I'm not sure, really.  Of all the things I can think of being hardcore about, gaming isn't it.  Don't get me wrong... whatever you're into doesn't have to look like it could have its own Mountain Dew commercial to be "hard-core" worthy, but just the idea that you could devote years and years of your life to a game just to have it just shut down and wipe...

...even WoW will, at some point, shut its servers down for good, and every acheivement made by every player will go up in smoke... and that's VIRTUAL SMOKE!

I've put PLENTY of my own time into an MMO(very recently, matter of fact), but I would never put that kind of time into a "hardcore" Lineage 2-esque grinder, nor would doing so in ANY game be in my mission statement in life.

Now I'm curious.  Using the most basic labor statistics and applying them to the number of hours played by players in WoW, I'm curious as to how much could have been build if those hours were used to create something real.  I bet it's beyond my imagination...

The advantage of being a "Hardcore" playing is that nothing is handed to you on a golden platter. Your games are challenging, and not everyone and their MOTHER can do them (granted a term that will change in the next 20years, since my mother plays PS3 RPG games).

WoW, does NOT under ANY circumstances have ANY "hardcore" gamers. It may have people who play for 20+hours in one sitting, but that's NOT what dictates "hardcore". Sitting in one place with a BUTTLOAD of free time == POWERGAMER, NOT "Hardcore".

Powergamers are the ones you're talking about with a CRAP load of "Free Time" with their lack of age being a deciding factor.

Hardcore, and it's ironic "core", means a gamer who ENJOYS a difficult experience, or simply enjoys the challenge of the game more so than the journey itself. 

Hope this helped you clearly understand the difference between "Hardcore", and what you're referring to, "Powergamer".

-Faded

Best gear, active freinds, active clan and you dont get rolled by 12 year old noobs lol

Through definition of the word hardcore, I would say anyone who plays a game with extreme intensity.

Whether that is a good thing or not depends on whether you really enjoy the game that much.

Originally posted by Robsolf

Now I'm curious.  Using the most basic labor statistics and applying them to the number of hours played by players in WoW, I'm curious as to how much could have been build if those hours were used to create something real.  I bet it's beyond my imagination...

a small comment.

daily activities are divided between work rest and entertainment. the "wow hours" are replacing entertainment not work.

if you quit your job to play wow then the story would be different but as it stands the answer is "those hours were never designed to create anything useful".

Originally posted by Fadedbomb

The advantage of being a "Hardcore" playing is that nothing is handed to you on a golden platter. Your games are challenging, and not everyone and their MOTHER can do them (granted a term that will change in the next 20years, since my mother plays PS3 RPG games).

 

WoW, does NOT under ANY circumstances have ANY "hardcore" gamers. It may have people who play for 20+hours in one sitting, but that's NOT what dictates "hardcore". Sitting in one place with a BUTTLOAD of free time == POWERGAMER, NOT "Hardcore".

 

Powergamers are the ones you're talking about with a CRAP load of "Free Time" with their lack of age being a deciding factor.

 

Hardcore, and it's ironic "core", means a gamer who ENJOYS a difficult experience, or simply enjoys the challenge of the game more so than the journey itself. 

 

 

Hope this helped you clearly understand the difference between "Hardcore", and what you're referring to, "Powergamer".

 

-Faded

I really should be writing a blog about this but my image of hardcore is much different from yours. Not saying who is right and wrongs, just a different vision.

I don't think there's any "benefit" to it.

It's a different playstyle, that's all.

People place way too much stock in being "hardcore" or "casual" or whatever, IMO.

If people stopped worrying about how far along others are, or who did what  on which server first, or how much farther along others are, etc.. none of those labels would mean a thing.

1 benefit

You have a good chance of online romancing a housewife whose husband doesn't appriciate her any more.

The downside

She probably has 3 kids with 4 different Daddys. I know it seem mathmatically / biologically impossible. But never understimate the 'gitrdone' attitude of the American south.

Originally posted by PukeBucket

1 benefit

You have a good chance of online romancing a housewife whose husband doesn't appriciate her any more.

The downside

She probably has 3 kids with 4 different Daddys. I know it seem mathmatically / biologically impossible. But never understimate the 'gitrdone' attitude of the American south.

Sadly, I've seen this exact scenario play out...minus the impossible math part.  People are unbelievalbe sometimes.  

Originally posted by Inktomi

Could hardcore MMORPG playing be a young mans game?Are the chains of adulthood finally catching up with me? Or is it the stagnation of the industry and there isn't a game around that makes me look forward to playing it.

 What are the benefits of being a hardcore gamer?

Does anyone share the same experience I am going through?

I don't think a specific age has anything to do with it honestly. It just sounds like you have found other things in life that you like more than gaming.

When I was younger, smoking pot, working on muscle cars, chasing ass and staying out all night drinking with friends was fun and I never wanted to give it up. Now that I'm 40 I still enjoy working on cars, but I've replaced those other activities with flying, racing quads and staying up all night with friends blowing up space stations or slaying dragons.

Your interests will continue to change, it's just a part of growing up.