Previously, I’ve talked about how the old divide between “hardcore” and “casual” gamers has fallen apart. I can’t take credit for it, but this belief seems to be extending into the gaming media; I’ve seen many outlets eschew the term “hardcore” gamer. Now, the new trend is to refer to them as “core” gamers.

This is just as stupid as calling them “hardcore” gamers, and for the exact same reasons.

On the surface, a “core” gamer is ostensibly one who enjoys “non-casual” games, just like “hardcore” gamers before them. (That is, this gamer is more likely to play Resident Evil or Halo than Bejeweled or Tetris.) To reiterate my reason as to why these labels are stupid: for every extreme Halo fan, there’s a passionate Peggle player, thus rendering the labels pointless. Shortening the term to “core” actually makes it worse; the very word “core” generally means the strong base providing the foundation for something, right? Well, in this case, the application is clearly wrong based on simple logic. Using the exact definition of the word, then we simply must conclude that Nintendo’s Wii and DS are the true “core” platforms, as they’ve got the largest install base. (You could also technically count the PlayStation 2, as it’s still supported and has sold over 150 million units.) Yet, the use of “core” in the gaming press refers to heavy action titles on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3! So, once again, the argument falls apart.

You don’t see this kind of mental diarrhea in other forms of entertainment. There’s no “core” music fans, or “core” movie fans, or “core” book fans. Ditch the stupid adjectives already, and call players everywhere what they are: just gamers.