I usually do not keep up with current events whether they have something to do with video games or not. In fact my first time hearing the term “casual game” was while I was in my English 298 class. I originally thought that it was just a term used to sort out two types of games, like “violent” and “non-violent” games, now I see that this “casual game” term is actually referring to a genre of video games. I still have no idea what a “casual game” really is and could never give an example of one. In James Portnow article “Redefining Casual for Hardcore” he refers to a few arcade games as being what is considered casual. He also states that his definition of a casual game is:
1. A game that can be played in short sessions
2. Lacking in Finality
3. Replay able
From my understanding this definition would include titles like Rock Band and Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodge Ball. This makes me wonder how closely we should follow this definition. Games like Mortal Kombat: Armageddon, Tekken and Soul Calibur could fall into the category of casual games. They lack the ability to ever be finished, people can sit there and play them over and over again and it can provide quick and short gameplay sessions. However, the aforementioned games have been placed into the category of “hardcore games” by the media along with Dead or Alive.
Discrepancies like that can cause confusion for people. Some would wonder why they are being listed in one genre if they do not meet the requirements for that genre. I do not agree with the terms “casual game” and “hardcore game” they make things a little too technical and a lot more difficult than they have to be. Everything seemed to work fine when a game was classified as a fighting game or an adventure game. How many gamers actually use the terms “casual gamer”.
The invention of these terms appears to be another way to separate what people refer to as “gamers” from the rest of society. The video game genres that the video game industry has been using works just fine, what is the point of adding two more categories. I find this constant change that is being made in to video games and the entire gaming community to be very confusing and frustrating. Life is difficult enough for gamers as it is.
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Well you have these two new categories because of what Nintendo has done with the Wii and DS systems. The term casual referred to these games that lacked anything closely related to games the average developer would make or the so called AAA titles that almost rival Hollywood movies.
ReplyDeleteNo we do not need anymore terms in this industry because you are right, they do confuse people and also they start fanboy/girl wars all across the medium.
I'm interested in your point that the term "casual gamers" serves as a way to separate gamers from the populace. From the way it seems, it's almost like a form of alienation, a term used to protect the rest of the population from a subculture. Games hit the mainstream, and should be treated as such, and the idea of "casual gamer" is not an ideal term. "Gamer" should apply in any case, no matter what a person plays.
ReplyDeleteI thought the same thing. I was wondering about all the Donkey Kong arcade gamers who dedicate hours of their lives to that game and compete for the highest score. Is that not "hardcore"? Or is it "casual" by James Portnow's definition? Its too complicated to just stick a label on it.
ReplyDeleteThe term "casual gamer" should tossed out. The definition for it doesn't even accurately describe it and it allows loop holes all over the place. What I don't understand is why society is trying to push the gaming community away. Its not like were diseased or mentally disturbed or anything, were all members of society after all.
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