70°

Do We Use The Word “Casual” Too Much When It Comes To Gaming?

GamerXchange:
The term casual apparently has a lot of different meanings, but it’s treated as a four letter word when it comes to video games. Admittedly, I don’t fully understand or agree with what a casual game or casual gamer actually is. I mean, these are just video games after all, how can they be anything but casual fun? Yet somehow gamer’s use the term casual as a way to attack anything that they don’t enjoy or think is “hardcore” enough. At this point, it’d be easier to list the games that haven’t been called casual, rather than list the ones that have had that label applied. I’ve heard Call Of Duty, Halo, Uncharted and Super Smash Brothers all called casual at one time or another this generation. The question begs to be asked, Do we throw around the word “casual” too much when it comes to gaming these days?

Read Full Story >>
gamerxchange.net
Hufandpuf4273d ago (Edited 4273d ago )

think of it like this: If gaming was football, hardcore football fans would be into it. Then there are people that just watch it sometimes but do not follow the stats players like the hardcore fan does.

napoleon10664273d ago

Yeah... we use it pretty casually.

NastyLeftHook04273d ago

No. Because Casual Games are in fact casual. And casual games are being casually released on a casual basis to the casual gaming fan, this has been a casual occurrence lately.

ChunkyLover534273d ago (Edited 4273d ago )

What exactly is casual to you? I think everyone has a different idea, and if you read the article, it pretty much says that people tend to use the term "casual" only when it suits them for arguments sake.

Personally, I play whatever I want and I'll be dammed if I'll let someone label me.

*Edit*
You answered nothing, I mean I've heard people claim that almost every game is casual. I tend to look at people who only play Facebook games as casual, but sometimes that can lead to other types of gaming.

NastyLeftHook04273d ago (Edited 4273d ago )

casual games are games that are casual. just like my answer, im casually answering it.

Reverent4273d ago (Edited 4273d ago )

I agree with Tenton to an extent. While anyone can play any game to a point of being considered hardcore, there are games that simply belong to the casual genre. Angry Birds being a good example. It's a game that while designed with the casual gamer in mind, anyone can play it to a hardcore extent.

So really, does any of this even matter?

Outside_ofthe_Box4273d ago

Plying casual games doesn't automatically make you casual. If you play causal games and hardcore games you are a hardcore gamer as long as you play regularly.

If you only play games cusually (doesn't matter the type of game) or if you only play casual games (doesn't matter if you play it 10 hours straight every day every week) then you are a casual gamer.

Casual games are games that lack depth. They are games that are best played for a quick match/round or two or games that are only good for playing when you got family and friends over.

Hicken4273d ago

Well, first off, it should be noted that there's a difference between casual games, and casual GAMING.

Gears of War is not a casual franchise, but a core one. Still, if you only play it every now and then, and are not really into it, you play it casually. And if your interest in gaming falls along those lines more often than not, then you are a casual gamer.

Angry Birds, as Reverent notes, is a casual game. It is designed to be played in a casual fashion. However, if you play it for five hours a day, you're most definitely NOT playing it casually.

Here's where things get a little tricky:

If you play core games, but only play them casually, you're a casual gamer. Why? Because your interest in gaming is casual.

If you play casual games, but are into them hardcore, you're STILL a casual gamer. Why? Because the games you're interested in are casual.

These two things only work if you're ONLY playing one or the other. If you play a mix of both, you can't automatically be called casual OR core; it then becomes an issue of how frequently you play, of how intense your interest in gaming, overall, is.

Of course, this calls into question the status of individual games: is Call of Duty casual or core?(I'm inclined to say it leans far more toward the former than the latter.) What about FIFA or Madden?

It's not a super simple answer, but nor is it as complex as it seems.

Outside_ofthe_Box4273d ago (Edited 4273d ago )

CoD is casual IMO becuase the game has a small learning curve and is too arcadey. Same with madden. Madden is not a very a good representation of a football game. It's too arcadey. That is actually why madden is so popular. There are certain WR routes, defensive calls, and juke moves that always work and the madden devs keep it that way to please the madden fans (the ones that buy it every year) so that they always feel at home.

FIFA is both core and causal. Same could be said for most sports games (with madden being one of the few that is actually a casual game and not core at all imo). FIFA represents soccer very well. While it isn't a simulation (at least not yet), it is very close to one. Casual futbol can pick this game up and enjoy. Even hardcore gamers that aren't soccer fans can appreciate the depth of FIFA's gameplay and career mode.

ChunkyLover534273d ago

Madden, COD and FIFA games all have a ton of competitive leagues though, I don't consider any of those games casual in the least. Sure they might be easier to pick up, but I promise you they are a lot harder to MASTER then people give credit.

Play any Gamebattles and you'll know exactly what I mean, so often you'll run into someone who thinks they are the bomb, but when they play against teams that run tactics and use call outs, its a totally different story.

Those games, COD in particular have the most teams for competitive play, and MLG.

Outside_ofthe_Box4273d ago

When it comes down to it any game is hard to master since mastering something takes time and dedication. With that said, there are too many shooters past and present that has more depth than CoD for me to consider CoD hardcore. Same with madden. When I look at 2K5 there is no way I can see madden in the same light in terms actually representing football.

4272d ago
4272d ago
50°

Air Conflicts: Secret Wars - PlayStation Move's Best Kept Secret

Air Conflicts: Secret Wars debuted in 2011, and later updated for modern consoles. However, it's the PlayStation 3 edition that stands out.

20°

Joy Ride Turbo - The Beginning of the End for Xbox Kinect

Joy Ride Turbo launched 10 years ago today. The first title was Xbox Kinect exclusive, yet this sequel failed to support the device at all.

300°

10 of the Biggest Video Game Hardware Failures Ever

Cultured Vultures: "Sadly, not all hardware is created equal, and no matter how much developers might try, some gaming hardware just fails to hit the mark. We’ve compiled a list of 10 gaming hardware fails, and boy did some fail hard."

Read Full Story >>
culturedvultures.com
Knightofelemia818d ago

I would label the Power Glove, Kinect, and that Tony Hawk skateboard more as hardware addons hardware failure would be like the Virtual Boy and one day Stadia.

Magog818d ago

Kinect was bundled with every Xbox One and inflated the price on an already underpowered and low RAM machine so for the One it wasn't an accessory as much as a white elephant.

CaptainHenry916818d ago (Edited 818d ago )

Definitely the RROD but that power glove had a lot of issues as well. The Kinect just didn't work

818d ago
CrimsonWing69818d ago

Hardware add-ons are more like RAM or a video card, basically components that enhance capabilities or performance of the computer.

If you really want to get technical the Kinect is more of a peripheral device, kind of like a keyboard or mouse to a computer.

ThatsGaming818d ago

The person in this article obviously is not up on their gaming history....

Sega Saturn, Sega Dreamcast, Coleco Gemini, Commodore 128, Commodore Amiga, Atari 5200, Atari 7800 were all massive failures and in most cases cost their companies participating in future gaming generations.

Gamer79818d ago

Sega saturn (successful in Japan) and dreamcast were not failures.
Seems like you're not up on you're gaming history

septemberindecember817d ago

@Gamer79

How in the world are the Sega Saturn and Dreamcast not seen as failures? They both sold around 8M each, which is much lower than the ~30M that the Genesis had sold before it, and even the Master System before that. They were both the worst selling consoles in their respective generation (PS1, N64 outsold Saturn, PS2, GC, and Xbox outsold Dreamcast). Both of the consoles were incredibly short lived. The Saturn was discontinued in every territory but Japan after just three years. In Japan the console was discontinued after six years. Meanwhile the Dreamcast was discontinued worldwide in 2001 after launching in most territories in 1999 and in Japan in 1998. The failure of the Saturn and Dreamcast lead to Sega pulling out of the hardware market. Which, by the way, all of this occurred when Sega was massively dropping the price of their consoles quickly to compete. Sega was hemorrhaging money at this point.

None of this indicates a successful console. Saying the Saturn was a success because it did better in Japan is like saying the Vita is a success (they both sold around the same amount of units in Japan). Even the Wii U outsold these consoles worldwide.

Magog818d ago

The picture should be the 360 RROD. When I think of gaming hardware failures that's what springs to mind. Kinect and it's bundled price tag definitely hobbled the already underpowered Xbox One though for sure so I would give it a close second place.

porkChop818d ago (Edited 818d ago )

That's not what the author means by failures. It's about hardware that failed in terms of sales (Wii U) or just failed to deliver on its promise (Kinect).

Magog818d ago (Edited 818d ago )

Given that the 360 had a year head start, much easier hardware to develop for, was cheaper, and still ended up in third place I think it qualifies especially when you factor in the frustration and huge losses incurred by RROD.

porkChop818d ago

Selling over 80 million consoles isn't a sales flop. We get it, you don't like Xbox, but that doesn't mean the 360 is suddenly a failure.

Rhythmattic817d ago

Porky....
You know how many people I know bought a 2nd or third 360 due to RROD? Even when MS had to confront the issue with replacement systems, my mates couldn't wait for even the turnaround of sending it in, and waiting for a replacement.,,..,..
If that's how you consider it a win... OK.. but so is having 5 , of which 3 don't function.... Its a win win....mwhahahahaha

porkChop817d ago

"my mates couldn't wait for even the turnaround of sending it in"

You're acting like it would take months. When I sent my 360 in I got a new one literally 5 days later. As soon as MS had tracking confirmation that you sent yours, they'd send a new one to you the same day. No one is going to spend hundreds to buy a new console instead of waiting a week. I swear you guys pull some of the dumbest shit out of nowhere and think people will actually believe it.

Regardless, none of this changes the fact that this isn't what the article is even about.

Rhythmattic816d ago (Edited 816d ago )

Porky
"You're acting like it would take months"
Sometimes it could.. FFS.. 'Strya here...
Best turnaround I reckon was 2-3 weeks.....
Either way, My mates experiences still exist.. So Sorry, no point trying to earn Xbox Achievements when it doesn't feature in what was a situation you never dealt with,,,,
3 of my friends would disagree (overall, 10 extra Xboxes purchased)
Regardless.. MS sold a lot of 360's that was due to this reason.. That is sales. Fact

"none of this changes the fact that this isn't what the article is even about."
Headline says HELLO !
Oh and "Sadly, not all hardware is created equal," that's enough to pass this on without taking your article bias into consideration.....
As for the rest.... Ok.. But you've actually gone out of your way to give MS a Pass... Fap on.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 816d ago
Aloymetal818d ago (Edited 818d ago )

Yup, and because of that big fiasco MS had to fork out 1 billion but knowing them I think they're very proud of the 360, it's the only time a MS console reached 80mil+ sales, RROD played a big part of that and a record they will never break again.

Rhythmattic817d ago (Edited 817d ago )

So true.. Even when MS accepted they where caught out in the biggest lie of any generation, The wait for a replacement was outweighed by just buying another, and having one be returned as a backup, which, btw, generally failed on first swap.
I own honestly can't believe MS tards are just supporting , or arguing why and what MS did by just dismissing it....

lonewolf10818d ago

Lol I had the Atari Jaguar, surprised its "competition" the 3DO isn't on the list too, both as "popular" as each other.

SullysCigar818d ago

Lol same. Played the crap out of Aliens Vs Predator and Tempest 2000 .... aaand that's about it really!!

lonewolf10818d ago

Sad but true that was pretty much it.

Kurt Russell818d ago

Agreed, I never actually saw a 3DO make it to retailers in the UK. At least the Atari Jaguar was sold for around 6 months.

lonewolf10818d ago

It made it to some my brother got one, fared just as well as the Jaguar so most probably hard to find in general.

darthv72818d ago

3do had way better games. Jaguar not so much. Neo Geo sold less than both and yet isnt considered a failure. Go figure.

LWOGaming818d ago

Stadia is a weird one. It hasn’t sold at all well but in terms of how it works it’s still miles ahead of Xcloud in terms of stability and performance. Xcloud is still a way behind and that needs sorting but it will be in time. Stadia for me is one of those things that will go down as a what could have been moments. With better marketing it could have been a roaring success. I still play it and it remains the best place in my opinion to play CyberPunk 2077. Only platform I have played it on without having any issues at all. The tech is great. The concept is fine. Marketing terrible. Shame really.

Magog818d ago

The sales model was awful. They should have teamed with an existing player to allow for local and cloud access to games or a gaming subscription service.

LWOGaming818d ago

It was a strange mess from such a huge company, as I said, as a system it works really well but without gamers it’s nothing. Such a waste,

LWOGaming818d ago

The Xbox One was Microsoft’s Nintendo Wii U. Undercooked, undersold and just an unholy mess. The thing is with any of these failures is to learn from them and thankfully both Nintendo and Xbox did just that to the benefit of gamers everywhere.

Show all comments (39)