freespeech

darvos

kylenalepa

valarmorghulis

Damn.

Grive

Mech_Master

They pretty much nailed me.

EndersGame

Mii

whiskey

The rest.... my gf is a gamer as well!!!

cjlopez

Kleppe

At least, I hope it doesn't.

Justice7541

hmmm... this article is listed in the XBOX section of Tech Radar... now the writer of the artcile can REALLY go f*ck himself...

Enigma_20XX

demonspawn2578

soul4sale

You prefer playing against the computer. Defiantly. I'm a PvP hater. Period.

You only play when your girlfriend is out. I don't have a girl friend! Yay!

You believe that winning isn't everything. Well it's not...I mean......dammit...

It's been days, not hours since you last switched on your console. Well my Wii is looking at me with those sad eyes of late.

You're the oldest person trading in games at GameStation. PFFFT. Who trades in games? Seriously!

You like your Xbox 360 and your PS3 equally. Yes, I like them equally like the piece of shit-I-don't-own they are!

You fondly remember a 'golden age' of gaming. I miss my dreamcast and N64. I miss the GREAT gaming hours I would spend. I miss it all! /sad

You avoid playing on the Wii because it's too much effort. I avoid using the Wii-mote when I can. Classic or GameCube for me, please!

Your FPS experience consists of spawn, run, die... spawn, run, die... spawn…. If I have a weak-enough moment to play UT3, yes. Just like that, with the random kill in there.

You find the idea of videogames based on board games perfectly acceptable. Common, RiskII on the PSO was freaking awesome!

You've pre-ordered GTA IV but don't mind if it doesn't turn up on launch day. I didn't waste my money...

Time to tally...

8/11...I'm only twenty years old though! What does this mean?! LEGOLAS, WHAT DO YOUR ELF EYES SEE?!

Master Saji

Explaining classic NES games to people is sad. Of course what was worse was how one guy was amazed that I had an Atari 2600. He was even more amazed when I told him I had six.

Nothing is more hardcore than playing Pitfall, Riddle of the Sphinx or Atlantis for hours. ;)

Maybe I am old?

battra92

Word!

By the way, I started losing my hair in my freshman year of high school so I sure as hell ain't old. :P

battra92

Excuse me if I think that having a disposable income (AKA a job) and caring about the gaming industry through blogs and conventions get bonus points on your Hardcore Gamer card.

mjpm

Syco Killer

Akanubon

AlKusanagi

PlaidNinja

It might be because I am learning so much about gaming that the tricks don't trick me no more.

DarkNessbear

Nico8332

First off, it assumes you have to be young to be a, "hardcore," gamer. While I'm not too terribly old myself, *under 30,* I know of gamers who are extremly active well beyond the age of the stereotypical gamer.

It assumes you're good at multi-player First Person Shooters. Which is way off base, because shooters may not even be your genre of choice. What if you're a console RPG fan? Some of those titles can be incredibly difficult, and you could spend thousands tracking down all the decent console RPG's made over the years.

I could name other reasons why I don't like it, but I'm not really sure there's any need at this point.

What it comes down to, is that this list applies the term, "hardcore," to a very specific kind of gamer. However, hardcore should really pertain to how much time, effort and money you put into your gaming hobby, not to your age or your gaming genres of choice.

WolvenOne

I have steadily moved from playing games to researching the technology to create them.

EtherealDragonz

Lexcalibur

D Mitsuki

D Mitsuki

Bokusatsu_Tenshi

elislider

kylo4

bigdonthedj

ArgentAngel

Sabre_Justice: Okay, no more long name.

wiggatron

commanderdeek

Sloopydrew

- You prefer playing against the computer: Definite Yes
- You only play when your girlfriend is out: Mostly
- You believe that winning isn't everything: Yep
- It's been days, not hours since you last switched on your console: No, but that's often the case
- You're the oldest person trading in games at GameStation:: I don't trade games. Aha! Win.
- You like your Xbox 360 and your PS3 equally:: I'd be killed if I bought both a 360 and PS3. Win again!
- You fondly remember a 'golden age' of gaming: Yes
- You avoid playing on the Wii because it's too much effort: No. I love the Wii.
- Your FPS experience consists of spawn, run, die... spawn, run, die... spawn…: Yes, unfortunately.
- You find the idea of videogames based on board games perfectly acceptable: Yep. But the actual board games are better.
- You've pre-ordered GTA IV but don't mind if it doesn't turn up on launch day: Nah. I'll get it when it's cheap... actually, I'll probably wait until it's on the PC.

Hmm... so I'm not quite too old, but getting there.

Marlor

jp182

And I didn't even get GTA pre-ordered....I'm not getting it the day it comes out....I don't even know if I will. Sega Superstars Tennis just dropped to twenty dollars anyway...hehe.

Godzilla-Sushi

Narcosynthesis1

Lov3

THERE IS NO GOLDEN AGE OF GAMING. However, there are games from each era that are greater and more glorious than the games of today! I can't tell you how many games I have bought on the strength of a review that turned out to be 1 hour time wasters. By the same token, I tried Chrono Trigger *after* I had played FFX, and it is without doubt a better game. SOTN is still better than any of the new castlevanias. OOT is still the best game ever made (just check game rankings).

In conclusion, it is better to play old classic which is new to you than 99% of new games on the market. Good games are still good, end of discussion.

Lov3

I play my Super Nintendo and Genesis about half of my waking life and I'm always buying old games, and I consider them better than many of today's games. I don't see how that one is supposed to make me less of a hardcore gamer.

Also, I don't avoid playing the Wii because it's too much effort, but because there's nothing to play. Super Mario Galaxy and Metroid Prime 3 are nice and all... but how about some more intense games like that? I mean, it's fine for every system to have one or two great minigame collections--not 57 a month.

And I never got the Dreamcast fanatics. The system has some good games, but it lacks games that'll blow you away. I'd take a Gamecube any day, and I'd take any of my pre-1996 systems (aside from my 2600) over that.

Another thing is I don't really get excited for new games anymore; only new systems make me stay up late thinking about how awesome they're going to be and how good the box will smell.

My name changed for an unknown reason

enigma89

mpar

jambe

slacker164

You spend more time READING about games than actually PLAYING them.

(Thank god I can read gaming blogs while at work)

Genjitsu

I traded in my badge and gun a long time ago, Captain.

dunetiger reads kotaku, seems pleased

Well, that's my opinion anyway.

Torusan

Americo

Snake726

eagle14

Mister Adequate

jccalhoun

Making small talk with the clerk while my GTAIV preorder was being processed (paid in full for convenience, on a credit card with a $7500 limit, geezer-style) I casually mentioned how I remembered being blown away by GTA3 when it came out, and he said something like: "Oh yeah, I remember that- it was a loooong time ago! I was in sixth grade. LOL."

Er, ok. So I am twice as old as you. It doesn't bother me one bit. Life begins at thirty, home-skillet.

Mega-Driven

AsauPrime

Null-Python

I'll add that this is a joke list, so relax people. I don't have a Wii anymore because there isn't much to spark my interest. Maybe one day, but not now.

SG79

Time of course is the main enemy, and life has to go on. Also disinterest in most mainstream genres. I love action and action adventure and fighters, and that's about it. They used to be big back in the day, but once they faded alongside arcades, I'm down to playing key games.

So I await NGII anxiously in particular alongside the home version of Tekken 6.

SG79

2 Wrong, she plays too.

3 Hell No.

4 6 hours.... I stopped to go online and read gaming news. I like to stay on top of things like that.

5 Laughably No...

6 Prefer X-Box.

7 The idiot who made this list doesn't even remember the golden Age of Gaming. I was raised on the Atari 2600. Also calling old games shallow and repetative is only partially right, it was called a fricking game mechanic, Something that game makers today tend to lose focus on and in the end deliver to us crap on a stick. So this one is only half right.

8 I own a Wii, it's my favorite console, not just for motion control but also the split controller. It makes it so easy in smash to just have mu hands resting comfortably on my lap, hands comfortable, and my opponents bleeding.

9 Yes, this is true but I have always been bad at FPSs. I still have fun playing them.

10 How else you you beat Bill Gates in Monopoly? Still these things are mostly pointless. But I can see how with a little online multiplayer and maybe a webcam this could bring together families who are miles away from each other a family game night.... But still they are mostly pointless.

11 Didn't Pre Order GTA 4.... Too much Wii/DS upkeep (And seriously Wii needs the GTA series. I want to be able to beat people with real remote swinging)

LuppyLuptonium

I certainly wish I wouldn't remember it.... ¬_¬

ara

KM91

"You find the idea of videogames based on board games perfectly acceptable

Anyone for a game of Carcassonne tonight?"

I actually enjoy playing that. :(

thammuz

GTA is Gatokae Aerodrom airport, right?

JumpmanSenior

juscallmeweasel

cornpopsicle

I'm only 22 and already i am feeling old ;_;

Rexter

The same thing happens to me trying to watch He-man or Transformers. Now you really it was just a marketable piece of shit. And the same if happening for video games. As we old guys have less time to waste playing games, we need to spend it wisely, since this hobby can take a lot of your time if you don't control yourself. That's why everyone now complains about Gran Turismo 4 and the impossible credit system, where you have to play the same track over and over to get money, when we used to do the same thing since Gran Turismo 1.

But true, the kids online are a little too fast for me... but hey, I'm having sex everyday, unlike them masturbators.

VakeroRokero

moxone

besides i'm only 22 that is not that old right?

MURDERFACE

"You like your Xbox 360 and your PS3 equally"
So hardcore gamers should play PC FPS games on thier old PC at 800x600?

"You avoid playing on the Wii because it's too much effort"
I don't think standing on my Wii would be a good idea..

"You've pre-ordered GTA IV but don't mind if it doesn't turn up on launch day"
Not everyone is a huge GTA fan you ass hole, I'd just play UT3 or Halo 3 til it comes out.

And since when is modding your Dreamcast something for none hardcore gamers?

This whole thing is stupid.

Gigith

Half those things apply to me, half don't. I usually come in the top 5 in cod and have more kills than deaths overall yet I am no console fanboy. I prefer the Xbox by miles but I would buy a PS3 if I wanted - I have a wii as well.

Urg. half those things don't mean your a hardcore gamer, they mean you're a prick.

We need less of that stuff...

PS: I am 22.

EdwinJ85

-ive always prefered one player games, but will play w/ friends on occasion
-i dont give a rats grimey rear end whos in the house when i play
-while winning is nice, it never was everything. its the experience
-a change in work schedule resulting in decine of play doesnt make me any less hard core
-age wont affect hard core status. ill be 70 buying games and be more worried about the quality of my purchase than anything else
-appreciating each console for what they offer is a sign of maturity, not loss of hard core status
-if the wii is too much effort, then i need excercise
-board game based video games are a neat idea as a downloadable, variety is the spice of life
-i would be ashamed at myself were i to flip out if gta4 shows up a day late. ive other games to keep me occupied for 24 hours.

see? rubbish.

evermourn

Those games they listed in the article?

Manic Miner - 1983
Chuckie Egg - 1983
Elite - 1984
Sonic the Hedgehog - 1991
Sensible Soccer - 1992

The Golden Age of Gaming was either before you were born or at the latest you were just learning how to 'share'.

No, you don't remember the Golden Age of Gaming.

MaxSteele

ncsbert

You prefer playing against the computer
Er yeah. The computer can't call me a "gay noob fag" when I frag it for the umpteenth time.

You believe that winning isn't everything
Yep. Winning is great fun, and sometimes I play to win. But its not everything, not by a long shot.

It's been days, not hours since you last switched on your console
Haven't played a game since about 12pm on Friday. 34 hours ago.

You like your Xbox 360 and your PS3 equally
Actually, I prefer my PS3. But I think they worded this poorly. I prefer PS3 based on its merits, not just because its a Playstation. And I'm not going to avoid a game just because its a 360 exclusive.

You fondly remember a 'golden age' of gaming
F-Zero, Mortal Kombat 1+2, Sonic, Zelda, Wolfenstein 3D etc.

You avoid playing on the Wii because it's too much effort
Damn straight.

You find the idea of videogames based on board games perfectly acceptable
Er...yeah? Why wouldn't I?

TheSmiterer

KingKevin

SofaKingHI

Tibeerius

Cronus3166

mferrari

Maaxxx

lonewolf0401

Enigma_20XX

relic1980

Kawauso

oosiegewolfoo

dphrygian

Except it's my wife not my GF, and I don't give a damn who sees me go into Gamestop, even if I am the oldest one there. I've got nothing to prove to anybody.

But then there's the 100+ hours of my life I've dumped into Lost Odyssey whilst also playing Army of Two, RS: Vegas 2, Rez, Ikaruga, & Okami over the last two months. Oh, and HL2: Episode 2, and the Call of Duty 4 Map pack, and the Sid Meier's Pirates... geez. How do I fit all that in w/a full-time job, all the hours I waste here on Kotaku and not be considered a Hardcore Gamer? Too old my ass... though it does seem depressing to add it all up...

I totally hate 12 year olds though... if you even sound prepubescent you get the mute button from me. Sorry!

stranger

Could you have mentioned Intellivision or the C-64 to make me really feel like a geezer?

bostonwolf

bangbangblah

mackincheese

drizzit

As for the GTA one? Hell no. I actually canceled my preorder at EB just to attend a midnight launch at a local game shop.

To me, TUESDAY is too late.

I've said it to friends, and I'll reiterate it here. Gamer for LIFE. Even when I'm old, grey, tired, and complaining about kids on my lawn, I'll fire up the consoles/PC and keep playing.

Hey, I watched MY grandfather do it, so why not?

Musai

I'm getting to old for this shit.

Beasterling

But they should also ask questions that actually *MAKE* you a hardcore gamer. Here are some ex-schmamples.

- You buy limited edition games AND consoles
- You know the game creators' names (and not because it's written on the box)
- You spend all your browsing time reading news and in the comments of gaming websites.
- You fought Noob Saibot and Akuma when few people actually knew they even existed.
- You wear gaming tees
- You spend more on games than any other hobby OR necessity *combined*
- Your usual bedtime is past 2am and it's not because you watch infomercials
- You think 2D is terribly underrated
- You named your cat after a game character
- You long for a sequel to Interstate 82 (ok that could be just me)
- You played Daikatana AND finished it. (that might fit more in the S&M category though)
- You'll *upgrade* to the new DS or new PSP versions if they make 'em.
- You import games & mod your consoles only for that purpose
- You played all the games in either of the following 'series': the D&D gold boxes from SSI, the Zork text adventures, the Lucasarts adventures from the 90s
- You still have gaming magazines from 5 years ago
- You've gone past taking a side between SNK and Capcom. You love 'em both.

There's a ton more I could come up with :P

interstate78

north449

read: Your getting to old to getting used to s.th. new!?

gr.mon

A Hardcore Gamer would own every console and like both 360 and PS3 equally.

Sailorcancer

Also, I don't like playing the Wii because I prefer a keyboard and mouse or a traditional controller - not because it's too active...

Cathaoir

Hey, who gave me all that whisky!?

gr.mon

TheLordRandom

FP mind in rewind

Blah8

playclever

It hit me last week when my friends kids came over and were more impressed with the fact that I had rock band than an Arkanoid cocktail coin-op in my game room. "my mom has this game on her phone" I died a bit inside.

Ndogg550

robinandtami

VicViper

Kenny

Pezdispenser

oh I know how you feel :(

infi

They'd disqualify me for lots of them - like I own multiple consoles! I'd only be hardcore if I hated one and refused to get it because I can't afford it. I stopped playing most things online because I'd rather play the game than figure out how to layer all the right cheats and counter-cheats to negate the cheats everyone else is using. The taunts are annoying, meh. And of course I'm not no. 1 - gaming is on the Internet now. In games like GeoWars Galaxies I'm closer to no. 300 - out of how many dozen thousand? That's cool. There are "golden age" games but I think it's more classics on any platform. Dreamcast had lots. SNES had lots. NES had a lot. I think some late PS2 games will be but it's too early to tell. It has a lot already. We just won't have many more because they'll be downloaded, authenticated online, and you can't play them in 10 years.

So I'm not hardcore, I'm just some casual guy who plays handhelds every hour or two, and spends so much time on consoles there's no time for TV.

*sigh* I always seem like I'm ranting; I just have too many points to address. This list is actually funnier the more I think about it.

@Cruithne:
tl;dr XD

@stevesan:
ZING!

@Edmon:
If you still play them, you're hardcore and experienced. You just have the same problem as me: You know what's possible and don't like to see dev studios half-ass it.

fuchikoma

Odin

Well, as long as you're not stuck in it and can appreciate that not being classic yet isn't a problem.

Roto13

"You prefer playing against the computer"

Not wanting to deal with a bunch of racist children doesn't mean you're too old for gaming. It means you have standards regarding who you play with. I'd rather play against the computer than online, but I'd rather play with someone right there in the room than either.

"You only play when your girlfriend is out"

I can kinda agree with this one. Though I don't think you need to spend every second of the day doing something with your significant other anyway, whether it's games or not. I'm married and I play games all the time while he does something else. It's no big deal.

"You believe that winning isn't everything"

Having to win ever time doesn't make you a gamer. It makes you a tool.

"It's been days, not hours since you last switched on your console"

This one makes sense. Gamers play games a lot. If life is crazy, gamers still at least try to squeeze a bit of handheld play time in.

"You're the oldest person trading in games at GameStation"

If you're still letting Gamestop assrape you through trade ins because you can't afford to buy your own games, you're probably not that old, or you've already failed at life.

"You like your Xbox 360 and your PS3 equally"

Real gamers don't choose sides in the console war crap and just play games. (I don't think you need to be an e-peen to be a gamer.)

"You avoid playing on the Wii because it's too much effort"

Hah! Yeah, geriatrics can play Wii games. You'd have to be dead for a Wii game to be too much effort.

"Your FPS experience consists of spawn, run, die... spawn, run, die... spawn…"

Sure. Losing your reaction time completely can kind of screw things up.

"You find the idea of videogames based on board games perfectly acceptable"

Well, acceptable to pay full price for, maybe. I'd pay a few bucks for downloadable Sorry.

"You've pre-ordered GTA IV but don't mind if it doesn't turn up on launch day"

Having a life doesn't mean you're not a gamer. :P

Well that was fun.

Roto13

Orionsaint

MakTheYak

You prefer playing against the computer.

I always have, except for games with people I know.

You only play when your girlfriend is out.

My wife enjoys board games, understands it's my profession, and enjoys her own computer lusts -- gardening websites.

You believe that winning isn't everything.

Never did. I love the mechanics and structure of a game as much as its gameplay. (which is probably why I'm a designer)

It's been days, not hours since you last switched on your console.

Occasionally, but finding games good enough to want to play incessantly has the real problem. I might point out this is the crux of the aging issue. Few games are designed to accommodate slowing reactions and weakened eyes, just as few games consider color-blindness in their design. I like games that challenge my mind more than my reactions, but I always did. I was just better able to enjoy action games when I was younger.

You're the oldest person trading in games at GameStation.

Not a problem. The concept of being embarrassed about trading was entirely fabricated by the author.

You like your Xbox 360 and your PS3 equally.

I didn't buy either because I equate consoles with action games. I even looked at buying a PS-2. Super cheap and millions of super cheap games -- ALL ACTION GAMES!!! (with few exceptions as to not merit owning a PS-2).

You fondly remember a 'golden age' of gaming.

I'm not into 'retro' gaming, but I do enjoy playing some of the older games because they're still fun, for about 15 minutes.

You avoid playing on the Wii because it's too much effort.

On the contrary, I bought a Wii because the interface uses full body motion instead of fine finger dexterity. I enjoy playing Godfather for the physical fighting, but the gun and driving games are more difficult.

Your FPS experience consists of spawn, run, die... spawn, run, die... spawn…

YEP.

You find the idea of videogames based on board games perfectly acceptable.

Always did. What does it matter if the gameplay is still fun?

You've pre-ordered GTA IV but don't mind if it doesn't turn up on launch day.

I would love to proven wrong, but I expect GTA will be another over-hyped sensation that has a shit story, uncanny-valley visuals, and decent gameplay for those who like repetitive sandbox activities. Not that it won't sell millions of copies...

P.S.

Please, BioWare, give me another RPG that doesn't have ACTION prepended to it!! Although it's an RTS, Relic got it perfect with Company of Heroes. Pausible action that lets you give orders is the way to go! I hear Mass Effect might be okay that way. My PC awaits!

Musenik

according to them you aren't a real gamer unless your some Halo Kiddie

JimmyHACK

William "Killer" Shatner

William "Killer" Shatner

sexyj

clintonskneecap

hrabbit

ShaggE

TinyLightning

stevesan

stevesan

These days "hardcore" seems to be defined by how much money you're willing to spend on the hobby rather than WHAT and HOW you play. I've fallen out of the "hardcore" bracket because I haven't yet picked up an HDTV, I'm not going to pick up a PS3 or 360 soon, and I don't care for online gaming. Never mind the fact that I pick up a game a month for my Wii/PS2/GC/DS bunch (this is cheap in comparison). I was also the first among my friends to snag copies of Ikaruga and Gradius V when they were first available, and I generally play SHMUPs to completion. I've also purchased and completed every proper platforming Mega Man game, and I tend to play one or two them at least once a year. Hardcore seems to rely on current trends. Since I don't play with my friends on Live, instead suggesting to have a bunch of people together in one place to play Wii, I'm considered less than "hardcore".

I've actually be called "midcore". I feel insulted, but I know I really shouldn't.

Gospel X

Bauske

I think the only game I've played over the last couple weeks is SSX 3. I just don't have the time to finish up Okami, Persona 3, Dragon Quest VII or Sly 3. I haven't even put in any of the discs from the Metal Gear Solid compilation I bought in March.

Funny how school takes precedence over video games. It's weird. I don't have the time to sit down at the console and play for hours any more, but I'll take 30, 45 minutes and get through another couple chapters of a book. Maybe summer will change that. I ought to finish those games, given that I'm trying to look at games like books I ought to read or albums I ought to hear.

I hope that as as we all grow up, we can continue playing videogames along with everything else we do for fun and work.

pastepunkjames

TSlade

Ashurahori

SPni

But it's all in good, tongue-in-cheek fun. And my reflexes are slower than they used to be. Maybe I'm just old and bitter.

JustThisGuy

photoboy

Fyren

ShaggE

暇人

All in all, i may be getting old, but I can still hardcore game with the best of 'em i think.

Sabastian_Chadwick_McGirt

fnc

mexfreak86

I've been that way for almost 30 years.

You only play when your girlfriend is out

Married a woman who games. Not a problem.

You're the oldest person trading in games at GameStation

Probably, but I don't care. Hell they know us at the local Gamestop. When I'm in alone they ask where my wife is, and vice versa.

You like your Xbox 360 and your PS3 equally

Nope, simply because I don't have either. They're currently, IMHO, a waste of money. I'll get them both eventually, but probably not for a year or so. I'm still hundreds of games behind on the other consoles we have, so I'm not exactly worried.

You find the idea of videogames based on board games perfectly acceptable
One word: Chess. How long has that been out on a computer? My definition of hardcore is different from most. To me a hardcore gamer is one who games, without regard to the type of game. If it's fun, they'll play it, no matter how others view that.

sqlrob

You know, I preordered Final Fantasy XII. Its still sealed.

Currently I am more looking forward to listen to my audio books, while I still have so many games to play. Fact is, that my free time is VERY limited and gaming feels more and more like a waste of time.

Wow, now im sad.

Gremory

i'm 26, and that list hurt.

GMC

TehBolt

RaepGoblin

HowardC

Likwit

TheDollHouse

This is me. I have co-workers that have reset their rank in CoD4 several times. Me, I'm at like level 18 or something (I've owned the game for at least 4 months if not longer) because I only get a chance to play (maybe) a few times every month.

Married 13 years (come July), 2 daughters (5 and 8), part-time maid (I have dishes on weekends and I make the girls' lunches every morning), full-time job, freelance graphic/web designer and earning a Bachelor's degree with two online classes every quarter.

Then there's the weekly TV time with the wife on Thursday's watching "Gray's Anatomy" and "Ugly Betty" not to mention the movies we rent from Blockbuster online. Somehow I manage to squeeze in a basketball/football game when I can.

I'm also gaining weight (my face is starting to get round and my gut is like an unattended lawn) so I'm hitting the gym and shooting the rock around a few hours after work at least twice a week.

I still manage to fit in some PS3 time but the system feelin' the most alone is my PSP. The battery ran out almost two weeks ago during a potty session of Ridge Racer and I haven't charged it since. Also have Lego Star Wars (barely half-way through that) but I haven't booted up that UMD in over a month.

incredibilistic

D Mitsuki

Nexus-6

robbie158

Mik_el

kingross

They forgot that one on the list.

SeanBradley

Raziel Dune

graze81