Casual Gaming – What Makes It Different and Worthwhile

This is a Guest Article written by Ellen Royce.

Playing is the definition of fun and relaxation. No matter which games we choose to play: single or multiplayer, online or offline, we do it mainly for recreational purposes (with some exceptions). However, with time appeared such terms as “casual” and “hardcore” gaming. While some dedicated people talk about the importance of “core” gaming, we have to ask an opposite question: What exactly is the difference between the two and what makes it worthwhile, compared to hardcore scene?

What Makes Casual Games Different

There are no exact definitions which would be sufficient to explain casual gaming or hardcore gaming. However, many players themselves agree that there are several factors that distinguish a casual game:

1. Time invested. Hardcore gaming takes up a lot of a player’s time during the day, and possibly keeps him from other important activities, like spending time with relatives, studying or even working. Casual gaming, on the other hand, does not take up so much time. The pleasure of the game will still remain high, even if it’s not as time-consuming, because a lot of time you spend on hardcore games isn’t really related to “having fun”, it’s more akin to maintenance or training. Investing your time into those games is a prerequisite, while the sole definition of casual implies something you can just pick up and play.
2. Money spent. Hardcore game can be very taxing on your wallet. The games themselves can be expensive, but they also require top-of-the-line expensive hardware to play them. Online games can also require a constant fee or purchase of in-game goods. Meanwhile casual games are aimed at more broad audience, that doesn’t always want to pay a fortune for a game, so they accommodate and become more affordable. Most of them can be played to devises that you would already have for other needs.
3. Challenge can be a good thing, it motivates and drives you forward. But there is a line between something challenging and something pointlessly difficult. Hardcore games often cross that line, becoming more and more difficult to justify all the time and money you’ve spent on the game. Meanwhile casual games don’t need that justification, they can be challenging enough to interest you without their difficulty straining you. Surely, there is satisfaction to be found in defeating an incredibly challenging game, but that satisfaction requires a lot of time invested in it.
4. If you want to kick back and relax, you could do something not gaming related, like watch a movie. But the key benefitting difference here is interactivity. While more relaxed, compared to hardcore games, casual games are still games. They are still interactive and investing, stimulating your brain and often helping you learn facts and little things along the way, if the game has an interesting theme.

As we can see, the advantages of casual gaming are obvious. It is a very relaxing and fun pastime for every player, as it does not take up much of the time, and the games are not that difficult. At the same time, casual gaming can also be educative, since many of the games are based on tasks that can develop either your attention, your speed of reaction, your mathematical skills or anything else. The list could be endless.

Considering casual gaming for your next recreational activity is definitely a good advice.