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They say the difference between a runner and a jogger is that a runner cares about the distinction. The same could be said about core versus casual gamers.
By and large, casual gamers don’t mind labels. So why, then, does FarmVille developer Zynga feel the need to redefine “core gamer”? According to Zynga spokesman Manny Anekal, the new hardcore gamer is age 25-44 and female — i.e. the majority of Zynga’s users.
This coincides with a bold prediction from developer Rovio (of Angry Birds fame): Console games are dying. According to PR representative Peter Vesterbacka, innovation in gaming has gravitated towards mobile platforms. Vesterbacka also deplores the term “casual gamer,” inasmuch as there’s no talk of “casual movies” (a straw man of the highest order since movies are a passive form of entertainment).
Various other parties have also attempted to eliminate the distinction between core and casual gamer. This is a futile gesture, because regardless of the stigma attached to “casual gaming,” the market segment exists. Whether we acknowledge it publicly is irrelevant. Developers draw the distinction when they design their game. If Bioware were to market a FarmVille clone to Mass Effect fans, it’d bomb. Similarly, it’d be foolish to market a complex title like Tactics Ogre to casual gamers.
Granted, casual games can supplement the core gamers’ repertoire; I enjoy a round of Fruit Ninja every now and then. But games like Angry Birds will never supplant Mass Effect or Modern Warfare.
The difference between core and casual gamer lies in the level of dedication. Core gamers prefer deeper experiences. They’re more tolerant of steep learning curves, high difficulty, and lengthy campaigns. Casual gamers prefer simpler mechanics. They prefer experiences that assume a minimum of gaming expertise.
For example, Bitmob's Shoe often notes his predilection for Call of Duty: Black Ops — specifically, the pick-up-and-play nature of multiplayer. But this in itself doesn’t make him a casual gamer. Call of Duty, in its many iterations, is a far more complex game than Farmville or CityVille.
It’s foolish to assume that casual gaming will replace core gaming, or vice versa. If anything, the market has become more inclusive in the last 5-10 years. Folks who’d never pick up an Xbox or PlayStation controller are suddenly “gamers.” Whole companies — Zynga, Rovio, Halfbrick — have sprung up to service this market segment.
In no way does this newfound infusion of casual gamers dilute the core market. Angry Birds achieved 100 million downloads in the same universe that Black Ops sold 18.88 million units. If demand exists — be it for core or casual gaming — companies will provide the proverbial supply.