You rarely heard the word "casual" in the gaming scene until recently. In my opinion the reason this word is being used so much is due to how many people game now. World of Warcraft has 11 million users. People who have been playing that game since BC, or Pre-BC have been raging due to how easy the game has become. This is because they want to appeal to the whole crowed so they can attract more people. I think that's more then oblivious so I wont run on about it anymore. But I will run on about how I can't stand Call of Duty 4 and how its dramatically changed the face of gaming right now.
Call of Duty 4 was a huge hit on Xbox 360, PS3 and on PC. The game was visually great looking, the story was amazing and the multi player was outstanding. Although the biggest reason that disk wouldn't leave peoples console was because of how easy the game was. The game is very casual and makes you feel good even though you really aren't. A lot of this has to due to how the game helps you with aiming your bullets, another factor is how small the maps are and the area of affect of a grenade. The biggest factor that people play that game over and over is the fact that the game makes you believe you are good. It is very easy to gain XP in Call of Duty 4. Even though your team didn't win and your K/D was negative you could still level up or unlock a new skin. This would make people think they are a "beast" or "pro" at a game that is relatively easy or made for "casuals".
Don't get me wrong there is plenty of skill involved with the game, but not enough that the skill gap between someone who has been playing for a week and someone who's been playing for two months. If you had someone who has been playing Halo 3 for a week and someone who has been playing Halo 3 for two months the skill gap is much greater due to how much more skill and thinking is involved with Halo.
This game single handedly shaped the gaming scene for right now, and I do believe that it is here to stay. Most games that are now made have RPG elements just like the perks from Call of Duty 4. The XP system that they used is now being used in every shooter that is coming out now. Look at Halo Reach, the XP system is now so similar. That personalty makes me sad because I loved how Halo did not have XP like Call of Duty. It is my favorite console shooter because of how much it reminded me of a PC shooter.
That is why I don't like the word "casual". Its all I ever hear out of someones mouth. It wont leave until gaming dies out of family house holds and games have a more serious factor to them. Although I don't believe this will happen since the gaming industry is so huge, I guess I will be hearing the word casual for most of my life.
sadface.
