(This commentary is written from the view of someone who technically qualifies as a Hardcore Gamer but, absolutely hates the majority of his peers. If you happen to be an HC gamer, that still manages to NOT look down on all those who don't conform to your style or that you are NOT somehow owed something from your hobby, than this does not apply to you. Not all HCG's are like this. The below is however, how the vocal majority wish to be seen. This is for them, and the bad name they give us all.)

Hardcore Gamer:

A very vocal, arrogant minority of gamers that assume that the gaming industry revolves (or should revolve) around them.

Consider their own skills, and preferences and, those of their peers, to be the only acceptable use of a recreational medium.

Often use the term "True Gamer". An arrogant, idiotic term invented by insecure people to justify their own gaming style.

The irony is, the gaming industry was born from the notion, that these are games, pinball dating back as far as the 40's was designed for people to relax and enjoy.
Pong brought it home, followed by other game systems that were designed for fun and recreation.

However, like all hobbies, there will always be those "stop having fun guys" that ruin it for everyone else.
People who feel that the industry belongs to them.
People who fail to realize that there will always be a place for them but really just want it all. If casual players get their way the whole industry will collapse and the world will end.
People who adopted the medium as their own and decided that they were the only ones worthy.

Refuse to accept that, like board games, video games are made to be enjoyed. They aren't made for you to feel good about yourself. there are hardcore boardgamers out there too and, they also miss the point.

Hardcore gamers are no less ridiculous than a "pin the tail on the donkey" elitist, who shows up to a birthday party with their own pins and blindfold, won't shut up about you're "spinning all wrong" then looks shocked, as to why the rest of the guests find them socially repulsive.

Hardcore gamers are generally cliquish, rude, snide and belligerent.
When they aren't attacking casuals, they're attacking each other for the dumbest shit.

"Yeah you beat that boss but, I did it without using half my abilities, blindfolded, with no healing items, on hardcore extreme killer blood-hell mode!"
Don't sell yourself short kid, you also did it with your head up your ass.

This comes from a culture where sarcasm is way more important than ideas.

To be hardcore, a game pretty much needs to be "difficult".
That's all hardcore games really are. Tedious and long, and dragged out and hard.
Because the life of a hardcore gamer generally isn't very taxing, they can turn to games to "challenge" them.

Often times they'll wax on about how casual gamers are gradually killing the market, while ignoring the fact that the market has always had room for both players and, that some people have a life to kick their ass. That, when they sit down to play a video game, it's not so damn important that a player needs to turn it into some perfectionist job you don't get payed for.

That maybe, a person who doesn't piss 90% of their paycheck on games also deserves to enjoy a game.

Me? I qualify as a hardcore gamer, but I hate the term. I'm ashamed of HC gamers and how awful they make gamers look. How ignorant they are. How arrogant and myopic. How they taunt and belittle people simply for failing to take a fucking game too seriously.

Hardcore gamers want the entire medium of electronic games for themselves. They don't care about anyone else. They're selfish, ignorant tools who want to stay in the basement, never getting laid.

There is a big difference, between wanting a challenge and, demanding everyone should. See past your own god damn skills for once in your lives. Learn to accept that not everyone can sit in front of a monitor for hours mastering a game.
If you need to insult a person's gaming preference, you're the one that needs to stop playing.

A Hardcore gamer is a knowledgeable, active and committed individual with a high degree of interest or commitment in playing video games.

Apparently, what any gamer who was playing video games prior to 2006 is.

A "hardcore" gamer generally puts money down on games with actual gameplay involved. They have a somewhat excessive amount knowledge of videogames in general, but these gamers are proud enthusiasts and enjoy discussing the games they play. "Hardcore" gamers select games from specific genres and trusted publishers and have been part of the gaming industry for decades. I guess that's why they're hardcore now. Who knows.

This is contrary to the casual gamer, who has risen in prominence with the help of the Nintendo Wii and Apple iPhone. These gamers favor titles such as Wii Tennis, Wii Sports Bowling and Scrabble iPhone edition. Oftentimes, they are discouraged by the learning curve more traditional videogames require and stray away from them.

\A gamer who plays a variety of video games, based only on gameplay, not graphics, story, popularity,etc. They respect the old school, and own multiple consoles, old and new(not a fanboy.) They enjoy playing FPS's, JRPGS, Fighting games, etc. The term also applies to PC gamers.

Individuals who put a large amount of time into playing video games; this is what most people refer to as a "true gamer." Contrary to popular belief, hardcore gamers are not people who only play games with extreme violence and gore; hardcore gamers prefer to play games from different genres and franchises. They also feel that gameplay in a video game is the most important aspect of any game; as long as the game is fun (meaning difficulty and graphics don't matter), they will continue playing it. The complete opposite of a hardcore gamer is the "casual gamer."

A videogame enthusiast who does not care what system he/she is playing on, as long as the game in question is both fun (read: controls well, intrigueing and inventive gameplay, ect.) and challenging. A hardcore gamer realises that there is merit to many games on a variety of systems and often owns all of the currently available systems.

One variation on this term would be Insane hardcore gamer: A gamer who owns as many videogames as he/she can possibly get his/her hands on, often never finishing even half of what he/she owns, and also seeking out deals on famous/favourite/rare games just so that they can be added to his/her collection.

One who spends in excess of more than 4 hours in one sitting. Realises that graphics, story, fun and all the other shit are all equally important. One offsetting the other will affect the game adversely

Me. And I'm not ashamed to say it.

a casual gamer minus a girlfriend, wife, job or some form of satisfying social life. They are mostly teenage boys, but some are grown men with the mentality of the average teenage boy.