Smashing Entries Volume 2: The term "Hardcore"

[Deleted member]

Link to original post: [drupal=3153]Smashing Entries Volume 2: The term "Hardcore"[/drupal]

Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait just a minute. Smashing Entries Volume 2? How could this be? I mean, I already have two previous blogs already so shouldn't this be #3 to go in chronical order or #1 to signal a new series? How could this be the 2nd installment?

I'll explain why. Smashing Entries Volumes are relatively major additions to my blog that are usually discussions. My 2nd blog on this forum regarding my idea to make an online petition to improve Super Smash Bros. Brawl's online didn't work out so well, so I decided to quit on the idea. I was only asking anyway.

So the first true entry in the Smashing Entries series is "Has Nintendo Neglected It's Core Gamers?". This is because is it the very first blog I've ever made on the forum and is something I can actually consider an major entry.

Look above. Yes, look at the paragraph above this one. I entitled the first one "Has Nintendo Negelected It's "Core" Gamers?". "Core" gamers. Why not go with the flow and say "Hardcore"? After all, it's harmless enough to say.

Want to know why I came up with this? Well during the "Has Nintendo Neglected It's Core Gamers" discussion, finalark said the word "hardcore" a few times. This guy unknowingly helped me come up with this idea and I thank him for that.

I will admit , I used to use "Hardcore" when talking about people who spend a lot of times playing, watching, listening, reading, etc to a particular product or thing. I tend to use "Core" nowadays for this simple reason that everyone forgets.

The word "Hardcore" came out of the porn industry. It's true. It was meant to be a word exclusive to the porn industry. I'm actually surprise it isn't considered a bad word due to it being in the porn industry, someone that is like X rated. But I'm not dissing you if you say "Hardcore" instead of "Core", I'm just explaining that "Hardcore" came out of the porn industry.

Shocking, isn't it? How come a word that originated in the porn industry is used in everydays discussions (At least on the Internet).

"Look at Metroid: Other M! That's Samus being hardcore!"
"If you want an hardcore shooter that will sink you in for hours, take a look at Uncharted 2: Among Theives."
"The most hardcore racing game around is the Forza series."

See? We tend to easily apply this into our daily lives without noticing it.

Now I'm not particularly saying that it is a bad thing to say the word "Hardcore". As a matter of fact, I don't mind that. However, I just wanted to get a little discussion going regarding this.

But here are some things I'd liked to see:

1. Should the word "Hardcore" be considered illegal to use, due to it being from the porn industry?
2. Why do you use it on the Internet?
3. Is this even worth discussing?

Please note, I'm not complaining about this at all, I'm not getting mad at people. I'm just trying to let you guys know of an interesting discussion none of you might have ever brought up.

Now my first three blogs might have been just for fun and all, but my next one is serious business. And I don't mean if gaming will survive or which TV stars will be remembered.

This is something you guys need to know.

 

[SkylerOcon]

Suggesting that using the term hardcore when applying to games still connotates porn is either a forced stretch or a product of an extremely perverse mind, dude. I think that, perhaps, you just looked a bit too hard for controversy where it doesn't exist.

The real debate here is what hardcore means when it comes to gaming. I think it just means a game, or something game-related, that is made to appeal to game hobbyists. This can range from Mario to Bad Company 2. The best thing about this definition is that it doesn't include MW2, due to Infinity Ward screwed up the PC online play and allowing tons of glitches to get through the code, which is absolutely fine by my standards.

 

[Deleted member]

Suggesting that using the term hardcore when applying to games still connotates porn is either a forced stretch or a product of an extremely perverse mind, dude. I think that, perhaps, you just looked a bit too hard for controversy where it doesn't exist.

You're probably right about that.

The real debate here is what hardcore means when it comes to gaming. I think it just means a game, or something game-related, that is made to appeal to game hobbyists. This can range from Mario to Bad Company 2. The best thing about this definition is that it doesn't include MW2, due to Infinity Ward screwed up the PC online play and allowing tons of glitches to get through the code, which is absolutely fine by my standards.

Yes that, however, for it to be truly an hardcore game, it needs to be relatively difficult. Otherwise it's just a game that appeals to the gaming hobbyists.

 

[finalark]

1: No, the meaning of the word is different here.

2: Because it's easier than saying "gamers who are serious about their hobby"

3: I'd rather we debated the deffenition of the word in gaming culuture.

 

[SuperBowser]

Hardcore is synonymous with core so I use the one I think sounds nicer.

I'd probably go by the same definition as SkylerOcon uses, though maybe it's still too broad. There was a time when the word was reserved for people who played in arcades. It's funny how ''hardcore'' has diluted so much over the years. I think everyone holds a different definition for the word and I bet there's still old gamers who think everything people play these days is weak!

To me, though, mario epitomizes hardcore.

 

[Deleted member]

@finalark and SkylerOcon: Since my blogs will probably mainly revolve around video games, I'll let that go, as that also sounds like an interesting discussion.

 

[jivegamer]

"1. Should the word "Hardcore" be considered illegal to use, due to it being from the porn industry?'

Words can be appropriated and used to mean something other than their original meaning. Queer meant strange, homosexuals as a group where thought to be "strange" in a predominantly heterosexual society, ergo queer can now be used as an epithet towards homosexuals (also bisexuals, the transgendered, and other groups defying societal gender norms). The word has since been re-appropriated as an empowerment term, much in the same way that some black people use the word that starts with an N and a cracker such as myself should never say to refer to each other, or other racial/ethnic groups calling fellows by formerly disparaging terms. When put in that perspective, I see no harm in using a former porno term for gaming

"2. Why do you use it on the Internet?"

Why not? As I just stated, it's an appropriated word, so I can use it wherever I want to. It's a descriptive word that many recognize and the best way to express an idea about a certain type of game or gamer. Consider the phrases' origin in porn and the ubiquity of porn on the internet. It would seem only fitting that I would use it on the internet. If I chose to use antiquated language and say "I heard something queer in the backyard last night as I was reading the latest issue of Fox Hunting and Other Hobbies of Upper-Class English Idiots", that doesn't mean that I heard homosexuals in the backyard. Some may think that , but most perceptive people will understand the writer's original intent.

"3. Is this even worth discussing?"

Yes, I believe it is. Why is it? Because word etymology and word use are interesting. I think we all know about "hardcore porn", but it is still curious as to how it got to be a gaming term. Someone who was a fan of both recreations probably made a joke to a friend and...viola here we are. Then again, "hard" is often used to describe an elevated degree of something while "soft" describes a lessened degree of something. Logically, a more dedicated or skilled gamer would be a "hardcore" gamer by the virtue of the way we use the word hard, which as it so happens also has sexual connotations. It's all good stuff to talk about as long as it gets you to think about something you haven't thought about before.

 

[finalark]

@finalark and SkylerOcon: Since my blogs will probably mainly revolve around video games, I'll let that go, as that also sounds like an interesting discussion.

Cool.

So for me, "hardcore" means someone who treats video games the same way that sports fan treats sports. In other words, the kind of guy who has six consoles, a billion games for each of them, has played through more games than you can count, and knows lots about games you've never even heard of.

I think I just discribed myself....

 

[Falconv1.0]

I have one of the dirtiest minds here and this made my head spin.

And define illegal before I start calling you a worker at the FCC.

 

[Firus]

The real debate here is what hardcore means when it comes to gaming. I think it just means a game, or something game-related, that is made to appeal to game hobbyists. This can range from Mario to Bad Company 2. The best thing about this definition is that it doesn't include MW2, due to Infinity Ward screwed up the PC online play and allowing tons of glitches to get through the code, which is absolutely fine by my standards.

I think Skyler's got the definition spot-on. I've never really been able to find out a good definition for hardcore gamer, but I think this works.

Yes that, however, for it to be truly an hardcore game, it needs to be relatively difficult. Otherwise it's just a game that appeals to the gaming hobbyists.

Why does a game have to be difficult to be considered "hardcore"? Hardcore games generally are difficult, and I generally prefer difficult games, but I've played plenty of games I'd consider hardcore that weren't necessarily difficult.

So for me, "hardcore" means someone who treats video games the same way that sports fan treats sports. In other words, the kind of guy who has six consoles, a billion games for each of them, has played through more games than you can count, and knows lots about games you've never even heard of.

Six consoles? Pfff, thirteen consoles is where it's at. =P

*Definitely doesn't have thirteen consoles*

--------

In response to this thread:

Like Skyler said, I really think you're trying too hard to find something in this. Okay, so the word "hardcore" originated from the porn industry, but words always branch out to other media. I think it's also notable that the pathway of the word "hardcore" isn't straight from porn --> internet term for video gamers. It's also been used in the music industry, and it has its own definition in the dictionary.

There's nothing wrong with using a word just because it originated from a dirty meaning.

 

[finalark]

Six consoles? Pfff, thirteen consoles is where it's at. =P

*Definitely doesn't have thirteen consoles*

Yeah!? Well I have ten if you count my PS1 Phat and handhelds

Back on topic: so what do you guys define hardcore as?

Spoiler

/desperate atempt to spark converstation

 

[MarKO X]

Hardcore gamers: gamers that have played every video game ever, yet mastered none of them because they are too busy playing other games.

This definition is based on the perception of this friend of mine who considers himself a hardcore gamer... and he kinda is. The guy plays a s**tload of games, but tends to suck at most of them... or at least any game that I play, enjoyed, and decided to master. (Street Fighter, Smash, Gran Turismo... hell, I even beat the dude in Tekken, and I don't know **** about Tekken outside of Hworang.)

Also, if a hardcore gamer is defined by how many consoles they own, they must lack siblings (or have an amazing place for their games if they do), and great finances. Over the course of time, I've owned:

NES: broke due to little brother
SNES: two broken SNES, and I'm currently shrining a 3rd. lol
N64: sold
GC: sold
Wii
GameBoy: sold for a
GBPocket: sold for a
GBC: sold for a
GBA (never had SP): wrecked by little brother (and I had the platinum one... it's color is the only reason I keep it)
NDS: I don't even know where it is
Genesis: destroyed, fixed, destroyed again, fixed again, destroyed beyond repair. RIP Genesis.
Game Gear: wrecked by little brother.
Saturn: sold for a
Dreamcast: sold
PSX: wrecked by little brother.
PS2: this is different... I've had tons of games (and 4 memory cards!!!) wrecked by my little brother, but the system itself is still in tact

wtf.

but yeah... a hardcore gamer is a gamer that took his love of video games to a whole new level.

 

[finalark]

I even beat the dude in Tekken, and I don't know **** about Tekken outside of Hworang.)

My friend decided that Hworang is the Kilik (or noob character) of Tekken. To win as Hworang, all you have to do is be good at is mashing circle.

It sounds like your little brother hates your systems....

 

[Firus]

Yeah!? Well I have ten if you count my PS1 Phat and handhelds

If you count other versions of consoles and handhelds, I have 22. =P

(It's okay, you can look at it as less of an accomplishment and more of a lack of life.)

Having a Game Boy Light is pretty awesome, though.

For kicks, all of my consoles and handhelds:

Atari 2600
NES
SNES
Sega Genesis (Model 1)
Sega Genesis (Model 3)
Sega CD
N64
PlayStation
Xbox
GameCube
PlayStation 2
Sega Dreamcast
Wii
Xbox 360

Game Boy (Original)
Sega Game Gear
Game Boy Light
Game Boy Color
Game Boy Advance
Game Boy Advance SP
Nintendo DS (Original)
Nintendo DS Lite

Back on topic: so what do you guys define hardcore as?

Spoiler

/desperate atempt to spark converstation

I think I'm going to stick with Skyler's definition, I think it's the most accurate one I've seen.

 

[Deleted member]

Hardcore gamers: gamers that have played every video game ever, yet mastered none of them because they are too busy playing other games.

This definition is based on the perception of this friend of mine who considers himself a hardcore gamer... and he kinda is. The guy plays a s**tload of games, but tends to suck at most of them... or at least any game that I play, enjoyed, and decided to master. (Street Fighter, Smash, Gran Turismo... hell, I even beat the dude in Tekken, and I don't know **** about Tekken outside of Hworang.)

Also, if a hardcore gamer is defined by how many consoles they own, they must lack siblings (or have an amazing place for their games if they do), and great finances. Over the course of time, I've owned:

NES: broke due to little brother
SNES: two broken SNES, and I'm currently shrining a 3rd. lol
N64: sold
GC: sold
Wii
GameBoy: sold for a
GBPocket: sold for a
GBC: sold for a
GBA (never had SP): wrecked by little brother (and I had the platinum one... it's color is the only reason I keep it)
NDS: I don't even know where it is
Genesis: destroyed, fixed, destroyed again, fixed again, destroyed beyond repair. RIP Genesis.
Game Gear: wrecked by little brother.
Saturn: sold for a
Dreamcast: sold
PSX: wrecked by little brother.
PS2: this is different... I've had tons of games (and 4 memory cards!!!) wrecked by my little brother, but the system itself is still in tact

wtf.

but yeah... a hardcore gamer is a gamer that took his love of video games to a whole new level.

So currently, you only have an SNES, PS2, and Wii? That's surprising. But then again, I'm not laughing as you probably had an excellent collection there when you had those games.