Casual vs Hardcore
Me and some co-workers had good discussions recently on the definitions of being a “casual” or a “hardcore” player.
One of the factors that came up in the ‘definition’ was the amount of time one dedicated to a game. All things being equal, a casual player plays less than a hardcore one. But what if that same player “who plays less” spends insane sums on F2P item-mall based games? Does that make the player now hardcore?
Some say it’s the gaming “mentality” that defines casual or hardcore. Casual players are those who just go inside the game and just chat, play occasionally and usually just buy items for mundane reasons (”it’s cute… wow!”). They never bother to rise above the others or become leaders. By this definition, the hardcore ’school’ are the ones who are always concerned about levels, items and kills and play like there’s no tomorrow.
Perhaps Bartle sums it best in his definition of online gamers. He made a study about personalities and defines 4 basic types of online gamers:
• ACHIEVERS tend to prefer collecting points, levels, treasure and accomplishments that set them apart from other players–or simply present challenges.
• EXPLORERS tend to enjoy finding all of the unique areas of the world, often enjoying the immersion of the experience. Finding a place with unique monsters and seeing what those monsters do is usually more fun for an Explorer than defeating the monsters themselves.
• KILLERS prefer the player-versus-player aspect of any game more than anything offered by the environment. They often relish the adrenaline and challenge of pitting themselves against real players.
• SOCIALIZERS enjoy interacting with other people, forming organizations, and finding cooperative solutions to the challenges within the virtual world.
I just took the Bartle test and here are my results:
Breakdown: Achiever 26.67%, Explorer 73.33%, Killer 26.67%, Socializer 73.33%
SEAK players are usually very interested in the ‘total experience’ of a virtual world–meeting other people and finding the unique places within it. They don’t care much for PVP or leveling, but meeting up with online friends to see new parts of the world is usually fun and exciting.
What type or gamer are you? Take the test now and let me know. Thanks.
**The opinions and viewpoints published in this article are not necessarily those of Level Up! Inc, its games and its licensed products or services.
Correct me if I’m wrong but I think that test have been first introduced by an RFO ph player in Galactic Assembly section of RFO Message Board. Well anyway I’ve taken the test some time back. But I just can’t remember the percentage of each personality that I have but as I can remember I am of EAKS kind, so for all the Nexus Accre and Bell it would be less of a worry when you happen to came accross me on Novus (especially the lowbies..hehe). Killing is third on my priority on that planet.
Comment by alanar — June 30, 2008 @ 7:46 am
Just took the test and turns out im an SKEA type of a player. I love to form alliances and with them help my race win battles. I also love socializing with others and entertain or be entertained by others. So, Xenos bells and corites, dont touch me and I won’t touch you if im on a quest, PL or farm mode. CW? Well, Glory for the empire. Thanks for this post! Learned alot from this! More power to you all
Comment by ralph — July 1, 2008 @ 9:47 am