hardcore gamer can be traced back to the advent of arcade games and their availability for the first time in the form of consoles in the home. Many hardcore gamers still enjoy these classic earlier examples as entertainment for their gameplay, aesthetic appeal, or even kitsch value. However, hardcore gamers are also thought of as driving the modern day games market because of their consumption of new games and content, and new gaming experiences. Interests The increasing availability of the Internet has enabled gamers to play online games with others; the Web has allowed gamers to congregate on forums to discuss their gaming interests. This has gone some way to producing common attitudes, opinions, and memes amongst the more involved gamers. As gaming magazines moved, conceptually at least, online to provide gamers with news, reviews, and information they have inspired the involvement of the hardcore in forums and in the production of content such as walkthroughs and FAQs, earning them the respect of the gamers they help on sites such as GameFAQs. In addition, one medium that has been successful in attracting hardcore gamers is that of the webcomic such as Penny Arcade and PvP. Their associated forums, blogs, computer game guilds, and conventions have served to unite gamers and in particular, those that would describe themselves as hardcore. A positive aspect of this coming together is the defence against persistent negative stereotypes and in countering opinions on the influence of violence in video games and the judgement of people who enjoy playing such. Hardcore gamers respond well to the reward systems employed in games. The term is often used to describe those who value gameplay over advances in graphics. Hardcore gamers may well take gaming more seriously than other aspects of life. Games Arguably, part of being a hardcore gamer is the playing of many new games. All too often, another part is the argument over what games hardcore gamers play. Opinions and trends change but there are a few games that have stood the test of time and are played by people who would describe themselves as a hardcore gamer. It is hoped that this list illustrates some of the games played, especially the less obvious choices. By no means a complete list of some of the games that might be favored: Usage of the term The terms hardcore and casual gamer may be used with derogatory overtones by the respective communities in describing each other. Trademarks The United States Patent and Trademarks office lists two live registered trademarks containing the term Hardcore Gamer. The earliest was filed on January 28, 2004 as the name of a Magazine featuring reviews of video games, owned by DoubleJump Publishing, Inc. The second is the name of a candy, Hardcore Mints for Hardcore Gamers, filed on February 10, 2006, owned by Score Acquisitions Corp. DBA Cody-Kramer Imports. Esoteric trends Hardcore gamers have been noted to partake in proud displays of their love of gaming. Examples include: See also | ||||||||
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