What Does It Mean To Be a Hardcore Gamer? - Retro Bird

Often used by some gamers to differentiate themselves from others, what does it mean to be a "hardcore" gamer? Is it good? Is it bad? Does it just depend on how it used? I talk about where I believe the origin of using this term came from, as well as the different things that gamers will use the term to refer to.

What Does It Mean To Be a Hardcore Gamer? - Retro Bird

New discussion videos uploaded every Tuesday, and my normal videos uploaded every Friday! Be sure to ring the bell if you subscribe!

#retrobird

[RetroBirdGaming]

Games Played: Thunder Force IV (0:00), Chrono Trigger (0:19), Kid Dracula (0:40), Contra Hard Corps (1:03), Marvel vs Capcom (on Dreamcast via Saturn Controller w/ adapter) (1:15)

[chrisschuenke]

A note for when you do merch: I would totally buy the "Get On My Lawn!" Hat.

[JetWolfEX]

I've always thought hardcore or casual was describing how seriously someone takes their games, like hardcore would be competitive or the type that plays for a high score, challenge run, speedrun, ect

Someone who is knowledgeable, a collector, or someone that plays a wide variety of games often would be what I would call an "enthusiast"
I don't think it's always one or the other, someone can have multiple qualities of harcore, casual, ect at once. I'm probably about 1/2 of both

I liked the visual gags you used in this particular video by the way, actually funny and clever stuff.

[BitHorse]

Hey, I'm just a casual hotdog eater, but I definitely remember using the term "hardcore gamer" in the 90's. I used to consider it a badge of honor, but now I feel like it's mostly meaningless since there are so many ways to enjoy video games these days. The more gamers the better I say, no matter what you're playing!

[robertcrandell]

I have always thought of a hardcore gamer being the amount of time that someone spends playing games. If your spending 2-3 hours a night or 10 hours in a given week that is pretty hardcore. Not in a bad way. When i was younger rpgs were a go to to get the most play time for your money. 40+ hours. Modern rpgs like xenoblade chronicles 2 can easily take over 100 hours. I think it just depends how much time you spend playing.

[enriquepinero]

I always thought the term "Hardcore Gamer" was someone who was into gaming in a way that the mainstream was not. That had become harder to define now because alot of people are into games somewhat due to the over abundance and accessibility of games we have now.

[EndLessUP]

I love your silly humor, a human after my own heart!

[ianhadlock]

I remember as a kid, playing video games was considered a nerdy thing to do.

[karmad.twelve]

Thanks for another great episode, Retro Bird! I get your ending tune stuck in my head all the time. He's the Retro Bird, and he's talking about video games! It turns out, I liked what he had to say :D

[vysedyne]

I am dead.. When you started marching down the road with the arcade sticks I spit my drink out pure genius.. Now that's hardcore gaming

[xenos_n.]

I'm pretty sure I remember the term hardcore gamer coming around in the 2000s especially with competitive gaming and MMO's coming about. When I think of a hardcore gamer I think of someone who plays constantly, playing complex and in depth games, often times competitively. Casual gamers might not play a lot and prefer easier games. Midcore or medium-core is what I'd consider myself, somewhere in the middle there.

[Wonkyman]

Forget the word Hardcore. When I was growing up, we weren’t called Gamers. We just played games. Like reading a book, we didn’t call ourselves readers or bookers.

[CVSooner]

Omg Frog’s Theme hit me hard with the nostalgia hammer. With all the rumors of the Chrono Cross remaster, I really need to finally play that too. Thank you for always retrieving my best memories!

[UncleSilverGaming]

Hardcore- gaming is your primary hobby, may schedule downtime around one or more specific games, attempt to learn more about the games you play when not gaming
Casual- infrequently plays despite having enough downtime to play, not interested in learning more or getting significantly better as long as you have fun

Either way though, hardcore vs casual is an irrelevant argument, but it's always an interesting topic imo.

[DJ]

Dude you're the best gaming channel I've found in a long time, nice to have something new from a real gamer, love the jokes too keep em coming!

[jamesdecade]

I’ll be honest, I half come here for the comedy; the timing is golden!

[abletothink]

You can play "hardcore" games casually and you can be hardcore into a casual game. If you are passionate about gaming, regardless of the game, then you're a hardcore gamer in my book.

[stephens]

did anyone notice in that saturn marvel fighting game, that in the background there was a naked guy drying himself off with a towel?

[williamcooper]

I played Diablo 2 HC back in the day for over 4yrs and if I ever see my son at that same level... we're going back to church.

[SirSiegward]

Just like the other channel viewers, I would buy the get on my lawn and a banana shirt if you ever do merchandise. My parents also said they want the “get on my lawn” hat.