55 replies to this topic

[iargue]

I love how the average gamers skill has degraded so much over the past two decades that Facebook games now make you considered "a gamer".

Its so sad.

[BuckFutter]

I love how the average gamers skill has degraded so much over the past two decades that Facebook games now make you considered "a gamer".

Its so sad.

Casual gamer, I suppose.

[Junsu]

Only texas hold-em

I like that game, but I dont see the point if I could play it with my bros anytime, rather than online :\

[SimDairy]

I like that game, but I dont see the point if I could play it with my bros anytime, rather than online :\

Ditto. Receiving real money from losing pals own getting digital currency from complete strangers any day.

[Enceladus]

I play Farmville, School of Wizardry and Treasure Island. XD

[Reddevil]

farmville ftw.

[GeorgeBright]

I love how the average gamers skill has degraded so much over the past two decades that Facebook games now make you considered "a gamer".

Its so sad.

The whole casual gamer boom is bullshit.
It would be less irritating if it were a niche market, but it's spreading too fucking much.

Edited by GeorgeBright, 23 April 2010 - 10:45 AM.

[Elindoril]

I love how the average gamers skill has degraded so much over the past two decades that Facebook games now make you considered "a gamer".

Its so sad.

I don't know how I missed this, but:

It's still a game, is it not? The dictionary definition of Gamer is "A person who plays games", so anyone who plays any kind of game, that being a Flash, PC, or Console game, they are classified as "gamers".

The whole casual gamer boom is bullshit.
It would be fine less irritating if it were a niche market, but it's spreading too fucking much.

You got the Wii to thank for that.

[SimDairy]

You got the Wii to thank for that.

Nintendo revolutionized the genre, particularly with Wario Ware.

Plus: Wouldn't Neopets count as casual gaming? So technically, we're all casual gamers.

Facebook is also redefining the casual gaming genre, with Pet Forest being at the borderline between casual games and actual games.

I'm speculating it wouldn't be long before casual gaming contests are held. Two competitors vying for the right to be called the Plants vs. Zombies King. Also maybe in that *still* non-existing future, there would be people whom we could consider as casual gaming pros or n00bs. Haha!

On a side note, I'm actually getting pro at Wario Ware...

[BuckFutter]

Nintendo revolutionized the genre, particularly with Wario Ware.

Plus: Wouldn't Neopets count as casual gaming? So technically, we're all casual gamers.

Facebook is also redefining the casual gaming genre, with Pet Forest being at the borderline between casual games and actual games.

I'm speculating it wouldn't be long before casual gaming contests are held. Two competitors vying for the right to be called the Plants vs. Zombies King. Also maybe in that *still* non-existing future, there would be people whom we could consider as casual gaming pros or n00bs. Haha!

On a side note, I'm actually getting pro at Wario Ware...

I'd say facebook is also targeting the gamers who no longer have that much time on their hands. Games that require you only to log in a few times a day to play is a lot easier to keep up with.

Just to be curious, what do you exactly define as "casual game" and "actual game"?

[jcrdude]

I'd say facebook is also targeting the gamers who no longer have that much time on their hands. Games that require you only to log in a few times a day to play is a lot easier to keep up with.

Just to be curious, what do you exactly define as "casual game" and "actual game"?

I don't like games that completely value time over skill. Thus facebook games will never be my speed.

If I can "win" by planting and harvesting berries every 15 minutes, then I hardly consider that a skill.

A game that requires either aiming accuracy, problem solving skills, strategy, etc. would qualify as an "actual game" in my book.

[SimDairy]

I'd say facebook is also targeting the gamers who no longer have that much time on their hands. Games that require you only to log in a few times a day to play is a lot easier to keep up with.

Just to be curious, what do you exactly define as "casual game" and "actual game"?

Maybe as same as what you think it is...

For me actual games require a huge amount of time and dedication. A game where you won't succeed without putting a *tremendous* amount of time and effort. (I'm saying spending more than 36 hours of game time and probably a few hours of sleep.)

While casual games are games that you play when you need a little something to entertain yourself which is what PvsZ *suprisingly* is good at. Or, as far as Facebook games or Neopets is concerned, require only that you log-in for a few minutes to do your dailies and then spend the rest of your time elsewhere, like lurking in the forums.

A game that requires either aiming accuracy, problem solving skills, strategy, etc. would qualify as an "actual game" in my book.

So by that, would you say games like Text Twist, Zuma or Plants vs. Zombies are actual games?

Edited by SimDairy, 23 April 2010 - 04:10 PM.

[jcrdude]

So by that, would you say games like Text Twist, Zuma or Plants vs. Zombies are actual games?

Text Twist requires a skill: quick thinking and knowledge with the English language

While it may become dull and/or repetitive, I would qualify it as an actual game

Zuma requires a skill: aiming, pattern recognition and mouse/finger speed

Another game that could become dull with time, but I would qualify it as an actual game.

I have no knowledge of Plants vs. Zombies so I cannot pass judgment on this game.


To find games that I would disqualify, think of almost any game wherein you earn more "points" by being active more often.

MMO's reward more time, but if you are more skilled at planning/strategy, you can achieve more in the same amount of time.

[SimDairy]

Text Twist requires a skill: quick thinking and knowledge with the English language

While it may become dull and/or repetitive, I would qualify it as an actual game

Zuma requires a skill: aiming, pattern recognition and mouse/finger speed

Another game that could become dull with time, but I would qualify it as an actual game.

I have no knowledge of Plants vs. Zombies so I cannot pass judgment on this game.


To find games that I would disqualify, think of almost any game wherein you earn more "points" by being active more often.

MMO's reward more time, but if you are more skilled at planning/strategy, you can achieve more in the same amount of time.

Oh ok. Personally, I still consider them still casual games since they are the types of games that you play in the office when you're having a break.

Oh and Plants vs Zombies require choosing the most efficient plant which counters the zombie you are going to encounter and placing them in the most efficient spot possible (survive while at the same time doing its time). It also requires a cool mind when things heat up and zombies start to spawn like bunnies in spring. It's basically strategy.

[BuckFutter]

For me actual games require a huge amount of time and dedication. A game where you won't succeed without putting a *tremendous* amount of time and effort. (I'm saying spending more than 36 hours of game time and probably a few hours of sleep.)

Over a period of how many days does this 36 hours of game time take place?



It really depends on what you mean by "succeed" too. For almost all games, a large amount of time is required if one wants to be good at it (barring games like tic-tac-toe, etc.). Though some games reward time spent with progress or valuables (e.g. RPGs), other games reward time spent with increased proficiency at the game (e.g. games like Street Fighter).

[SimDairy]

Over a period of how many days does this 36 hours of game time take place?

It really depends on what you mean by "succeed" too. For almost all games, a large amount of time is required if one wants to be good at it (barring games like tic-tac-toe, etc.). Though some games reward time spent with progress or valuables (e.g. RPGs), other games reward time spent with increased proficiency at the game (e.g. games like Street Fighter).

It doesn't really matter how much of your day you put into the game. It only matters about how much time you put into the game.
You could get good at a game by spending 1 hour each day for a month as compared to spending 15 hours each day for two days. Its the output that counts.

I would also like to put in the factor of how much game time you need to invest before being pleased by the game. Since you can be pleased by playing Text Twist at about the same amount you can be pleased by porn at about the same time invested, I'd say its a casual game. Whilst you need a huge amount of time in RPG's before you can go crazy mass-murdering people, in fighting games before you start owning your pals, and in FPS's before you can reach the next rank.

[jcrdude]

Oh ok. Personally, I still consider them still casual games since they are the types of games that you play in the office when you're having a break.

I can play "actual games" in the office while on break. My DS has made a broader array of "proper" games available in a portable format. I could knock out a round of Final Fantasy Tactics, complete a mission in Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, etc. Being able to play something for <15 Minutes at a time does not preclude it from "real" game status.

For me actual games require a huge amount of time and dedication. A game where you won't succeed without putting a *tremendous* amount of time and effort. (I'm saying spending more than 36 hours of game time and probably a few hours of sleep.)

I've heard the original Prince of Persia was pretty easily beatable in about 12 hours of gameplay. It would not make your list.

Someone could spend 36 hours playing Text Twist to hone their Text Twist skills (assuming they have the attention span to play the same game for that long).

Hell, I've seen someone sit and play Minesweeper for hours on end.

Those last two games require time to hone the skill necessary to score higher and higher in the game.

It really depends on what you mean by "succeed" too. For almost all games, a large amount of time is required if one wants to be good at it (barring games like tic-tac-toe, etc.). Though some games reward time spent with progress or valuables (e.g. RPGs), other games reward time spent with increased proficiency at the game (e.g. games like Street Fighter).

Clearly I agree with this post.

[GreenScissors]

A game is a game to me. I think it becomes hardcore when you spend many hours on it regardless of how difficult/easy the game is.

[Junsu]

Random Stat.

Farmville players outnumber real farmers in the US by a ratio of 60 to 1.

[SimDairy]

A game is a game to me. I think it becomes hardcore when you spend many hours on it regardless of how difficult/easy the game is.

This sums up what I think about games perfectly...

[BuckFutter]

It doesn't really matter how much of your day you put into the game. It only matters about how much time you put into the game.
You could get good at a game by spending 1 hour each day for a month as compared to spending 15 hours each day for two days. Its the output that counts.

Err doesn't this contradict your point about casual games and actual games?


IIRC you previously made the distinction that an actual game requires "spending more than 36 hours of game time and probably a few hours of sleep". With this definition, your concept of what an "actual" game is attributed to time spent, yet now you say it doesn't really matter how much of your day you put into the game? o___O

For example, if someone decides to spend 19 hours a day playing Text Twist (a game that you classify as casual previously, i believe), does that make Text Twist an "actual" game?

[Kurokocchi]

my bro made it to lvl 70 in a month playing farmvile, with the help of bots of course.

[SimDairy]

For example, if someone decides to spend 19 hours a day playing Text Twist (a game that you classify as casual previously, i believe), does that make Text Twist an "actual" game?

That would just mean that the player is just fond of the game.. I doubt he'll go through 36 hours playing the game w/o getting bored though... Unless of course challenged by a friend and the winner gets free lunch for a week that is.

[dirigibleplum]

D: I'm proud to say that I've recently kicked my Farmville habit. Two months clean. xD Like people have said, it annoys me when games force you to use time over skill. Sadly rewarding in some sense, but annoying nonetheless!

[GeorgeBright]

Ogame was a weird game to me, because it demanded you put the time into making sure you're fleet/planet wasn't being attacked and that all of you research and buildings were carried out/built.
It was a timesink and it took me awhile to walk away from it. It took far too long to realize that it had stopped being fun after the first week and had been a liability ever since.