Casual gamer!?

Rebornlogic

im very curious about the "casual gamer" slang going around. what entails this "casual gamer" tag.
so i though about it and here is what i came up with.

1. non competitive.
A. Well why are you even playing any video game? gaming has always been about achievements/being good/making yourself better.
2. play the game anyway you like and be accepted by anyone.
A. so if your running 2-3k dps running vAA. that means your going to make it were you cant clear the run unless the others "carry" you pushing 30+k dps
3. arguing that the game should be the way you feel it should be
A. why should it be the way you want it to be? i'm pretty sure you didn't invest into the game management. so let management decide whats best (after all THEY created the game)

this isn't meant to be insulting if you took it that way and are a "casual gamer"
Elitism is what is meant to be in any MMO, just look at achievments you get rewards for completing "hard" or "not so hard" tasks

if your playing any game there's no such thing as "casual gamer" in any mmo you play. think about anyway you set a goal that's hard to reach and play towards that goal. so by you attempting to reach that goal you now become a elitist that strives to get better.
just some reading that makes very logical sense for people that are (sober)

menedhyn

I consider myself to be just a gamer. A happy, contented gamer.

aLi3nZ

There is this 1 guy and 1 girl around 200 or 300 cp. seems all they do on pc na most busy town of reapers march is role play walking around half naked, drinking and dancing. Have to say, they seem like pretty hardcore gamers to me. They are there so often.

DigitalShibby

I think casual isn't a word used to reflect how you approach the game but the time you have to spend. Someone who works 5 days a week and only gets to play on weekends can play the game with a "hardcore" mentality where they focus on improving, end game, and min maxing their builds but with only two days a week to play they call themselves casual.

Narvuntien

Having fun is the most important thing.

Winning, defearing challengers, overcoming adversity is for the most part fun. I you get a real sense of achievement. You get a real sense of achievement when you improve and feel that improvement. Sometimes you learn when you need to improve on by failing... failing spectacularly. When a more casual player is struggling it maybe because of a lack of informaiton about some aspect of the game. How systems in the game interact with each other, for a lot of people the best way to learn that is through trying and failing rather than looking up a youtube video. Sometimes a casual player will chose to take on extra levels of difficulty, I want to play the game this way and I want to succeed at it. That is ok as long as they understand they have given themselves extra difficulty.

There is a problem though, the hyper competative people have disdane for ineffiency and underperforming anything they come into contact with someone who isn't running meta or the standard thing, it pisses them off. Even watching youtube videos to learn how to play the videos are typically made by the more compedative players that can great a causal player and they stop watching. I swear most I have seen are just hyper compedative players showing off and i can't work out what they are using.

I typed in guild chat that I used one undaunted key and opened the shoulders I wanted, Kraghs shoulders (with a bad trait but I don't care). I was happy. Then someone said
"what class are you?"
"Stamblade"
"Why the hell are you using Kraghs shoulders you need selens and you should be doing 40-70K damage in one hit",
"err i am like a stealth archer stamblade because I felt like playing it."
"Bow is secondary weapon you should be DWing, what is the rest of your gear?"
"err spriggans, archer's mind because cloak gives me a crit so much pen with Kraghs"
"Go get Selens and viper, I'll help you grind the dungeons I am not doing anything"
"err no.. I am fine I am just playing through the story atm"

To me that was terrible, I was happy at the start of the convo and I felt terrible by the end of it.
To him he was helping me, to deal more damage, he even offered to run the dungeons

I am currently leveling up DW... I accept the advice to some extent but I don't want it shoved in my face like that.
I have learnt a lot about how Stamblades should be played just by changing up my skill bars like this.

I don't have the damage indicators turned on in my game because I don't want numbers interfering with my game like that I really honestly don't care about how much damage I am doing I only care about the results... this is a role playing game not maths manipulating game.

raglau

I consider myself casual. I play the game most days, but that may be to dip in and run my pledges (often on normal for speed, due to time constraints) and feed the pony (fnarr fnarr).

I've played since beta, have 3 chars at high CP, am a master crafter, and I know what I am doing, I am certainly committed to the game. I have a sub (christ knows why, with the lack of content).

But I consider myself casual because I simply do not have time to beat say vMSA, whilst I do have hard hitting DPS it's not up there with the real game leaders, I don't have top leaderboard times etc. Very often I specifically choose content that's below me, such as normal pledge runs, simply because of my time constraints commanded by other areas of my life. But then, I have over 300 keys and the loot has lost its allure, so I guess I'm just ticking a box anyway.

So no, self-categorisation as casual does not need to mean I take the game in a less serious way, but I am aware that I am not up there with the best of the best.

MAEK

Rebornlogic wrote: »

so by you attempting to reach that goal you now become a elitist that strives to get better.

An elitist is not just someone who wants to be good, they are someone that thinks that all players must be super awesome to play with them. They are the ones that will kick someone from a dungeon for not having max CP, even if the person is good.

BlackSparrow

One thing I saw a while ago that really stuck with me is that the difference between a "casual" and a "hardcore" gamer is whether you favor relaxed gameplay or stressed gameplay.

Some people have fun constantly looking for the next challenge, playing competitively, honing their characters to the sharpest edge they can... They take fun out of the sense of achievement and improvement that comes with clawing their way up the ladder toward being One Of The Best.

But others play the game to be immersed in a fantasy world, to meet new characters and explore. Such players take their fun in trying out new and interesting builds or in crafting a story and personality that is unique to their character.

(And I'm sure there are people who are a little of both, but I suspect most people lean toward one side or another.)

Personally, I'm the latter. I don't like competitive play, in any game, because I play games to relax. If I'm not relaxed, I'm not having fun, and then I stop playing. IMO, my irl job is stressful enough without me making my free time into a job, too! And sure, this means I will try out non-optimized builds and make some odd decisions, just to fit a character concept I had envisioned... and I will gently turn down any "advice" otherwise. I get by in PvE, and I don't run dungeons outside my close friends, so no one else ever has to feel burdened by "carrying" me through a dungeon.

This, more than the fact that I work 5 days a week, makes me "casual." I could play all day every day, and I would still have no interest in being a high achiever in this game. It's just not why I play. That's why I would never consider myself "hardcore."

Epona222

I'd be far more impressed if people making this sort of post could sort out their commas and apostrophes - no offence, but it would be nice to think you had a balanced life where you may have achieved some things like spelling and grammar as well as gaming

Knootewoot

I consider myself a casual player

- I don't play everyday as I lack time
- If I play it's one or two hours a day, maybe more in weekend
- I don't grind sets and am lazy and craft all myself up to purple (I lack gold to make golden)
- I run dungeons only with guildies who do it for fun and not dps race. I know all tactics since I did all dungeons/trials and also watched youtube video's for some. Yes sometimes I feel like a get carried since I have less DPS but still decent as magblade then other players (also I find it difficult to weave and animation cancel). But luckily I get my share of runs and there is always portal duty)
- If a group wants to run trial/dungeon for speed or whatever I generally do not join and am content with that. Been there done that it's not mandatory for me. I rather PvP anyway and have fun with a PuG or guildgroup.
- I like to sneak around and steal and murder in PvE which suits my Darkbrotherhood Vampire which is casual enough.

1. non competitive.
A. Well why are you even playing any video game? gaming has always been about achievements/being good/making yourself better.

I disagree. I play for fun and relaxation. I don't care about achievements. I will do my best but lack time to be the best. Also single player games like Skyrim really do not have competition

2. play the game anyway you like and be accepted by anyone.
A. so if your running 2-3k dps running vAA. that means your going to make it were you cant clear the run unless the others "carry" you pushing 30+k dps

Agree. I only join guild groups when they don't care about how long it takes and don't mind carrying. Although I know all tactics and DPS is decent I don't want anyone to carry me for speed runs or dps races.

3. arguing that the game should be the way you feel it should be
A. why should it be the way you want it to be? i'm pretty sure you didn't invest into the game management. so let management decide whats best (after all THEY created the game)

Agree, what is want in the game is still just my opinion. I cannot force it upon anyone since 99% may dislike my idea

dday3six

Epona222 wrote: »

I'd be far more impressed if people making this sort of post could sort out their commas and apostrophes - no offence, but it would be nice to think you had a balanced life where you may have achieved some things like spelling and grammar as well as gaming

Have to love the irony of calling people out on grammatical errors, while making some yourself.

AMadAussie

Rebornlogic wrote: »

1. non competitive.
A. Well why are you even playing any video game? gaming has always been about achievements/being good/making yourself better.

I'm not sure where you got that idea from. Games are made primarily for filling in spare time i.e. entertainment. If you play solely for the purpose of "being good" and are so competitive that you just have to win and beat everyone else, that speaks volumes about your inadequacies and insecurities in the rest of your life. While there's nothing wrong with endeavouring to improve your ability in a game, their purpose is simply to have a fun way to fill in time.

negbert

I play games to have fun, not to compete. That's what the real world is for.

UntrustedExistenz

BlackSparrow wrote: »

One thing I saw a while ago that really stuck with me is that the difference between a "casual" and a "hardcore" gamer is whether you favor relaxed gameplay or stressed gameplay.

Some people have fun constantly looking for the next challenge, playing competitively, honing their characters to the sharpest edge they can... They take fun out of the sense of achievement and improvement that comes with clawing their way up the ladder toward being One Of The Best.

But others play the game to be immersed in a fantasy world, to meet new characters and explore. Such players take their fun in trying out new and interesting builds or in crafting a story and personality that is unique to their character.

(And I'm sure there are people who are a little of both, but I suspect most people lean toward one side or another.)

Personally, I'm the latter. I don't like competitive play, in any game, because I play games to relax. If I'm not relaxed, I'm not having fun, and then I stop playing. IMO, my irl job is stressful enough without me making my free time into a job, too! And sure, this means I will try out non-optimized builds and make some odd decisions, just to fit a character concept I had envisioned... and I will gently turn down any "advice" otherwise. I get by in PvE, and I don't run dungeons outside my close friends, so no one else ever has to feel burdened by "carrying" me through a dungeon.

This, more than the fact that I work 5 days a week, makes me "casual." I could play all day every day, and I would still have no interest in being a high achiever in this game. It's just not why I play. That's why I would never consider myself "hardcore."

I was typing post when I saw yours. Had excatly same vision of gaming in general and I can't describe this better.

raglau

AMadAussie wrote: »

Rebornlogic wrote: »

1. non competitive.
A. Well why are you even playing any video game? gaming has always been about achievements/being good/making yourself better.

I'm not sure where you got that idea from. Games are made primarily for filling in spare time i.e. entertainment. If you play solely for the purpose of "being good" and are so competitive that you just have to win and beat everyone else, that speaks volumes about your inadequacies and insecurities in the rest of your life. While there's nothing wrong with endeavouring to improve your ability in a game, their purpose is simply to have a fun way to fill in time.

Logically, it does not mean someone has insecurities in the rest of their life if they desire to be the very best at a game/some games. We all have areas of our life where we strive to be the best; mine have been my career, music and motorsport, (not that I've achieved this!). If another person chooses a computer game, that's objectively no less valid a choice than the other more traditional items, such as I mentioned.

There's really no difference between someone feeling they want to be the best at <insert any computer game here>, than someone feeling they want to be the World Champion of Chess.

pattyLtd

Rebornlogic wrote: »

im very curious about the "casual gamer" slang going around. what entails this "casual gamer" tag.
so i though about it and here is what i came up with.

1. non competitive.
A. Well why are you even playing any video game? gaming has always been about achievements/being good/making yourself better.
2. play the game anyway you like and be accepted by anyone.
A. so if your running 2-3k dps running vAA. that means your going to make it were you cant clear the run unless the others "carry" you pushing 30+k dps
3. arguing that the game should be the way you feel it should be
A. why should it be the way you want it to be? i'm pretty sure you didn't invest into the game management. so let management decide whats best (after all THEY created the game)

I don't consider myself a casual nor "pro/elitist" but the part i bolded goes both ways

Threads like this just make me wonder what the reasoning behind it is maybe it's sincerely something you're curious about or maybe you just want to pad yourself on the back how pro a gamer you are?

thedude33

Rebornlogic wrote: »

im very curious about the "casual gamer" slang going around. what entails this "casual gamer" tag.
so i though about it and here is what i came up with.

1. non competitive.
A. Well why are you even playing any video game? gaming has always been about achievements/being good/making yourself better.
2. play the game anyway you like and be accepted by anyone.
A. so if your running 2-3k dps running vAA. that means your going to make it were you cant clear the run unless the others "carry" you pushing 30+k dps
3. arguing that the game should be the way you feel it should be
A. why should it be the way you want it to be? i'm pretty sure you didn't invest into the game management. so let management decide whats best (after all THEY created the game)

this isn't meant to be insulting if you took it that way and are a "casual gamer"
Elitism is what is meant to be in any MMO, just look at achievments you get rewards for completing "hard" or "not so hard" tasks

if your playing any game there's no such thing as "casual gamer" in any mmo you play. think about anyway you set a goal that's hard to reach and play towards that goal. so by you attempting to reach that goal you now become a elitist that strives to get better.
just some reading that makes very logical sense for people that are (sober)

The term passive aggressive comes to mind. Ignorant and troll seem to hit the spot also.

A few other words come to mind, but shouldn't use them in mixed company.

I give a 3/10 on the troll meter

Daemons_Bane

Well why are you even playing any video game? gaming has always been about achievements/being good/making yourself better.

I disagree.. To some of us, games are just entertainment, used when we want to relax and have fun

lardvader

I'm hardcore casual or casual hardcore if you want

Most important is to play for fun with my friends...

Gandrhulf_Harbard

"Casual" for me has always been about attitude to the game.

In terms of hours played some may consider me a hardcore player. Because of my job I often have 3 days off work in the middle of the week, and can pretty much devote the whole day to gaming. It is not unheard of for me to start playing at 8-9am and finish about 1-2am the following day, and approx 80% of that time will be in-game. It is reasonably common for me to hit 40hrs/week of in-game time.

But my attitude is that I'll do what I feel like doing, when I feel like doing, how I want to do it. Some days I'll log in and do just the craft dailys and then go exploring, gathering (I'm a hoarder). One day I may look at the map and see what quests/deeds I still have to do in X zone and then spend the day working towards finishing them all off.

I think I have properly grouped-up maybe only 20 or so times, and I really don't care about "optimal builds" and "dps monitoring", for me it is about enjoying what I am doing. If anyone asks for my help I'll gladly give it, but if they then tell me my build/gear/skills are wrong and I need to do it "their way" I'd rather just not get into that argument and I'll leave them to it.

My main is a Templar, but I refuse to use certain skills (aedric spear) for example because I think the animations for them are laughable. The chances of that skill ever making it to my skill bar is zero. I really don't care if using it would boost my DPS by 10% or even 50%, if I am not happy with how it looks it ruins my enjoyment and so it is never going to happen. In LOTRO I once semi-retired my main for 5 months, because I just wasn't happy with how he looked. Once I got a few pieces drop that I could use cosmetically to get him to look how I wanted him to look I started using him again.

Do I want BiS gear? Sure, would be nice, but getting it, or not getting it, will not define if I feel my time in game has been "successful". And I will not compromise my enjoyment (see above) to get i - because enjoyment is how I measure success in my leisure time.

Unless someone is paying for my Sub they don't get to tell me how to play... ...end of.

So am I casual, hardcore, an RPer, or what? I really don't know, and I don't particularly care.

All The Best

Mojmir

I picture people from a gap commercial

runagate

I have to ask - what has caused so many people to respond thoughtfully and in length to this incoherent, rambling nonsense? I'm not even referring to the OP's opinions. Nothing in that post can even be considered a thought, let alone something that requires a response. If you heard this sort of mumbling idiocy IRL you wouldn't speak to such a person, or even listen to the words, you'd just move away in disgust and shake your head in wonder.

I am absolutely aghast at how many people cannot even compose a normal paragraph on these forums.

AMadAussie

Pibbles wrote: »

Logically, it does not mean someone has insecurities in the rest of their life if they desire to be the very best at a game/some games. We all have areas of our life where we strive to be the best; mine have been my career, music and motorsport, (not that I've achieved this!). If another person chooses a computer game, that's objectively no less valid a choice than the other more traditional items, such as I mentioned.

@Pibbles There's a notable difference between partaking in an activity with the intent of being the best you can be and partaking in an activity with the sole intent of beating others. If you've performed to the best of your ability as was your intent, you'll feel content with that regardless of your performance. The latter scenario requires winning and beating others in order to feel content. Winning gives you a feeling of power. If you need to beat other people at video games in order to obtain said feeling of power, it means you're lacking it in other areas of your life.

The trouble with your argument is that it's from the perspective of someone who plays video games for fun (this is a good thing). You need to look at the situation from a different perspective.

Pibbles wrote: »

There's really no difference between someone feeling they want to be the best at <insert any computer game here>, than someone feeling they want to be the World Champion of Chess.

This is totally irrelevant and beside the point of my post but I'll argue it anyway.

Using your examples of your career, music and motorsports, you get a return on your investment of time other than just "fun". Your career can provide you with: an income (at the very least), travel and cultural experiences, knowledge and experience you can apply to other areas of your life. Skill with a musical instrument gives your the ability to entertain others and maybe even make pocket change busking. Engaging in motorsports gives you mechanical experience which enables you to modify, repair and maintain your vehicle.

Video games give you what? Typing experience and slightly improved reaction times with a mouse? Wow, life changing..

Lieblingsjunge

Casuals for me are: Those that's got a very basic sense of the game & that asks for help/listens if there is something they do not know. e.g. they basically play it sub-par, but they're using a taunt for tanking & a healing skill for healing. But nothing more than that. They can play their class/role - but they do not Master(sort of) their class/role.

You have the casuals, and then you have the lazy, rude, selfish bums who's simply "I'm tanking in 7 light and without a taunt because I CAN!!!!!!!!!"

I don't want the last part mixed up with the casuals. There's nothing wrong with casuals per se, but it *is* something wrong with the last example.

azoriangaming

I class myself as casual now a days because of two things 1, I don't play the game no where near as much as i did i still play a good 2 or 3 hours a day, 2, I don't play to be competitive even though i can do everything in the game I play for fun and social reasons.

Browiseth

it's all in the name. there really isn't much to ponder about on it

raglau

runagate wrote: »

I have to ask - what has caused so many people to respond thoughtfully and in length to this incoherent, rambling nonsense? I'm not even referring to the OP's opinions. Nothing in that post can even be considered a thought, let alone something that requires a response. If you heard this sort of mumbling idiocy IRL you wouldn't speak to such a person, or even listen to the words, you'd just move away in disgust and shake your head in wonder.

I am absolutely aghast at how many people cannot even compose a normal paragraph on these forums.

The OP made himself understood. Perhaps English is not his native language, perhaps he simply did not do well at English at school, perhaps he was typing on a phone. Whatever is reason, the question he posed was understood and that's all that matters. Clearly people did feel it requierw

AMadAussie wrote: »

Pibbles wrote: »

Logically, it does not mean someone has insecurities in the rest of their life if they desire to be the very best at a game/some games. We all have areas of our life where we strive to be the best; mine have been my career, music and motorsport, (not that I've achieved this!). If another person chooses a computer game, that's objectively no less valid a choice than the other more traditional items, such as I mentioned.

@Pibbles There's a notable difference between partaking in an activity with the intent of being the best you can be and partaking in an activity with the sole intent of beating others. If you've performed to the best of your ability as was your intent, you'll feel content with that regardless of your performance. The latter scenario requires winning and beating others in order to feel content. Winning gives you a feeling of power. If you need to beat other people at video games in order to obtain said feeling of power, it means you're lacking it in other areas of your life.

The trouble with your argument is that it's from the perspective of someone who plays video games for fun (this is a good thing). You need to look at the situation from a different perspective.

Pibbles wrote: »

There's really no difference between someone feeling they want to be the best at <insert any computer game here>, than someone feeling they want to be the World Champion of Chess.

This is totally irrelevant and beside the point of my post but I'll argue it anyway.

Using your examples of your career, music and motorsports, you get a return on your investment of time other than just "fun". Your career can provide you with: an income (at the very least), travel and cultural experiences, knowledge and experience you can apply to other areas of your life. Skill with a musical instrument gives your the ability to entertain others and maybe even make pocket change busking. Engaging in motorsports gives you mechanical experience which enables you to modify, repair and maintain your vehicle.

Video games give you what? Typing experience and slightly improved reaction times with a mouse? Wow, life changing..

You are trying to say that typing experience, tactical planning in chess and improved reaction times are objectively 'worse' skills to develop than the ability to entertain others. I think you'll struggle to make that stick.

You're then trying to monetise experience and use that as a measure, but that's not a good idea, some professional gamers/Youtubers are richer than you or I will ever be.

It's simply not possible to objectively mark one experience as 'better' than any other. e.g. I started participating in motorsport simply because of the thrill of driving performance cars incredibly quickly, for many people the thrill of winning a computer or chess game is equally worth pursuing. I started playing and producing music simply to give an outlet to something inside of me. I even started my career purely because I was fasincated by technology, the fact I made a lot of money out of it is a mere side-effect, and didn't even factor into my thinking, I simply pursed avenues I loved and happened to excel at.

Not everybody thinks as you or I do and they cannot be measured by your and my standards, as these are not universal.

I personally think a good way to suck the fun out of life is to start to measure its ROI. Sure, I do that to my businesses, but I have responsibilities there.

EDIT: if it weren't for my massive love of computer games as a school child, I'd not in fact have my career. But I was so fascinated by them that I studied technology architecture at university, started a computer business, made my first million by 30, semi-retired shortly after. Used the money to travel the world, buy any car I wanted, buy some music businesses, basically live my dreams. So, if you want to look at ROI, I'd say my school days of gaming paid off pretty well even by your own fiscal measures.

You just can't tell what avenue even the simplest of things may take you down.

Prof_Bawbag

Someone who sees games for what they are - entertainment. I often wonder if people react to real life situations as they do over some trivial non entity in a game.

I couldn't care less how others see me. If people want to pigeon hole my style of play, then they're free to do so just like I'm free to laugh at others who come across as losing sleep over this game or any game, then hide behind the word "passion" like it makes it any less pathetic.

Sausage

Casual playes 1-4 hour per day, HC playes 10 hour and no-life stays online all the time. We all should be able to play the same game, imho.

Danikat

Rebornlogic wrote: »

im very curious about the "casual gamer" slang going around. what entails this "casual gamer" tag.
so i though about it and here is what i came up with.

1. non competitive.
A. Well why are you even playing any video game? gaming has always been about achievements/being good/making yourself better.
2. play the game anyway you like and be accepted by anyone.
A. so if your running 2-3k dps running vAA. that means your going to make it were you cant clear the run unless the others "carry" you pushing 30+k dps
3. arguing that the game should be the way you feel it should be
A. why should it be the way you want it to be? i'm pretty sure you didn't invest into the game management. so let management decide whats best (after all THEY created the game)

this isn't meant to be insulting if you took it that way and are a "casual gamer"
Elitism is what is meant to be in any MMO, just look at achievments you get rewards for completing "hard" or "not so hard" tasks

if your playing any game there's no such thing as "casual gamer" in any mmo you play. think about anyway you set a goal that's hard to reach and play towards that goal. so by you attempting to reach that goal you now become a elitist that strives to get better.
just some reading that makes very logical sense for people that are (sober)

I think I'm definitely a casual gamer in ESO (maybe not so much in some other games). Here's my answers to your questions:

1. non competitive.

Yes, to me being a casual gamer means not competing with other people. Most of what I play is RPGs which means I'm playing for the storyline - it's like reading a book or watching a movie but much more in-depth and it goes at my pace and sometimes I get to decide what happens.

But I also play for the gameplay, which I suppose in a sense means I'm competing with the game. But that's very different to competing with other people. I really couldn't care less if I killed something faster or sooner, or did more damage than someone else, the important thing is that I completed the task that was set. It's much lower pressure than trying to do better than everyone else around me.

2. play the game anyway you like and be accepted by anyone.

That would be nice, but realistically it's never going to happen no matter who you are or what you do. As for things like doing 2-3k dps in vAA the short answer is that I wouldn't do vAA at all.

Part of being a casual player (to me, some may disagree) is that you tend to play more slowly and spend less time on the game than 'hardcore' gamers. I might play ESO for an hour or two a night and in that time I'll explore a map looking for gathering nodes and treasure chests, do a couple of quests listening to all the dialogue and taking the time to consider my choices, maybe find and fight a boss in the open-world. I've got more than enough to do without getting into 'hard mode' versions of things, and organising a group or getting into an organised group tends to be more trouble than it's worth for me. (NOT because I'm trying to join 'hardcore' groups that require specific builds, dps numbers etc. and getting kicked out. I mean literally just the process of finding out who from my friends and guilds is interested, reminding them that all my characters are low level so I want other low level/inexperienced players, and no I'm not some kind of ESO wizard offering to carry them I'll be just as useless as they are, and then getting enough people together in one place can take 15 minutes+ and when that's 1/4 of your total time it makes more sense to go and do something else instead.)

3. arguing that the game should be the way you feel it should be

I don't think this is specific to casual players, or any other type of players. And why shouldn't players provide feedback on games they enjoy? Of course you need to be realistic and accept that they're never going to do everything everyone wants and that some suggestions are completely unreasonable for some games (like the requests for a single-player, offline version of ESO). But if it's something that seems reasonable I don't see any harm in putting ideas out there. Especially when, as you said, it is ultimately the developers decision and they (should) know what's best for the game as a whole. If they're going to change the game just because some random on a forum is asking for it, or even a lot of people, when they know it'd be a mistake the game already has bigger problems.

DigitalShibby wrote: »

I think casual isn't a word used to reflect how you approach the game but the time you have to spend. Someone who works 5 days a week and only gets to play on weekends can play the game with a "hardcore" mentality where they focus on improving, end game, and min maxing their builds but with only two days a week to play they call themselves casual.

This is why I don't like these simplistic distinctions. There are multiple interpretations of casual and hardcore gamers.

In a wider context everyone who plays an MMO would be considered a hardcore gamer. Casual gamers are the people who play the odd game of Candy Crush on their phone at the bus stop or even people who religiously download and complete 'find the hidden object' games on their tablet but would never touch anything with a time limit, risk of 'dying'/failing or other pressure or any more complicated mechanics.

(I remember once on a non-gaming forum someone stated a topic called "Name a game you've spent more than 50 hours on" - to them that was a HUGE commitment which showed you loved the game and had played it to death over and over again. They were extremely surprised when they started getting responses from RPG fans saying "Umm...all of them? In most my games it takes 10 hours to get to the main storyline".)

But even within a genre it varies. I consider myself a casual gamer in ESO and it's mainly to do with how I play rather than the time I have (although that's also limited). I don't worry about being the best, or even having the best equipment or build, I just want to explore and do quests. But in other games I'm very definitely a hardcore player. I set out to get 100% completion, doing all the achievements, finding everything, and add extra 'rules' or challenges like beating bosses with no deaths or never dropping below 50% health. If I can't do that I'm not happy with it and will repeat it until I can.

But I think it would also be accurate to call people who only play for an hour or two on the weekend casual gamers, even if when they are online they are focused on levelling as quickly as possible, getting the best gear and completing the hardest content.

It's the same for hardcore gamers. Is someone who is on 5+ hours a day, every day, a hardcore gamer? Probably yes. What if they spend all that time role-playing? Or trading? Or taking newbies through dungeons for the first time and crafting low level equipment for their guild? All of these are real examples and I'd certainly say they are some of the most dedicated players I know, but I'm not sure they count as hardcore gamers.

AcadianPaladin

I view casual as perhaps a player who plays many games or for whatever reason is not really looking to get into the details and fine points of the game.

I view elitist as a player who reeks of superiority and that reflects in their dealings with other players.

I have massive respect for the many incredibly well-equipped and well-skilled players who are kind and supportive of others - and I have met and been helped by many top-notch players.

I play only ESO. I play it every day. It is currently the home to my one and only perma-character who has been with me through a series of games dating back a couple decades. I read and digest everything I can about the game - especially templar healer stuff. Yet, my magplar is a Bosmer who wears Seducers and Robes of the Hist and wields two resto staves. I like it. I don't have any interest in PVP or high-end content where bosses have millions of hp and require an elite team to take down.