Who does the industry consider "Hardcore"? - HokieB's Blog

HokieB's Blog

Who does the industry consider "Hardcore"?

Posted on June 21, 2010 at 01:26 AM.

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You're hardcore. Yes, you - the person who has taken a few minutes out of their busy day to read a blog entry on a sports game community website. You've surly checked out all the latest E3 videos, and could probably write the Features List on the back of the Madden 11 box two full months before it hits shelves. Yes - you, my friend, are hardcore.

It may make you cringe to hear that. But fear not, because around these parts being "hardcore" simply means being passionate about sports games. Yes, you probably take them a bit too seriously, but everyone's entitled to their own little quirks and obsessions. My wife is "hardcore" about Coach purses. To me, they're just a bunch of overpriced handbags with stupid little "C's" all over them. But they make her happy, which is endearing (expensive, but endearing).

But who does the video game industry envision when they use the term "hardcore"? You hear it all the time in developer interviews: "We want to make our game accessible to everyone, while still catering to all the hardcore players out there." But who exactly are they talking about?

Well, with regard to EA, here's your answer:

But what about the rest of us? I don't want to talk about "Hell Games." Hell Games? And what does it mean to "got dots"? Do you got dots?

Seriously though, do you think you could stand a chance on a show like this without resorting to some serious cheese? Aren't these the type of players who nano-blitz, rocket catch, and basically look for any possible way to exploit the AI � realistic football be damned?

If this is the "hardcore" group that developers continue to cater to, then our best days of gaming are far behind us.

What do you think? Is this a representation you're comfortable with? Am I being all "Old Man Withers" about this? Or do you think the industry needs to redefine what "hardcore" means?

Comments

# 1 rspencer86 @ Jun 21

Excellent article, very well-written.

I just don't understand why EA thinks moving towards a more realistic game (one where real strategy wins games, not nano-blitzing) would alienate these Madden Nation-types. Do you think they are just going to say "Eff this!" if nano-blitzing doesn't work any more? The only reason they rely on the "cheese" methods is because they will do whatever gives them the best chance to win.

People love the NFL, and there is no nano-blitzing, FB-diving, and 25-yard deep QB drops. Why would people reject a game that aims to more accurately represent the sport that so many millions love?