Comments on: Transitioning from hardcore is difficult

By: Long Time No Game

Long Time No Game — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:39:49 +0000

[...] Ferrel writes about how a change in playstyle, particularly from hardcore, can take its toll. [...]

By: Korrow

Korrow — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:36:22 +0000

I believe the tern hardcore also applies to efficent

I am not Hardcore any more.. because of work, school and family. I still play when I can, but when I do I am very efficent. I know what I have to do, how to do it, and have goals to complete.

I can honestly say before when I was “Hardcore” I would play a ton, was efficent and also had time to be social. Now adays I don’t have time to screw around… ie looking for a group for 4 hours like in EQ…. I’ll just do it myself!

On the other hand, I love to group, but in that it becomes really dependent on my group. You suck or take forever, I will do something by myself.

By: Transitioning through a change in game style « Exploring War Like Worlds.

Transitioning through a change in game style « Exploring War Like Worlds. — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:11:25 +0000

[...] Two articles are up on from changing from hard core to casual game [...]

By: /AFK – October 4 « Bio Break

/AFK – October 4 « Bio Break — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 12:16:28 +0000

[...] Ferrel re: Hardcore Play – “Sooner or later they will not be able to keep up the pace they’re used to anymore.” [...]

By: Devilicus

Devilicus — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 20:54:24 +0000

Very well put!

By: Tesh

Tesh — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:36:00 +0000

Hardcore: It’s not just a raid schedule, it’s a Way of Life!

(As in, it’s not just playing 40 hours a week, it’s how you approach the game mentally and emotionally. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, either. You can be mentally and emotionally hardcore and still lead a balanced life… but it’s tricky.)

I consider being married to be a full time job. Any children just make it fuller time. (That’s not a complaint. ) And, well… when it comes down to it, my family is the most important thing to me. If I have to step back from my old gaming achievements, it’s just because they were supplanted by something better. I can live with that.

By: Ferrel

Ferrel — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:21:42 +0000

Personally I consider having three children a full time job. You might not get a pay check but you’re working hard! I think the term you’re looking for is a “professional” player. We still play in a way that is skilled and mature. We just don’t go out and give up our lives to do things.

I know I shouldn’t dwell on it but a part of me does. I miss being at the head of a large group of people achieving great things. Even if they are fictional. The whole thing really is silly. I’ve been achieving great things in life lately and yet I miss the activities that were essentially fictitious!

By: Devilicus

Devilicus — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:01:28 +0000

As someone who played along side of you in the “NFL” days I feel I must comment =) I think you hit the nail on the head with what is the issue now. The lack of wanting to put forth the effort to be back in the saddle again so to speak. It’s kinda like when you take an extended break from gaming for something (moving, family, kids, finances whatever) and you get used to doing other things with your time. When you go back to the game, you think of all the things you were most recently doing with the time you’re now using to game. The drive dimishes somewhat but never dissapears.

In my case specifically, I have learned to juggle kids and gaming. I do not have a “job” that pays but I take care of my kids and that alone keeps me extremely busy during most days. I used to want to play ALL the time. Literally… ALL the time. Now, I enjoy playing in the evenings after dinner when the kids are settled and/or in bed and Anarchous and I can relax and focus on what we are doing. Long gone are the days where I feel I need to play while feeding a child and/or auto following while getting dinner ready etc. etc.

With that being said, I still find time to be able to game almost 4-5 hours a night if I want. Does that make me hardcore or just adept at getting things done so I can sit down and play? I do miss the reward for putting forth the effort and getting to see end game content. Will it ever be a 6 night a week thing for me again, probably not.

I really dislike the term hardcore, because like most things, it’s relative to your situation. To someone who has no job or responsibilites and can play 20 hours a day, they’re hardcore. Another person may work 2 jobs have a family and only 3 hours a night of free time and use that to game. That can also be considered hardcore. It’s all a frame of mind and less of a time commitment to me. You either do or you don’t.

And stop living in the glory days! Make a scrapbook and look at it fondly from time to time =P Starla has all the pictures i’m sure LOL! I jest of course =)

By: Ferrel

Ferrel — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:26:36 +0000

I think habit forming is a very elegant way to put it actually. I can indeed now give up on an MMO without much effort. I’d have to find something else to do though. I’m not big into TV and I have a lot of roots in this community. It would really peculiar to just take off.

By: Chris (Game by Night)

Chris (Game by Night) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:23:32 +0000

I think MMOs are less addicting and more habit forming, if you know what I mean. I know I could give up MMOs at the drop of the hat if I wanted to and, yet, I still feel like something’s missing if I’m not actively playing one. You’re right though. +1 and /agree for Ferrel Wisdom.